Baby Boomers Revealed as Huge New Market for Travel Industry
January 27, 2011–We have officially entered the “Golden Age of Baby Boomer Travel” according to Travel Weekly. As the first of the 77 Million U.S. baby boomers start hitting retirement age in 2011 and celebrate major milestones such as 65th birthdays and 25 or 30 years of marriage, this demographic is a huge new market for the travel industry that has not yet been fully exploited.
This generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is extremely travel savvy and also more physically active than previous generations. Many of them have or will have a large amount of disposable income as well as time for travels once retired. Another plus point is that 99% of them have internet access and are comfortable with using it to research travel arrangements. This makes them a prime target for PR campaigns executed by a NYC PR firm on behalf of travel entities like hotels, tour operators, or destinations.
NYC PR firms like Abelow PR have been quick to react to this trend by advising clients to focus on this desirable market and adding relevant publications and contacts to their media lists.
Baby boomers want soft adventure and exotic destinations
Vacations for this generation are about more than just sitting on a beach and reading a book. Tourism Intelligence International found that what they want above all when traveling is a learning experience and a sense of effort and accomplishment.
Abelow PR has advised their clients to adapt the product offerings promoted in their PR and marketing campaign to include soft adventure or celebration travel such as arrangements for vow renewals in exotic locales as provided by Asia and Pacific specialist Asia Transpacific Journeys. NYC boutique PR firm Abelow PR has successfully promoted this trend of vow renewals by targeting relevant publications for the 50+ market at a time when news like these were relevant to the press.
In luxury travel PR, it is extremely important to stay top of the latest trends and be savvy about new emerging markets in order to run a successful campaign and promote appealing products and services that will be picked up by the press.
NYC PR firm Abelow PR offers the full range of PR services including traditional PR, online and social media PR, PR events management as well as search engine optimization. The agency has been in the travel PR business for almost 18 years and has represented many well-known brands such as Hilton International and Virgin Atlantic as well as independently-owned tour companies, destinations and high-end properties all over the world. Visit www.AbelowPR.com to find out more.
Study Reveals Social Media Is Go-To Source for Travelers
50+ Market is Now Largest Group of Adapters for Facebook
January 18, 2011- It’s now a fact: Facebook and Twitter are the new go-to sources for travelers, according to industry experts at ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) that took place in Cannes in December. At this travel trade show it was also revealed that invite-only travel websites like Jetsetter, Tablet or Kayak are becoming established sources for both high-end travelers and budget conscious travelers looking for the best deals.
And those online sources are not just for young people; another recent study revealed that the largest group of adapters for Facebook at this time is the 50+ crowd. This is especially relevant in 2011, the year when the first generation of baby-boomers hits retirement age. This means that a large sector of the population has turned online travel savvy in today’s digital age.
As a result of this trend, an internet-astute NYC boutique PR firm like Abelow PR dedicates a large amount of their time to online and social media PR in order to boost their clients’ presence on the Internet. “We’re finding that there is an interplay between public relations, facebook, twitter and SEO, which all work in synergy to reach the consumer of today on the Internet, including the 50+ crowd,” says Lorraine Abelow, founder and head of luxury travel PR firm, Abelow PR.
For hotels, online bookings account for a large portion of their business, with many properties reporting online bookings of between 55 and 60 percent. This is also the case for many other travel businesses like tour operators, private jet companies as well as related luxury consumer goods brands.
Online travel PR and marketing is therefore a key ingredient for any travel business in order to boost their online presence, expand their target markets, engage their clients and keep travelers informed about the latest news and deals. The bottom line is attracting reservations.
Plus, in a world that is increasingly dominated by news and information from the Internet, engaging a specialized luxury travel PR firm like Abelow PR will help travel businesses boost their online brand and ultimately their booking statistics. The NYC PR firm specializes in both online and traditional PR covering all fronts including social media platforms, online magazines, influential blogs as well as traditional print publications from Condé Nast Traveler to Town and Country to the Wall Street Journal.
At a NYC PR firm like Abelow PR, online and social media PR can easily be integrated into the PR services and overall campaign, ensuring the same message is orchestrated via all media. For instance, the award-winning travel PR firm uses leading online newswire services to distribute their clients’ press releases, creating instant coverage in such high-profile outlets like Msn.com or the Miami Herald.
As a boutique PR firm, Abelow PR maintains extensive media lists of both online and print publications that rival those of many larger agencies. Further, they also offer Search Engine Optimization services and the distribution of optimized releases in order to boost their clients’ rankings on the Google pages.
Whether online, social media or traditional off-line PR, NYC boutique PR firm Abelow can help push your business’ online presence and influence travelers’ decision making process. Contact Lorraine Abelow to find out more.
Ten Travel Trends To Watch by Abelow PR
January 3, 2011–With the start of the new year, NYC boutique PR firm Abelow PR has identified the new trends for 2011 and beyond that will influence people’s choice of where and how to travel.
Burma is up-and-coming for 2011
“We use this information for our clients’ travel PR campaigns to make sure we are always on top of the latest trends that will secure media coverage for them and capture their target market’s attention,” explains Lorraine Abelow, the head and founder of Abelow PR. The agency has been established for almost 20 years and has served many luxury travel brands such as Hilton International and Virgin Atlantic as well as independently-owned tour companies and high-end properties all over the world.
Here are their top ten travel trends to watch in 2011:
1. The Urge to Splurge – After a couple of tough years, the Mendelsohn Affluent Study confirms that spending on travel is up again, especially in the luxury market. According to the motto ‘carpe diem’ (seize the day), travelers are looking for authentic experiences that are life-changing, while enjoying the luxury of high-end accommodation, great dining and exceptional journeys that go beyond the ordinary.
2. Burma Is Wide Open For Tourism Now – With the release from house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, more travelers are seeking to visit this magical place. Frozen in time, Burma remains the last country in Southeast Asia that is almost entirely untouched and is also one of the most devoutly Buddhist countries left on earth.
3. Sri Lanka is hot - Arrivals to the country have increased 36%, and priceless cultural treasures, World Heritage sites, fabulous off-shore islands and superb cuisine await intrepid travelers keen on seeing what has been called one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
4. Book Lover Trips – With book groups all the rage, Asia Transpacific Journeys has organized trips based on books such as a Beyond the Sky and Earth based in Bhutan.
5. Vow Renewals on the Upswing – This old favorite is returning as the baby boomers approach milestone anniversaries with many wanting to renew their vows in unique locales. An example is a Jewish couple that renewed their vows at a Hindu temple in India.
6. Sabbaticals To Make a Difference –Sabbaticals are an increasingly popular way to re-prioritize and help others, like helping at a literacy program in Laos or a soup kitchen in Delhi.
7. Travelers Want Authenticity – Festivals and holidays provide authentic and eye-opening ways of experiencing a culture, which is exactly what today’s travelers are after. Abelow PR’s top choices include a local summer festival in the northern Himalaya, and the Tumbuna Sing-Sing in Papua New Guinea.
8. Travelers Want the “Human Touch” – A counter-trend to online bookings, some tour operators are emphasizing the importance of the “human touch” for personalized travel arrangements and rely on offline bookings only.
9. Luxury Resorts in Far Flung Places – New luxury hotels in off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Burma and even Tibet now allow travelers to escape to the exotic while still enjoying luxurious accommodations and fine food.
10. Brazil: Why Wait? – With the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics around the corner, Brazil is on the cusp of exploding, so travelers should get in before the crowds heat up the prices. Beyond the beaches of Rio, Amazon River cruises, the thundering Iguazu Falls, samba lessons, Afro-Brazilian culinary courses as well as stunning new ‘pousadas’ (boutique properties) and remote beaches are awaiting travelers.
Contact the NYC PR firm Abelow PR to find out more about their tailored PR services.
