According to Statista “the travel and tourism industry is one of the world’s largest industries in the global economic contribution (direct, indirect and induced) at over $7.6 trillion dollars.”  Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a NYC boutique PR agency advises our destination marketing and hospitality clients to make subtle changes in their marketing offerings based on industry trends to inspire first-time and repeat travelers to explore their travel products and services.

Here are key travel trends to watch for 2019:

Adventure Travel
According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the definition for adventure travel is changing to reflect “authentic experiences to learn a new culture.”  Research reveals adrenaline pumping experiences such as sky diving, mountaineering, trekking, and kayaking to name a few experiences still make up 45 percent of the adventure travel market.

However, adventure travel segment is evolving to include food, wine and shopping tours so tourists can truly delve deep and capture the essence of a local culture.
In fact, food tours are a great way for food lovers to learn about local ingredients, get hands on instructions for a signature dish so they duplicate these mouth-watering recipes in the comfort of their home.  While cookbooks are still a great keep sake for a destination, food connoisseurs will embrace the hands on culinary instructions offered through these food tours.

Family Travel
Children are still the influential decision for families (parents with their children, grandparents with their grandparents or even multi-generations –grandparents, parents and children) to travel together. 

Family travel is an excellent opportunity to educate the next generation first-hand about endangered species. Travel helps to bring history alive when younger travelers can have an interactive experience for something they may have learned in their classrooms.
While the family dynamics are always changing, savvy marketers should take heed for the single parent travel with one or more child and offer amenities geared for this market.

Cruising Will Become More Sustainable
Cruising is a popular and economical way for tourists, especially the 50 plus crowd, to visit multiple destinations on a vacation.  “The demand for cruise ship travel is projected to grow 4.5 percent from the last year – and so is greener travel,” according to the Center for Responsible Travel report.

As cruise lines bring new ships into their portfolio, some vessels will green technologies ranging from modern waste and recycling systems, as well as exhaust gas cleaning technology to minimize its environment impact on marine life.
 
Off The Beat Track
New, unexplored and uncharted destinations will see an uptick in 2019.  Some people seek these adventures to relax and rejuvenate and de-stress and even unplug from the hectic digital lifestyles.

Travel trends predict female travelers will venture to developing countries and even “step out of their comfort zone” to support local economies and local female entrepreneurs.

Live Like A Local
Travelers nowadays seek authentic experiences to mix and mingle and live locals.  In fact, socially conscious tourists are dedicated to allocating their tourism dollars to support local communities. 

Some travelers are stepping things up a notch by taking public transportations, as well as joining local residents for a home-cooked meal or home-brewed tea.   

Instagram (It’s All the Rave)
Instagram will continue to be an influential social media platform for travel marketers.  Millennials and generation Y travelers make their decision about traveling to a bucket list destination based on stunning, draw dropping photos.

Instagram is turning out to be an “Insta-passport” for inspiring bookings to a destination, hotel or spa or wellness retreat.

Our NYC boutique PR agency understands the importance of tapping into key trends to enable destination marketing and hospitality clients to capture their share of wealth in this lucrative travel industry.

We are here to help.  Give us a call.

 

Research reveals beer, wine, liquor store sales has yielded $72 billion in sales in the U.S. “Adult consumers, particularly millennials … enjoy exploring different spirits categories, learning about how and where they are produced, and sharing their spirits knowledge and experiences with their friends," reports the Distilled Spirit Council.

Our boutique NYC PR firm stays abreast of industry trends to keep our wine and spirits clients’ top of mind in the news.   Liquor marketing requires an ongoing media relations program to educate consumers about the unique characters – look, mouth feel, flavor and notes of different spices.

It is vital to have a skilled mixologist on staff to develop creative cocktails recipes targeted for special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, engagements and weddings, Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.  Recipes prove invaluable to drive sales for premium spirits.

In addition to an aggressive media relations program, creative marketing ideas listed below also helps to take things one step further as it pertains to liquor marketing.

Cause-Related Marketing Programs are a very effective way for companies to support worthwhile charitable events and elevate the profile for their brands.  By becoming a platinum, diamond, or silver sponsor, liquor companies receive invaluable marketing – online banner ads, e-mail marketing, social media outreach, digital, event signage – as it pertains to supporting worthwhile charitable events.

The visibility helps to shape perception for the liquor company as being dedicated to charitable causes.  In the era of M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) and S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions), it is important to position liquor distributors as good corporate citizens who advocate responsible drinking and who give back to their communities to help market and sell their beer, wines and spirits.
 
Event Sponsorships as it pertains to concerts and major sporting events are another way to elevate the profile for liquor companies.  Often, liquor distributors receive tremendous visibility through the marketing materials – playbills, billboards, event signage, banners, sales promotional materials such as t-shirts, back packs, caps, etc…
 
Media Relations is still a highly effective tool for generate brand and consumer awareness through timely and topical press releases and pitch ideas. 

It is a real testament to the quality of your brand when an influential reporter reports in print and broadcast outlets your spirit.  Journalists can educate consumers about the mouth feel, character, flavor, and hidden notes of different spices as it compares with other liquor brands and extol the benefits of selecting one brand over another brand.

Third-party endorsements for influential wine and spirits media are invaluable for moving the needle with your brand.  Also, easy to follow cocktail recipes will also enhance your chances for editorial coverage in the media.

Co-Op TV Satellite Media Tours are an effective way to secure product placements for your liquor brand on television.  Often, the co-op satellite media tours revolve around a specific theme such as holiday entertaining, great gift ideas for dad, wedding gifts, and Valentine’s day gift ideas to name a few. 

With this sponsored opportunity, the on-air spokesperson skillfully weaves your liquor brand and other consumer products into the television segment.  Don’t be disappointed if your liquor brand is not prominently featured on television.  Many times, the on-air personalities may have to turn the bottle to a slight angle depending on the time of day the segment appears on television. 

Broadcast media is a highly effective medium for extolling the unique attributes for a liquor brand.

Social Media Outreach is vital for liquor companies post frequently on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to inform loyal fans about new cocktail recipes, upcoming promotions, limited time offers, holiday gift ideas, new products rolling out across the country.
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Our boutique NYC PR firm is here to help.  Give us a call.