Key trends influencing the travel and tourism industry

The impact of the recession which hit the travel and tourism industry has changed the consumer behaviors. These seven trends of the future provide insight into how the industry can entice the next generation of travelers, despite the economic uncertainty.

North America: Funemployment
Due to the historical high rates of unemployment, People who are unemployed and using the free time to have fun and explore new areas in their lives while they wait for their next job opportunity. These jobless folks, usually singles in their 20s and 30s, find that life without work agrees with them. Instead of punching the clock, they're hitting the beach. The funemployed serve as a target for extended trips, world cruises and long haul airline tickets, and a means to boost offseason occupancy rates.

UK: Pop-up hotels
New pop-up hotels are creating for travelers affordable accommodations with a unique hotel experience. Basically, temporary pre-built hotels that can be easily demolished and where construction time is reduced to fifty percent compared to traditional method. These new types of hotels are attracting a larger consumer base with their affordable pricing and sustainable living.


Europe: Concierge travel
Travel Concierge is designed to make life easier. It is there to help with all your travel planning needs – from pre-travel information to organizing transportation from the airport and throughout your trip. Concierge travels are mainly for wealthy travelers looking for customized holidays with a personal touch. Mass tourisms are demanding for more and more personalized services as well, as they become accustomed to find more travel options online.

Middle East: Female only accommodation

The concept of women-only hotels is an expansion of some operators, hoteliers and other suppliers offering single sex packages and products such as female floors in hotels and women-only tours. The growing young and female population in the Middle East is encouraging suppliers to target this market with culturally acceptable and tailored concepts. Saudi Arabia is leading the way with the first women-only hotel, Luthan Hotel & Spa. Egypt and Iran are also key target markets for female-only concepts especially with women accounting for almost half of the total population in 2008.

Africa: Obama effect - roots tourism

After, the election of the President Obama the sudden interest to visit destinations that have ties with the US president-elected is called roots tourism and indeed the recent visit of the US President in Ghana, put Africa under the international tourism spotlight still largely unknown to many core markets with the potential to boost economic prosperity in local African communities.

Asia: Golf – Golf tourism

The huge economic growth in china has ranked the latter fifth in the world with around 310 golf courses and hundreds more in the pipeline. Asian are crazy about golf, the number of ‘occasional’ golfers is growing virtually worldwide, providing the opportunity for tour operators and resorts to offer golf as an add-on feature to holidays. The competition for golfing tourists is heating up, as more and more destinations join the fray.

Latin America: The new luxury destination

The region that registered the smallest decline in wealth, 2008 is the Latin American countries which represents an enormous potential for luxury travel. The latin American countries with natural parks, biodiversity and urban environments whether you are traveling for business or pleasure the increasing interest in “eco luxe” and the hosting of Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games will be a further boost to the region's for the new luxury tourism destination.

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