Last week, we explored several unique travel trends that are emerging or continue to be pertinent in the travel industry. Click here to see what you missed– transformational travel, sustainable tourism and multigenerational vacations.
This week, we’ll continue our exploration into unique travel trends…
Extraordinary Cruising
Cruise lines are getting creative as they target a new group of cruisers, known for their particular interests and expectations– millennials! One high-end cruise line, Uniworld River Cruises, offers millennial-only cruises. The ship’s onboard amenities are designed specifically to meet the needs and interests of millennials, such as rooftop morning yoga sessions, and meals inspired by street food (paired with craft beer) relevant to the destination cities on the itinerary. And once in port, excursions start later in the day so that passengers have plenty of time to sleep in after their late night “out”.
Mainstream cruise lines are also upping their game as they build new ships with never-before-seen attractions. Norwegian Cruise Line's “Joy”, is the first ship to offer a thrilling, two-level racetrack– the first ever at sea. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) offers Flowrider surf simulators that allow participants to "bodyboard" without ever stepping off the ship. While RCCL’s “Anthem of the Seas” features RipCord by iFly, a skydiving simulation experience in which participants don flight suits and goggles, and get to "fly" in a wind machine. What will they think of next? We’d like to recommend an underwater oxygen bar!
Volunteer Vacations
Travelers are increasingly choosing to spend time doing something meaningful rather than a typical vacation. Volunteer Vacations offers just that, an opportunity to give back. Travelers can choose from a variety of significant activities such as teaching in the townships of South Africa, assisting with conservation of African lions in Zimbabwe, working in hospitals or clinics in Kenya, or helping to research sea turtles in the Seychelles. Animal lovers can volunteer in the mountain forests of Northern Thailand, and work with traditional elephant rescue communities.
Volunteer vacations are often less expensive than typical tourist packages. Sharing accommodations with other volunteers (often fully catered) can be exceedingly more affordable than spending time in hotels. This also gives volunteers the opportunity to embrace a new culture, and build life-long friendships with others who share their experience.
Extreme Trips
Adrenaline junkies are seeking extreme vacation experiences in droves. From rafting in Madagascar to dog sledding in Canada, extreme trips offer opportunities to explore remote regions and get your heart rate pumping!
Trek the seldom-visited mountains of Peru and traverse deep canyons and rivers using harnesses on cable crossings. Or, try your hand at survival skills as a castaway on an island in French Polynesia. You’ll learn life-changing skills, such as how to fish with traps and spears, and how to collect and disinfect water for drinking.
Gear-heads can test their driving skills on the switchback, winding roads of Tizi n’Tichka, the highest mountain pass in North Africa, which crosses the Atlas Mountain Range. (Can we say nerve-wracking?!)
Emerging Destinations
A number of destinations that were once considered less-than-glamorous are now climbing the popularity charts. Manila, Philippines has long been merely a stopover city for travelers on their way to some of the world’s best islands. In recent years, however, its culinary scene has flourished, thanks largely to Spanish, American, and Japanese influence. In a single day you can eat pillowy pork buns in the world's oldest Chinatown, savor yakiniku at bare-bones Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo, crunch on chicharrón in Quezon City, and enjoy plates of Persian food in Mandaluyong.
Another emerging travel destination is Stepantsminda, Caucasus Mountains, Georgia (the country). Stepantsminda attracts hikers looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of crowded mountain trails in the Alps. After decades spent out-of-sight and out-of-mind for most travelers, the ancient villages and soaring summits provide miles of scenic hiking, often without encountering another soul.
If tropical destinations are your preferred travel choice, St. Lucia, an island in the Eastern Caribbean, ranks in the top 30 emerging destinations for 2017-2018. Don’t miss the opportunity to take in the spectacular landscape, hike the Piton Mountains, or Sea TREK in the warm waters off Pigeon Island.
Did we miss a travel trend? Or would you like to start your own travel trend? Send us your ideas by commenting below.
Terrie Carrozzella is the Web Designer & Social Media Manager for Sub Sea Systems. Want to contact Terrie about Sea TREK helmet diving, Clear Lounge underwater oxygen bar, or FunCat electric catamarans? Email her here!terrie@subseasystems.com
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