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Boomers lead a boom in U.S. national parks visitors, but for how long?
DestinationsThe percentage of visitors to the parks who are boomer age (48 to 66) is up around 8 percent over about two decades ago…also reflects a decline of 5 percent in visits by people who are 16 to 30. Park officials are well aware that sooner or later, boomers are not going to be turning [...]
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Eight hospitality trends that define millennial travelers
DigitalMillennial travelers are on the rise. You can spot them with their smartphones waiting for a flight, working on their Macbook in a hotel lobby, or maybe even hailing a taxi while still in a meeting. By 2030, this generation of travelers is expected to reach 78 million and outnumber baby boomers by 18 million, [...]
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Trend alert: Airlines offer flyers access to thousands of digital publications
TransportAirlines around the world are responding to the large number of passengers carrying smartphones, notebooks, tablets and e-readers by equipping seats with power ports and introducing onboard Wi-Fi and/or wireless inflight entertainment portals. In an effort to offer passengers a much wider variety of news, instead of the rather obligatory bunch of newspapers and magazines [...]
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Hotels and cities with “LGBT-friendly” reputations poised for growth
DestinationsLGBT festivals, fairs, and events are among the activities LGBT travelers are least interested when taking a trip; however, an “LGBT-friendly” reputation is one of the leading motivators for selecting a destination. Similarly, an “LGBT-friendly” reputation was the third-most important factor in selecting a hotel, after price and location, according to an online survey executed [...]
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Saudis, Australians, and Chinese are world’s top travel spenders
DestinationsAs global travellers intend to increase budgets for their next trip by an average of five per cent this year, Saudi tourists retain their position as the biggest spenders on the planet by spending an average of $6,666 per trip. While budgets are no longer among the top three reasons for travellers in choosing their [...]
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Branded amenities are the new, new thing in in-flight luxury
TransportOne of the most interesting and consumer-friendly burgeoning trends in in-flight hospitality is the branded partnership. High-end brands and local luxury companies are working with airlines to take their products to consumers 30,000 feet in the air. Onboard amenities from luxury brands Bose, Givenchy, and Westin Hotels provide travelers with a better, more comfortable in-flight experience, and brands with a [...]
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The rise of trekathon tourism
DestinationsWelcome to a new kind of endurance challenge. Trekathons cover the same distance as a marathon, but with a lot more sightseeing in between. Part city break, part adventure weekend, the idea is to hike 26 miles around one of Europe’s most vibrant cities – Barcelona, Paris, London or Amsterdam – in a single day. [...]
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Independent hotels increasingly aligning with chains, to leverage the larger brands
RoomsHyatt Hotels’s recent purchase of the iconic Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas..is another example of the increasing popularity of independent hotels backed by the power of a brand. The trend of independent hotels—particularly historic hotels or ones with a localized feel—partnering up with a brand has intensified over the past few years. Choice Hotels International’s [...]
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Four global megatrends forcing the travel industry to adapt or die
DigitalThe World Trade and Tourism Conference took place this week in Abu Dhabi. The conference has ended, but interested parties can still comb through the taped sessions that discuss the trends and challenges that the industry is facing in the future. Dr. Daniel Stelter of The Boston Consulting Group provided an economic context for the changes that the industry [...]
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The seven stages of film-inspired travel
DestinationsAs we outlined in our Skift Global Trends for 2013, branding through movies and TV is the big new battleground in travel marketing. Destination marketing organizations are realizing the trend and looking to convert international attention a destination can draw from a movie into travel bookings. High profile examples include New Zealand’s starring role in Lord of [...]
