The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecast a 4% year-on-year growth rate over the next 10 years for the tourism sector in Latin America, almost double compared to the growth of the total economy of the region, which is estimated to be 2.3% for the same period.ADVERTISINGAccording to its latest Economic Impact Report (EIR), over the next decade, this industry will generate 5.5 million new jobs in the sector in Latin America, with a year-on-year growth rate of 3.2%. Likewise, the report indicates that in 2021 the contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the GDP of Latin America represented 6.1% (213.4 billion dollars), which meant a growth of 26.5% compared to the previous year. Journey Through South America featuring Santiago, Andean Lakes Crossing & Rio de Janeiro Julia Simpson, President, and CEO of the WTTC, stated: "With the global health crisis, the Travel & Tourism sector in Latin America has been seriously affected. However, as the global economy begins to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic, the jobs generated by the tourism sector are beginning to increase".The travel and tourism sector in Latin America, in 2019, contributed 288.1 billion dollars to the GDP, which represented 8.2% of the region's economy. However, in 2020, when the pandemic severely impacted the industry, their contribution fell by 41.4%. Andean Lakes Crossing & Rio de Janeiro In 2021, in Latin America, the level of employment in the travel and tourism sector increased by 8% compared to 2020, with which the sector generated 14.25 million jobs, which represented almost 7% of total jobs in the region. This last figure is only 1.1% below what was registered in 2019.The regional contribution of the sector in 2021 was still 2.1% below the figure registered in 2019, with a difference of 74.7 billion dollars.According to the Economic Impact Report (EIR), the contribution of the global travel and tourism sector to the world economy in 2021 reached $5.8 billion, which is a growth of more than 21.7% compared to the previous year. In this way, the sector represents 6.1% of the global economy. Galápagos Central Islands & Inca Discovery In addition, travel and tourism contributed 289 million jobs in 2021, an increase of 6.7% from the previous year, adding more than 18.2 million new jobs in the sector.In this sense, the world body continues to promote coordinated work between companies and authorities, as well as urging governments to remove restrictions and allow international travel, using digital solutions that make it easier for tourists to travel quickly, simply, and safely. Adblock test (Why?)

TravelBoom, a leading data-driven digital marketing agency, has just released its 2022 Leisure Travel Trends Study report, having polled more than 2,000 travelers this year amid exhaustive research on the subject. By comparing their responses with those of the combined 90,000 participants in earlier studies, the company has come up with a comprehensive picture of how the sector is shifting.The agency’s last major leisure travel study was conducted in 2019, so this year’s report reveals much about how leisure travelers’ planning and booking behavior has altered from pre-pandemic times. Currently, some of the most impactful factors that are creating some startling changes in consumer mindsets, preferences and behavior are the rising cost of travel, the overall economy, ongoing COVID-19 concerns and technological tools.ADVERTISING"Leisure travel continues to be one of the most impacted industries in the post-pandemic period and consumers are very conscious of inflation, lingering COVID-19 concerns, along with high expectations for destinations and accommodations," said Pete DiMaio, COO of TravelBoom. "Our annual Leisure Travel Trends study allows us to better understand the consumer mindset and purchase journey so that we can adapt our marketing strategies to a greater impact." Trending Now Key Insights:— High costs are impacting vacation plans.Over one-third of respondents said they may have to cancel existing vacation plans because of budget concerns. Fifty-six percent said that high gas prices are moderately or significantly impact their travel decisions. The main pain points that prevented respondents from booking trips in the first place were budget concerns (53 percent), transportation costs (48 percent) and lodging costs (45 percent).— Travelers are conducting more online research than ever before.Travelers are doing more deep dives online and investigating their options more thoroughly. The average traveler visits 5.5 websites over the course of their vacation planning and booking process, which will typically include a search engine, meta engine, OTA, review site and the hotel website itself.— Factors that impact travel decisions are changing.In 2022, 46.3 percent of respondents pointed to price as their primary consideration when planning a vacation, as compared with 37.9 percent in 2019. Along with the price of their stays, transportation costs, amenities and loyalty programs are some of the factors that can influence travelers’ selections.— COVID-19 continues to influence travel.The study found that 55 percent of people still take COVID-19 risks into account before booking their trips. Among U.S. leisure travelers, only 13.5 percent said the pandemic still has a major influence on travel. But, 45 percent of Canadian travelers answered the same, demonstrating COVID-19’s continued impact on international travel.— Reviews have never been more important in travelers' decision-making process.The study found that 82 percent of travelers won’t book their stay at a property without having first consulted consumer reviews. “Reviews and social proof are the make-or-break points for a vacation booking,” the report reads. In fact, reviews are a persistent part of the shopping process, with nearly 40 percent of travel consumers referring to reviews in every step of vacation planning.You can download a copy of TravelBoom's complete 2022 Leisure Travel Trends Study here.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

There are only a couple of weeks left until the Labor Day holiday weekend arrives to kick off the U.S.’ fall travel season. While it’s been a crazy summer for travel, with most of the world opening up after over two years of COVID-related restrictions, Americans’ appetite for vacations isn’t satiated yet.According to Tripadvisor’s 2022 Fall Travel Index—based on the platform’s first-party search data, combined with propriety consumer sentiment data—61 percent of U.S. respondents are planning trips this autumn, if slightly differently than they’d imagined.ADVERTISING Trending Now Travel Demand Won’t Back DownAccording to the Index, 37 percent of Americans still intend to travel this fall as initially planned, in spite of inflation challenges. Globally, 34 percent also indicated that they intend to travel as planned between September and November, despite continually rising costs.Even while faced with record inflation rates, insane gas prices and the continued presence of COVID-19, global consumers show no indications that travel demand (especially among Americans) will abate anytime soon.Pent-up demand is prompting Americans to cut back on other expenses to ensure they can take their fall vacations. In fact, half of Americans (50 percent) plan to do more traveling this autumn and two-thirds (66 percent) plan to spend more on it than they did in the same period last year.Travel May Look a Bit DifferentWhile autumn trips are still on the books, the cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on Americans’ choices. Nearly half (45 percent) of U.S. travelers said that ‘Price’ influenced their chosen travel dates and two-thirds (66 percent) consider 'Cost/Affordability' the main criteria in their trip planning process.So, although skyrocketing costs won't deter Americans from traveling this fall season, many have had to adjust their plans a bit. Thirty-five percent of respondents said they’ll likely take trips of shorter duration, while nearly one-quarter (24 percent) indicated they’ll likely choose a destination that’s closer to home than originally planned. Family celebrating a U.S. national holiday with an outdoor picnic. (Photo via iStock/Getty Images/fstop123) Domestic vs. International TripsAs is also the trend globally, domestic trips remain the preferred type of travel among Americans for the upcoming season, whether owing to the high cost of travel or other factors. TripAdvisor found that 81 percent of U.S. and 60 percent of global travelers surveyed are opting for domestic vacations this fall.However, an encouraging trend in increased long-haul air travel has also emerged. Over 40 percent of Americans surveyed plan to travel more than seven hours and nearly half (49 percent) will go by air.In comparison to the 2021 Fall Travel Index survey, which found that 68 percent of U.S. travelers were sticking with staycation-style escapes accessible by car or train, this year’s study clearly shows that Americans are ready to take major trips.Additionally, over half of Americans (56 percent) are planning fall season trips of at least four nights, while one-third (33 percent) are planning getaways lasting five nights or longer. TripAdvisor also noted that the Labor Day holiday weekend period is set to be the season’s most popular time to travel. Mother and kids on a road trip vacation. (photo via monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images Plus) This Fall’s Top 10 U.S. Travel Destinations:Las Vegas, NevadaNew York, New YorkOrlando, FloridaHonolulu, HawaiiLahaina, HawaiiKey West, FloridaNashville, TennesseeMyrtle Beach, South CarolinaNew Orleans, LouisianaMiami Beach, Florida Adblock test (Why?)

Travelers can save in a myriad of ways heading into the final month of summer as cruise lines, hotels and even tour operators are offering exclusive savings and extras this August. Whether celebrating highly anticipated new openings or the return of some of the world's most sought-after itineraries, travel brands across the industry continue to make an impressive recovery in the wake of COVID-19 and it's leading to more ways for consumers to save on their next trip. Here's a look at some of the best deals available this August as well as some of the hot new properties set to open that travelers won't want to wait a minute longer to book. Adblock test (Why?)

Luxury travel experiences are arguably some of the best travel experiences, from elevated accommodations to incredibly personalized excursions and tours, which all provide memorable experiences for travelers. The experiences and accommodations on this list combine the best in luxury travel with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you might not be able to find anywhere else. Curious to see these next-level luxury travel experiences? Click through the slideshow to see them all! Adblock test (Why?)

Located in the Canary Islands is the island of Lanzarote, a land of warmth and contrast. Its year-round warm weather and sunny skies draw thousands to its shores each year, while its stark landscapes, beautiful ocean vistas and unique history and focus on sustainability keep travelers returning.About Lanzarote Trending Now ADVERTISINGLanzarote is a Spanish island off the coast of West Africa and is part of the Canary Islands. Its capital is Arrecife, a notable cruise port for travelers heading on transatlantic voyages. There are several different hotel zones across the island, usually located near the coastline to take advantage of its beaches. One unique aspect to the island’s tourism development are these zones, which were created to lessen the negative impact of the industry on the island’s natural beauty.Much like travelers will visit Iceland for its stark volcanic landscapes and beautiful natural scenery, travelers love Lanzarote for the same reason. The volcanic island was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993 and is also part of a UNESCO-designated Geopark due to its volcanic history and geology, all of which create a perfect destination for travelers looking to experience a destination with a strong connection to nature. Charco de los Clicos on Lanzarote. (photo via Turismo Lanzarote) “In these times, everyone is very sensible about the impact of climate change,” said Héctor Fernández, CEO of Turismo Lanzarote. “Destinations have to look at what’s happening in the world. In Lanzarote, I think we have many things to improve, but we try to have a destination for now and for the future…our competitors don’t have the same commitment about that.”The island also has a strong connection with art, being called home by many artists, most notably César Manrique, much of whose inspiration came from the island’s natural beauty. He championed sustainable tourism beginning as early as 1966, and he’s considered one of the main reasons why the island is such a benchmark for sustainable tourism.Sustainability Montana Colorada in Tinajo, Lanzarote. (photo via Turismo Lanzarote) Lanzarote has a longer history with sustainability and stewardship than other destinations. It was the local artist César Manrique who worked to preserve the island’s natural beauty in the late 1960s. Today, it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and was the first destination in the world to receive the Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification.“We try to avoid the impact of tourism inside the island,” said Fernández. “The [majority] of our hotels and our tourism phenomenon is on the coast…we have two parts of the island: where tourism is offered and the rest of the island is completely clean.”Additionally, Lanzarote and the nearby Chinijo Archipelago, which includes the island of La Graciosa, is part of a UNESCO-designated Geopark due to its significant geography and geology, much of it created and manipulated by volcanic activity. Playa de las Conchas on La Graciosa. (photo via Turismo Lanzarote) On Lanzarote specifically, there are thirteen protected sites, including the Timanfaya National Park, a must-visit destination for any traveler. Tourist zones and towns are traditionally located on the coast, while the rest of the island is protected from development.“Almost half of our territory has some level of protection, and that was the reason we got the certification of Biosphere Reserve…” said Fernández.Lanzarote’s AttractionsLanzarote offers a great variety of accommodations, including resorts, luxury accommodations, private villas and more. Most of them are centered near each other, as part of the island’s responsible tourism plan, which works to minimize the industry’s negative impact on natural resources.Some of the stunning beaches are located in the tourist zones of Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen. The Charcones de Janubio is a unique water feature for travelers to discover, a swimmable series of crystal-clear pools of water near the coast that are surrounded by rocks.Culture lovers will enjoy visiting the island’s many art galleries and museums, as well as the blending of natural wonders with art at one or many of the Centres for Art, Culture and Tourism, which were created by Manrique.One such attraction is Los Jameos del Agua, a natural cavern and tunnel system turned into a tourist attraction, complete with a concert hall, restaurant and more. Mirador del Río is another such Manrique design, a modern viewpoint on top of the Risco de Famara escarpment featuring stunning vistas of the sea and the Chinijo Archipelago National Park.Fernández believes it’s these attractions that make Lanzarote stand out as a destination: “I think that is our key argument to sell, because there you can find the atmosphere of Lanzarote.” Timanfaya National Park. (photo via Turismo Lanzarote) Timanfaya National Park is where travelers can find the stunning and harsh landscape created by the island’s last volcanic eruption only a few hundred years ago that left a town completely destroyed and preserved, much like a more recent version of Pompeii.Travelers looking for the ultimate natural experience can take a ferry to nearby La Graciosa, where there are no asphalted roads and motor vehicles aren’t permitted. There, natural scenery and wildlife, like the Mediterranean monk seal, await.“It’s easy to say that La Graciosa is our big attraction because it’s a beautiful island where you can return back in time one century,” said Fernández. “You can’t find any normal roads, you can’t find any cars. It’s completely special…you can relax your mind. You’re completely in another [time] period.” La Geria, Lanzarote's wine country. (photo via Turismo Lanzarote) Lanzarote has a unique approach to growing and producing wine. There are thirteen different bodegas, or wineries, on the island, and they all make use of volcanic ash to grow their grapes. Wine lovers can tour around the island following its wine route, wandering through lush vineyards growing up from the harsh landscape and enjoying wine tastings at each bodega while learning about their sustainable approaches.Lanzarote is an incredible destination full of art, culture and nature. Curious yet? Visit Turismo Lanzarote’s website to learn more.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

With rising inflation rates and less disposable income, travelers are looking for every way imaginable to stretch their dollars and travel on a budget. Sometimes, credit card rewards and airline miles can turn a standard trip into a dream adventure.Acclaimed financial optimizer and host of the podcast All the Hacks, Chris Hutchins, sat down with TravelPulse to talk about using credit card points for travel, the best airline miles programs, cheap flight search techniques and more.ADVERTISINGHere is the full Q&A session with Hutchins: Trending Now TravelPulse (TP): As the “Man with 10 million airline miles,” how do you accumulate credit card points and use them to travel for free?Chris Hutchins (CH): It really comes down to two main things. First, I take a look at how I’m spending my money and make sure that I always have a card that offers bonus points on the areas where I spend the most. Since I know I spend a lot on travel, dining and groceries, I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve to earn 3x on Travel and an Amex Gold to earn 4x on Dining and Groceries. The other big way to earn points is taking advantage of big signup bonuses for opening new cards whenever they happen. I don’t take it to the extreme of opening up dozens of cards a year, but when I see an amazing bonus valued at over $1,000 in points, I usually take advantage of it. I recently published Episode 65 of my podcast and shared a card that increased their signup bonus to something worth almost $1500 in points! Beyond that, there are a ton of little hacks I like to use to earn more points. For example, I don’t have a card that offers bonus points on home improvement stores, but I was able to buy a Home Depot gift card at the grocery store using a card that earns 4x points on groceries.As for how to use them to travel for free, if the points are with a specific airline or hotel group, I just book directly through their websites. But if I’m earning points in a flexible program like Chase’s Ultimate Rewards or Amex’s Membership Rewards, I like to use those points to transfer to their airline partners and book through those partners’ mileage programs. In Episode 49, I walked through exactly how I did this to book a $20,000+ trip to Bora Bora for only $1,500 + points.TP: With record-setting inflation and travel price gouging, what are some tips for flying in first-class without opening your wallet? CH: The secret to know when it comes to flying in first class is that despite it usually costing as much as 5-10x the price of an economy ticket to fly in first class, it usually only requires 2x as many miles to book a first-class ticket. So, when I’m taking a big trip and want to relax on the amazing lie-flat beds that most airlines offer in business/first class, I’m always using my miles to book those seats for free.While you didn’t specifically mention hotels, I will share an upgrade trick that’s worked for 100s of my listeners (and that I explain in detail in Episode 1). You want to book directly with the hotel you’re staying at and email them after you book to let them know you booked a room with them, when you’re coming, that you’re excited to be staying with them and anything you might be celebrating. I like to follow up again ~2-3 days before arrival just to confirm you’re still coming. I’ve seen listeners get everything from free upgrades to bottles of wine – and one listener and her husband even arrived to see their initials embroidered on their pillows. Definitely try that out and please share your success stories with me.TP: Airline prices have increased by as much as 40 percent in recent months. What are the best miles programs and credit cards to save money and stretch your dollar?CH: With all the fluctuations in airline prices, I try to accumulate as many of my points/miles as possible into flexible point programs that let you transfer points to different airlines and hotel groups. That way you get the most flexibility and aren’t stuck with one airline that might have crazy prices right now. Those include:—Chase Ultimate Rewards—American Express Membership Rewards—Citi ThankYou Points—CapitalOne Miles—Bilt Rewards—Marriott Bonvoy (you can actually transfer Bonvoy points to many airlines)I try to keep this spreadsheet up-to-date with all the transfer partners of each major card issuer. Trending Now TP: As the host of the All the Hacks podcast, how do you get the best deals with clever searching for flights?CH: My favorite tool when it comes to saving on airfare is Google Flights. You can search without a destination in mind to find the cheapest places to fly (and even do those searches with filters on, like “nonstop” or “under $700”). You can also search multiple to/from airports at once to find out if you might save a lot by driving a little more. Finally, you can browse the calendar view by clicking on the date field to quickly see how much it would cost to fly on any date. The only thing to remember is that Southwest doesn’t show up on Google Flights (or most other flight search sites), so you’ll want to check their site separately if they fly to wherever you’re going.Another great trick worth sharing is one that Scott Keyes, from Scott’s Cheap Flights, shared on Episode 5. He calls it the Greek Island Trick and it works by pairing a great deal on a long-haul international flight to the continent/region you want to visit with a cheap regional flight (or even a train or bus ride) to get to your final destination. For example, if you were trying to fly to a Greek Island from San Francisco, despite there being many airlines that fly to each destination individually, only a couple of airlines fly between both. So, if you search for the whole route, you only get a few options, but if you search from San Francisco to Athens, there will be so many more airlines that show up and you can buy a cheap flight or ferry to get from Athens to the island.TP: What are some of your secrets to getting the most value out of airline miles? CH: The biggest secret to getting value out of your points and miles is to have some flexibility. While most people assume that means flexibility on dates, it can also mean being flexible with where you go, how last minute you book or how many stops you’re willing to take to get there. Once my wife and I had a very specific window to take a trip, but we knew we only had a day or two of flexibility around the dates. We also knew we wanted to go somewhere in Europe. However, we were willing to wait until the last minute to book (when a lot of mileage award availability really opens up) and we were open to so many different places. Ultimately, we ended up booking a trip to Budapest, Prague and Vienna a week before departure and not only got an amazing deal, but had one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken.If you want more secrets, hacks and tactics for getting the most value out of your travel, points and miles, check out these specific episodes of All the Hacks that will definitely help you get hooked up and save money on your next trip.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

And we're ready to seek it! Adventure travel has been trending since the pandemic began to wane, likely due to the long period of time without the opportunity for any travel and a stronger desire for once-in-a-lifetime, experiential travel trips. The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has released a new report on the year's adventure travel industry, reporting the top trending adventure travel activities this year. From hiking in places like the Andes to Machu Picchu to an expedition in mysterious Antarctica to hone wildlife photography skills, these are the most popular adventures of the year. Curious to learn more? Click through this slideshow! Adblock test (Why?)

After more than two years of doing without in-person events—or abiding by mask mandates, attendance caps, and vaccine and/or testing requirements imposed on large gatherings—Americans are ready to return to incorporating live entertainment events into their travel plans.Allianz Partners’ 14th Annual Vacation Confidence Index has shown that a majority of Americans (60 percent) are planning to attend at least one ticketed event by the end of 2022, while 20 percent actually expect to attend three or more live events.ADVERTISING Trending Now Findings revealed that the average number of events a respondent has put on his or her calendar decreases with increased age.Specifically, 76 percent of participants who were between the ages of 18 and 34 plan to attend at least one event, compared to 63 percent of those between the ages of 35 and 54, and only 45 percent of those aged 55 and older.Similarly, a pattern emerged among the folks who intend on attending multiple events this year, with 28 percent of the youngest adults (18-34-year-olds) planning on going to three or more events, while 23 percent of 35-54-year-olds, and only 12 percent of seniors aged 55 and older said the same.“Entertainment is a huge part of the American travel landscape, with fans eager to punch their ticket to fun,” says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications for Allianz Partners USA. “The lifting of mask-wearing and COVID testing requirements has helped bolster fan demand while event ticket insurance can help protect ticket buyers against losing their investment when they can’t make their event due to an unexpected illness or another covered situation.” Infographic of results from Allianz Partners' 2022 Vacation Confidence Index. (image via Allianz Partners) Survey participants made it clear that they’re ready to venture beyond streaming media content to their TVs for entertainment and they’re once again purchasing tickets to live engagements to complement their travel plans.Fans are eager to again feel the shared excitement and electricity of the crowd while attending sporting events, concerts, stage shows, music tours, festivals, movie screenings and more. The result is a five-point increase from last year’s efforts to successfully resurrect interest in large-scale and ticketed events.As the pandemic situation has de-escalated in recent months, producers and artists have attempted to strike the right balance of indoor and outdoor venues to host their performances. It now appears a large portion of fans feel ready to brave enclosed spaces again, with 44 percent of survey participants indicating that they’re likely to visit both indoor and outdoor event venues during their travels this year.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. For more information, visit allianztravelinsurance.com. Adblock test (Why?)

As prices for airfare and hotels continue to surge, it's only natural to look for new ways to save money on travel. Your best moves involve shopping around and comparing prices for the vacation plans you want to book, and you should try to be as flexible as you can in terms of travel destinations and dates. In the meantime, you should watch out for hidden travel fees and charges that can derail your travel budget in a hurry. But, which hidden travel fees should you watch out for?  If you're heading to the airport, checked bag fees and in-flight wifi fees are worth avoiding if you can. However, cleaning fees and service fees may be a bigger concern if you're driving to your destination and staying in a vacation rental booked through VRBO.com or Airbnb. There are other types of hidden travel fees to avoid as well, including hidden fees that pop up when you cruise and pesky fees charged by certain types of hotels and resorts. Read to learn more? Read on to find out about the most common hidden fees in the travel world and steps you can take to avoid them. Adblock test (Why?)