Lesser-known travel trends for 2011

Just about everyone this time of year is predicting travel patterns for 2011. “Thrift is the new cool,” is perhaps the most repeated conventional wisdom. But what about some of the lesser-noticed trends that are of special interest to travel providers?
 

Here are some from sources that include the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Lonely Planet, PricewaterhouseCoopers and others:
 

—Luxury travel has been widely predicted to continue strong but so is luxury adventure that includes safaris, helicopter trips and art tours. But even these travelers are looking for value.
 

—There’s no letdown of spiritually-oriented travel such as destinations that are known for meditation, yoga and other such connections. Taos and Sedona in the US and anywhere in India should be more promotable than ever.
 

—Many smart travel providers will be tying destination travel to anniversaries, even the 20-year celebration of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
 

—All types of adventure travelers — either upscale or budget — do not want simple beautiful scenery, as everyone seems to know. So, increasingly, travelers want trips that have more excitement with new wrinkles not seen before such as strolling through glaciers.
 

—Not only spiritual but a wide variety of physical and educational experiences are being sought by travelers. They want to transform a simple “vacation” into a serious and totally separate getaway from everyday lifestyles.
 

—With family and friend reunions getting scarce in today’s busy times, these groups are looking for such opportunities more than ever before. Promoting such groups will be a priority for some providers.
 

—Travelers are looking for ceremonial vacations because of the lack of such chances (see above). But at the same time, this will also help them justify the expense of such trips (promoting the value factor).
 

—Many physical fitness-aware travelers want some time on their trip to take care of their health. That helps explain the growing popularity of spas.
 

—Hotels and resort operators might consider that free extra benefits such as complimentary breakfasts and uncharged extra room nights will appeal to value-driven vacationers.
 

—Summer vacations are becoming an even greater choice for most families with children.
 

—Right here in the US, smaller, second-tier cities not viewed as serious destinations such as Cleveland and Oklahoma City have emerged as desirable for tourists. Major reasons are they have targeted tourists with a variety of new attractions.
 

—Just as some under-visited US cities have invested in ways to attract tourists, some countries that have spent money on infrastructure will be on the new map of demand for 2011. These include previously less likely tourist stops such as Tunisia, Syria and Abu Dhabi.
 

—The return of the experts. Blame it on the Internet: with all the confusing and often misleading information about travel, more visitors than ever are looking to agents and tour operators for in-depth information, a trend that professionals should certainly use to promote their expertise.
 

Perhaps the greatest development in travel this year will be the growing use of the Internet not only by travelers but also as providers seeking to find new ways to promote themselves via that outlet.
 

“Expect more fantastic online travel deals…the greatest development in travel this year,” according to TripAdvisor.
 

By David Wilkening