The real trip advisors reveal their tips for travel in 2015

Mesmerising Myanmar: Ancient temples and an increasingly
modern infrastructure are the drawcards. Photo: Getty Images.

So – what’s the next big thing? Travel experts reveal their tips for the coming year.

With an eye on the hip pocket, we're looking at hometown holidays in 2015, say travel industry's chiefs. And while Asia is back on top as our favourite playground, Myanmar continues its stellar orbit as the region's shining star.

Gary Bartelings, Captain's Choice

Where is everyone going in 2015? Gallipoli for the centenary, on unusual train journeys, South America, Antarctica and our new Australian tours by private plane.

Where should everyone be going in 2015? Iran and Myanmar. For safe and trusted, a British Isles cruise or a train journey through Switzerland.

The biggest issue in travel in 2015?  An unsettled world and the weakening Australian dollar.

Where are you packing your bags for? Chichen Itza in Mexico, Rio, Easter Island, Tahiti, Angkor  Wat, the Taj Mahal and the Serenas, well as the UK and Europe.

Fearless prediction? Keep travelling, so people across cultures, religions and countries can connect peacefully. See captainschoice.com.au.

Simon Westcott, Luxe City Guides 

Where is everyone going in 2015? Myanmar: infrastructure is improving and there's a sense it'll all change fast.

Where should everyone be going in 2015? Bhutan: because it's not going to change fast. A purer and more controlled experience awaits.  

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? Travel safety: the perceived threat of increased terrorism and infectious diseases.

Where are you packing your bags for? London, Florence, Marrakech, Taipei, Tokyo and the USA.

Fearless prediction?  Wifi flights will become the norm. See luxecityguides.com.

Alan Alcock, Wendy Wu Tours

Where is everyone going in 2015? Japan, now great value for money, and India.

Where should everyone be going in 2015? Sri Lanka, which is rapidly healing after its terrible civil war, the idyllic Maldives, and Myanmar for quaint, rustic antiquity.

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? The potential spread of terrorism to our region, health issues such as Ebola and the value of the Australian dollar. 

Where are you packing your bags for?  Vietnam, Japan and Mongolia.

Fearless prediction? Self-drive three-wheeled tuk-tuk tours in India! See wendywutours.com.au.

Tom Walley, Flight Centre Australia

Where is everyone going in 2015? Philippines: budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air has just kicked off a service departing Sydney four times weekly.

Where should everyone be going in 2015? London, for the Rugby World Cup! 

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? Airfares have never been more affordable and unless the US dollar drops significantly, the only issue is choosing where to go. 

Where are you packing your bags for? Whistler: snowboarding is my passion. We will thaw out on Hamilton Island. Fearless prediction? Aussies are in a golden era of travel with more accessible prices, services and routes. See flightcentre.com.au.

Sue Badyari, World Expeditions

Where is everyone going in 2015? Hiking and biking Cambodia, trekking the Patagonia Ice Cap, Arctic cruising to see the Northern Lights, Nepal's Manaslu Circuit, walking Spain's Camino. 

Where should everyone be going in 2015? Trekking the Altai mountains in Mongolia, hiking and biking in China, cycling Puglia, Italy. 

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? Flight availability in peak seasons, more freak storms and volatility in weather patterns due to global warming.

Where are you packing your bags for? Italy's Gran Paradiso Trek plus a self-guided cycling holiday from Slovenia to Croatia!

Fearless prediction for 2015? The Great Himalayan Trail – a five-month trek traversing Nepal's high passes. See worldexpeditions.com.

Ann Sherry, Carnival Australia 

Where is everyone going in 2015? Cruising Europe, Alaska, and the Baltics. 

Where should everyone be going in 2015? Asia, cruising from Japan and Singapore, visiting Vietnam and Cambodia, and even Indonesia's Komodo Island. 

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? The falling dollar, sharpening travellers' focus on value.

Where are you packing your bags for? Stradbroke Island, maybe an African safari and a PNG and Solomon Islands cruise to test new destinations.

Fearless prediction? Weekends at sea with Australia's best food and wine. See carnival.com.au.

Caroline Kennedy, Cox & Kings Australia

Where is everyone going in 2015? Italy and Greece for the food, wine, history and sites and Norway for the Northern Lights.

Where should everyone be going in 2015? ANZAC centenary commemorations in Gallipoli, with or without ballot tickets.

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? Global safety issues and natural disasters.

Where are you packing your bags for? I would like to do The Ultimate Travelling Camp in India.

Fearless prediction? Experiencing destinations in 3D, such as enjoying the view from your (prospective) hotel's balcony. See coxandkings.com.au.

Anton Stanish, Stayz Holiday Accommodation

Where is everyone going in 2015? The Gold Coast, Darwin and fringe CBD; homeowners are realising the viability of short-term rentals while travellers can immerse themselves in the local neighbourhood.

Where should everyone be going in 2015? Dunsborough, Western Australia. Definitely a new hot spot.

Where are you packing your bags for? A holiday rental in Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand, near golf courses, vineyards and beaches. 

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? Low-cost air carriers continuing to open up new markets, particularly in Asia.

Fearless prediction? Holiday rentals becoming bookable online, like hotels. See stayz.com.au.

Karin Sheppard, InterContinental Hotels Group 

Where is everyone going in 2015? South-east Asia and the Asia Pacific, for snorkelling safaris, stunning beaches.   

Where should everyone be going in 2015? On 'staycation,' exploring your own city. Sydney's Double Bay has new eateries, bars, shops and the new InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. 

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? Truly personalised and local experiences. 

Where are you packing your bags for? Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival, a diving holiday to Fiji and skiing in Queenstown. 

Fearless prediction? More marketing aimed at locals through social media, and brands rewarding guests for publicising their trips via social media. See ihg.com.

Dave Boyte, Skyscanner

Where is everyone going in 2015? Safe, affordable Nicaragua, Central America and Mykonos, Greece. 

Where should everyone be going in 2015? Colombo, Sri Lanka is reinventing itself as a cool foodie paradise. Flight searches to Bhutan are also on the rise.  

The biggest issue in travel in 2015? Online travel companies becoming mobile savvy, as travellers use mobile phones to research, plan and book holidays.

Where are you packing your bags for? The coolest little capital, Wellington, and Tasmania.  

Fearless prediction? Meta-search websites – websites that aggregate information from all over the web into one site – being an essential planning tool. See skyscanner.com.au.

This feature by Belinda Jackson was published in the Sydney Morning Herald's Traveller.