#Trending This Week - Destinations Embrace Influencer Marketing, A Wedding Venue In A Cave, Cocktails Inspired By Food, And Space Tourism Becomes More Affordable
Issue 138 • May 9, 2023
The #Trending news this week may seem a little “out there” for some. We’re talking about a new wedding venue that makes the most of nature as many couples today want to celebrate outside of the hotel ballroom. It’s time to take a closer look at how destination marketing organizations are going all in on influencer marketing — for some they are channeling all their marketing dollars there instead of advertising. There’s one bar in New York City whose cocktails are inspired by things like cold pizza, French toast, and mango sticky rice. And yes, there is still a tourism race into space and one company is trying to make it more affordable — well, if you consider $100,000+ being affordable. Check it all out in our three-minute read below.
Influencers Play A Bigger Role In Destination Marketing
A number of destination marketing organizations are channeling the bulk of their funds into working with social media influencers. Tourism agencies are developing more sophisticated and granular destination influencer marketing strategies as content creators hone their skills, reach, and transparency about niche audiences. Many destination marketing executives feel that what influencers say about their travels can have more sway over audiences than other types of advertising. And what is key is that influencers are now offering metrics like advertising agencies do. Read more in Skift here.
Creating Event Venues Beyond The Ballroom
Couples are always seeking the next great wedding venue including a huge push for options which extend beyond the traditional hotel ballroom. Texas' Natural Bridge Caverns — the state's largest and most visited commercial cave is about to debut a massive new "ballroom" cave serving as a huge event space. Read more in Thrillist here.
Cocktails Inspired By Food
There is a restaurant on the Lower East Side in New York City which was just named to the top spot in “The World’s Best 50 Bars” ranking. What we found very interesting is their take on cocktails. The Back Room at Double Chicken Please offers inventive craft cocktails which deconstruct, redefine, and rebuild iconic dishes into liquid form such as the Japanese Cold Noodle, Cold Pizza, Key Lime Pie, NY Beet Salad, Mango Sticky Rice, and others like the French Toast cocktail pictured above. Read more in Urban Daddy here.
More “Affordable” Space Travel
Yes the tourism race into space is still on, but for those who can’t compete with the deep pockets of billionaires, this French company has an option which might be a bit more affordable. Beginning in 2024, travelers will be able to ride to the edge of space for a cool $133,000. Guests can board a pressurized capsule lifted by a stratospheric balloon and travel to an altitude of more than 82 thousand feet — floating high above 98% of the Earth's atmosphere. The trip takes six hours in total, reaching peak height after one and a half hours before floating, allowing guests to soak up the world’s most epic views. Read more in Conde Nast Traveler here.
Awards Season Is Here
One of the best ways to give your business credibility and legitmacy is by winning an award. It seems to be award season lately as more and more companies are putting the call out for entries. One of the latest — with a deadline of mid June — are the Skift Awards. If you’re operating in the travel and hospitality sector, this is one that carries with it a lot of prestige so you might want to see if you qualify for the Skift Idea or Skift Meeting awards. Read more in Skift here.