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Travellers are increasingly more concerned about their impact on the world and there has been an increase in awareness of environmental and social issues.

According to recent research by Tourism Australia, 74% of travellers actively seek out travel experiences that allow them to give back to a destination. Research by Kantar found that 58% of Asian consumers are willing to invest time and money supporting companies that do good, and in fact 63% are already factoring in sustainability concerns, at least once in a while, when making purchase decisions. Their top concerns for environment issues include water pollution, extreme weather events and air pollution.

Sustainable offerings that conscientious readers in Australia can look forward to include paddock-to-plate dining, and garden tours with Executive Chef Paul Smart at JW Marriott Gold Coast. The property’s further greener travel efforts include worm farming and bee hive pollination initiatives, and a partnership with electric iPace vehicles from Jaguar to offer guests refined luxury experiences which are better for the environment.

Apart from eco-conscious accommodation, travellers are also looking for meaningful travel initiatives. Earlier this year, Marriott International launched the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy program which aspires to shift the way vacations are perceived – from pure leisure to a value-adding opportunity that allows travellers to explore and build deeper connections in local communities. The Denarau Farm Tour at Sheraton Resort Fiji gives travellers a taste of the local community as they explore local fresh ingredients on a visit to Denarau Island’s only farm – learning about sustainable farming and the cultivation of organic product through engagement with local farmers. Guests can learn to cook local healthy cuisine and enjoy unique and authentic meals through the resort’s Taste Local activity.

#2 It’s all about the human connection

The basics of hospitality continue to remain the bedrock of how we will emerge stronger from the pandemic

 While this trend is not particularly new, it serves as an important reminder that at the heart of it, travellers are craving meaningful human connection, one of the best things that travel gives us! Whether it’s a business or leisure traveller, the importance of human connection and creating a personalised experience cannot be overstated.

In the travel and events space, the virtual event attendee desires bespoke experiences curated based on their needs and wants. Allowing them to pick and choose what to participate in and when, is a new level of personalisation touted as a trend to stay.

Travellers can look forward to personalised experiences as part of Marriott Converge – a collective mindfulness program based on positive psychology, uplifting qualities, well-being, happiness, satisfaction and the ability to thrive in our day-to-day lives. Business travellers are encouraged to engage mindfully with their sessions and with one another over ‘buddy walks’ and property-level initiatives. The Westin Perth, for example, encourages delegates to connect with one another over a game of ping-pong, and encourages the practice of gratitude via a wall of gratitude cards for delegates to express appreciation for each other throughout the event.

#3 Supporting local

Not just a trend, but an important undertaking for travellers who directly contribute to empowering the local economy

Over 50% of Australians want to support local businesses, according to a 2021 e-commerce industry report by Australia Post. The pandemic has underscored, for many travellers, that everyone is in it together. Governments around the world were encouraging people to spur domestic travel by supporting local and for many, it was also about giving their favourite local business a fighting chance at survival.

At Marriott International, we are committed to supporting local communities and have introduced initiatives across our properties to support Australian local businesses and communities. Throughout the year, Aloft Perth has partnered with local businesses such as Get Chunky cookies to supply corporate gifts which both proved to be very popular with guests and helped to promote the local supplier.  Pier One Sydney Harbour works with local distilleries, winemakers and breweries in their beverage offering at Bar One, and will further show their support for local producers through a summer #lovelocal initiative which will see a waterside dining pop-up highlighting the best produce from NSW based suppliers. With the theme of Tourism for Inclusive Growth designated for this year’s World Tourism Day, supporting local is not just a trend, but an important undertaking to help kickstart recovery and growth.