Search Travel Market Report

ALGV
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
Sponsored By NCL
Sponsored By NCL
ALGV

Where is the Travel Industry Heading in 2019?

by Jessica Montevago / October 01, 2018
Where is the Travel Industry Heading in 2019?

While 2018 was dominated by talk of authentic and immersive travel, the trend is going to evolve further, into including meaningful experiences. Photo: Shutterstock.com. 


Executives and industry leaders took to the stage at the Skift Global Forum in New York City last week, sharing where they see the future of the travel and tourism sector heading in the coming years.

Technology is the new frontier
Expect technology to become more interwoven into the guest experience. And not just in the form of technology for technology’s sake. “I think technology is the future, but not mood boards in the lobby and not iPads in every room, but technology that really makes every transaction at a hotel easier, or cheaper, and there’s a reason for it,” said Ian Schrager, founder of Ian Schrager Company.

As the pioneer of boutique hotels, Schrager is familiar with innovation. He believes hotel companies should utilize technology to make the process of checking in and out “absolutely frictionless and the time cut down to nothing;” and to communicate with guests before, during and after their stays.

Personal fulfillment is the new aspiration
While 2018 was dominated by talk of authentic and immersive travel, the trend is going to evolve further, into including meaningful experiences.

Travelers are “craving slow, deep, and immersive experiences,” said Geetika Agrawal, CEO of Vacation With an Artist (VAWAA), which offers mini-apprenticeships with local artists across the globe. These trips focus on learning from masters rather than following guides, and creating rather than consuming.

“We want to learn directly from the masters that have been shaping our cultures for generations,” she said. “We don’t want to feel commoditized — we want to feel like these experiences are created for us.”

Expect a bigger push in Asia
The burgeoning number of Chinese travelers will continue to draw the attention of big hospitality companies. By 2021, Chinese tourists will spend $429 billion on travel, according to a report by CLSA, with Japan and Thailand, and other destinations in Southeast Asia — especially Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines — ranking as top favorites.

Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian said, for his company, Asia continues to be an area of high focus. “When you look at the travel statistics, over the past five years, travel has grown at about one and a half times the rate of GDP around the world, but in Asia it’s more around twice the rate of GDP growth. So, we think Asia continues to be critically important.”

Leaving a positive impact on the destination
Muna Haddad wanted to change the travel strategy to directly benefit the communities in Jordan being visited.

“People were barely spending time in villages, barely spending money, barely learning about the people,” Haddad said. That was the inspiration when she founded Baraka, an Amman-based consulting firm that aims to stimulate economic growth in tourism destinations by communicating and working with the locals.

“Travel shouldn’t be a charity, it should be a viable business and profitable to everyone involved,” she said. Since working with these destinations, Haddad said visits changed from lasting two hours to two days, generating a 300 percent growth from 2016 to 2017 in visitor spending at these sites. In addition, about 91 locals have benefited. 

Luxury will focus on exclusivity and personalization
As the luxury sector becomes more crowded, hoteliers will have to redefine what they offer elite guests.

“I think what you’ve found is that there is this commoditization of luxury, in many respects there’s an intense need to invest in personalization,” said J. Allen Smith, CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

In addition, expect to see more partnerships between ultra high-end brands such as Hermes to partner with hotels to offer exclusive experiences for discerning travelers.

Hermes’ President and CEO for the Americas Robert Chavez said stores can offer a private appointment to a hotel’s elite guests before shops open or after they close. It’s this type of exclusivity that will please high-end travelers, Chavez said. “People want things that not a lot of people can get. That’s what it is like in the luxury world.”

  2
  0
ALGV

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Thailand Introduces New Tourist Tax for International Travelers
  3. Op-ed: Five Travel Predictions for 2021
  4. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  5. ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’
  6. Reflecting on 2020: ‘Primed’ for Self-Reflection Heading into the New Year

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements
  3. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  4. ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’
  5. What Advisors Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Relief Package
  6. American Airlines Launches Health Passport to Help Passengers with COVID Test Requirements
Tip of the Day

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
ALGV
TMR Recommendations
KNTO
Learn about Korea's amazing 5,000 year tradition, history and culture. Become a Korea Travel Specialist!
hbar
Top Stories
TMR’s Wellness Travel Outlook for 2020-2021 Is Now Available
TMR’s Wellness Travel Outlook for 2020-2021 Is Now Available

The Outlook surveyed over 1,100 travel advisors about what is happening and trending within the world of wellness.

Read...
Reflecting on 2020: Looking to Wellness and Medical Tourism in '21
Reflecting on 2020: Looking to Wellness and Medical Tourism in '21

As 2020 comes to an end, TMR invited a number of travel advisors and suppliers from all over the world to pen their own letter to the industry, reflecting on the year that was and looking to 2021.

Read...
ALG Vacations | Ready. Set. Go.
Read...
Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Dealing with the ‘New Normal’
Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Dealing with the ‘New Normal’

The U.S. Travel Association has partnered with the Infectious Disease Society of America and the CDC to try to establish consistent practices across the country.

Read...
CBP Postpones Trusted Traveler Enrollment Centers Reopening
CBP Postpones Trusted Traveler Enrollment Centers Reopening

Amid a resurgence in Coronavirus cases, the TTP enrollment centers will remain closed at least through Aug. 10.

Read...
The Travel Corp. Adds Trained Wellbeing Director on Guided Tours
The Travel Corp. Adds Trained Wellbeing Director on Guided Tours

The new program, which excludes tours in Australia and New Zealand, will begin with the launch of its domestic trips this year. 

Read...
News Briefs
  • Kentucky Derby is Rescheduled to September Because of COVID-19 Impact
  • Tianguis Turistico Rescheduled for September Amid COVID-19 Worries
  • Alaska Airlines Suspends Change Fees
  • Uniworld Amends 2020 Cancellation Policy Due to Coronavirus
  • Delta Air Lines Commits $1 Billion to Become Carbon Neutral
  • Tourism Cares Launches Online Auction
TMR Outlooks
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
Distribution Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/-C65Uqm5evk/0.jpg
Video: Why Consumers Should Use a Travel Agent in 2021
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy