I have a client who is a US based tourism/cruise consultant based out of Florida. His firm continuously keeps its finger on the pulse of travel, as his clients include both domestic US states and cities, as well as countries around the world.
The 2017 tourism trends that he is identifying through thousands of tourist surveys, analytics from booking sites and travel agent queries are:
1) Unexplored destinations -- this is really hot among baby boomers
2) Trending destinations -- popular destinations shared on social media, Burning Man etc
3) Bucket List destinations -- Bali, China, Italy, Moscow, Seychelles, El Camino walk thru Europe
4) Get out of comfort zone -- AirBnB travel, hostels, lesser developed destinations
5) Adventure/Experience Travel -- ziplining through Costa Rica rainforest canopy, Easter and Galapagos Islands, Biking in the Alps
6) Low travel barriers but exotic - Island of Guam (7,000 miles from Washington in the Pacific Ocean) is enjoying a tourism boom because US citizens do not need special travel documents
7) Environmental Travel -- see Nature's beauties
8) Volunteerism travel -- volunteer to help societies (Global Vision eyeglasses program, teach English, save the elephants in Thailand etc)
9) Cultural Immersion travel -- go to the places that locals go to
10) Highly authentic experiences -- no tourist traps etc.
The business trends are:
(1) Conventional advertising doesn't work
(2) Mobile content marketing is king (tourists read about a destination and can book a trip with a few clicks)
(3) products geared to niche groups -- LGBT, solo women travelers, baby-boomer travel
(4) less luxury and more experience vacations
(5) Integrated booking platforms combining air, hotel and tours
(6) multiple venue vacations - a week's holidays at 3 different B&Bs for example
(7) Once in a lifetime opportunities that teach tourists something about themselves -- wilderness trekking, whitewater kayaking, leadership, testing limits
(8) Multi-generational accommodation and traveling with kids
(9) Full range of resort activities for all ages
(10) Prime focus on offline sales channels.
As you can see, the reason why our tourism is failing is that the times have changed and we haven't. Sun, sand, sea, booze, casino, conch salad and the tropical fruit, and rum daiquiri, no longer cut it.
The only way that we can triple our returns is to sell a tourism product that people really want to buy. We don't have a good one. We do not have what the modern-day tourist wants.
The only Freetown that I know of, is in Eleuthera, derived from the Puritan Eleutheran Adventurers when they fled Bermuda in 1648, looking for religious freedom. They named Eleuthera for the Greek word for freedom and also had a settlement called Freetown (which is still there) across the bay from Rock Sound.
The sad part is that in all probability, the PLP will win again due to the plethora of stupid Bahamians. However there is a silver lining to this dark cloud. Maybe we have to hit rock bottom to either smarten up or get rid of the stupid people.
I een got too much faith in the lawyer. Looks like someone peed on his head and then he stuck his finger in an electric socket.
banker says...
I wonder if the tour people stopped bringing them food and water?
On Swimming pigs found dead in Exuma
Posted 21 February 2017, 12:15 p.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
I have a client who is a US based tourism/cruise consultant based out of Florida. His firm continuously keeps its finger on the pulse of travel, as his clients include both domestic US states and cities, as well as countries around the world.
The 2017 tourism trends that he is identifying through thousands of tourist surveys, analytics from booking sites and travel agent queries are:
1) Unexplored destinations -- this is really hot among baby boomers
2) Trending destinations -- popular destinations shared on social media, Burning Man etc
3) Bucket List destinations -- Bali, China, Italy, Moscow, Seychelles, El Camino walk thru Europe
4) Get out of comfort zone -- AirBnB travel, hostels, lesser developed destinations
5) Adventure/Experience Travel -- ziplining through Costa Rica rainforest canopy, Easter and Galapagos Islands, Biking in the Alps
6) Low travel barriers but exotic - Island of Guam (7,000 miles from Washington in the Pacific Ocean) is enjoying a tourism boom because US citizens do not need special travel documents
7) Environmental Travel -- see Nature's beauties
8) Volunteerism travel -- volunteer to help societies (Global Vision eyeglasses program, teach English, save the elephants in Thailand etc)
9) Cultural Immersion travel -- go to the places that locals go to
10) Highly authentic experiences -- no tourist traps etc.
The business trends are:
(1) Conventional advertising doesn't work
(2) Mobile content marketing is king (tourists read about a destination and can book a trip with a few clicks)
(3) products geared to niche groups -- LGBT, solo women travelers, baby-boomer travel
(4) less luxury and more experience vacations
(5) Integrated booking platforms combining air, hotel and tours
(6) multiple venue vacations - a week's holidays at 3 different B&Bs for example
(7) Once in a lifetime opportunities that teach tourists something about themselves -- wilderness trekking, whitewater kayaking, leadership, testing limits
(8) Multi-generational accommodation and traveling with kids
(9) Full range of resort activities for all ages
(10) Prime focus on offline sales channels.
As you can see, the reason why our tourism is failing is that the times have changed and we haven't. Sun, sand, sea, booze, casino, conch salad and the tropical fruit, and rum daiquiri, no longer cut it.
The only way that we can triple our returns is to sell a tourism product that people really want to buy. We don't have a good one. We do not have what the modern-day tourist wants.
On Bahamas ‘can triple cruise return’ with 2/3 less passengers
Posted 21 February 2017, 10:41 a.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
The only Freetown that I know of, is in Eleuthera, derived from the Puritan Eleutheran Adventurers when they fled Bermuda in 1648, looking for religious freedom. They named Eleuthera for the Greek word for freedom and also had a settlement called Freetown (which is still there) across the bay from Rock Sound.
On PM hits out at Chipman's boundaries report claim
Posted 20 February 2017, 11:52 a.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
Right on. Shame Gibson's family too!
On Courier firms ‘stealing’ from Public Treasury
Posted 20 February 2017, 8:57 a.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
I would hazard to say that each Bahamian has at least three meals or three drinks a week out from styrofoam containers.
On MOT launches bio-degradable campaign against Styrofoam
Posted 20 February 2017, 8:55 a.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
How about some real courses at BTVI?
On Taking their careers in their own hands
Posted 19 February 2017, 5:04 p.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
A buffoon and a clown.
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2017…
On PM hits out at Chipman's boundaries report claim
Posted 18 February 2017, 10:29 a.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
Dunno.
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2017…
On Boundaries legal challenge 'doomed to fail'
Posted 18 February 2017, 10:21 a.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
The sad part is that in all probability, the PLP will win again due to the plethora of stupid Bahamians. However there is a silver lining to this dark cloud. Maybe we have to hit rock bottom to either smarten up or get rid of the stupid people.
I een got too much faith in the lawyer. Looks like someone peed on his head and then he stuck his finger in an electric socket.
On Boundaries legal challenge 'doomed to fail'
Posted 17 February 2017, 3:58 p.m. Suggest removal
banker says...
It is no secret that E&Y paid a $3 million penalty to make the charges against them and Galanis go away.
On Just 15% of insolvent broker’s assets located
Posted 17 February 2017, 12:52 p.m. Suggest removal