#Trending This Week - Sexual Wellness, Coolcations, Luxury Travel, Spring Break, And Weddings
Issue 181 • March 12, 2024
SPRING BREAK is nearly upon us and believe it or not, some destinations actually DON’T want Spring Break travelers. This philosophy is dawning on a number of enormously popular travel spots which have decided all of the business coming to their city really isn’t worth the collateral damage after all. SEXUAL WELLNESS is the next frontier in the wellbeing category as spas look to address all the needs of its customers. COOLCATIONS are the new alternative for people looking to have a summer getaway in a place that’s not ridiculously hot — particularly after the heat dome which parked itself over much of Europe in summer 2023. And WEDDINGS continue to be a hot commodity for hotels and resorts — but the grand reception with tons of guests is not quite so popular anymore as the needs and wants of couples is shifting. Check it all out in our three-minute read below.
Destinations Who Love The Business…Until They Don’t
The latest travel news is that many cities in Florida are attempting to break up with Spring Break. Tired of being overrun with raucous drunk teens and crowds, certain Florida cities are putting up steel barricades and banning alcohol consumption on beaches. This seems reminiscent of destinations like Venice and Machu Picchu which are happy to earn lots of consumer travel dollars — until they don’t or until the excessive tourism causes harm to the area. Read more in The Wall Street Journal here.
Sexual Wellness Is The Latest Trend In Wellbeing
Wellness circa 2024 means a lot more than a spin class and a smoothie. As consumers are investing more time and money on wellness, spas are also exploring wellness on different levels including the introduction of sexual retreats. Some experts are even noting that hotels around the globe now stock "love kits" as casually as they do salted nuts in the minibar. Read more in Condé Nast Traveler here.
Add “Coolcations” To Your Travel Vocabulary
With the heat dome that was poised over the Mediterranean and parts of Europe for much of last summer, we’re starting to see a trend in people heading to traditionally cooler climates. Summer vacations in colder spots like the Arctic, Iceland, Finland, and Scotland are getting more popular, travel experts say, as people turn to "coolcations" to avoid record-breaking heat. Read more in Axios here.
The Changing Face Of The Wedding Reception 2024
Weddings continue to be big business for hotels and resorts, but it’s important to keep an eye on how they are evolving year after year. Gone are the days of grand, sprawling receptions. This year’s wedding trends include couples opting for smaller, more intimate gatherings where they can savor every moment with their closest loved ones. What else is trending? Interactive food stations, experiential receptions with oyster shucking stations and live painters, shorter weddings and receptions, upcycling and thrifted decor, and more. Read more in HospitalityNet here.
Making Luxury Travel More Personalized
There’s no denying luxury travel isn’t going anywhere, but the reality is that as more consumers take luxury vacations, their expectations get more demanding regarding what true luxury is. It’s no longer about just having a well-appointed guest room or suite and a selection of upscale restaurants and lounges. Luxury means much more today. What are some of the current luxury trends out there? Hyper-personalization, eco-sophistication, undiscovered destinations, conscious connections, wellness wanderlust, and virtual reality previews. Read more in The Tech Advocate here.
PR TIP OF THE WEEK!
Does your website has a “Media” or “Press” section? I can’t tell you how often I hear journalists telling me they were on deadline late at night and just needed to get some basic information about a hotel or destination, find out the latest news, and grab a high-res photo or two. They go to the website of the hotel or destination they would like to feature, and there is no Press section on the website — NOTHING!! Moreover, if there is one, there is no direct media contact and they have to jump through hoops to find out who they can call or email about a photo or more info. And this means a generic PR@abchotel.com mailbox isn’t good enough. If you have the latest press releases on your website as well as some hero images that can be downloaded, journalists have access 24/7 and your chances of being included in a story or feature are all that much higher.