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![]() With more and more people being vaccinated and pandemic restrictions easing, family travel will present a welcome escape after a year of Zoom meetings and remote learning towards the end of 2021. In fact, the Family Travel Association reports that “85 percent of parents anticipate traveling domestically in the next 12 months.” Family travel has presented an opportunity to trace one’s ancestry, embark on a learning vacation and to truly immerse oneself into a local culture. It is a very lucrative segment for the travel industry since a “the family of four will spend on average $4,580 on a family vacation.” To help marketers tap into reinvigorate the family travel market, Allen Marketing Communications, a boutique travel and lifestyle PR agency,highlights five popular family vacation trends for 2021. Road Trips Road trips, whether you take an SUV or an RV, have been a popular choice for families looking for a memorable vacation for years. This year doesn’t seem to be any different, and affordable gas prices have increased their popularity even more. There are plenty of breathtaking sights and desirable destinations just a car ride away, and families are taking advantage. “Nearly 7 out of 10, or 67 percent, who want to take a vacation by year-end aren’t sure they’ll actually be able to travel, and 1 in 5 expect to book at the last minute, within a week of departure.” reports CNBC “That’s according to a recent survey by AAA of traveler attitudes amid pandemic-era travel restrictions. The survey found that 80 percent of planned vacations will be road trips,” reports CNBC. National parks are always a good choice for a trip. Other highly traveled and recommended routes include the San Juan Skyway in Colorado and Arizona’s Monument Valley. With plenty of options for destinations and stops along the way, road trips have established their appeal as a family vacation. Multigenerational Trips While we’ve been stuck inside with our immediate family for over a year, we haven’t seen our extended families in a long time. To solve this problem, many families are going on vacation with multiple generations, from grandparents to grandchildren. Skips trips is a growing trend in the family travel industry. According to a recent AARP survey, more than a third of grandparents have taken their grandchildren on a skip-generation trip, leaving mom and dad at home. And industry experts predict those numbers will continue to climb once we’re back to traveling. (Source: Boston Globe) Whether it’s a destination trip on a warm beach or renting a cabin in the great outdoors, families just want to reunite and spend time together. Reconnecting with Nature You can find some of the most breathtaking views and calming experiences out in nature, and many people are craving these things after a year spent cooped up in the house. Parents want to show their children everything they’ve been missing, and they want to escape and breathe some fresh air too. On top of that, there are so many options that the great outdoors offer. Whether you want a tropical paradise, a snowy wonderland, or something in between, there’s a place for you. Some families opt for a stay in a treehouse (a popular option in California) while others go glamping and others choose a stay in the Caribbean. No matter your taste, you can reconnect with your family and nature this year. Bucket List Trips Now is the perfect time to cross something off of your bucket list. Why not a trip for the whole family that you’ve been wanting to take forever? Isn’t that the perfect way to celebrate making it through one of the most stressful years? Besides, we’ve been stuck inside for so long, and we never know what’s going to happen next. Now is the time to spread your wings and explore all of the places you’ve been meaning to with the people you love by your side. This “why wait?” attitude is inspiring many families this year. Going International Maybe one of the spots on your bucket list is outside of the country. If it is, you wouldn’t be alone. Plenty of families are expected to travel internationally this year; other countries are lifting their restrictions and allowing Americans in, and many are finally being vaccinated. International travel is finally possible again. Some destinations, such as Costa Rica and Aruba, are already accepting American visitors, making them the perfect option for families ready to escape on a vacation now. If you have another destination in mind, take the time to plan it and make it perfect for later in the year. Either way, this is the perfect year to book those international flights and take the trip of your life! Family trips will increase this year as more individuals become vaccinated. Allen Marketing Communications, a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency, can help you navigate the trends! By Kendall Mason at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.
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![]() COVID-19 has added a number of obstacles to the already complicated process of planning a destination wedding: testing, quarantining, and contact tracing have to be considered on top of group flight bookings, reserving blocks of hotel rooms, and legal marriage requirements. Wedding Insights reports, “couples worked tirelessly with their vendor teams to create a safe and memorable wedding day—from keeping guests socially distanced at the ceremony (62 percent) and hosting them outside (68 percent) to embracing technology, such as streaming, to allow for guests to witness the day from afar (43 percent). To help navigate these challenges in a confusing and always-changing environment, Allen Marketing Communications, a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency, spotlights five trends to expect this year for destination weddings. Deals to Encourage Weddings You’re not the only one who misses destination weddings; hotels and resorts in popular locations are hurting without them as well. To attract couples, these resorts have begun offering accommodations and deals. Testing for the coronavirus is absolutely essential for destination weddings, as it helps to ensure that nobody brings and spreads the respiratory virus. Armed with this information, certain hotels are now offering COVID-19 testing to make your trip and stay easier. In terms of deals, perks that were once reserved for the newlyweds are now available to all guests. Things such as resort credit, free excursions, and private transfers encourage people to attend the wedding. Hotels are even making an effort to include guests who still don’t feel comfortable or cannot travel to the wedding. Many offer an option for virtual guests, who can then view and participate in the wedding even if they aren’t there physically. A number of resorts go the extra mile, gifting virtual guests with party favors and treats. Eco-Friendly Weddings This trend has been gaining popularity for some time, and there is no near end in sight. Couples are consistently choosing options that minimize their impact on the planet, and it looks like they’re going to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. As destination weddings tend to have a smaller effect on the environment, their popularity is surging as well. Otherwise, couples are making choices like Evites, biodegradable and natural decorations, and buying conflict-free, ethical jewelry. Neutral Location The pandemic has made a lot of couples rethink what they want in a wedding. By not being able to travel or really go outside for a year has made people miss the great outdoors and faraway destinations. They want their wedding to be a truly special event that they can relive for years to follow. This sentiment has led to a rise of weddings in neutral locations that are connected to neither person. This way, the married couple can revisit the spot on anniversaries or vacations. They can show the spot to their children, friends, and family on later trips as well. Overall, the pandemic has pushed couples towards destinations that will serve as the perfect spot to visit time and time again. Popular Destinations for 2021 and On There are a number of very popular destinations that are constantly busy with weddings, and these locations change over time. Before the pandemic, places such as Mexico have been very popular, according to The Destination Weddings Blog. Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Riviera Maya were in the top five, with Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Montego Bay in Jamaica rounding out the list. Now, after a year of uncertainty and fear, we see new destinations jumping into the spotlight. These include St. Lucia, Ochos Rios and Negril in Jamaica, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Livermore in California, the United Kingdom, and Iceland. If you have your eye on any of these places, you should know that you aren’t the only one. Lots of Planning and Waiting As much as we want to jump headfirst back into the wedding craze, the pandemic has thrown a wrench in all of our plans. For many, waiting for things to settle down is the best option. This gives them more time to plan, save up money, and make sure the special day is absolutely perfect. High Emotion Weddings estimates “that we’ll see many of these weddings in 2022 and 2023, which is the same timeframe that they suggest if you’re planning your wedding right now.” If you don’t want to wait, there are things you can do to make your life easier and less stressful, because we all know how hectic wedding planning can be. Firstly, go into everything with flexibility and be realistic. Things may change, get postponed, or even be cancelled. We’re in a crazy time and there’s little that can be done about it. If it does happen, be prepared and have a backup plan. The next step would be to hire an experienced destination wedding planner, as they are best equipped to help you. The same goes for any business that you work with, and make sure to carefully read every contract you sign. Do plenty of research, too! And if you don’t want to wait but also don’t want to plan your wedding around COVID-19 restrictions, you can always sign the papers now and celebrate later! A legal marriage requires no fanfare or planning, just a trip down to the courthouse to sign some papers. If you really want to marry your partner, that’s always an option. The fun part can always come later, because in the end, the love is what matters most. The destination isn’t going anywhere. According to the Boston Globe, “the roughly $16 billion per year romance travel industry — an umbrella term for destination weddings, honeymoons, proposal travel, and babymoons — is holding its collective breath and chanting the mantra of “keep calm and carry on.” While the pandemic has made it very difficult to plan a wedding, it has not made it impossible. As more people are vaccinated and we continue to fight the coronavirus, destination weddings will regain their popularity. Our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals at Allen Marketing Communications can always help you to navigate these confusing times in the destination weddings industry. By Kendall Mason at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. ![]() It goes without being said that COVID-19 turned life upside down about a year ago. No industry went untouched; there were adjustments and new trends launched in every field. Turning specifically to the beverage industry, we see a number of changes to keep an eye out for in the remainder of 2021. From celebrity branding to hard seltzer to healthy choices, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency, spotlights the current beverage trends. A Focus on Healthy Living If the pandemic has put an emphasis on anything, it is the importance of health and wellness. Many people have taken COVID-19 as a wake-up call, as it has spurred them to change their lives and make healthier choices. The beverage industry did not escape this trend, as we see a rise in healthy beverages such as kombucha. Consumers want to live healthier lives, and the drink industry is morphing to reflect it. One example of this change is the fast-growing popularity of fermented drinks such as kombucha. As people look for nutritious beverages to fuel their bodies with, these drinks are appearing more frequently. Their growth is astonishing, and EHL Insights projects that kombucha and other probiotic beverages will make over $77 billion in sales by 2025. This is just one of many examples of a healthier industry. Convenient and Ready-To-Go Drinks Canned and ready-to-go drinks are expected to be one of the biggest trends of the year, with Nielsen Premium Panel data stating that the development of to-go drinks has accelerated by 171 percent during the course of 2020. The convenience and sanitation of these beverages makes them hard to resist. The rise in options, high-quality ingredients, low calorie, and tasty flavors don’t hurt either. Expect to see canned and convenient options everywhere this summer! Celebrity Brands and Endorsements Celebrity endorsements are not a new phenomenon, but they have become much more popular recently and are expected to continue growing throughout the year. Expect to see big names partner with vineyards and champagne houses and other beverage brands to produce new drinks. Not only does this provide a benefit for the brand and celebrity, but it introduces a product to a new group of consumers. Brands With Purpose In 2020, many brands were criticized for their role in or failure to speak out on issues from racism to climate change. Many companies faced backlash and felt the financial repercussions. This has led to the 2021 trend of choosing brands with a set purpose or value. Consumers want the companies they buy from to hold similar values, but even more so, they often do not want to support anyone with views that they find offensive or hurtful. Take Purpose Purple Tea, a tea company, as an example. Their mission is to lift women throughout the world out of poverty, and if often draws in new customers. Consumers are more open to trying a new beverage if they know their money is also put towards a cause that they believe in. Coffee at Home People spent a lot more time at home last year, switching to working from home rather than an office. As a result, many coffee drinkers have begun to make their coffee at home rather than buy a cup on the way to the office. Social media has propelled the trend of at-home coffee, with many posting their creations online. TikTok and Instagram are filled with videos of people trying to replicate the taste of coffee from their favorite shop, creating their own recipes, and more. These two factors have made coffee brewed at home much more appealing. Considering that many expect to continue working virtually for the foreseeable future and social media isn’t going anywhere, it looks like this trend is here to stay. While the pandemic has shaken the beverage industry, the travel and lifestyle PR professionals at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. can help you navigate the trends. Let us help! By Kendall Mason at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. ![]() Social media, especially platforms such as Instagram, has become a part of daily life for many consumers. In fact, Statista reports that “13 percent of everyone on the planet uses Instagram.” With this many people scrolling through Instagram every day, it becomes the perfect method to market a business, brand, or service. Another advantage that Instagram provides an amazing reach for businesses. Millions of people use Instagram every single day, much higher than the number of people who consume other forms of traditional media. This advantage has been demonstrated even more so by the pandemic. With people unable to leave their homes, they have turned to social media even more than normal, demonstrating how useful it can be. To help companies unlock the full marketing potential of Instagram, Allen Marketing Communications, a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency, gives these five tips to extend a company or brand’s reach on Instagram. Create a Distinct, Consistent Profile and Feed Curating a distinct brand has been essential to marketing for years, it’s nothing new. This same idea applies to your Instagram profile and posts. They should follow a consistent theme and be recognizable as your brand. Details should remain similar throughout your posts, whether it is something as big as the layout or as small as the font used. This way, followers will instantly recognize whose content they’re seeing. This similarity should carry itself through all of posts on Instagram; if you post a story, make sure that it is just as distinguishable as a regular post. In fact, it’s best to post stories and IGTVs in your company’s style. This way, more people will see the posts and associate them with your brand. Use Hashtags Correctly Hashtags are a feature of social media that allow users to categorize content. They help consumers discover more photos, videos, and accounts that fall under their interests, making them a useful tool for growing engagement. That is, if you know how to use them correctly. Firstly, it’s important to know just how many hashtags to use. Research from TrackMaven “illustrates that posts with eleven or more hashtags tend to see more engagement, meaning that you’ll have more luck with more hashtags.” Next, one of those hashtags should be branded to develop a unique identity for your company or service. That way, all of the posts and content under the hashtag will generate more activity on your profile. You can upload media using the hashtag, as can your followers. Instagram Advertising Hashtags are not the only way to increase profile activity. Instagram advertising has become a very useful tool to reach more users, especially as the platform has been working with various brands for feedback and improvement. Additionally, since Instagram is owned by Facebook, it also utilizes deep integration and allows businesses to advertise to people based on their interests and demographics. Companies can use this feature to reach users who are most likely to be interested in your company. A world of potential customers is at your hands, and Instagram advertising is one of many ways to unlock it. Engage With Your Followers An easy, free way to increase engagement and profile activity is to engage directly with your followers. Instagram is not just creating content, it’s also consuming it! Comment on other accounts’ pictures, reply to story posts, and interact with other people on the platform. Not only does it show your existing followers that you’re accessible and friendly, but it shows potential followers the same. In a similar sense, encourage your followers to engage with your posts! Leave a prompt in the caption for them to respond to or try a giveaway or promotional event. These will inspire consumers to pay attention and interact. In turn, Instagram’s algorithm will show your profile more often; active accounts are favored. For the same reason, make sure you post consistently. Include a Link or Landing Tree in Your Profile Now that we have gone over a number of strategies to increase engagement with your Instagram profile, it’s time to see how this growth can lead to more activity on your website. It’s simple: put a link or Linktree in your bio. When consumers are driven to your company, they can learn more through the link. This means more activity for your website, content, or anything else you choose. It’s clear that Instagram is a tool that everybody should take advantage of. Let Allen Marketing Communications help! By Kendall Mason at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. ![]() The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed all of our lives and effectively turned 2020 upside down. The wellness industry has pivoted during the pandemic by amplifying its on-site sanitizing services at spa facilities, by incorporating alternative touchless spa therapies, and by offering self-care services for clients to perform at home. As we emerge from the novel coronavirus, traditional brick and mortar spa and wellness facilities will offer hybrid (in-person and virtual) experiences to stay in line with the current CDC guidelines as it pertains to social distancing, and health and safety protocols. Allen Marketing Communications, a boutique NYC travel and lifestyle public relations agency, shares the top five trends that you should expect to see this year. Touchless Spa Services The pandemic has made people wary to utilize services that they once did, and spas are the perfect example. “Not everyone is comfortable with a high-touch service, with only 19 percent of Americans getting a massage during 2020. This number is very low, especially when compared with the 42 percent of Americans who got a massage during 2019,” according to Mindbody Business. Despite the move away from massages, people are still seeking out spa experiences for relaxation. This has increased the popularity of no-touch services like float tanks, compression therapy, cryotherapy, and more. While we expect to see these services hold onto their popularity throughout this year, we do think that massages will regain their appeal once the pandemic is over. Wellness at Home According to the Global Wellness Institute, “home wellness” focus can be very simple, such as finding ways to nurture ourselves in very tiny apartments, with air quality key: saying goodbye to the sealed, air-conditioned home and with opening windows, eating outside, and feeling the bracing air being “very basic pleasures and behaviors transforming…what is wellness.” Staying home became very popular about a year ago for obvious reasons, and this has forced us to bring a number of things that we used to do outside of our homes inside. Wellness is no exception. Because we are all constantly in the house, we have found ways to make our homes more comforting, relaxing, and beneficial to our overall wellness. Companies are helping us to do it too, with products such as new and improved humidifiers. Essentially if we suit the environment around us, our homes, to best help our wellbeing, we will reap the benefits of living healthier and feeling more comfortable in our own homes. Mental Wellness as a Priority According to the Global Wellness Institute, “the mental wellness industry encompasses businesses whose primary aim is to help us along the mental wellness pathways of growth and nourishment and rest and rejuvenation. Within those pathways, it identifies four sectors coalescing to form an emerging market: 1) senses, spaces and sleep, 2) brain-boosting nutraceuticals & botanicals, 3) self-improvement and 4) meditation and mindfulness.” Mental wellness is something that hasn’t always been easy to talk about. For a long time, it was a taboo subject, personal information that nobody wanted to divulge. Fortunately, that is not the case anymore. In the recent past we have seen a move away from mental health as a taboo and towards mental health as a global priority. The pandemic has only further demonstrated the necessity of mental health awareness and care. Nobody is impervious to the unprecedented stress and pressure that the pandemic has put on the world, and nobody has to be ashamed of opening up about their mental wellness. In fact, wellness retreats will explode as we emerge from the pandemic as individuals turn to yoga, mediation and mindfulness to cope with the daily stress from the COVID-19 pandemic. Intuitive Eating, the Non-Diet Diet fads have come and gone for years, that’s nothing new. What is new is intuitive eating, which is becoming more and more popular as time goes on. This way of eating rejects all other diets, opting instead to listen to your body and eat what it’s asking for at a particular moment. With intuitive eating, there’s no need to restrict your eating, it’s all about doing what is best for your body. This changes from person to person. Some people might feel their best while avoiding dairy, and that’s perfectly fine. Others may prefer to skip out on red meat or another food, which is great if it’s what’s best for them. Sometimes, the best thing for you may be a chocolate bar or a big plate of cake, and that’s okay too! In the end, intuitive eating means making good choices for the health of your body and mind. “In other words, listening to your body, eating foods that fuel you, and learning what works with your system and what doesn’t. All of this is an effort to create a healthy relationship with food -- removing stress and shame around eating -- which is the antidote to harmful diet culture,” according to FitOn. No more restrictive eating or forgoing an entire food group with this trend! Working Out at Home Many people have seen the value of wellness and keeping their bodies healthy recently, and at the same time, many gyms and fitness studios have been forced to close by the pandemic. This has led virtual, at-home workouts to become a trend. “40 percent of Americans enjoy virtual fitness at least once a week, as they are able to work out from their own homes and access a wide selection of content from across the world,” according to Mindbody Business. Many enjoy the ease that comes with these workouts; they can fit in a quick session during a lunch break or before running errands. An added benefit? These workouts can relieve some of the stress that comes with the pandemic. The pandemic has changed how we live our lives, and it has also brought new trends to the wellness industry. Let Allen Marketing Communications help you navigate these trends. We’re here to help. By Kendall Mason at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. ![]() In this day and age, social media can boost the popularity of an individual, product or company. All it takes is one viral post and BAM you're on the map, just like that! TikTok has taken the world by storm during the last couple of years. In fact, TikTok has been instrumental in creating trends, especially dance crazes and number 1 billboard music hits with one viral video. During the COVID-19 pandemic, business owners are always looking for innovative ways to stay open, run smoothly and attract new customers during an era of social distancing and lockdowns. TikTok presents an opportunity to grow a business due to the social media app’s algorithm geared towards individual people on the app. Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency, shares key insights about using TikTok to build brand and consumer awareness during this epidemic. Did you know . .
Here are a couple of tips for business and savvy marketers to reap the benefits of TikTok.
During this pandemic, TikTok is an instrumental social media platform especially for Gen Zers to discover the people behind the business. TikTok users are keen to support local businesses and find cool, new spots to check out even during this epidemic. Our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals are here to help. Give us a call. By Maria Flouskakos at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. ![]() In France, the state of the travel industry in 2020/21 is a complicated affair. After experiencing two nationwide lockdowns in May 2020 (55 days) and October 2020 (45 days), the French government put in place a strict national nighttime curfew since December 2020. From February 2021, new rules banning flights to and from countries outside the E.U came into force restricting travel once again to urgent personal or family business, a health emergency or work-related voyages. While all of this may feel disheartening, and means travelers are likely grounded through much of the first semester of 2021, there are hopes for recovery across the travel industry heading into the summer months if the vaccine can be widely administrated and the number of cases begins to trend downward this spring. Although nobody knows exactly what will happen, one thing is clear: the long-lasting effects of a global pandemic will affect the way French people will travel …at least for the foreseeable future. Even amidst a crisis, current data can give us helpful insights into how the French people feel about travelling at home and abroad, and how we in the tourism industry can best support and reassure tourists as we head into a new era of travel. Our boutique travel and lifestyle agency spotlights our PR agency partner, Lesley Joan Williamson, chief executive officer, Lesley Joan Williamson PR & Communications based in France, and her insights as it pertains to the French travel market. 1. The French are craving vacations more than ever French people usually enjoy five weeks of paid vacations annually and in 2020, they spent a total of 2400 hours in lockdown fantasizing and daydreaming about holidays. The frustration is real. According to a survey* conducted by Yougov for the French Home Exchange in February 2021, not being able to plan vacations at the moment is morally one of the hardest things for 36 percent of the French. A trend confirmed by people over 55 years old, who are 60 percent to feel this way. The most difficult thing for the French people surveyed still remains not spending time with their family and friends (53 percent). Everything related to leisure time is rather upseting. Not being able to go to a bar or restaurant is a heartbreak for 41 percent of them, not being able to move around freely on a daily basis is also among the most difficult things (37 percent) in the current health crisis. As seen in 2020 as soon as the First Minister’s speech lifted travel restrictions, the French were on the hunt for places to go for a breath of fresh air. A crave to travel and get away from it all yes, but also a strong awareness to reduce their COVID-19 exposure. After a year with a lot of time spent at home on video calls or binge-watching TV, the French will not give up on their vacations despite of Covid19. But in the context of the current crisis, they will be slightly different again this year…. 2. New hopes for the summer Vacation plans until May are now being put off. According to the Home Exchange study, 58 percent will not travel during the spring vacations because of the uncertainty of governmental regulations and health concerns for half of them. Most are already focused on summer. According to an online survey conducted by Abritel** this time, 19 percent of French families plan their first vacation of the year in France between April and June 2021. For 45 percent of French families, their first vacation of the year in France will occur between July and September. Only 13 percent of families do not see themselves going on vacation in France before 2022. Overall, 68 percent of families are confident that they will travel on a family vacation in 2021, even though 34 percent of these same families say they are confident while remaining cautious, again according to the Abritel study. 3. Hopes that the vaccine will gradually change the situation If Covid19 has settled in our lives for a year now, hindering all travel plans, there are hopes in the travel industry that the situation will gradually evolve with the deployment of vaccination campaigns. According to the study conducted by Abritel, 41 percent of French families say the announcement of a vaccine positively impacted their decision to plan a vacation in 2021. Indeed, 22 percent of French families felt reassured by the upcoming vaccination. In fact, 19 percent immediately began researching future trips after the vaccine was announced. However, 31 percent indicated that they were still reluctant to schedule vacations because of persistent uncertainties (lockdowns, travel restrictions, etc.). 17 percent said the announcement of a vaccine had no effect on them because they did not trust it. 4. Staycation In the short period of time the French were able to travel in 2020 (June until September), domestic travel spiked in relation to the COVID-19 crisis. Different factors explain this trend: the government encouraging domestic travel in the short term to help boost France’s economy, concerns about quarantine measures, uncertainty over the financial future of the travel companies that people book with, a loss of confidence in the travel industry and fears of traveling far from home for sanitary reasons. 5. International Tourism: not before 2022? Covid19’s travel restrictions have drawn new maps for French travelers who are being more strategic about where they venture out. For those fortunate to travel internationally, we have seen a huge increase of interest in far-flung French islands such as La Réunion in the Indian Ocean, Tahiti or the Caribbean Martinique and Guadeloupe ( + 100 000 pax in December 2020) which has led to a closure of borders for non-essential travel in February 2021. An increasing interest in less traveled destinations with no travel ban has also emerged for countries like Kenya, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico for a few privileged travelers. For tourism professionals, restoring safety and confidence is the main challenge. 34 percent of French travelers closely follow data and information on the progress of vaccination in each country, to get an idea of the situation on the ground. Almost as many (31 percent of families) want a clear and realistic timeline from the government on potential travel restrictions and/or where it is/will be possible to leave from. 27 percent of respondents say that they expect above all flexible cancellation policies from tourism operators to organize their vacations with confidence. As for going abroad again, French families are more cautious as only 27 percent consider traveling between July and September. According to the Abritel study, 27 percent anticipate it will not be possible to leave the country before 2022. Figures once again predict the perspective of a French staycation summer like 2020 while people are waiting for a real visibility on international travel. If vaccination against Covid-19 is a condition to travel to certain destinations, 45 percent of families said they would be willing to do so either because they intend to be vaccinated anyway (24 percent) or because they want to do so to be allowed to travel (21 percent). However, 22 percent of families are still waiting and prefer to see how it goes for others before taking a decision. Finally, some refuse the idea of a mandatory vaccination for travel (10 percent), even if it means having to choose another destination. *Study carried out among 1032 people representative of the French population (18+) via an online survey conducted on French territory from February 9 to 10, 2021. **The online survey was carried out by Atomik Research among 1503 parents (18+) in France from 15 to 19 January 2021 who have children up to the age of 15 and who have travelled as a family over the last five years. By Lesley Joan Williamson, chief executive officer, Lesley Joan Williamson PR & Communications, based in France and Allen Marketing Communications, Inc's partner agency ![]() Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, freelancer, or solopreneur, there may come a time when you need to assemble a team of workers in order to grow your business and gain the exposure you need to succeed. And if you don’t have a physical office location for your business — or you’re looking to save money on operating costs — your best bet will be to hire a virtual team of workers. Allen Marketing Communications, a boutique NYC travel and lifestyle PR agency, shares a five-step process of assembling and managing a team of remote workers, so read on to begin! Think About Your Business Needs The first step to assembling a team of remote workers is to think about your business goals and the types of help you’ll need in order to achieve them. Are you looking to hire employees or contractors to work remotely for your company? Which skills, abilities, and characteristics are you looking for in your remote workers? Workers with the following characteristics are essential when growing a small business.
And while the specific types of positions you’ll be hiring for will depend on the nature of your business, several key roles include the product manager, marketer, accountant, human resource manager, and sales representative. Be sure to think about your business wants and needs before beginning to recruit and interview candidates. Look for Funding Once you’ve identified your needs, it’ll be time to think about how you’re going to pay your team of workers. If you’re just starting a business, you may consider hiring an unpaid intern — or you could save money by hiring a part-time employee or independent contractor. You may also be able to save by setting up your business as a limited liability company. Not only will you gain tax advantages, but you can shield yourself from potential litigation as well. Forming an LLC will take 2 hours tops when you use a formation service to file your business documents with the state. Look for Remote Workers Once you’ve secured the funding you need to pay your workers and have identified the types of positions you’re looking to fill, you’ll finally be ready to start assembling your remote team. Zapier offers some tips on finding and hiring the best workers for virtual teams — or you can begin your search by using online job boards like Upwork, Toptal, and Freelancer.com. Invest in the Right Tech Next, you’ll need to invest in the right remote work tools to ensure that you and your team will be able to communicate and collaborate from afar. The following tools can help:
Manage Your Team from Afar After you’ve assembled your virtual team of workers, you’ll need to learn how to best manage them from afar. And while it may take some time to get the hang of it, set boundaries and guidelines early on, remain flexible with your team, and keep meetings short and to the point. Kathy Gurchiek of SHRM also recommends asking each worker about his or her preferred communication style, whether it’s email, instant messaging, phone calls, or video chatting. Once you’ve completed these five steps to assembling and managing a team of remote workers, you’ll be on your way to achieving business growth and success. Our talented team of travel and lifestyle public relations professionals are here to help. Give us a call. Guest post: Tina Martin, Life Coach, Inspired Ideas Photo credit: Unsplash ![]() The food industry has embraced novel ways of doing business and even pivoted their business model during an era of social distancing, lock downs and reduced capacities at food establishments. Individual packaged meals, salads and cupcakes will enable friends, families and colleagues to gather safely indoors to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other milestone events. Research shows "online grocery sales tripled during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic as food retailers ramped up an already growing ecommerce business." (Source: The Food Industry Association.) The online grocery sales are forecasted to grow this year as we emerge from the corona virus epidemic. Allen Marketing Communications, inc., a boutique food and beverage public relations agency, stays of abreast of current industry trends. Here's what's trending in the food industry for 2021. The corona virus epidemic inspired many individuals to eat healthier and to incorporate food items to boost one's immunity naturally. Plant-based foods will continue to be all the rave in 2021 as more individuals experiment a vegan lifestyle and to reap the health benefits for incorporating plant-based items into our diet. Research shows a vegan diet is rich in nutrients derived from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, nuts and seeds. A vegan diet has been shown to reduce blood sugar level for those suffering with diabetes, as well as helps to reduce the risks for heart disease, breast, prostate and colon cancers. Plant-based milk - oat milk, almond milk, soy milk and pea milk -- have exploded during recent years. In fact, vegan meat alternatives are appearing on menus for some fast food restaurants and there is even talk about a plant-based fish entering the food market. Zoom calls have become the new normal during this COVID-19 pandemic. Food enthusiasts will continue to embrace virtual cooking classes with celebrity chefs or with local restaurateurs.. Food lovers are experimenting with exotic spices to add a new twists to favorite food items. Also, aspiring chefs will also explore making homemade pasta as we emerge from this epidemic. Take and bake meal kits are a novel way for restaurant owners to pivot, stay afloat and generate an income during a period of reduced indoor dining capacity and take-out restrictions on the restaurant industry. Basically, restaurants provide customers with pre-packaged and pre-made meal kits and the customer just needs to bake the items at home and then serve. During this corona virus epidemic, Tik Tok is emerging as an influential social media platform for socially conscious consumers to engage and connect with small businesses and restaurant owners. Tik Tok presents a platform for consumers to get to know the faces behind the brands through innovative, behind the scenes videos. “It’s important to establish a connection with a business, its owners, and its team, especially during these tough times. Consumers want to support small and local businesses to keep their communities intact, as those businesses are the hardest hit during COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions," according to Real Simple. Instagram and Facebook are very important to build brand loyal customers. It is important to post two to three times or more a week to engage first time and repeat customers. It is important to post content as it pertains to your brand's CDC health protocols. Our food and beverage public relations professionals are here to help. Give us a call. By Joanna Allen, chief executive officer, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. ![]() Wine, spirits and beer sales have exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Total e-commerce penetration experienced 10 years of growth in just three months’ time (March — May)," according to Forbes. Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique NYC PR agency serving wine and spirits clients, stays abreast of industry trends to help liquor clients capture their share of market and share of wealth during this pandemic. Here's what's trending for 2021. “There has been a huge increase in awareness of alcohol e-commerce among US consumers, while some states have relaxed legislation to facilitate online sales and home deliveries. IWSR consumer research data shows that in the US, 44 percent of alcohol e-shoppers only started buying alcohol online in 2020, compared to 19 percent in 2019,"according to the IWSR (International Wine and Spirit Record). Batched Cocktails quite simply allows an individual to "mix a large quantities of a cocktail, chill it and serve it, stress free." During this pandemic, batched drinks have provided a lifeline for many struggling restaurants and bars because the owners can quite simply premade cocktails for individuals to purchase on the go. Touchless Cocktail Menus will continue to gain in popularity during the corona virus pandemic. Print cocktail menus will be tossed to the wind and savvy drinks will simply access a digital cocktail menu for their drinking pleasure. Digital cocktail menus will make it easier for bar and restaurant owners to add new signature drinks. Mocktails, quite simply, are non-alcoholic mixed drink made without alcoholic ingredients. Although liquor sales have exploded during the pandemic, mocktails are an area for expansion for liquor companies looking to reach younger drinkers who have not come of age to drink. TIkTok has become an influential social media platform to inspire first time drinkers to explore a new wine and spirit. There are "approximately 350 million people who have downloaded TikTok, bringing global users to 850 million" according to Liquor.com. "TikTok also introduced young users to flair bartending with pros like @annelise_bartender7, @valentinluca, @yochew13_ and @flairbartendress twirling bottles, juggling shakers, balancing tins on their elbows and perfecting the forehead pour," according to Liquor.com. Other social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook are very important to engaging and inspiring first time drinkers to sample a particular wine and spirit, as well as building loyal customers. It is important to post at least two or three times a week to keep customers connected with the brand. Creative content featuring stunning photos, easy to prepare recipes, and virtual tasting events are key to building brand loyal customers. During the last year, there has been so much turmoil especially as it pertains to social injustice. Corporate social responsibility presents an excellent platform for liquor companies to spotlight their efforts as it pertains to philanthropy, diversity and inclusion. Savvy consumers often look at a liquor companies track record for helping those in need and it influences their decision to purchase a particular liquor company. Our talented team of wine and spirits public relations professionals are here to help. Give us a call. By Joanna Allen, chief executive officer, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. |
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