FYI from MCI™

Trends in tour and travel tend toward geo, heritage, luxury

It seems many travelers today are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to choosing trips. While some are looking to save the world, others are looking to see it from the most pampered perspective possible.

Experts at Adventures in Travel EXPO, an annual Chicago tourism show, point to eco-oriented and altruistic trips, billed as "geotravel", as the latest trend for travelers worldwide. In fact, the Travel Industry Association reports that nearly 55 million American travelers in 2003 could have been considered geotravelers. Adventure EXPO attendees learned about volunteer trips offered by Responsible Travel (responsibletravel.com), Earth Watch Institute and Rainforest Alliance.

For those who want to stay closer to home, luxury trips are taking top billing. People with dollars are increasingly spending them on wine tours and golf and spa packages.

PC warning: seniors are now the post-50 generation

Facing empty nests and more free time, more of the over-50 crowd is turning to travel for fun. As more Baby Boomers come of age, historic and heritage trips rule. According to a 2001 report from the Travel Agent, 80 percent of luxury travelers are over 55 years old, and 44 percent desire exercise with their travel. (9.6 million people 55 years and over frequently participated in recreational walking.) And they are apt to spend aggressively. The seniors of today gravitate to attractions and easy hotel accommodation, but tomorrow's seniors want activities, offsite restaurants and more.

Overnight trips are more lucrative than senior daytrips according to Premier Tourism Marketing, publisher of Leisure Group Travel magazine. However, day-trippers shouldn't be overlooked. Special events, festivals and lectures continue to produce impressive numbers, according to group travel organizations.

Recommended websites for finding retirement communities include retirenet.com, retirement-living.com and activeadultliving.com. When searching these sites, be sure to direct communications to the Activities Director or Committee.

Praying for a good time

Church group travel is on the rise. Of the nearly 450,000 church groups in the U.S., 50,000 are known to travel. A Premier Tourism Marketing report cites that church travel programs have grown by 20 percent in the last five years, according to American Church Lists. Baptists, Protestants and Methodists tend to travel more frequently than Catholics. Additionally, these groups book their motor coaches, hotels, attractions and restaurants independently.

Historically church groups traveled overseas, but with current world conditions, trips have shifted to domestic destinations. Some religious institutions use trips as fundraising opportunities, with a portion of the trip price donated back to the church.

Those wishing to tap into this market can buy mailing lists from American Church List or advertise in Premier Tourism Marketing publications (premiertourismmarketing.com) and web services.

Studied leisure

Branson, Missouri, which has been a coach-tour hot spot for the past 10 years, is becoming a new destination for student group travel. In 2003, more than 30,000 students visited the city. The town has plans to grow that market to 100,000 in four years.

Jeff Gayduk, president of Premier Tourism Marketing, says that other cities are catering to students as well. Chicago and Nashville are among those making inroads with a market that is most often associated with Washington, DC and Orlando.

Travel for the rest

Some 85 percent of Americans don't have a passport. And with a weakening dollar, even world travelers are sticking closer to home. Research suggests that additional growth areas for tour operators include sports outings and international inbound tours.

Where to go

American Bus Association (ABA) helps guide tours with its 2005 Top 100 Events in North America. This annual list includes everything from fairs, festivals, and parades, to exhibits, theater and shows. This year's 100 best were chosen from among hundreds of nominated events from across the United States and Canada – and span 44 states and 11 Canadian provinces. To learn more visit ABA's website at www.buses.org., or be sure to attend ABA's Marketplace in Chicago, February 4 through February 9.

How upscale can a motor coach get?

The latest in motor coach luxury will be on display during ABA's marketplace. MCI will showcase the industry's best-selling J4500 and Free Enterprise of Indianapolis, Indiana, will be displaying an MCI® E4500 equipped with seats like those found on private jets used by royalty, upholstered in a rich tan leather. The seats electronically recline into beds. Other amenities to wow passengers include: a 50-inch plasma TV; a 42-inch plasma TV and a 22 inch LCD TV. The seven-point surround sound system is equivalent to that of a THX movie theater. The galley and lavatory are appointed in granite. The coach is ideal for executive excursions and high-end tours.

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