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We open this edition sharing a new report! <3 Together with IAAPA, we took a deep dive into the attractions industry, exploring 5 key trends that are shaping how travellers and guests are interacting with attractions and experiences. Unpacking these trends, we also reveal interesting insights into how businesses and operators can put them into action and future-proof their attractions. Spoiler alert: they are also hosting their annual IAAPA EXPO Europe in September! It was amazing to come up with this report and pull it all together – we hope you enjoy it 🙂
This week we kept our weekly news curation shorter, this way you can use the time to properly enjoy the content of the report above. In any case, here we go to the top news around travel innovation, trends and startups:
- The talent shortage is making an impact. We all know it: across markets and around the world, a talent shortage and struggle to recruit is being felt. The travel and hospitality sector is not immune – amidst a 16 year high of global talent shortage, it’s been reported that 74% of restaurants and hotels are having a hard time when it comes to hiring. ManpowerGroup undertook a global study, surveying 40k employers to get an overview of the situation and unpack what can be done about it.
- The search is on for sustainable traveltech innovators. The travel and tourism sector is remarkable. Not only has it bounced back from a global crisis that completely rewrote the rules of the game, but it is now paving the way forward in responding to sustainability challenges. UNWTO is calling on young travel tech innovators to join their Awake Tourism Challenge – seeking to find startups and entrepreneurs working to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The application phase is still open and has incredible benefits for those brave enough to take up the challenge. Enter by June 30th!
- Hybrid flying is soon to be a reality. The aviation industry is under mounting pressure to do something about its carbon footprint, and now, what some not so long ago may have called a pipedream, hybrid planes are soon to be a reality. Spanish airline, Air Nostrum, has just ordered 10 Airlander 10 aircraft, with delivery scheduled for 2026. Made by UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles, the airships could cut emissions by 90% and are soon to be taken to the sky. Perfect for short range flights, like Liverpool to Belfast or Oslo to Stockholm, the planes might be a little slower but they’ll be more comfortable and sustainable and they don’t even need a runway. Yep – the future is here.
- Through the turbulence and out the other side.This summer, one thing is definitely standing out – travel is back, and it’s back with a bang. Omio, which saw 98% of its revenues evaporate overnight back in Spring 2020 has just raised $80 million and is reporting revenues to more than double that of pre-pandemic levels. It shows just how resilient the travel industry is, and how these companies that took the time to keep building and innovating during these rocky years are now reaping the benefits.
- Hop on the mystery tour. Not every traveller loves organising their trips. From deciding where to go, to what to do, how to get there and so on and so forth, there are a lot of decisions to make. Problem solved: UK-based startup Journee has just picked up €2 million for its end-to-end travel platform that takes care of it all. All travellers have to do is answer some simple questions and the tech does the rest, matching the travel to the destination.