Tag: experiences

2024 UK travel trends: Scots most likely to choose pet-friendly destinations

Travel in 2024 is set for a year of evolution, with new research showing how people in the UK are reshaping the definition of the ‘modern traveller’ by prioritising experiences, changing booking behaviours and reframing wellness and relaxation. 

The research comes as Hilton releases its 2024 Trends Report – a global study unpacking how traveller behaviours and interests are changing. Supported by a UK travel map which pinpoints the regional differences of travellers and trends across the UK, from the rise of holiday streaming and solo travel to increasingly evolving booking habits. 

EXPERIENCE OVER EVERYTHING

Travellers are prioritising new experiences (85%), with many looking forward to exploring the unknown (81%), trying the local cuisine (64%) and learning about local customs and traditions (48%) when on holiday. 

And people are saving the pennies to make it happen, with more than half (52%) reducing spending in other areas to prioritise travel. Hilton’s global trends report found over half (56%) of people in Britain plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than in 2023. 

Some are going further to immerse themselves into local traditions, with 25% looking for locally sourced food while away. However, when it comes to staycations, Brits can’t get enough of the comfort classics with a ‘posh fish finger’ sandwich currently the top choice on Hilton’s UK bar menu1.

SOCIAL INFLUENCE

The increasing influence of social media is no surprise, and it’s even affecting holiday planning. In fact, a third of Gen Z travellers select their destination based on what’s trending on social media (34%), popular culture (36%) and live events or festivals (34%) driven by leading artists who have been performing this year. 

However, when it comes to enjoying their holiday, many are pulling the plug on technology, with three in ten taking a break from social media to disconnect from life back home (31%). 

EVOLVING BOOKING BEHAVIOURS

The new research revealed people in the UK are starting to plan ahead with a majority of travellers (55%) booking a holiday 3 – 6 months in advance, and 6% even booking their holidays for the whole year in January. 

GOING SOLO

People are craving some ‘me time’ with 16% of people having taken a solo trip in the last year. And this is increasing, with nearly a quarter (24%) considering a break on their own in the next three years, liking the independence (42%), flexibility (46%) and self-discovery (20%) that comes with it.

Northern Ireland leads the way, as a third (33%) are considering a solo trip in the next three years, the highest in the UK. It is also no surprise that 18 -24yrs olds are the most likely to consider solo travel, rising to 40%.

Solo travellers on Hilton.com are keen to relax while away, with searches for indoor pools by people travelling on their own doubling since last year. 

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WELLNESS AND RELAXATION 

Hilton data shows many in the UK are seeking out wellness when planning breaks – with spa searches up 82% from last year. 

However, self-care isn’t all about spas and swimming, with a quarter of people (25%) using online streaming services in their hotel rooms to relax – amassing to an average of 14 hours of TV over a week-long stay. Londoners are most likely to use streaming services on holiday (38%), while on average, guest data use in Hilton hotels has increased by 23% since 2022.

Patricia Page-Champion, senior vice president & global commercial director at Hilton, said: “Our research highlights an increasing focus on experiences, the influence of social media and entertainment on choosing breaks, and the reframing of wellness and relaxation in travellers’ minds. 

“And underlying these evolving trends, one constant we continue to see is the importance of holidays to people in the UK, who say they plan to travel more in 2024 even if this means cutting back spending in other areas.

“With travel such a priority for so many, our focus is on delivering a genuinely great stay in the best locations around the world.” 

To read Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report, visit Stories.Hilton.com/2024trends. 

MSPs investigate support for disabled people’s transition to adulthood

SHARE YOUR VIEWS WITH HOLYROOD COMMITTEE

MSPs are asking for the public to share their views on the support that is currently available for disabled children and young people as they grow into adulthood.

The findings will be considered by the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee as part of their scrutiny of a Bill which seeks to introduce more structured support for disabled children and young people in their transition to adulthood.

The Bill has been proposed by Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, following on from work started by Johann Lamont in the last session of Parliament.

If passed, the Bill would make three main changes to the law:

  • the Scottish Government would need to have a strategy explaining how they are going to improve opportunities for disabled children and young people
  • a Scottish Government minister would be placed in charge of improving opportunities for disabled children and young people moving into adulthood
  • local authorities would need to have plans for each disabled child and young person as they move into adulthood

Sue Webber MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee said: “A young person’s transition to adulthood is a critical stage in their lives and our Committee wants to be sure that the right kind of support is available to help disabled children and young people as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

“We want to hear the views of disabled children and young people, their parents and their carers on these proposals.

“We’re particularly keen to understand more about the how the support that is currently available is viewed.”

The Committee’s call for views and survey on the Bill opened on 1 September and people can share their views until 27 October 2022.

Give the gift of memories with Animal Experiences at Blair Drummond Safari Park

Ditch the latest trinkets, toys, and tech and give the most treasured gift of all this Christmas.

Blair Drummond Safari Park’s Animal Experiences provide an unforgettable opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the park’s rare and exotic animals, all whilst creating memories that are sure to last a lifetime!

This year Blair Drummond have launched their brand new Meerkat and Giraffe Family Experiences. For the first time ever, children aged 8 and over will gain access to our most exclusive behind-the-scenes areas and handfeed some of our most popular animals, alongside their family members. Family experiences will be exclusively hosted for your family, with tiered pricing reflective of your group size.

The Junior Keeper experience gives budding keepers the chance to spend time with the animals in Pets Farm, including llamas, penguins, meerkats, and ponies. They’ll also receive a fun goody bag afterwards!

For the grown-ups, individual Animal Experiences start at £60 for the Meerkat Experience which gives guests the chance to hang out with the park’s most inquisitive creatures.

Guests can get up close to the world’s most iconic mammals as part of Blair Drummond’s Large Mammal Experience. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to spend an hour with their elephant, rhinos and giraffes.

You’ll get to prepare their enrichment, handfeed them, and learn about the incredible work the team at Blair Drummond are doing to protect these fabulous animals from extinction.

For those who’d love nothing more than an exclusive behind the scenes look at what it is like to be a keeper at Blair Drummond, the Keeper for a Day experiences are where it’s at.

For £250, keepers for the day get the chance to handfeed the lemurs, take a VIP tour of Chimp Island and the reserves, give the lions their wake-up call, and spend the day meeting giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and birds of prey.

So, look out your wellies, and create wild memories this Christmas at Blair Drummond Safari Park!

Head of Marketing, Liz Gunn of Blair Drummond Safari Park said: “Our Animal Experiences offer a unique opportunity to get closer than ever to our incredible animals, and to meet the experts that provide outstanding specialist care here every day.

“Whether you’re treating yourself or a loved one to an extremely special gift, you can enjoy the experience even more in the knowledge that you’re supporting vital conservation work right here at Blair Drummond, all while creating memories you’ll never forget.”

Book online at www.blairdrummond.com/animal-experience-booking