On occasions, my husband takes overnight business trips. To prevent loneliness, he often invites me to go along with him. Whenever I discover what city we will be visiting, I immediately start researching it. For instance, I map out landmarks we’ve never seen, restaurants with good reviews, entertainment options, and hotels that look appealing. By the time we get in the car, board the plane, or get on the train, every minute of our trip is already planned out. If your spouse travels frequently for work, consider mixing business with pleasure from time to time. On this blog, you will discover how to make the most of an upcoming business trip.
Business and Pleasure
Millennial Mileage: Wooing The Next Generation Of Vacationers
Delores Tucker
First there were the Baby Boomers, followed by the Generation Xers. And now America's newest generation is coming of age. Dubbed "Millennials," these up-and-comers are expected to shape the future in new and exciting ways. Millennials -- now in their teens and 20s -- know what they want...and are committed to getting it. One market already making way for imminent changes brought on by these go-getters? The travel industry. Take a closer look at what to expect in the coming years.
A Closer Look at Millennials
Each generation is known to have a "personality" of its own. Baby boomers are often characterized by their motivated, hardworking, independent, competitive and goal-oriented personalities, while Generation Xers are known for their individualism, flexibility, technological aptitude, and commitment to achieving a balance between work and play. So where do the Millennials, also known as "Generation Y" or "Generation Next" stand?
Words used to describe the 80 million plus people born between 1980 and 1999 as they transition into adulthood include everything from upbeat and confident to self-expressive and connected. And while these adjectives may seem stereotypical, the fact is that each generation is shaped by its unique experiences and has certain attributes to show for it.
Millennials have witnessed everything from terrorist attacks to the birth of the internet to school shootings to the meteoric rise of mobile. The result? They are at once preternaturally wise and yet refreshingly optimistic. However, they are also exacting and demanding when it comes to identifying and meeting their own needs.
And because Millennials represent such significant numbers population-wise, they are expected to play a huge role in the shaping of many industries, including travel.
Traveling Millennials: What Are They Looking For?
As Millennials continue to age into their premiere traveling years, the industry is expected to grow along with them. Let's take a closer look at a few of the trends Millennials can expect to see in the coming years.
1. Technology First
Millennials are all about technology. From WiFi to mobile apps for resorts and hotels, this generation of travelers expects quick, easy and useful access to information. Make sure your resort has a strong online presence, as many Millennials will research hotels at sites like http://www.myrtlebeachresorts.com/ before booking.
In-room connectivity is just one small part of it. Millennials don't want to spend their vacation time sitting at a hotel desk. Rather, public areas -- such as open, comfortable lobby spaces -- with opportunities to plug in and connect are popular with this generation.
Millennials also expect everything from mobile smartphone keys and other wireless solutions to multiple medium hospitality services to next generation payment options. Bitcoin, anyone?
2. Social Matters
Social networking has changed the world of travel -- and more so for Millennials than for any other generation. Millennial vacationers are likely to solicit and trust the input of their friends and connections as opposed to traditional marketing efforts. They're also more likely to share their experiences within their own social networks.
While positive feedback will keep Millennials coming to popular destinations, negative feedback -- or, gasp! no feedback at all -- may be the ultimate kiss of death for resorts looking to engage new travelers.
3. An Outside-the-Box Experience
Millennials are up for any time of travel experience -- whether it be a European tour of historic cities or a road trip to a popular stateside resort destination, such as Myrtle Beach, Aspen, Napa Valley or Newport.
However, Millennials expect more than a beige box hotel stay. Rather, they're looking for unique hotel experiences with offerings beyond cookie-cutter convention. They're willing to mix it up between low budget and high budget as long as their other needs are met.
While Millennials are expected to play an increasingly important role in the evolution of the travel industry, one fact endures: good service remains at the heart of the industry. The ongoing task of the contemporary hotel looking to woo the next generation of vacationers? Redefine "good service," in terms of the Millennial mindset.
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