We have culled the industry’s top trends to share insights on what’s motivating today’s traveler.
MULTIGENERATIONAL VACATIONS
Families are deciding to broaden the experience and travel with extended family. The secret to success for multigenerational trips: a good balance of activities that combine the interests of each family member no matter their age. Discover Your Italy, a boutique tour operator known for delivering the “Italians Italy,” has perfected the art of crafting bespoke custom journeys; from touring The Colosseum, The Vatican and buzzing through Rome by Vespa, to wine tasting in the Chianti countryside and a private visit to a Chocolate Laboratory in Turin. Meanwhile, Cox & Kings, offers a South Africa Family Discovery journey, immersing the whole family in the wonders of Cape Town, like visiting local craft markets and searching for lions in the child-friendly, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve.
WELLNESS ESCAPES
Wellness continues to be a growing theme for travelers, whether it’s unique spa treatments, yoga and meditation retreats or taking advantage of the great outdoors. CastaDiva Resort & SPA, located on the picturesque Lake Como, is debuting a new Spa menu with more personalized treatments, experiences, and rituals to satisfy guests’ needs. Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, the newest luxury resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize, boasts an onsite wellness center Science & Soul Wellness offering a number of revitalizing retreats like the upcoming Ashtanga Yoga Intensive Retreat Training designed to rejuvenate the body, de-stress the mind and the nourish the soul. Become one with nature at the resort’s exclusive new Beach Club, ideally located on the largest untouched span of white sandy beach on Ambergris Caye. Forte Village Resort located in one of only five “Blue Zones” in the world, is unveiling a brand new Private Thalassotherapy SPA, with three Thalasso pools, double massage area, sensory showers, and more set in a lush garden.
AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
Today’s travelers are straying from “cookie-cutter” hotel stays and seeking more authentic experiences. Rather than a big box with hundreds of rooms, Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club is comprised of charming colonial-styled cottages built from sustainably-harvested genuine Belizean hardwoods and reflecting the destination’s authentic spirit. In Mexico, Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun offers a new interactive, digital gourmet dining experience that celebrates Mexico’s rich history and indigenous ingredients. Guests can now immerse themselves in this cutting-edge experience during an eight-course meal at the resort’s award-winning La Joya restaurant. CastaDiva Resort & SPA encourages guests to embrace their surroundings with experiences such as: a private Boat Tour of Lake Como; an exclusive cooking class with the resort’s Executive Chef; and pairing guests with a personal shopper to explore the best of Italy’s high fashion brands in Milan.
EMERGING DESTINATIONS
The further afield the better for today’s intrepid travelers looking to escape the crowded tourist traps and head to under-the-radar destinations. However, this growing appetite for the exotic can present a travel-planning challenge, which is where Navigo360 found its niche. With a carefully curated global portfolio of Destination Management Companies (DMCs), Navigo360 helps travel brands and travel professionals find their ideal travel partners around the globe. What destinations are trending for their adventurous guests? Romania, Northern Sudan, The Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan & Tibet, The Balkans (Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Slovenia) & Austria, and the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda.
SOLO TRAVEL
Solo travel is more popular than ever, and particularly for millennials looking to literally unplug from their daily lives and immerse themselves in the local scene. Saba, often referred to as the Caribbean's “Unspoiled Queen,” is a welcoming and friendly paradise for those who desire tranquility and beauty (aka the ultimate solo traveler). With a network of self-guided hiking trails, group scuba excursions, and charming cottages and boutique hotels, Saba is the perfect retreat for someone that wants to comfortably explore a new off-beat destination and find out why #welovesaba.
