Understanding Travel and Tourism Trends in Travel and

Understanding Travel and Tourism Trends in Travel and Tourism

Trends “Demand for travel/recreation has become basic to the lifestyles of people throughout the world. In times of economic recessions or gasoline/petrol problems, people still travel. They may shorten the number of days and length of travel, substituting nearby destinations to more distant ones, but travel does not cease” (Kotler, Bowen and Makens, 2006).

Tourism = travel to gain experiences which are not available at home. Hence, the importance of unique places.

Destinations must focus on USPs: • Natural environment – Resources for activities • Heritage – Preservation of buildings, battle sites etc. • Culture – Food and wine tourism

Importance of unique attractions. Increasingly, tourists are motivated to visit places before they are gone.

Seeing the glaciers – before they disappear!

• Global warming – Environmental changes • Development – Loss of habitat • Modernisation – Loss of traditional cultures

Importance of unique experiences Increased interest in extreme sports with tourists motivated to gain experiences while they can.

Extreme sports promoted by: • Destinations marketers • Special events organisers • Media organisations (magazines, film companies) • Equipment manufacturers ie. sectoral integration

Threats to the importance of place.

Skiing in Dubai Man-made environments

Threats to the importance of place. Simulated experiences (eg. electronic entertainment): • An escape in your own home.

Destination competition. Conventions and Business Meetings: • Incentives to secure booking Film Tourism • Incentives to feature as film location: – destination placement

Technology Tourist decision-making • Electronic information: – Self-service planning/booking – Influence of web sites: • Ranking – the most environmentally friendly resorts • User evaluations/reviews • Interaction with tourists

Technology Tourist decision-making Mobile phones: • Information received in destination – Last minute bookings

Economy Cost of travel – combined with: • Increased travel stress • Increased safety concerns • Increased recognition of carbon footprint

So, who will travel? Market trends: • Growth of China and India: Demand? - Shopping and gambling (rather than beach and outback) Emerging markets: • Africa – Demand? - Community development (stay at home)

Market trends Multicultural visitor profile • Singapore hotel = USA, UK, Japan, Russia, Brazil, India, China. Also, multicultural service profile • East European employees in Western Europe: – Long-term implications?

Traditional markets: • Ageing: – Feel young – Want to stay young and active (health services, fitness equipment, spa resorts) – Want to keep learning

Traditional markets: • More singles – Increased importance of social networks • decision-making • sharing experiences

Traditional markets: • Greater blurring between work and leisure. – Conference in France makes possible: • Visit to famous wine cellar and meeting with wine maker • Cycling on famous Tour de France hill climb • Shopping by partner on Champs-Elysees

Leisure lifestyle. Citiy life: • Parks and gardens • Festivals and events • Shopping • Entertainment • Sporting venues ie. Integrated development

Review Definitions Tourist motives and behaviour = Demand perspectives Sectors of the tourism industry = Supply perspectives

Review History Social history Role of transport and technology Changes have: • Improved accessibility • Reduced risk • Enhanced levels of service

Review Impacts Economic: • Export earnings • Income: – Importance of maximising multiplier effect • Employment

Review Impacts Social: • Host – guest interaction • Cross-cultural exchanges • Cultural preservation • Psychological capacity issues

Review Impacts Environmental: • • Environmental loss and degradation Physical capacity issues Conservation Sustainability

Destination Management Planning Promotion Coordination