Are Tourism Trends Analysed or Created? Balancing Data and Innovation

The world of tourism is constantly evolving, and we often wonder: are emerging trends discovered through data analysis or are they the result of deliberate creations by destinations and operators?

The answer is that both dynamics play a fundamental role.

Analysing Trends to Anticipate the Future

Many tourism trends emerge from careful market observation.

Thanks to tools like Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, tourism operators can analyse traveller preferences, identify emerging demands, and adapt their offerings.

For example, the growing interest in sustainable tourism was identified through analysis of data on environmental concerns and climate change (Good Tourism Institute, 2024). Travelers are increasingly aware of environmental impact and prefer authentic and sustainable experiences, such as train travel or nature excursions.

Creating Trends to Meet New Needs

On the other hand, many tourism trends are the result of deliberate strategies. A clear example is sleep tourism, which responds to the growing attention to wellness and health (The Independent, 2024).

Several destinations have created ad hoc experiences, such as sleep retreats, rest-dedicated spas, and hotels designed to ensure optimal rest. These innovations have transformed a daily necessity into a growing travel trend.

The Power of Combining Analysis and Creativity

Successful destinations not only analyse trends but are also capable of creating and influencing them.

For example, the trend of off-season travel has been promoted both for practical reasons, such as reducing overcrowding, and to offer more authentic experiences to those seeking a deep connection with local culture (Roadbook, 2024).

Innovation and Marketing in Tourism

For those operating in the tourism sector, the key lies in balancing data analysis with the ability to innovate.

Trends can be captured, studied, and, at the same time, fuelled by the creativity of operators.

This continuous process allows us to respond to travellers’ needs and, simultaneously, guide them towards new travel modalities they hadn’t yet considered.

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What do you think? How do you balance analysis and creativity in your tourism strategy? Share your experiences in the comments!

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Sources (checked on 11/10/2024):

• (Good Tourism Institute, 2024) Good Tourism Institute, 2024, 8 good tourism trends for 2024, https://goodtourisminstitute.com/library/good-tourism-trends-2024/
• (Roadbook, 2024) Roadbook, 2024, The biggest travel trends for 2024, as predicted by industry insiders, https://roadbook.com/travel/best-travel-trends-2024-tourism/
• (The Independent, 2024) The Independent, 2024, These are biggest travel trends you’ll see in 2024, https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/inspiration/travel-trends-in-2024-b2474261.html

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Image: Analysis and Creativity. Made by Andrea Rossi with Dall-E