#Trending This Week - Wellness-Oriented Bachelorette Parties, Experience Seekers, A Hotel Brand For Families, Group Travel Trends, And Air Cruising
Issue 184 • April 2, 2024
Welcome back from Spring Break. Here’s to a renewed and recharged outlook as we begn Q2 2024. So what’s trending this week? Believe it or not BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE PARTIES are becoming less about boozing and partying and more about wellness and tranquility. CONSUMER VACATION CHOICES are still skewing toward doing and experiencing things indigenous to the area versus simply lying out in the sun and working on a tan. A new HOTEL BRAND TARGETING FAMILIES is about to launch and that is truly all they focus on: creating a better experience for those traveling with young kids. GROUP TRAVEL IN 2024 is also mirroring leisure travel in that planners need to incorporate more experiential and local activities into their agenda — are you equipped to offer that? And finally AIR CRUISING is growing in popularity among high net worth travelers. Think of it as the modern version of the “Around The World In 80 Days” adventure except when traveling by air, it no longer takes 80 days! Check it all out in our three-minute read below.
Bachelorette Parties Going Tranquil Over Boozy
Good news for hotels and resorts with wellness facilities. We’re seeing an increasing number of brides-to-be choosing locations and experiences for their bachelorette parties which might help them better prepare both mind and body for their wedding day. In fact, three out of five respondents in a recent survey regarding location preferences for bachelor and bachelorette parties preferred “a tranquil wellness retreat.” Read more in The New York Times here.
Consumers Still Seeking More Experiential Activities
A greater number of consumers today seek a whole lot more than the pursuit of a great tan when on vacation. They want to do something, learn something, or better themselves in some way when visiting a destination, and many organizations are heeding the call. One company is betting on the fact that people’s passion for spirits will entice them to sign up for a three-day Kentucky Bourbon Retreat experience where attendees will make bourbon to their own specifications under the watchful eye of a master distiller. It includes a deep dive into bourbon-making including the art and science of distillation and barreling, plus a comprehensive bourbon tasting, dinner, and hotel accommodations. Read more at UrbanDaddy here.
A Hotel Brand Targeting Families
The incredible growth of family travel has led one hotel industry executive to launch a new brand geared specifically for families. While many brands target families and offer a variety of child-oriented services and amenities, the new Hotel Bambinee brand is designed to deliver an elevated lifestyle experience that “puts families at the forefront.” The brand aims to alleviate the hassles of traveling with young children and deliver an experience that celebrates families and makes them feel welcome and at ease. Read more in Hotel Business here.
What Groups Want In 2024
Just like the leisure market, group attendees are expecting more out of an on-site conference. Planners must now partner with local artisans, non-profits, recreation companies, and in-house spa and culinary leaders to offer a lineup of maker’s workshops, wellness classes, culinary demos, and giveback activities. There’s more interest in the individual, societal, organizational, and cultural impact of events. Human connection and cultivating a sense of belonging remain top values and yes, even pickleball tournaments have become an important area of focus. Read more in Meetings Today here.
Air Cruises Are The Next Big Thing In Luxury Travel
Air cruises (think cruise ships in the air, but more exclusive) are growing as a niche in luxury travel, thanks to the perks of flying privately. But the most attractive feature: time savings. These trips offer the fastest way to see distant parts of the world with the most comfort. Think a time-compressed, 21st-century version of an early 20th-century, round-the-world cruise that took six months. Read more in The Robb Report here.