Luxury Travel, Sustainable Tourism and More Travel News Trends

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

By Wendy Brickner | Published Sept. 9, 2023

While many people took a break to travel this summer, travel news did not stop. In July and August alone, more than 1,400 travel-related releases went out via PR Newswire.

When we looked at travel trends for May and June, we dove into the topics of summer travel, camping and the outdoors, and the Paris Air Show. New trends emerged for the late summer.

Let’s explore the travel trends we have noticed over the last two months: luxury travel, sustainable tourism, and experience-focused travel. 

Some of the Most Popular Travel Releases:

Over the past two months, these travel press releases received a standout number of reads and/or engagement:

• Ultra-low-cost U.S. carrier Avelo Airlines announced its first destination outside the continental United States: San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• FIRE IN THE HOLE will be the new indoor family roller coaster coming to Silver Dollar City. The coaster is set to debut next year.
• Travel + Leisure surveyed its readers about 122 travel categories from top cities to top airlines and airports for the 2023 World's Best Awards.
• Next year, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will transition from its Identity loyalty program to the MGM Rewards loyalty program. This follows a previous announcement that MGM Resorts International is acquiring the operations of The Cosmopolitan.
• In acquisition news, fintech company Upgrade announced the acquisition of Uplift. Uplift offers a range of Buy Now Pay Later options for travelers.

Travel News Trends

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

Luxury Travel

Travel today offers experiences at so many different price points. However, we all like to treat ourselves every once in a while. The travel industry knows this, and companies sent out press releases in July and August covering all facets of luxury travel, from high-end cruise ships to private jets to exclusive accommodations.

What are considered luxury travel options? Things like staying in a five-star hotel, eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or even private butler service. When it comes to luxury, the options are endless. It often includes a much more personalized or catered level of service.

Looking for a lavish getaway idea? Check out some releases that were sent in July and August:

• Where Families Gather and Traditions are Born: Introducing Serenité Private Residence Club at Camelback Mountain
• Marriott Bonvoy Presents Luxury Properties That Offer Meaningful Experiences Desired by the Most Discerning Traveler
• Introducing the Central Park Suite Collection at the Historic JW Marriott Essex House New York
• Prime Jet Adds Two More ERJ 145's to Fleet
• International Luxury Hotel Association Announces Luxury Hospitality Conference at Eden Roc Miami Beach
• New Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn's Second Ultra-Luxury Purpose-Built Expedition Ship, Embarks On its First Voyage, Sailing to the Kimberley Region and South Pacific Over the Next Year

Sustainable Tourism

Sustainability has become something that people and organizations alike have begun to factor into their choices. The travel industry is no different. Tourism companies have been providing more options for travelers thinking about sustainability when making travel decisions. These options also allow consumers to feel good about the organizations they choose to travel with.

The New York Times even created a guide on how to be a more sustainable traveler. It provides information on things like the most sustainable destinations to visit and how to lower your carbon footprint while traveling.

Airlines have also been investing heavily in the future of sustainable aviation fuel. In July and August, nearly 50 press releases mentioned this new option to reduce emissions in aviation.

If sustainability is important in your travel decisions, here are some press releases from the last two months that focused on the topic:

• Royal Caribbean Group Transforms Waste Management in the Cruise Industry, Helping Protect the Oceans
• Marriott International Releases Annual Serve 360 Report
• United's Sustainable Flight Fund Grows to Nearly $200 Million and Adds Strategic Partners
• U.S. Airlines to Support NASA-Boeing Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project
• Climate Tech Fund Statkraft Ventures Invests in Electra to Accelerate Sustainable Aviation
• Aspiration and Fareportal Partner to Help Travelers Mitigate Their Carbon Footprint

Experience-Focused Travel

People love to have an experience when traveling. It can be a new activity or one that you just love going back to over and over again. July and August offered press releases featuring both new and returning tourist attraction experiences. In fact, more than 200 press releases related to Amusement Parks & Tourist Attractions were sent over the two-month period.

An experience while on vacation can be anything from learning about the history or culture of a destination to trying a new food or taking a special tour. Travelers want to leave a vacation feeling like they have gained a memory instead of an object.

Here's a look at some of these experiences for travelers:

• ISLAND Waterpark-World's Largest Indoor Beachfront Waterpark is Now Open at Atlantic City's Showboat Resort
• SeaWorld Celebrates Shark Week with the First Ultimate Shark Experience for VIP Access to Our Ocean's VIPs (Very Important Predators!) While Helping Preserve Them for Generations to Come
• Gaylord Hotels' Iconic ICE! Event Returns for 2023 Christmas Season
• Museum of Broadway Opens New Special Exhibit Celebrating CHICAGO
• Newest Crayola® Family Attraction Slated for Popular Vacation Destination in Tennessee
• Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Will Unleash Soul-Cleansing Screams and Parkwide Terror with All-New Haunted House, Scare Zones and More

Takeaways

The industry is finding ways to reach travelers no matter what version of travel they are looking for. Whether it be luxury, a concentration on sustainability, or enjoying an experience-focused trip. The holiday season is upon us, so we should begin seeing mentions of this begin to pick up in travel press releases as well. However, some experts believe travel demand in the U.S. will moderate after the current surge we have been seeing, so expect the travel industry to adjust to any changing trends. 

About the Author

Wendy Brickner is a Senior Customer Content Specialist in PR Newswire's Customer Content Services department. She has been with the company since 2007. Outside of work, her favorite things are traveling, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing with her giant Golden Retriever, Roosevelt.