The WTM London Global Trends Report 2014 revealed that the growing popularity of cycling is posing a threat to golf tourism with the rise of MAMILs (middle-aged-men-in-lycra) in the US and beyond. Also, that an increasing demand for low cost, high-value travel and non-conventional lodging establishments will spread from the UK to the rest of the world.
For the tenth consecutive year, Euromonitor International and World Travel Market London (WTM) are at the forefront of the travel industry, predicting future trends that will shape the industry in the annual WTM London Global Trends Report. Three of the most popular trends from the 2014’s edition are:
The rise of the MAMILs and cycling tourism
The WTM London Global Trends Report 2014 revealed that the growing popularity of cycling is posing a threat to golf tourism with the rise of MAMILs (middle-aged-men-in-lycra) in the US and beyond.
In March 2015, FOX News identified a growing number of travel players witnessing a considerable increase in bicycle tourism. In the US, the historic Ojai Valley Inn and Spa partnered with a bike shop to offer rental bicycles through an onsite kiosk. Furthermore, in August 2015, sustainable transport charity Sustrans estimated that cycling tourism adds over £650 million to the UK economy each year.
Poshtels Have a Luxury Facelift
The WTM London Global Trends Report 2014 announced that an increasing demand for low cost, high-value travel and non-conventional lodging establishments will spread from the UK to the rest of the world.
Design-led Generator Hostels are a success story taking the tourism industry by storm, currently with ten unique hostels in nine European cities and two more planned for 2016. Additional notable examples of poshtels include Freehand Miami Hostel with its cocktail bar named one of the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2014, the Shophouse Social Hostel in Singapore, offering a ladies-only pink-hued floor called No Mans Land, as well as eco-friendly Once in Capetown Hostel.
Wearable electronics goes mainstream
The report predicted that the incredible rise of wearable electronics will impact on the way we travel. According to Euromonitor data, wearable electronics are no longer considered a niche sector and have become the world’s best-selling consumer electronics product after smartphones. Wearable electronics are forecast to exceed 305 million units in 2020, with a compound annual growth rate of 55 percent over the next five years.
Continued innovation and new applications will define the success of this category and its importance to the travel industry. With the Apple Watch consumers can now access airline data, book a journey with Uber, plan a trip with TripAdvisor and access their room at hotel chains such as Starwood and Marriott. And with the addition of the Google Maps app in September 2015, the traveler’s journey is becoming a smoother, less complicated experience.
The WTM Global Trends Report 2015 by Euromonitor International will be launched at London’s Excel Centre during a press conference on Monday 2nd November at 13:30 in the Platinum Suite 5&6. A session for WTM attendees will be held on Tuesday 3rd November at 12:00 in Platinum Suite 1.
World Travel Market Global Trends Report 2014
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
