Bee Travel
Travel Trends
CHRISTINE HICKS- USTA Travel
It's that time of year when we dust off our crystal balls, brush up on our prognostication, and peer through the mists of the future. What are the trends in travel for 2007?

How the heck would I know? Oh, wait, that's the realist in me. Give me just a minute to get in touch with my gypsy self...

Take, for example, the changing traveler. No, not Americans! The Chinese and Indian populations, by 2020, are paced to overtake the current kings of travel (Americans, Japanese and Germans), traveling to Europe and the Middle East. Changes in the economies of these countries have made middle class citizens in increasing numbers. You might think the U.S. would stand to gain from an influx of travelers, but so far the Chinese have not given approval for group trips to the U.S. And Indian tourists are more likely to fly to Dubai, Paris, London, Switzerland and Austria.

Technology, which insistently changes daily, will make translation virtual and easy. The computerized language translations we have now will become wearable. It's expected the miniaturized devices will be sunglass-like devices which, when aimed at a street or store display, for example, will read out to you in your native language. That's neat. If it's speed you need, technology will be there to help you race through checkout and airport security lines, restaurants, and track you should you get lost. (That would come in handy if you get waylaid in a foreign port, and the ship is trying to account for you.) Such RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology is being used now on toll roads, though refinement is needed to work out serious glitches currently bugging the system.

Changes especially within the hospitality industry are expected, measures against potential terrorist attack. Regrettably, this industry is among the most likely to be on the receiving end of attacks, and staunching that trend will be a necessary and costly goal. Some of the changes you're likely to see you, er, won't exactly "see." More careful screening of every one, like the kitchen dishwasher, will be needed to stem this trend. Staffs will need specialized training. More security cameras, lights and security staff will be the visible changes.

As to travel hot spots, one site cites Pamukkale in Turkey, Parga in Greece, Ayr in Scotland, Campeche in Mexico and Marrakech in Morocco among the top five rising

stars. In the U.S. it's Anna Maria and Siesta Key in Florida, Kailua, Hawaii, Macon in Georgia and Breckinridge Colorado.

Boomers are still making news. They are retiring soon, and living longer. Their travel desires are not like their parents, wanting to push the envelope of their aging selves. They will not go quietly, but rather will hike and kayak their way in retirement. Adventures for this senior crowd will require some adjustment on the part of those supplying the fun. It may also mean larger knobs and handles on doors, enhanced text on phones and signs and accommodation for hearing-impairment.

Speaking of retiring, so goes my crystal ball for another year.

(Christine Hicks-Usta has enjoyed more than 30 years of globetrotting as a member of the travel industry in various capacities. Direct questions to her at Bee Group Newspapers, P.O. Box 150, Buffalo, N.Y. 14231-0150.)