Wave Season and Wellness Retreats: The Latest in Travel News Trends

A look at the travel industry news from PR Newswire in January and February that you might have missed.

 

Travel News Trends, January-February 2024

 

By Rhyam Williams | Published March 13, 2024

 

January and February’s icy temps brought a flurry of travel-related releases for PR Newswire. During these winter months, PR Newswire distributed over 1,400 travel releases.

This two-month period was an opportunity to analyze the relationship between the travel industry and its consumers. By responding to consumer desires and predicting travel behaviors, key trends around wave season, wellness retreats, and travel apps emerged from this winter’s releases.

Let’s explore the travel trends identified in January and February’s offerings. 

Some of the Most Popular Travel Releases:

In January and February, readers on prnewswire.com viewed and interacted with these travel releases the most!

  • Princess Cruises and Fincantieri mutually decided to postpone the delivery of the Sun Princess, the largest vessel ever constructed in Italy and the first ship of a revolutionary new platform designed exclusively for the Princess brand.
  • Southwest Airlines launched one of its largest sales of the year as part of its Week of WOW 2024. Customers could save up to 40% off base fares for flights from Jan. 30-May 22, 2024.  
  • Bruno Mars celebrated the debut of his entertainment lounge, The Pinky Ring, with an exclusive party and performance at the Bellagio Resort & Casino. The event showcased Mars' newest creative endeavor, blending entertainment and luxury in a unique experience for attendees at the renowned Las Vegas venue.
  • Marriott International and Cathay Pacific deepen their strategic partnership to offer enriched travel benefits, such as hotel stay redemptions and enhanced flight and travel package experiences for the discerning global clientele.
  • Hard Rock International and Pointe Vista Holding Company announced plans to develop Hard Rock Hotel and Residences at Lake Texoma, aiming to bring a distinctive hospitality and residential experience to the area.

 

 

Travel News Trends

Here’s a look at a few of the trends we noticed among travel-related press releases in January and February, with a few examples of each.

Cruising/Wave Season

For the uninitiated, wave season refers to the annual late winter/early spring period in which the cruise industry sees a surge of consumers purchasing cruises for the upcoming months. From January to March, cruise enthusiasts and first-time adventurers alike can ride the wave of savings as they explore diverse itineraries and luxurious ship offerings.

This year, the industry has seen a record-breaking number of cruises booked as travelers plan their voyages. Bookings for cruises are up 25% in 2024 compared to cruise bookings in 2019. Cruise companies are capitalizing on the cruise buzz, sending nearly 170 cruise-related press releases via PR Newswire in January and February alone.

These releases highlight some of the ways cruise companies are pulling out all the stops to entice vacationers to embark on unforgettable journeys across the high seas:

Wellness Retreats

Wellness retreats are growing in popularity within the travel trade. Their rise to prominence reflects a broader societal shift towards prioritizing self-care and holistic well-being. According to a study by Allianz Worldwide Partners, young Americans are leading the charge in this trend and seeking experiences that go beyond traditional vacations.

In response to this increased demand, the travel industry is curating wellness retreats that encompass a diverse range of activities, from sound baths and yoga to mindfulness hikes and spa treatments.

For travelers, the allure of wellness retreats lies not just in the picturesque locations of places like Dehradun, India or Kauai, Hawai'i, but in programs designed to nourish both the body and mind. As wellness retreats continue to gain momentum, they are redefining the travel experience and contributing to a broader cultural conversation around the significance of prioritizing health and happiness.

Here's a look at some of the wellness experiences offered by the industry:  

Travel Apps and AI

Generative AI has captured the public’s attention with the widespread popularity of programs like ChatGPT. As we observe the impact this powerful technology can have in many aspects of daily life, the rapid advancement of AI is also making its mark on the travel sector. According to Booking.com, AI will play a significant role in 2024 travel planning, with 48% of travelers stating they would trust AI to plan a trip for them.

The travel industry’s integration of AI has led to a rise in travel apps, ushering in a new era of personalized and seamless travel experiences. Innovation is driving many of these apps to become convenient and savvy travel companions.

Here are some releases demonstrating how companies are utilizing this rapidly developing technology to appeal to jetsetters of all kinds:

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead on the travel forecast, spring break travel is definitely trending and likely to become even more of a hot topic in the next few weeks. Europe continues to be one of the top travel destinations for springtime, with many visitors ranking European locales highly. Coming up on April 8 is a total solar eclipse, which is shaping up to be one of the biggest tourism events of the year.

In this ever-evolving and vibrant travel landscape, there's something for every consumer. Whether travelers seek the tranquil retreat of a wellness-focused vacation or the awe-inspiring wonders of the natural world, the options are as diverse as the destinations themselves. PR Newswire continues to keep a watchful eye on the latest trends, ensuring readers stay ahead of the curve in curating their travel experiences.

Stay Caught Up On The Latest Travel News - Read the latest

 

About the Author

Rhyam Williams headshotRhyam Williams is a Customer Content Specialist at PR Newswire with a passion for tracking trends and travel. Outside of work, Rhyam can be found eating spicy food, planning the next big trip, playing video games, and being the human equivalent of an indoor cat.