Lifestyle

Introducing Unpack ’24: the trends in travel from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo

Published

6 months ago

November 9, 2023

Daily News Staff

Pattaya, Paros and Perth Make the List of 2024 Destinations of the Year

Tour Tourism, Dry Tripping and Go-ccasions Among 2024 Leading Trip Types

Half of Travellers Expected to Adopt Generative AI in 2024

TORONTO /CNW/ — Today, Expedia Group unveiled Unpack ’24, a comprehensive look at what’s motivating travelers and where they’re going next year. Based on the company’s unmatched first-party travel data, plus a global consumer survey of 20,000 travelers, Unpack ’24 includes eight new travel trends for 2024, from top destinations to what’s next in travel tech.

“At Expedia Group, we have extensive first-party travel data that we use to enhance and curate experiences for our travellers across Expedia®, Hotels.com®, and Vrbo®. These insights shape our travel forecasts, revealed in Unpack ’24, enabling our travellers to be the first to discover and book the most desired trips before they become well-beaten paths,” said Jon Gieselman, President of Expedia Brands. “From ‘dry tripping’ to events like Taylor Swift or Beyoncé performances, and the rising allure of destinations like Perth, Palermo, and Paros, these trends begin to define the travel landscape in 2024.”

The 2024 Set-jetting Forecast: For 2023, Expedia predicted travellers would turn to television sets and movie screens for travel inspiration. They did, and the trend shows no signs of stopping in 2024. More than half of travellers say they’ve researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a TV show or movie, and 1 in 4 admit that TV shows and films are even more influential on their travel plans than they were before. In fact, travellers say TV shows influence their travel decisions more than Instagram, TikTok and podcasts.

Given the popularity of this travel trend, Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo compiled its first-ever Set-jetting Forecast predicting what entertainment-inspired destinations travellers will head to in 2024, based on upcoming show and film releases and travel data from Expedia Group.*

Thailand inspired by “The White Lotus” season 3.
Romania inspired by “Wednesday” season 2.
Malta inspired by the new “Gladiator 2” film.
Paris inspired by “Emily in Paris” season 4.
Scottish Highlands inspired by the remaining seasons of “Outlander.”
London, Bath and Windsor, UK inspired by the new season of “Bridgerton” and “The Crown” season 6.
Korea inspired by “Squid Game” season 2.
Florida Keys & Bahamas inspired by the new Apple TV show “Bad Monkey.”
Australia inspired by both Baz Luhrmann’s “Faraway Downs” and the Mad Max prequel “Furiosa.”
Greece inspired by new spy action thriller “Argylle.”

Expedia ‒ Destination Dupes: The “dupe” trend — affordable alternatives to popular products — that has flooded TikTok feeds is now taking over travel. Expedia’s 2024 destinations of the year are destination dupes — places that are a little unexpected, sometimes more affordable, and every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations travellers love.

The 2024 destination dupes all experienced a notable uptick in searches¹ over the past year. In fact, global searches for the top 5 destinations on the list more than doubled YoY.**

Taipei (dupe for Seoul)
Pattaya (dupe for Bangkok)
Paros (dupe for Santorini)
Curaçao (dupe for St. Martin)
Perth (dupe for Sydney)
Liverpool (dupe for London)
Palermo (dupe for Lisbon)
Québec City (dupe for Geneva)
Sapporo (dupe for Zermatt)
Memphis (dupe for Nashville)

Expedia ‒ Tour Tourism: In 2023, the cultural impact of the Eras and Renaissance tours was undeniable, driving ticket sales but also travel and tourism. Expedia predicts that Tour Tourism will continue to thrive in 2024. Nearly 70 per cent of survey respondents say they are more likely to travel to a concert outside their own town, with over 40 per cent saying they’d travel for a concert as an excuse to visit a new place. In a new twist to Tour Tourism perhaps driven by ticket prices, 30 per cent of travellers say they would travel outside of their home city for a concert because tickets were cheaper elsewhere. Unexpected places on Expedia’s list of top tour tourism destinations are Kuala Lumpur, Edmonton, and Mexico City.***

Hotels.com ‒ Dry Tripping: From observing Dry January to Sober October, it’s clear that living a low- or alcohol-free lifestyle is becoming more common. In addition to beverage brands and celebrities releasing nonalcoholic products, the travel industry is also catering to sober-curious travellers by stocking minibars with zero-proof options, or offering mocktail-making experiences.****

More than 40 per cent of travellers say they are likely to book a detox trip in the next year, and half of travellers say they would be interested in staying at hotels that offer easily accessible alcohol-free beverage options. One in 4 say the top reason for drinking less on vacation is to stay in control and feel better emotionally and physically, and surprisingly, attending sporting events was the top reason travellers said they’d be likely to reduce alcohol consumption while travelling.

Hotels.com ‒ Vibe Check-in: Beyond searching for specific amenities or star ratings, a hotel’s overall “vibe” is becoming a strong indicator of travellers’ hotel choices. Guest reviews mentioning the word “vibe” have increased an average of 1,090 per cent YoY,² and 9 out of 10 travellers say the vibe of a hotel is important when booking.

Travellers are seeking a variety of vibes when searching for hotels from “Modern Vibe” and “Industrial Vibe” to “Retro Vibe” or “Margaritaville Vibe.”***** What contributes to a hotel’s overall vibe? Travellers say the top element is customer service, which surpassed the music, interior or lighting of the hotel.

Vrbo ‒ Go-ccasions: Puppymoons, First-date-iversaries, and Plate Dates are in the cards for travellers in 2024. One in 4 say they are looking for ‘any excuse’ to get away with their loved ones. With one-third of travellers planning to take more trips with family and friends next year than in 2023, they’re going all in on identifying occasions to book a getaway to a private vacation home to celebrate together.

In addition to annual anniversaries and milestone birthdays, interestingly, work-related occasions are one of the most popular trip catalysts — many travellers would book a weekender to celebrate retirement, getting a new job, a promotion, or quitting a job.

Vrbo: Outside In: With pickleball becoming one of the fastest-growing sports, it’s no surprise that outdoor amenities, like pickleball courts and cold plunges, are dictating what private vacation homes families and friends are booking for group getaways. Survey data shows that 42 per cent of travellers book vacation homes with amenities they either cannot afford to have at home, or that they want to try out before they buy themselves. Furthermore, nearly 30 per cent say they would choose a vacation home with outdoor amenities, so they’d never have to leave the property.

The trending types of outdoor amenities travellers want:

Relaxation and rejuvenation: properties with a hot tub, cold plunge or barrel sauna.
Roaring fires: vacation homes with a fire pit, barbecue or outdoor kitchen.
Sports and recreation: properties that have amenities like ping-pong tables, padel tennis courts, pickleball courts and lawn games.
Fresh produce: vacation homes with access to fruit trees or a vegetable patch.

Gen Gen AI: While generative AI tools like ChatGPT took center stage in 2023, only 6 per cent of US travellers used it to plan their trip.³ In 2024, Expedia Group predicts the “generation of generative AI” travellers will come of age and fully embrace this tech throughout their travel journey. In fact, survey data reveals that half of travellers are interested in using generative AI to plan their next trip, and 1 in 3 say it’s very useful when making travel plans.

What’s driving this trend? Generative AI’s ability to simplify planning and shopping through a conversation. Nearly 40 per cent of travellers say they would use this tech to find the perfect stay, 35 per cent would plan activities and things to do, 33 per cent would compare flight options, and 20 per cent of travellers would change or cancel their travel plans.

To further explore Unpack ’24, visit expedia.ca/travel-trends-unpack-24 and download the full report.

Notes to the editor:

*Set-jetting stats:⁴

The first two seasons of “The White Lotus” drove a 300 per cent increase in travel demand to Hawaii and Sicily.
Following the release of “Wednesday” on Netflix, Expedia saw a 150 per cent increase in travel searches for Romania.
Expedia saw a 200 per cent increase in searches to Paris after “Emily in Paris” debuted its previous season.
Searches for Richmond in London increased by 160 per cent after season 2 of “Ted Lasso” aired, and they doubled after season 3 aired. U.S. fans accounted for 65 per cent of searches, followed by Australians, Canadians, Brits and the Japanese.
Searches for Chicago increased by 45 per cent following the first season of “The Bear.”
Searches for Norway increased by more than 65 per cent after “Succession” aired its final season.

**Destination Dupe stats:

Percentage increase in flight searches YoY

Taipei (dupe for Seoul) – 2,786 per cent
Pattaya (dupe for Bangkok) – 249 per cent
Paros (dupe for Santorini) -193 per cent
Curaçao (dupe for St. Martin) – 185 per cent
Perth (dupe for Sydney) – 109 per cent
Liverpool (dupe for London) – 97 per cent
Palermo (dupe for Lisbon) – 89 per cent
Québec City (dupe for Geneva) – 60 per cent
Sapporo (dupe for Zermatt) – 38 per cent
Memphis (dupe for Nashville) – 16 per cent

***Tour Tourism stats: Expedia analyzed the average daily rates for accommodations in cities around the world with major arenas and music venues that will host the world’s hottest pop and rock stars in 2024. Below are 10 destinations where fans can snag a hotel room for less than $210/night on average — often less than the price of the concert ticket.⁵

Some big-name artists who will be stopping in those cities on tour next year include: Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Metallica, Olivia Rodrigo, the Jonas Brothers and the Foo Fighters.

Global List:

Kuala Lumpur – average hotel night $125
Edmonton, Canada – average hotel night $148
Mexico City, Mexico – average hotel night $164
Warsaw, Poland – average hotel night $164
Birmingham, UK – average hotel night $175
Houston, Texas – average hotel night $179
Antwerp, Belgium – average hotel night $193
Tokyo, Japan – average hotel night $203
Perth, Australia – average hotel night $204
Detroit, Michigan – average hotel night $205

****Dry Tripping hotels and resorts around the world:

Somerton Lodge, U.K. is a charming and dry hotel.
The Rhadana Kuta Bali is a thematic boutique hotel and the first certified halal hotel in Bali.
Revival Baltimore launched a local zero-proof cocktail program by a sober bar manager and mixologist.
The Merrion Hotel in Ireland “distills” its own nonalcoholic gin.
Ette Hotel in Orlando is home to stunning mocktails devised by a master mixologist and zero-proof bars.
The Rosewood Phuket offers a daily mocktail workshop for guests for a fee.
Wynn Las Vegas features “Drinking Well,” a zero-proof cocktail program developed by a master mixologist at the resort with innovative ingredients like reishi mushrooms, lion’s mane, ashwagandha and maca.

*****Vibe Check-in Stats

The top 15 vibes according to reviews on the Hotels.com app⁶: Modern, Retro, Old, Beach, Funky, Chill, Hip, Cozy, Vintage, Historic, Artsy, City, Industrial, Party and Peaceful.

The most unique vibes according to reviews on the Hotels.com app: Florida, Hollywood, Jungle, Tacky, Jazz, Camp, Margaritaville, Groovy, Yellowstone, Futuristic and Graceland.

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travellers. Our organization is made up of three pillars: Expedia Product & Technology, focused on the group’s product and technical strategy and offerings; Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; and Expedia for Business, consisting of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem.

The Expedia Group family of brands includes: Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, Trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™. One Key™ is our comprehensive loyalty program that unifies Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo into one simple, flexible travel rewards experience.

For more information, visit www.expediagroup.com. Follow us on Twitter @expediagroup and check out our LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/expedia.

Follow Expedia on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.
Follow Hotels.com on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
Follow Vrbo on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Methodology

The research was conducted on behalf of Expedia Brands (Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo & Wotif) by OnePoll, a global strategic research firm. The survey was conducted online from September 12–October 5, 2023, across North and South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels. The study was conducted among 20,000 respondents across 14 countries, among adults who are planning domestic or international travel in the next three years. OnePoll is an MRS (Market Research Society) Company Partner, has corporate membership of ESOMAR, and is a Member of the British Polling Council.

¹ Based on global flight data on Expedia POS from Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2023

² Based on hotel review data on Hotels.com between Jan. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2022

³ Planes, Trains, and Large Language Models, NRG Thought Leadership Report – May 2023

⁴ Based on global search data on Expedia and Hotels.com for hotel stays for each show 90 days post-air date compared to the same dates the year before

⁵ Based on average daily rate for hotels on Expedia global POSa from 1 Sept. 2022 – 31 Aug. 2023

⁶ Based on hotel review data on Hotels.com between Jan. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2022

SOURCE Expedia, Inc.

Consumer Corner

How High-Speed Internet Can Help Spark Community Vitality

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) Most Americans consider high-speed internet an essential household service. Yet in rural America, an estimated 25% of the population doesn’t have access to broadband, limiting their economic growth and access to career opportunities and resources such as education and health care.

The connectivity that expanding high-speed internet availability can provide creates opportunities, and some businesses are taking that mission quite seriously. For example, over the past year and a half, Cox Communications has expanded its fiber network to reach more than 55,000 households that were previously unserved or underserved.

Measuring the impact of access to high-speed internet is an important step in expanding availability and solving the digital equity problem. The 2023 Cox Expansion Impact Survey revealed 86% of customers with service for at least one month believe the service has improved their lives.

The survey also revealed three core areas where high-speed internet is changing lives for the better:

Retaining Younger Generations
As many young adults head off to college or leave their hometowns for better job opportunities, they contribute to shrinking rural communities. However, high-speed internet access can allow younger generations to remain in their communities with prospects of remote learning and working. In fact, 70% of survey respondents 30 or younger said they are more likely to stay in their communities if they can access a high-speed connection, and three-quarters of millennials and younger said they’re open to remote working opportunities, which makes staying in their communities possible.

By staying in their communities, rather than moving to urban areas to find employment, young adults are more likely to find affordable housing and less traffic. It also means the younger generation can stay close to the communities where they grew up, where their support network, including family members and friends, are nearby.

Driving Local Economic Prosperity
High-speed internet stimulates economic growth and businesses need it to succeed. When businesses do well and grow, their successes can have a multiplier effect on the local economy as residents have more job opportunities. In fact, the majority (53%) of survey respondents – including 75% of millennials and younger – feel more optimistic about their economic and employment future with the availability of high-speed internet in their communities.

Bridging Income and Education Gaps
For families without high-speed internet access, there are significant educational challenges, such as accessing educational resources available outside of their textbooks or classrooms, especially in lower-income households. Students lacking broadband often encounter difficulties completing homework, falling behind, receiving lower grades and sometimes even failing to graduate – potentially limiting career opportunities and future prosperity.

The majority of lower-income families surveyed (7 in 10) believe high-speed internet will improve their children’s test grades, and almost 90% said it will improve their abilities to apply to colleges or vocational schools after high school graduation. In fact, the survey revealed high-speed internet is twice as likely to improve the education of children in lower-income families than higher-income ones.

To learn more about the impact broadband has on rural communities, visit coxexpansionimpact.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
Cox Communications

Health

5 Ways Heart Health Care Can Improve

Published

9 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) Before the advent of antibiotics, infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and diphtheria, were the most common causes of death in the industrialized world. Today, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and has been since 1921, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, more than half of people in the U.S. (51%) aren’t aware of that fact, according to a Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association. What’s more, nearly half of all people in the U.S. (48.6%) have some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke or, most notably, high blood pressure, according to the annual statistical update, “2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of U.S. and Global Data From the American Heart Association,” published in “Circulation.”

“Heart disease along with stroke, which is the fifth-leading cause of death, claim more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, based on the most recent data available,” said Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and the Simon H. Stertzer Professor of Medicine and Radiology at Stanford School of Medicine. “Finding that most people do not know the significant impact of heart disease is discouraging and even a bit frightening.”

While death rates from CVD have declined 60% since 1950 and the number of people in the U.S. dying from heart attack has dropped from 1 in 2 in the ’50s to about 1 in 8 today, challenges still remain.

In 2024, with Bold Hearts – the American Heart Association’s centennial celebration – the organization celebrates 100 years of progress and identified several issues that must be addressed to make the next century of life-saving work as impactful as the first 100 years:

Scientific literacy must be enhanced to increase public knowledge and understanding about the methods and interpretation of scientific data.
Non-traditional approaches to health care are needed to address the social and structural determinants of health by moving evidence-based approaches rapidly into communities to address food insecurity, transportation problems, education, housing, access to care, chronic psychosocial stress and other social needs.
The interconnectedness of organ systems, mechanisms of disease and stages of life are critical to understanding the role cardiovascular health plays in overall health.
Appreciation of systems of care will beimportant to achieving significant clinical benefits. Reliance on individual physicians may not be realistic in managing diseases involving multiple organ systems such as cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease or disorders affecting the heart, brain and mind simultaneously.
More funding for research is a critical need due to the pace of scientific advances. In the next century, laboratory experiments may demand more sophisticated equipment, translational science will incorporate expensive new technologies like artificial intelligence and population health will require greater computing power and larger sample sizes.

“There is much to learn from this historic shift in the reduction of deaths from infectious diseases and the current prevalence in deaths from cardiovascular diseases,” Wu said. “Through scientific research, technological advances and public health policy, most of these infectious diseases have become controlled, and many have been or are nearly eradicated. As we apply these same clinical and epidemiological methods to the someday hopeful eradication of heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association is making great progress. Although still too many people die each year, many are living longer, more productive lives while managing their cardiovascular disease and risk factors.”

To learn more, visit heart.org/centennial.

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

Health

Promoting Mental Health Awareness: A Year-Round Commitment

“Join the movement for mental health awareness and break the stigma. Together, we can make a difference in supporting those in need. #MentalHealthAwareness”

Published

9 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Charles Elliot

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, mental health awareness holds unprecedented significance. By understanding the urgent need for mental health awareness and access to proper care, we can create a more empathetic and supportive society. This blog post emphasizes the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month and highlights ways individuals can contribute to this cause throughout the year.

@stmblog
Raise mental health awareness, break stigma. Together, we make a difference. #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma www.stmdailynews.com
♬ original sound – STMDailyNews

Breaking the Stigma:
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a catalyst for open conversations about mental illness, aiming to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health. Through education and awareness, we can dispel myths and misconceptions, enabling a more inclusive and understanding environment for those facing mental health challenges.

Supportive Initiatives:
During this significant month, a multitude of activities and events take place to show support for mental health. These include educational programs, workshops, community discussions, and fundraising efforts. Such initiatives provide individuals, families, and communities with valuable resources, information, and support networks.

Individual Contributions:
As individuals, we can make a remarkable impact in promoting mental health awareness. Educating ourselves about mental health conditions allows us to understand the experiences of those living with them, fostering empathy and compassion. By sharing our own experiences or supporting those who do, we can help break the silence and encourage others to seek help without fear of judgment.

Support and Empathy:
Offering support and empathy to those struggling with mental health conditions is crucial. By lending a listening ear, being there for someone, and checking in on their well-being, we create meaningful connections that alleviate feelings of isolation. Opening up honest conversations about mental health strengthens the support network, cultivating an environment where individuals feel safe seeking help.

Prioritizing Our Well-being:
In the pursuit of mental health awareness, it is essential to prioritize our own well-being. Practicing self-care, engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation, and seeking help when needed are fundamental aspects of maintaining good mental health. By prioritizing our well-being, we become role models, fostering a culture that places as much value on mental health as physical health.

A Year-Round Commitment:
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder to carry the lessons learned throughout the year. By actively participating in mental health initiatives, advocating for equitable access to care, and supporting those facing mental health challenges, we create a society that genuinely values mental well-being. Let us work together to break down barriers, eliminate stigmas, and ensure that mental health is prioritized and addressed for all.

Mental Health Awareness Month acts as a rallying call to prioritize mental health and create a more compassionate and supportive society. By embracing the lessons learned during this month, we can contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities throughout the year. Let us continue to educate ourselves, advocate for mental health, support others, and prioritize our own well-being, fostering an environment where mental health is celebrated and cared for. Together, we can make a difference.

What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States. It is a time when various forms of media, local events, and film screenings are used to raise awareness about mental health. Mental Health America initiated this annual observance in the United States. (Source: Wikipedia)

Date: Wed, May 1, 2024 – Fri, May 31, 2024