BLACK TOMATO’S TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2016
Travel Trends
INTRODUCTION BLACK TOMATO’S TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2016 Here at Black Tomato we’ve always been fascinated by not only where, but how and why we choose to travel. With societies, the environment and technologies constantly evolving across the globe these have a direct effect on the way we see and experience the world. We’ve been busy investigating the way we travel, through in-depth research and analysis, and crucially examining the patterns and trends that we’ve seen from our discerning high-net-worth clients and on-ground contacts. It’s through this research that we’ve discovered what’s on the travel horizon for us in 2016, from the rise in secondary cities and travellers succumbing to their curiosities, to the rising trend of travellers exploring solo to allow them the freedom to really connect with the destinations they are in. Take a look through our trends forecast for 2016, and gather some inspiration for how we’ll be travelling in 2016 and beyond.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
Hello.
Travel Trends
the urban trend
SECOND CITIES AND THE RISE OF THE CURIOUS TRAVELLER THE TREND
2016
The world’s greatest cities and capitals are the cornerstones of nations, the beating hearts of urban activity that draw in hordes of visitors year after year, and for good reason. However we predict 2016 as the year that see’s the rise of the ‘second city’, where the likes of Naples, Chengdu and San Sebastian become increasingly popular with travellers seeking a greater understanding of more authentic cultures. They cut a contrast to their corresponding capitals as they tend to be full of surprises and are easier to navigate. Second cities tend to have an intriguing newness to them. When we visit ‘first cities’ we often know what to expect, either through past visits, film or literature; a preconception exists. Second cities in their purer forms are wrapped in a greater mystery that leaves much to be explored.
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Black Tomato
Many discerning travellers have already visited the world’s greatest capital cities, and are seeking out a different side to the urban landscape. Travellers are now looking to experience a more authentic, and local side to a city beyond the crowds and tourist attractions that can be found in the world’s secondary cities through more inquisitive and daring means.
Travel Trends
the urban trend
SECOND CITIES AND THE RISE OF THE CURIOUS TRAVELLER
Second city escapes have a more natural and authentic feel, as often their tourist infrastructures are not as tightly developed. Our Clients want to visit places that retain the romance and charm of the country in which they are based, whilst offering a more unique and pure experience. Earlier this year we created Black Tomato’s Twenty Questions, as a reaction to travellers looking to get more out of an urban travel experience through interacting with locals. We’ve been using this method of local interaction for years as a way of exploring the world the way we did before the rise of technology and Apps, and we developed Twenty Questions this year as an extension of this trend. Whilst we all love a good bit of travel tech to enable our journeys, from time-to-time it’s good to take a break from the screens and see things differently. These series of questions that we will be rolling out throughout the year are tailored to each urban landscape, to help travellers connect with a location by talking to the locals, asking them for tips and recommendations, not interrogating the internet or guide book.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
WHAT WE ARE SEEING
Travel Trends
the urban trend
SECOND CITIES AND THE RISE OF THE CURIOUS TRAVELLER
Sidestepping Madrid, Seville and Barcelona, San Sebastian in Spain is one of the country’s most culturally rich and diverse cities. For gourmet lovers and cultural enthusiasts, we’ve been taking tours through the lesser known Basque region including San Sebastian, and offering unique experiences for guests to dine at the tables of Michelin starred restaurants, to indulge in the most incredible cuisine and meet the renowned chefs who create it. For travellers looking to explore beyond the mega cities of Beijing and Shanghai, we’re sending guests to Chengdu to explore tea-house culture and the region’s mouth-tingling Sichuan cuisine with local chefs and influencers.
Black Tomato
2016
EXPERIENCE IT IN 2016
San Sebastian
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Chengdu
Travel Trends
EARN YOUR WHEELS
The popularity of the road trip will always be prevalent - the traveller is free to explore the destination through the open road; here today and there tomorrow. However, with the slow travel movement and rise in more mindful travel, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing an increase in inter-country travel via bicycle, which affords the freedom of a road trip but further immerses the traveller in the elements. By choosing two wheels over four, the traveller is open to the sights and smells of a destination that is normally closed off to those in car. The pace at which a bike can travel gives plenty of time to develop an intimate connection with a destination and engage with local communities. Travelling by bike also allows travellers to stumble upon places and sights that they might miss if behind the wheel of a car.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
THE TREND
Travel Trends
EARN YOUR WHEELS WHAT WE ARE SEEING
We are also seeing families looking for gentle cycling tours along South Africa’s Garden Route, honeymooners that want to drift through Tuscany wine-tasting and indulge, and solo travellers wishing to add another tool to their personal adventure. We predict that this trend will rise in line with the current, and future, trend of people seeking more active and skills based holidays.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
Naturally, we are seeing an increase in clients booking a two wheel trip over four, but this trend is applicable not just for hardcore Tour de France types, wanting to burn calories and get in shape.
Travel Trends
EARN YOUR WHEELS
Cuba is becoming increasingly popular for travellers looking to get off the beaten track by cycling. To experience authentic, old-fashioned Cuba away from the tour buses and crowds, we can arrange for guests to hit the peddles and tour the island by bike. We recommend getting off the beaten-track with one of our cycle guides and exploring the lesser known parts of the country such Santiago de Cuba on the south-east coast where guests can meet local Santiagueros a cultural blend of Spanish, West African, Haitian and Jamaican, which is reflected in the musical style of the region and experienced at venues across the city. For those looking for challenging cycling tours that will push you beyond your boundaries, we’re sending guests on helibiking trips to New Zealand and Nepal. On these tours guests can ride with expert cyclists through usually inaccessible mountain terrain where they’ll experience incredible mountain vistas and exhilarating cycle paths.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
EXPERIENCE IT IN 2016
Travel Trends
RISE OF THE SOLO AND MINDFUL TRAVELLER
Travelling is the ideal time to experience an inward journey of discovery that entwines with the outward adventure. It opens up a new way of thinking, a new way of living that is a reflection of the sights, cultures and people that we encounter. Whilst the notion of the Solo Traveller isn’t new, we’re noticing significant changes in the way discerning solo travellers are exploring the world. People’s needs are as varied as people themselves, and for the most part compromise is made, so solo travel is perfect for taking personal time out of codependant lives to figure things out on one’s own time frame. It’s this increased desire for self-reflection and discovery that are driving these changes in the way solo travellers are travelling. Solo travel has moved away from the domain of the lonely and awkward and this is reflected in a rise of single bookings, as clients are looking to experience things at their own pace to gain a sense of place and focus on creative projects. This year mindfulness and emotional well-being has become increasingly important in a time when constant connectivity can leave us exhausted and overstimulated. Practicing being mindful and travel go hand in hand, as one is encouraged to be present in the moment to fully switch off and appreciate the surrounds. Apps such as Headspace also reflect this trend, which allow users to listen to podcasts to engage in meditation and mindfulness sessions whilst on the move. Used in the travel sphere Apps like Headspace can help solo travellers connect to destinations free from distractions.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
THE TREND
Travel Trends
RISE OF THE SOLO AND MINDFUL TRAVELLER WHAT WE ARE SEEING
2016
City breaks are also popular with individuals, perhaps for the delight in the mystery of finding a quiet café to blend in, people watch and day-dream. Reflecting this trend we are also seeing the hotel industry match this new demand, with some scrapping the single supplement and hotel restaurants being designed to make the solo traveller feel at ease and relaxed when dining alone.
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Black Tomato
Walking trips are notably on a rise as they offer respite from the real world whilst giving plenty of time for recollection, but they are not the only trip that is on the increase. We’re seeing clients seeking retreats that combine peace and quiet and also a chance to work – this is popular for writers and those in the creative industry.
Travel Trends
RISE OF THE SOLO AND MINDFUL TRAVELLER EXPERIENCE IT IN 2016 Bhutan
Accommodation is matching this as well, not just in size but in variety and style to suit solo traveller’s needs – one of our favourites; Fogo Island in Newfoundland is designed to inspire and is the perfect setting for solo travellers seeking enlightenment or creative space. We are seeing a larger number of smaller boutique hotels, often with less than 10 rooms that are spread out across acres of land, in recognition that sometimes people do want to retreat and not be disturbed. We’re offering guests the chance to stay in remote cottages or heritage landmarks on the west coast of Ireland where guests can take time out to write and think, free from daily distractions.
Black Tomato
2016
For 2016 we predict an increase in enquires for destinations such as Ladakh, India and Bhutan and with their remote and inaccessible landscapes where guests are unlikely to encounter other tourists.
Fogo Island Inn
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Travel Trends
WILDLIFE TRAVEL – FOLLOWING THE GREAT MIGRATION
At Black Tomato we’ve always been about making the most of ‘The Journey’ and believe that getting from A to B should be an experience in itself instead of an arduous transfer. Reflecting this, and the slow travel movement travellers are trying not to cram too many wildlife viewings into one trip, rather focus on one species or animal and observe natural phenomenon’s and migratory patterns that are true spectacles of mother nature, like migrations. The traditional and enduring picture of a safari involves a jeep, G&Ts set against an African sunset and an assortment of the big 5. These are quintessential experiences of course, but we are predicting travellers are looking for something on a larger scale that few can experience wherein they won’t be having the same experience as everyone else, or suffer déjà vu from a previous wildlife trip. Whether this is tracking Humpback whale migration, or the passage of wildebeest in Tanzania and Kenya, the evolved safari takes a deeper look at the wildlife phenomenon that occupy our planet.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
THE TREND
Travel Trends
WILDLIFE TRAVEL – FOLLOWING THE GREAT MIGRATIONS
The popularity of the classic safari is unlikely to waver, as we all know nothing can beat a classic. However we predict that we will see large variation in the way discerning clients want to experience wildlife. Locations that extend beyond the plains of Africa are opening up to wildlife tourism, like Mexico, Australia and the Arctic as they can provide a host of spectacular wildlife viewings. Perhaps aiming to follow in the footsteps of Attenborough, more people are taking an interest in the movement of wildlife over long periods of time. Travellers who may have been on several safaris over the years are looking for more immersive experiences where they can truly understand the migratory patterns of herds of wildebeests, packs of Caribou, or even swarms of butterflies. From the Monarch butterfly migration to the Great Salmon Run in Alaska, clients are looking beyond the usual wildlife experiences of to discover under the radar migrations that are as intrinsically beautiful and unusual wonders of the natural world.
Black Tomato
2016
WHAT WE ARE SEEING
Caribou migration
Monarch butterfly migration
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Travel Trends
WILDLIFE TRAVEL – FOLLOWING THE GREAT MIGRATIONS EXPERIENCE IT IN 2016 In Manitoba, Canada which is famed for its incredible wildlife from polar bears to beluga whales, we can arrange for guests to follow the Caribou migration and stay in a remote lodge in the wilderness where the conditions are perfect for viewing the northern lights. 2016
Black Tomato
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Travel Trends
the family trend
THE FAMILY CHALLENGE THE TREND
Whilst in the past beach and villa breaks were most popular, families are now looking for adventurers that involve learning skills, taking in new cultures, and achieving something as a unit or team on their journey.
Black Tomato
2016
Old structural roles are out as families are taking up new and exciting challenges when travelling, functioning as a team wherein each member has an essential part to play throughout the journey. Whilst multi-generational style trips are still on the rise – we’re seeing new and more diverse ways in which these families are travelling.
Whilst kids clubs are great and can offer some enriching experiences, families are starting to understand that so much more can be gained when they function as a unit on a trip. It is no longer the case that older generations direct whilst their children follow, as we’re realizing that we can learn so much from younger generations, particularly when it comes to experiencing new destinations together and seeing their reactions. The unique opportunities for growth and development that are presented in challenging destinations, often in unfamiliar ways, can sometimes be testing, but the payoff is huge as family memories are cemented and the skills that are learnt are priceless. As such it is no surprise that offspring are being invited along in their parent’s quest for adventure.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Travel Trends
the family trend
THE FAMILY CHALLENGE
We are seeing a sharp rise in enquires from families who actively want to engage with their children in a way that fly and flop beach retreats cannot provide. This is a kind of travel that treats children with a maturity that is sometimes lacking from their day to day lives, a kind of travel that is more enriching for all of the party involved. We are seeing a further increase in this style of trip for 2016, as the traditional family structures of breadwinnerhomemaker are broken down. We’re seeing families looking to learn new skills or take part in conservation efforts where they all learn valuable lessons about the world and new cultures. We’re seeing parents and grandparents coming to us looking for help putting together complex experiences where they’ll partake in an exclusive experience designed to educate, stimulate and create bonds between them and younger generations. We’re seeing guests travel to remote desert islands in the middle of an Indonesian archipelago, where in total castaway-style, families must rely on team-work to build fires, put their fishing skills to the test and learn how to cook on a beach stove under the star-lit skies. With no distractions such as iPads and iPhones, families can spend quality time together by getting back to basics and learning survival techniques together.
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
Black Tomato
2016
WHAT WE ARE SEEING
Travel Trends
the family trend
THE FAMILY CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE IT IN 2016
For an unusual experience in the Galapagos Islands, we can connect families to charities and conservation projects where they can get involved with helping local communities preserve the flora and fauna, and learn valuable lessons about this fragile eco-system that can’t be experienced by simply sailing on a luxury yacht. 2016
Black Tomato
The experts in creating tailor-made holidays and honeymoons around the world
UK PRESS ENQUIRIES Jos Davies | jos@blacktomato.com Kate Warner | kate@blacktomato.com For any travel requests or general enquiries please contact enquiries@blacktomato.com
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