Carnival’s Wearable Tech and 12 Other Tourism Trends This Week

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines tourism.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>Cruise lines have been working on ways to improve guest-facing technology — it sounds like those efforts are moving to a new level this year: Cruise Companies Are Using Tech to Innovate Beyond Wi-Fi and Robots

>>The widespread acceptance of Disney’s MagicBand — at least in Florida parks — shows that vacationers can adapt and embrace new forms of technology: Carnival Corp. Wants Wearable Tech to Elevate the Cruise Experience

>>Like a number of other travel companies, All Leisure Group has not been able to cope with the level of geopolitical upheaval in key destinations: UK Cruise and Tour Firm All Leisure Group Collapses

>>The new focus for the 2017 meetings industry revolves around developing more multidisciplinary business events, integrating education and entertainment: 3 Trends That Will Disrupt the Meetings and Events Industry in 2017

>>The three primary trends in meetings in 2017 revolve around the growing convergence of different communities collaborating together, the festivalization of business events, and the role of conferences as experiential brand-marketing platforms: The Rise of Multidisciplinary Business Events — Meetings Innovation Report

>>It’s one thing for a private equity group to own many fragmented hotel and travel assets. It’s another to own a distribution platform to sell those products: Apple Leisure Group Will Likely Continue Growth After Sale

>>The $1.4 billion expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center is significant because it cements the city as the meetings and events capital of the western U.S.: CEOs of CES and Las Vegas Tourism Say the Vegas Strip Needs More Meeting Space

>>Tune in to hear how the experts put on big, non-boring events — and how they think social media is changing attendees’ experiences: Skift Backstage Podcast: SXSW and Superfly Pros on Making Events Better

>>The question on everyone’s mind is whether global and economic events will foster more business travel or keep growth subdued: Corporate Travel Leaders Hope for Stability and Plan for Growth in 2017

>>Global concerns have the potential to undermine the demand for business travel after years of growth: Uncertainty Remains for Corporate Travel in 2017 — Skift Corporate Travel Innovation Report

>>In 2017, Americans’ travel aspirations may reflect the country’s political divide: In Trip Planning Is There a Red State Versus Blue State Divide?

>>We don’t need supersonic travel, robot butlers, or Alexa in every hotel room. Just a few upgrades to improve the experience overall: A Supertraveler’s Wish List for Travel in 2017 and Beyond

>>With more airlift from the U.S. to Mexico, and the country’s increased focus on luxury travel, combined with a stronger U.S. economy, it makes sense that U.S. travel growth to Mexico became robust in 2016: U.S. Outbound Tourism Snapshot for October 2016