I haven't spent a lot of time in the US, but as my American colleagues chat about their Memorial Day vacation plans, I realize how much more I need to explore! Some are excitedly sharing the (truly) bizarre attractions they'll see on their road trips, while others contemplate easy, breezy car-free escapes. Those who aren’t traveling (and plan to relax at home with a good book) are dreamily discussing their US summer vacations or (chill) music festival possibilities instead. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s go back and see where our travels have taken us since last month… Enjoy! – Sasha Brady, Digital Editor
Three travel trends to follow: the power of women travelers to boost economies around the globe by attending major concerts and music festivals; prioritizing traveling during the summer, with a focus on wellness or entertainment activities; and making food experiences, like obtaining hard-to-get reservations to popular restaurants, a priority.
Visitor: A visitor is a broad term that refers to someone who travels to a place, whether for leisure, business, or personal reasons. Visitors can include tourists, but they can also encompass individuals visiting friends or relatives, attending events, or conducting business activities in a particular location.
Tourist: A tourist is a specific type of visitor who travels to a destination primarily for leisure, recreation, or cultural experiences. Tourists often engage in activities such as sightseeing, exploring local attractions, and immersing themselves in the culture and history of the place they are visiting.
While tourists are a subset of visitors, the term "visitor" is more inclusive and can refer to a broader range of individuals traveling to a specific location for various purposes beyond leisure and recreation. Visitors may include individuals on business trips, students, temporary residents, or individuals visiting for personal reasons, in addition to those traveling for tourism.
Understanding the distinction between these terms can help clarify the diverse motivations and purposes behind travel and can provide insight into the various activities and experiences that individuals seek when visiting different locations around the world.
It’s finally the end of what feels like the longest month of the year and January has seen a lot of of discussion around trends for 2024 in the events industry. Here's my round-up of the hot topics:
- Bleisure
- Individualisation
- AI
- Sustainability
Mixing business and pleasure now has an official term – Bleisure – I’m not sure if I like the word but I certainly understand the point.
I was invited to join Kym J. from Mason Rose - Sales, Marketing & Communications for a round table discussion on industry trends with other agencies and key hotel properties across Europe, and this was one of the key topics that came out.
Combining personal trips with a site visit or tagging on an extended stay to explore a destination before or after a conference is nothing new but it's certainly an increasing trend as we all seek to maximise our time. It's something I frequently do to try and achieve better balance.
Individualisation – I’ve combined several elements here as personalisation and accessibility converge. Guests expect their preferences to be considered more than ever before. This means going beyond dietary preferences. Expectations are for alcohol-free choices to be offered at every drinks reception or dinner, meat-free options to be broadly available (i.e. not just offering a token “vegetarian alternative”), quiet rooms to be provided and disabilities prioritised whether visible or hidden. A recent event I saw provided a short reel in advance to show what happens and where to go when you arrive, all aimed at reducing anyone's anxiety of attending on their own.
AI – the room was jam-packed at the micebook Expo on Monday when Katie King, MBA took the stage to talk about how events teams can harness AI across sales & marketing. There was so much to absorb and think about, we will come back to this topic very soon!
Sustainability – you can’t manage what you don’t measure.
We have moved on from talking about what needs to be done to actively measure our impact but many clients still don’t want to know what their event carbon impact is; something we are determined to change this year. On the other side of the coin, with an increased consumer focus on sustainability, short haul destinations are showing stronger growth (illustrated in the SITE Incentive Travel Index: Incentive travel trends for 2024 revealed)
Finally, for a bit of ‘out there’ inspiration, check out Pinterest Predicts for the trends that they are seeing on their platform - from Rest Stops and slowcations to Jazz Revival, there are some interesting ideas there for all of us!
https://lnkd.in/dgu8FZhc
Whatever 2024 holds for the event industry, I feel we're in for a good one
A new trend in travel marketing we're noticing: DJs and musicians are shining a new light on bucket list destinations by live-streaming performances from spectacular natural attractions.
These captivating videos, set against stunning backdrops of glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes, merge music with natural beauty, inspiring viewers to visit these remote destinations.
We wouldn't be surprised if destination marketers jump on this trend and we see much more of it.
Watch more at: https://lnkd.in/d3nZEZXN#travelmarketing#travelinspo#marketingagency
As another successful Jazz Festival season comes to a close, we reflect on the amazing talent and unforgettable moments that made this year truly special. But as we look ahead to 2024, we can't help but wonder what surprises and delights await us.
If you're planning on attending any festival while visiting New Orleans, we urge you to book your accommodations and transportation well in advance. Here are just a few reasons why booking ahead of time is a smart choice:
1. You'll have more options: By booking early, you'll have a wider range of choices when it comes to hotels, vacation rentals, and transportation.
2. You'll save money: Many hotels and transportation companies offer early bird discounts, so you can save a significant amount of money by booking ahead of time.
3. You'll have peace of mind: Booking ahead of time means you won't have to worry about last-minute cancellations or scrambling to find available accommodations or transportation.
4. You'll be able to focus on enjoying the festival: When you book your accommodations and transportation early, you can relax and enjoy the festival without the stress and worry of logistics.
So as we look forward to another exciting festival season in New Orleans, don't forget to book your accommodations and transportation in advance. Trust us, you'll be glad you did!
#JazzFest#NewOrleans#FestivalSeason#TravelTips#TravelPlanning#BookEarly#Accommodations#Transportation#EarlyBirdDiscounts#PeaceOfMind#EnjoyTheFestival#TravelSmart#TravelHappy#TravelBetter#TravelWithGloba7#LuxuryTravel#LuxuryTransportation#BusinessTravel#EventPlanning#eventplanner
Working internally at a visitor attraction takes a lot of work. Putting out social media fires, streamlining staff communications, pushing a new experience or product, the list goes on, and time is tight.
That's why we've looked at the data and correlated it with the industry's leading predictions of what 2024 will have in store for tourism and travel. And, most notably, how visitor attractions can adapt and capitalise on them.
Look at the top 9 tourism trends for visitor attractions in 2024.
Feel free to share with your teams, colleagues and pals. And of course, if you're looking for some help to share the load, why not let us at Navigate help? We're industry experts, and trusted partners from some of the UK's leading tourism organisations.
https://lnkd.in/eXWi-ihg#visitorattractions#toptrends#marketing
Travel at Home Thursday
Get cozy, and let's travel to Iceland.
Embark on an Icelandic Adventure! Ready to discover the land of fire and ice? Iceland, a mesmerizing destination, offers a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural treasures. One cannot miss the chance to witness the ethereal Northern Lights, painting the night sky with vibrant hues. The Blue Lagoon beckons, inviting travelers to soak in its geothermal waters—a serene escape amidst volcanic landscapes.
Explore iconic waterfalls like Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss, where the sheer power of nature captivates the soul. Glacier enthusiasts can marvel at Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, offering thrilling experiences like guided hikes and explorations of ice caves. Reynisfjara Beach, with its black volcanic sand and dramatic basalt columns, provides a surreal setting for a leisurely stroll.
Delve into Iceland's rich Viking history at museums like the National Museum of Iceland and the Settlement Exhibition, offering insights into the nation's captivating past. For a marine adventure, set sail from Reykjavik on a whale-watching excursion, capturing glimpses of majestic sea creatures in their natural habitat.
Indulge in Icelandic cuisine, from delectable seafood to traditional lamb dishes. Don't forget to savor the iconic hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Quaint villages such as Vik and Seydisfjordur add a charming touch to the journey, each nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes.
https://lnkd.in/dp75G5d6
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