The Future of Tourism
The Future of Tourism
The Impact of Rapidly Expanding Growth on the Tourism Infrastructure Prepared by: “No Holds Barred” Think Tank October 2008 Change is no stranger to travel professionals. With daily upgrades in technology opening new doors for the consumer, and particularly since the face of travel was forever changed on September 11, 2001, NTA members and travel professionals across the world have been making changes to their business model, their staffing structures, their buying and selling habits and more to keep up with rapid market shifts. A new shift is on the horizon that may cause perhaps the biggest impact on how the business of travel is conducted. That change — a massive increase in the number of tourists vying for travel products. Some might say this is a good problem to have, and to a degree they would be correct. Having more customers doesn’t sound like an issue. However, businesses must be prepared to receive and properly serve this expanding tourist base. This white paper will take a look at exactly where this expanding tourist base will be coming from and how the growth will change the infrastructure of travel as well as the way NTA members do business. After reviewing the demographics shifts in the world and the impact that will have, the paper then turns to the overall effects of these changes on the travel industry and attempt to formulate answers to several key questions. How will this change the way travel companies do business? How will it change where and how people travel? What will be the travel icons of the future … will they be the same as today? How will it change the traveling consumer and the demands they place on their travel providers? Whether a business is focused on strictly North American travel or travel worldwide, these shifts can have an impact. This white paper is designed to get NTA members thinking about the future they face and making preparations today that will position their businesses for success tomorrow. The
The Impact of Rapidly Expanding Growth on the Tourism Infrastructure Prepared by: “No Holds Barred” Think Tank October 2008 Change is no stranger to travel professionals. With daily upgrades in technology opening new doors for the consumer, and particularly since the face of travel was forever changed on September 11, 2001, NTA members and travel professionals across the world have been making changes to their business model, their staffing structures, their buying and selling habits and more to keep up with rapid market shifts. A new shift is on the horizon that may cause perhaps the biggest impact on how the business of travel is conducted. That change — a massive increase in the number of tourists vying for travel products. Some might say this is a good problem to have, and to a degree they would be correct. Having more customers doesn’t sound like an issue. However, businesses must be prepared to receive and properly serve this expanding tourist base. This white paper will take a look at exactly where this expanding tourist base will be coming from and how the growth will change the infrastructure of travel as well as the way NTA members do business. After reviewing the demographics shifts in the world and the impact that will have, the paper then turns to the overall effects of these changes on the travel industry and attempt to formulate answers to several key questions. How will this change the way travel companies do business? How will it change where and how people travel? What will be the travel icons of the future … will they be the same as today? How will it change the traveling consumer and the demands they place on their travel providers? Whether a business is focused on strictly North American travel or travel worldwide, these shifts can have an impact. This white paper is designed to get NTA members thinking about the future they face and making preparations today that will position their businesses for success tomorrow. The