2013 should be a reasonably good year for travel—as long as the economy doesn't tank. And, overall, real changes come rather slowly: 2013 will resemble 2012 in many aspects. But you will see some shifts that will affect what you buy and the way you buy it.

Not surprisingly, you can expect more challenging developments from airlines than from other important travel providers. Typically, airlines—consumers' primary concern when it comes to finding the best deals—are at the leading edge of changes, and in 2013, they will keep trying to figure out ways to start making money again.