2019 Travel & Tourism Trends: Which Ones Should You Take Seriously?
By Traci, Destination Marketing Manager | November 21, 2018
‘Tis the season for travel experts and trade media to announce their 2019 trend forecasts. Analyzing these predictions – parsing fads from movements with real staying power – is part of my job. Another is to inform our clients about pertinent trends they should pay attention to, and incorporating these into their strategic marketing plans.
At the bottom of this post, I’ve linked to a number of articles I’ve looked at recently. These predictions are some that I believe are considerable for travel businesses and tourism destinations in the northeast U.S., much like our clients here at BBG&G.
Four seasons and “off-peak” travel
People aren’t just traveling in the summer months anymore, especially since the off months are often more affordable. Because the weather doesn’t always cooperate accordingly, promote your indoor cultural, recreational, and culinary activities.
Small town travel
No one likes crowds, and some destinations, like Venice and Maya Bay in Vietnam, are actually suffering from “overtourism.” Quiet small towns are ripe for discovery, so create suggested itineraries for weekend getaways for prospective visitors.
Road trips & “micro” trips
Americans are vastly underutilizing their vacation time, which has resulted in getaways to short-haul drive destinations. The northeast U.S. benefits greatly from this trend, with its picturesque back roads linking tourist-friendly cities, towns, and villages. Make sure your marketing messages speak to people who love to drive – not just cars, but motorcycles and RVs, too.
Solo travel
Your guests may increasingly show up alone. Are you ready to offer them an experience that can be enjoyed as a party of one? Will they feel safe, or are there ways you can help them through additional security measures on your property?
Ancestry travel
Thanks to the surge of DIY DNA kits like 23andMe, interest in personal ancestry is rising, as interests in traveling to places our ancestors lived. Again, the northeast U.S., with its wealth of historical societies and museums, can take advantage of this. Let people know about local libraries that can help with genealogical research.
Astro-tourism
This trend is a little more “out there,” but there is a growing interest in all things celestial. Planetariums and unique outdoor star viewing locations – like bridges, cable cars, and rooftops – have a lot of potential to draw people in. “Dark sky” locations with minimal light pollution, like campgrounds, are also in demand.
There are other “trends” included in many of these lists that aren’t really new, like culinary tourism and tech-enabled travel (hello, AI), but they’re behaviors that are still important to consider as they continue to evolve.
Does your destination or business fit into any of these categories? If so, are you promoting your assets to their fullest? Let’s talk about it! Feel free to contact me at Traci@bbggadv.com
Sources:
https://magazine.northeast.aaa.com/daily/travel/air-travel/2019-travel-trend-predictions/
https://www.adventurestudenttravel.com/9-most-important-travel-trends-for-2019/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/travel-trends-2019/
https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/travel/g32446/travel-trends/
https://globalnews.booking.com/bookingcom-reveals-8-travel-predictions-for-2019/
https://www.traveldailymedia.com/gram-busters/
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