As the year draws to a close, we take a look back at five of the travel trends that made headlines in 2014.
1. Going the #KOExtraMile
2014 saw the rise of travel providers aiming to create amazing experiences for their passengers, perhaps it’s because of the rate of unhappy customers due to things like delays and having to pay baggage fees. It just goes to show that when you deliver exceptional service, people are happy to share it with others.
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2. Relaxation of visa regulations
Nations around the world are recognizing visa fees and processes as a major blockade to tourism and economic growth. This had led to the introduction of visa-on-arrivals, largely in Asia and Europe, in an effort to attract travellers from emerging destinations.
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Visa changes opening up new destinations for Aussies
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3. Low cost airlines take over
2014 saw more low cost airlines in Australia, with airlines such as Cebu Pacific and AirAsia increasing their flights and routes. There’s even plans of Tigerair adding ‘low-cost short haul flights’ to their repertoire. There seems to be no stopping the rise of these budget carriers.
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4. Futuristic Design
Let’s face it, smart phones have changed the way we live and this leads to an expectation of everything having ‘smart design’. Hotels are becoming a more efficient place to work, airports are becoming more design-centric, and every sector in travel is becoming more design and user experience savvy. Travel companies must introduce infrastructure that lets travellers guide themselves and that they must be nimble in the face of rapidly changing customer demand.
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5. Content marketing was king
Visuals are the new language of the digital era. The rise of Instagram and photo sharing on Facebook speak to this. Travel is uniquely suited to visual media. Content marketing — especially through social media – has been driven primarily by images. Brands like Starwood and Tourism Australia are tapping travellers’ photos, videos, and social networks for their marketing materials.
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