Travel Trends
Watching Trends to Boost Business
A recent news item telling the story of a couple who made a $4000 error on their honeymoon (they accidentally booked “hotel only” rather than the “hotel and flight” option they wanted) highlights one of the advantages of booking with a travel advisor.
Another advantage is the ability of advisors to monitor and adapt to travel trends. A recent survey from TRAVELSAVERS polled travel advisors on last-minute bookings and how they can tailor their business to evolving needs.
“Canadians are passionate about travel and we’ve seen strong momentum as they continue to book trips for the next few months,” says Jane Clementino, Senior Vice President and General Manager of TRAVELSAVERS Canada. “Now more than ever, travellers are turning to trusted advisors to help them navigate their options, find the best value, and create experiences that reflect their unique preferences and goals no matter when they choose to travel.”
The survey revealed 46 percent of advisors are reporting a normal amount of last-minute bookings, while nine percent are reporting a higher-than-normal number of last-minute bookings. Over one-third (38 percent) say they are not seeing last-minute bookings this year.
Real World Strategies
Building long-term relationships with clients is a great way to ensure you are the one they call, whether they are booking well in advance or at the last minute. “Sometimes, a simple phone call or quick email can go a long way to show clients they’re valued, and reminds them that we’re here to support all of their travel needs,” says Louie Di Tacchio, Owner of TRAVELSAVERS Canada affiliate at Progress Travel Service Inc.
Gordon Mackey, President of TRAVELSAVERS Canada affiliate Trent Travel agrees. “It’s important to stay connected with clients through consistent communication, whether it’s email, phone calls, or social media,” Mackey says. “Maintaining a visible presence in the community helps keep relationships strong and top of mind.”
Ensuring you have a wide variety of suggestions to offer is key for Nicola Wilson, Owner and Operator at TRAVELSAVERS Canada affiliate Finisterra Travel. “By collaborating with a variety of partners and continuously diversifying our offerings, we’re able to provide clients with more choice and flexibility, ultimately helping them find the solutions that best meet their needs.”
Another strategy agencies are employing is to meet clients where they are by offering the most budget-friendly choices first. “Our goal is always to meet our clients’ needs by first presenting the most economical options,” says Jessica Roth, Senior Travel Counselor at TRAVELSAVERS Canada affiliate at Peerless Travel. “From there, we walk them through slightly higher-tier alternatives, highlighting the added value and long-term benefits so they can make informed, confident decisions.”
Travel professionals interested in learning more about joining TRAVELSAVERS Canada can visit www.travelsavers.ca.
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Travel Trends
Actions for Hoteliers to Leverage Emerging Travel Trends : 4Hoteliers
Travelers are blending business with leisure, seeking cooler climates, and working from inspiring new locations, but the hotel industry has largely remained unresponsive.
The data may not yet fully reflect the volume of these burgeoning trends, but this signals a crucial opportunity for proactive hoteliers to move beyond generic offerings and capture a growing market of guests seeking higher value and tailored experiences.
The disconnect between trending topics and hotel actions is apparent. Standard hotel offerings leave many travelers in these emerging categories underserved. Hotels have a clear opportunity to differentiate themselves and build guest loyalty.
Instead of waiting for overwhelming statistical evidence, savvy hoteliers should be at the forefront, shaping their services to meet and exceed the expectations of these new traveler personas. Here are three key actions hoteliers should take to interpret and act on the latest trends, ensuring they capture their full impact.
1. Deep Dive into Data and Decipher the “Why”
Understanding a trend’s relevance to your specific property is crucial before taking meaningful action. Acknowledging a new buzzword isn’t enough; investigate how it appears in your market and guest data to gain a deeper understanding of its relevance. Moving beyond guesswork and manual spreadsheet analysis is essential.
To truly unlock these insights, you need a hotel business intelligence (BI) system. A modern BI platform automates the collection and analysis of data from all your key systems—your Property Management System (PMS), point-of-sale (POS), and even online guest reviews. Instead of relying on gut feelings, a BI system provides a comprehensive view of guest behavior.
It can flag patterns, such as increasing lengths of stay that bridge a Thursday to a Monday (a classic bleisure indicator), correlate guest origin with on-site spending, or track booking lead times from specific markets. This technology enables you to identify emerging trends with statistical confidence, allowing you to act decisively while your competitors are still discussing it.
With this powerful analytical foundation, you can begin to dig deeper. Are you seeing longer stays that bridge weekdays and weekends? Are guests inquiring about workspaces or the reliability of high-speed internet? Is there an uptick in visitors from regions experiencing extreme heat during certain times of the year? A BI system will not only help you ask these questions but also give you the clear, data-backed answers you need to build your strategy.
2. Reimagine and Repurpose Your Physical Spaces
Once you have a handle on the trends impacting your business, the next step is to adapt your physical environment. A one-size-fits-all approach to hotel rooms and common areas will no longer suffice.
For the “work-from-anywhere” guest, this means more than just a desk and a chair. Consider creating dedicated, well-equipped workstations that feature ergonomic seating, ample power outlets, and excellent lighting for video calls. Could a lesser-used common area be transformed into a stylish and functional co-working space? Offering day passes to these spaces can also attract local remote workers, creating a new revenue stream.
Attract “bleisure” travelers by ensuring a seamless transition between work and relaxation. Offer packages that bundle a spa treatment or a happy hour credit with a room booking. Create a “Business and Leisure” section on your website to highlight your meeting facilities and proximity to local attractions.
For “coolcationers,” the focus shifts to the experience of the destination. While you can’t change the weather, you can enhance the enjoyment of it. Partner with local tour operators to offer unique excursions that capitalize on the pleasant climate, such as guided hikes, boat trips, or outdoor yoga sessions. In-room, you could provide amenities that encourage exploration, like pre-loaded transit cards or a curated guide to local parks and outdoor cafes.
Travel Trends
Film-Inspired Travel Campaigns : Tourism Fiji
Produced by Special PR and directed by James Anderson, with on-location filming by Radlab, the campaign centers on Wilson’s symbolic return to Fiji. The story begins as he is discovered on the white-sand shores of Serenity Island Resort by a young Fijian girl named Lani. She embraces Wilson with a sense of wonder, inviting him into a series of memorable, culturally rich experiences. These include “cycling along historic sugar cane rail tracks with Eco Trax, kayaking in crystal-clear waters, partaking in a traditional Kava ceremony, and engaging in a spirited game of volleyball.”
This film-inspired campaign blends cinematic nostalgia with authentic Fijian hospitality, highlighting the destination’s enduring appeal and reinforcing Fiji’s position as a welcoming, adventure-filled travel destination for global audiences.
Image Credit: Tourism Fiji
Travel Trends
Travel-Friendly Summer Apparel : Lake Geneva Series
Emphasizing breathable materials, polished silhouettes, and functionality, the Lake Geneva Series features a selection of wardrobe essentials that seamlessly transition from leisure to casual outings. Key pieces include the ‘Dealmaker Chino+ Short’ and the ‘Dealmaker 5 Pocket Pant,’ both designed to balance structure with flexibility. These are complemented by the ‘Adapt Tee,’ known for its lightweight performance fabric, and the ‘Pro Weekender,’ a sleek and comfortable top suited for travel or unwinding.
Each garment in the collection reflects Public Rec’s ongoing commitment to comfort-led innovation, ensuring that style and practicality go hand in hand—no matter where the summer journey leads.
Image Credit: Public Rec
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