#Trending This Week - Travel Is Trending, Surprise Trips Are A Thing, Gen Z Suffers From Vacation Guilt, And Have You Tried The New Toast Bars?
Issue 155 • August 29, 2023
There is really good news for everyone involved in the travel industry as travel will become a $15.5 trillion dollar industry over the next decade. If you’re an adventurous type of soul, the latest trend in tours could be for you: surprise trips. This means you don’t know where you are going until you leave. It looks like Gen Z is not traveling as much, and if they do, their vacations look more like bleisure. The fall season is looking busier than usual as consumers’ appetite for travel is not slowing down. And have you heard about toast bars? They’re now a thing. Check it all out in our three-minute read below.
Travel Is Trending
Travel is set to become a $15.5 trillion industry over the next decade, making up nearly 12% of the global economy according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. This will represent a 50% increase in value since 2019. The travel industry, in fact, is growing much faster than the overall economy. While global GDP is expected to grow about 2.6% a year, travel and tourism will nearly double that number. For those involved in US travel and tourism, the bad news is that Americans are going abroad in big numbers and not traveling as much within the US. Read more on LinkedIn here.
Surprise Trips Are A Thing
Would you take a trip where you didn’t know the ultimate destination? Apparently there are a growing number of people who would. According to a 2023 Travel Trends report compiled by Hopper, travelers are generally more flexible on when and where they go, which opens up a whole new world of options. Additionally, mystery trips have become increasingly popular over the last decade, with a number of tour operators offering guests one-of-a-kind surprise experiences around the globe, based on their likes and dislikes, time frame, and budget. And now cruise lines and passenger railways are getting on board with the trend. Read more in Condé Nast Traveler here.
Gen Z Suffers From Vacation Guilt
Gen Z employees (those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s) are the least likely cohort to "completely unplug" from work in the coming months. According to research, 31% of Gen Zs cited the state of the economy for their lack of vacation plans this year. Gen Zs who do push through with their break, however, still struggle to completely unplug from their work, the survey revealed as they feel guilty for not working when they are on vacation. Read more in Human Resources Director here.
Travel Appetites Are Not Slowing Down For Fall
More good news for the travel sector: consumers remain dead set on traveling despite current cost-of-living concerns and even as inflation and other factors continue driving up flight and hotel prices. It seems the summer’s post-pandemic travel surge is likely to continue through the fall season, and perhaps beyond. Americans are extremely optimistic about their present finances and are altering their spending habits to prioritize travel. Read more in TravelPulse here.
Gourmet Toast Bars Are The Hot New Food Trend
What seems to be grabbing the attention of foodies in all categories? Gourmet toast bars! In particular, French Toast Bars and Avocado Toast Bars which offer a sophisticated twist to traditional breakfast options, allowing customers to indulge in gourmet flavors and toppings. Read more in Trendhunter here.