Lovers of good food, luxury, adventure, yoga or humanitarian work are some of the different tourist profiles analysed by the IMF Business School.
Summer has arrived and with it the tourists. According to the latest figures from the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Spain will receive 2.3% more international tourists than during the 2017 summer season, surpassing 30 million foreign visitors. These thousands of people all have different tastes, preferences and needs, and in many cases, the only common factor is that they’re all tourists.
However, the development of the tourism offers, along with the increase in demand for more and more diverse products and services have led to new tourist profiles that have little or nothing to do with the stereotypical image of tourists with their children laden down with suitcases in destinations that offer a broad range of activities to keep the whole family amused and entertained.
So, here at LookOut Pro, we decided to take a look at some of these new tourist profiles:
Deluxe. By and large, high-end tourism is growing steadily. Last year, spending by foreign tourists with high purchasing power increased by 26%, according to the tax-free shopping operator, Global Blue. These tourists are identified by their choice of upmarket destinations and select locations full of glamour and the excessive squandering of money.
Foodie. This type of tourist loves sharing instagrammable dishes on social networks and is always searching for destinations where they can try with flavours. Gastronomic tourism is booming, so much so that there are now agencies specialising in trips to cater for tourists whose primary motivating factor for travelling to a destination is its food, and they offer culinary tours, gourmet walks, wine tasting and other activities.
Low Cost. Some believe this is the most common tourist profile in Spain due to the many offers available in comparison with other European countries. These are young tourists who are always on the lookout for cheap destinations, and they know all the best websites and apps to find holidays at the best price. For them, it doesn’t matter if it’s Tokyo or Barcelona, the important thing is to travel, and the more, the better.
Single. Almost 32% of adults in Spain are single, according to data from the Centre for Sociological Research. Being free and single has become a way of life and, as far as travelling is concerned, not only do single people have more disposable income than an average family, but many holiday packages are now aimed at singles, divorcees, widows and widowers. So, what the objective? To meet people in the same sentimental situation while enjoying a cruise with activities to encourage Cupid’s match.
Volunteer. Going on holiday just to lie around twiddling your thumbs is not in their character, they prefer to spend their free time helping others on volunteer trips ranging from wildlife conservation to humanitarian aid stays. These are usually people with jobs geared towards education or caring for people. One example of this is Marc Gasol, who volunteered at the Proactiva Open Arms NGO this summer to rescue refugees from the sea.
Adventurer. A new type of tourism with a global annual turnover of 263 billion dollars, according to data from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). This profile is in search of adrenaline-charged activities and new personal challenges, including backpackers travelling the world without a penny and those who sign up for competitions like the Global Scavenger Challenge.
Women Only. Beyoncé already said it, “Run the World Girls”. Women have taken control and are now deciding to travel alone, find themselves and have a good time. They usually rely on a network of blogs, websites and exclusive guides that have been written by and for them to organise and plan their trips. One example is the “Viajo Sola” website.
Zen. Yoga sessions, meditation, holistic treatments, therapies to quit smoking, lose weight, etc. In short, endless possibilities that are attracting more and more tourists on a daily basis. A great way to make the most of your breakaway, pamper your body and mind and rediscover yourself.
Eco-friendly. When holiday time comes around, these tourists usually flee from the big cities to small towns or villages in search of natural environments. They want to get to know the locals, their history and lifestyle. They’re more than aware of the economic, social and environmental impact they have on the destination they visit and opt for environmentally-friendly companies.
Adults only. Tourists who choose accommodation where children are not allowed to stay. These can be parents who need a romantic break away from their children or couples without children who want to enjoy their holidays away from hordes of kids, screaming and shouting in the pool. Some airlines have now signed up to the programme and are offering areas restricted to children under 12.
Fabs. The over-50s, also known as Baby Boomers, are tourists who took care of their grandchildren during the holidays in the past and were never given the possibility to choose the destination during the summer holidays. However, nowadays, this is a new profile that prefers to travel at a leisurely pace with people of the same age who want something other than afternoon bingo and ballroom dancing.
