Hospitality Industry & Wine Tourism

A significant demographic shift will take place at the start of 2011 that could have profound effects on the travel industry.

Starting on January 1st, 2011, the first Baby Boomers will turn 65 years old.  The Baby Boom generation, defined as people born from 1946 to 1964, represents 77 million people in the United States.  For the next 19 years, about 11,000 Boomers a day will turn 65.

Wine tourism means organizing travel around the appreciation of, tasting of, and purchase of wine. It is a kind of tourism highly developed in many regions around the world, and it can be as simple as hopping on a wine shuttle in Napa Valley or as complicated as renting a villa in the south of France for a month. Wine tourism is a great way to learn about the people, culture, heritage, and customs of an area.

Myth 1: “Online advertising is not for local businesses.”
Actually, research says 89% of people in the US search online for products and services before they make a purchase - even when the purchase is made at a business in their area¹⁾. What most people don’t know is that with Google AdWords you can set your ads to show only to people in your area whether that’s your city, state, or just your zip code.

Earlier this year, the California’s B&B Association (CABBI) asked travelers if they’ve ever stayed in a bed and breakfast, and if not, why?  

Here is the top 15 list of the misconceptions they heard:

1) B&Bs are for old people and all have lace doilies, paisley wallpaper, antiques, patchwork quilts, floral décor and teddy bears.