PHOTO: Hotels and resorts are creating new ways to cater to guests' craving for s'mores. (Courtesy The Omni Homestead Resort Facebook page).
Planet Earth keeps spinning 'round and 'round, and travel trends keep circulating along with it.
Travel trends drive the industry these days, reflecting the energy and desires of the world's citizens. In fact, sometimes you wonder if trends rotate the globe by themselves.
We've heard about millennials developing more of a voice in the travel industry recently, but it's also important not to forget the Baby Boomers, who still appear plenty adventurous.
But where do Baby Boomers travel these days? What do they want? And what are the top destinations for collective generations today?
We also know that the use of mobile devices is increasing dramatically, but are there some who reject mobile devices, at least for a little while?
Here are five travel trends that are spreading throughout the world.
Top Destinations
Tripology recently came out with its "Travel Trends" report, highlighting the most requested regions for national and international travel, as well as trip budget information.
Florida continues to thrive as America's most visited state, according to the study.
This was highlighted during the 2014 Polar Vortex, when the generally warm state was requested by 33 percent of Tripology users. Hawaii (16 percent) and California (12 percent) followed as the most requested states during the massive storm.
Key West and Arizona also were among the top 10 U.S. cities and states requested by site visitors.
In terms of global travel, Mexico (22 percent), the Bahamas (17 percent) and Jamaica (11 percent) were the top three requested destinations, further reflecting travelers' desire to migrate to warmer temperatures. Los Angeles made the list of the top 10 requested global cities for the first time in the study's history.
Baby Boomer Travel
Considering there are 76 million Baby Boomers in America who spend $120 billion in leisure travel each year, it's probably a good idea to pay attention to them.
In fact, TravelPulse President and CEO Mark Murphy argued earlier this month that Baby Boomers-not millennials-"are the driving force in travel for the foreseeable future; a future that could span the next two decades."
In a recent survey by AARP Travel, some interesting Baby Boomer trends were highlighted.
For one, more travelers 45 years of age and older (78 percent) tend to value "celebration vacations" more than throwing a party or even receiving a fancy piece of jewelry (or "bling," as the young whippersnappers of the world call it). "Celebration vacations" include honoring special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, family reunions and weddings. The anniversary was the No. 1 celebration vacation (87 percent), while birthdays (77 percent), retirement parties (69 percent) and weddings (66 percent) followed.
And, according to the survey, you travel agents and businesses out there would best serve Baby Boomers by staying within their budget (17 percent surveyed said sticking to a budget was their No. 1 "pain").
The U.S. is a popular celebration vacation for Baby Boomers, too. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) took a celebration vacation in America in the last two years, with Las Vegas, Disney, Los Angeles, Florida and Hawaii being the top destinations.
Mobile Users Growing
Travelers are literally mobile people, so it makes sense that mobile devices are continuing to be used extensively.
In fact, according to a nationwide survey by Smith Micro, 62 percent of travelers prefer to purchase or reserve guest services through their mobile device rather than talk to a member of the hotel staff.
On top of that, 63 percent bring tablets with them, up 10 percent from the results of the Smith Micro and USamp survey last year.
The most popular mobile convenience was checking in and out of hotels (75 percent of those surveyed). Seventy percent want special offers and discounts from local establishments on their mobile devices. More than 50 percent will choose a hotel specifically because it offers mobile services. And 47 percent said they were more likely to purchase in-room entertainment if it could be accessed via their mobile device (compared to 41 percent in 2013 and 37 percent in 2012).
On the flip side, only 4 percent of respondents said they would not use mobile services at a hotel.
The results of the survey further prove that it's more important than ever for hospitality properties to offer mobile services to increase revenue. The survey also shows that guests are willing to share personal information to receive customized local offers, as TravelPulse highlighted in "How Companies Use Data to Target Travelers."
A S'more-gasbord of S'mores
Apparently, guests want s'more s'mores.
Hawkins International PR recently pointed out that more hotels are offering guests s'more options. That includes anything from s'mores kits to personal lanterns for roasting 'mallows tableside.
Guests at the Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., can hitch a ride on a tractor-driven hay wagon before settling in at a campfire and enjoying the tasty treat.
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Coachella Valley, the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania, Omni Mount Washington in New Hampshire and the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa also offer s'mores kits.
If you stay at Chebeague Island Inn (located on an island in Casco Bay off the coast of Maine), you can scan a new "Fire Pit Menu" that includes a "Make-Your-Own-S'mores" kit as you gaze at the ocean before you.
The Tides Inn in Irvington, Va., provides recipes for "the perfect s'more" particular to several different types of palates. That includes traditional recipes, as well as the "Elvis s'more" featuring peanut butter and bananas.
Enchantment Resort in Arizona offers the "Tastefully in the Raw" dining menu, featuring all the necessary accompaniments for guests to roast up some s'mores and watch the desert sunset.
Hotel Madeline Telluride in Colorado features the "SMAK Bar," which includes personal roasting lanterns.
The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort in South Carolina, offers s'more wine pairings under mossy oak trees overlooking the May River.
Montage Deer Valley in Utah has a complimentary s'mores hour every day from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the winter season and from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer. Five different varieties of marshmallows and two selections of Hershey's chocolate are offered.
Last but not least, we have Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, a 90-minute drive from L.A. You can roast marshmallows by the fire while hearing tall tales from a local expert here.
Bleisure
"Bleisure"-or the blurring of business and leisure travel-continues to be a big trend after a Pullman Hotels survey in October 2013 revealed that 43 percent of travelers always take a mobile professional device with them while on vacation.
But leave it to Las Vegas to identify another segment of the population that goes against the grain.
MGM Resorts International recently announced its #DigitalDetox campaign for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of it all…right in the heart of Vegas.
For example, guests who book one of the Villas at the Mirage can enjoy their own private backyard barbecue complete with a personal butler, a pool, a spa, a putting green and a lounge and bar area.
The Spa at ARIA actually prohibits electronic devices to allow guests to truly unwind, whether it's via a heated stone bed or the Detoxifying Body Ritual, a warming body treatment with a lemongrass exfoliation and rich detox mask.
The secluded adults-only Cypress Pool at Bellagio makes for quite the #DigitalDetox experience as you lounge on a daybed or chaise lounge chair below Evian misters while engulfing non-alcoholic smoothie shots.
And why not indulge at Picasso at Bellagio while you're at it? You will not only be treated to Foie Gras au Torchon and Japanese Wagyu Filet Mignon at the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurant, you can also reserve one of 16 tables at the establishment's outdoor patio while enjoying the world-renowned Fountains of Bellagio.
There's also "Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil" at Mandalay Bay, which I had the pleasure of experiencing. This is one of my favorite Cirque du Soleil shows of all time. There are 64 performers in all celebrating the "King of Pop," and there is so much going on during the show that you could watch one section of the stage the entire time and be mesmerized. That is not hyperbole.
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