#Trending This Week - Passion Travel, Sexual Retreats, Vinyl Record Bars, Ketchup-Infused Fries, And Business Travel
Issue 206 • July 23, 2024
We are continuing to see shifts in the travel landscape — perhaps more over the last few years than we have in the past decade or two. The first major shift is PASSION TRAVEL, which is the biggest reason why people are traveling today. It’s no longer about checking out the most popular destinations, but instead focused on experiences which tie into things people love to do. Another travel sector changing is that of BUSINESS TRAVEL, which is seeing a big shift from individual trips (somewhat due to environmental concerns) and more focused on events to bring co-workers together. And while wellness has been incredibly popular, the NEXT FRONTIER IS SEXUAL WELLNESS, with a variety of properties now introducing sexual retreat packages. For those involved in food marketing and restaurants, the world of the french fry may soon be altered with the 2025 introduction of the KETCHUP-INFUSED FRENCH FRY. And the latest trend to hit the bar and lounge circuit is VINYL RECORD BARS. Check it all out in our three-minute read below.
“Passion Travel” Is The Future
A recent survey about the state of travel had an interesting finding. Approximately 77% of Gen Zers and Millennials surveyed said they choose travel experiences based on their personal interests, NOT the destination. Whether it's food-focused journeys, music festival trips, wellness retreats, educational vacations, or eco-tourism experiences, younger travelers lean on their passions to explore the world. As they chart their travels around personal passions, they are crafting a new narrative for exploration — one where the road less traveled is not just a path to new places, but a journey toward deeper self-discovery. Read more in Thrillist here.
Ketchup-Infused Fries
Why has nobody thought of this before? When you think about it, it’s actually genius. We spend so much time putting stuff on top of fries (ketchup, mayo, truffle oil, Parmesan, gravy, and the like), yet not many people have thought about putting something INSIDE the french fry. Until now…. Read more in Trendhunter here.
The Next Frontier Of Wellness: Sexual Health
Given the current obsession with optimizing every aspect of our health, it was only a matter of time until the conversation turned to sex. According to The World Health Organization, sexual health is intertwined with “physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing,” and longevity experts are placing sexual wellness (anything from emotions and pleasure, to hormones and bodily mechanics) at the forefront of the quest for peak performance. So it probably comes as no surprise that a few resorts are actually now marketing sexual wellbeing retreats. Read more in The Financial Times here.
How Business Travel Is Shifting
The face of business travel is changing. Experts are reporting more event-driven type of travel in order to bring teams together because with remote work, they just aren’t interacting the way they used to. Also interesting is the fact that many corporations are hesitant to address bleisure travel and remote work in their official corporate travel policies due to exposure to new risk. Read more in PhocusWire here.
Vinyl Record Bars Are In
These days, vinyl is in. And we’re talking vinyl record bars and restaurants. We’re not just referring to a juke box or cheapie turntable, but restaurants and bars are investing in very high-end turntables, sound systems, and more for those who want to dine or drink paired with incredible sound. Read more in Plate here.