1 00:00:07,133 --> 00:00:10,453 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack Team podcast 2 00:00:10,573 --> 00:00:11,693 Speaker 1: from News Talks A. B. 3 00:00:12,773 --> 00:00:14,653 Speaker 2: Make Hardley's our travel corresponding. 4 00:00:14,653 --> 00:00:19,493 Speaker 3: Good morning, Good morning Jack, Insurance and Town and christ Church. Tonight, 5 00:00:19,573 --> 00:00:22,373 Speaker 3: you'll be feeling right at home with this very blighty 6 00:00:22,453 --> 00:00:23,173 Speaker 3: weather here. 7 00:00:24,813 --> 00:00:27,333 Speaker 2: Bloody weather everywhere. At the moment, I think, so are 8 00:00:27,333 --> 00:00:28,013 Speaker 2: you hitting along? 9 00:00:29,213 --> 00:00:31,493 Speaker 3: No, I'm not. I've got family who are going, including 10 00:00:31,533 --> 00:00:34,333 Speaker 3: some very young members of the families. They'll be rugged up, man, 11 00:00:34,373 --> 00:00:36,093 Speaker 3: they'll be going in their firmals, I reckon. 12 00:00:36,213 --> 00:00:38,493 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, So this is this is one of the 13 00:00:38,573 --> 00:00:41,653 Speaker 2: last concerts at the Big Stadium, at the old Stadium, 14 00:00:41,693 --> 00:00:44,653 Speaker 2: right before we hopefully we moved to the new one. 15 00:00:44,733 --> 00:00:47,213 Speaker 2: Yeah right, When does the makes you open next monthday 16 00:00:48,133 --> 00:00:54,213 Speaker 2: the next month? Oh yeah, right, yeah yeah, super rugby 17 00:00:54,253 --> 00:00:57,373 Speaker 2: but yeah, oh very god know that'd be amazing tonight. 18 00:00:57,373 --> 00:01:00,013 Speaker 2: It sounds like the concert has yeah, has been fantastic 19 00:01:00,053 --> 00:01:02,053 Speaker 2: and you know, be hitting straps now He's done it 20 00:01:02,053 --> 00:01:04,813 Speaker 2: a couple of times over. Hey, this morning, you were 21 00:01:04,813 --> 00:01:08,773 Speaker 2: focusing on the travel trends set to define twenty twenty six. 22 00:01:08,813 --> 00:01:11,333 Speaker 2: So how does the travel industry set about pinpointing what 23 00:01:11,413 --> 00:01:13,013 Speaker 2: the years big trends are actually going to. 24 00:01:12,933 --> 00:01:17,733 Speaker 3: Be great question, Jack, because if you scout around on 25 00:01:17,773 --> 00:01:21,253 Speaker 3: the internet, you will notice there are travel trends lists galore. 26 00:01:22,653 --> 00:01:27,133 Speaker 3: I've honed in on what I consider some reputable global 27 00:01:27,133 --> 00:01:30,493 Speaker 3: travel industry specialists to see how they've been reading the 28 00:01:30,533 --> 00:01:33,613 Speaker 3: tea leaves. A lot of it is based on data analytics. 29 00:01:33,653 --> 00:01:36,733 Speaker 3: You know just what is spiking, what's attracting a lot 30 00:01:36,733 --> 00:01:39,853 Speaker 3: of bookings, a lot of interest, And it is interesting 31 00:01:39,893 --> 00:01:44,093 Speaker 3: how behavior does shift year and year out as to 32 00:01:44,293 --> 00:01:48,093 Speaker 3: what seems to magnetize people. So I've looked at a 33 00:01:48,173 --> 00:01:53,133 Speaker 3: whole lot of different lists and there are some broadly agreed, 34 00:01:53,893 --> 00:01:56,693 Speaker 3: commonly pinpointed features, and a lot of them we will 35 00:01:56,733 --> 00:01:57,733 Speaker 3: be able to relate to. 36 00:01:58,053 --> 00:02:02,093 Speaker 2: Yeah, okay, so let's start with trains and luxury rail travel. 37 00:02:02,213 --> 00:02:04,093 Speaker 2: Is it entering a new golden age? 38 00:02:04,933 --> 00:02:08,693 Speaker 3: It seems to be, Jack, Yeah, particularly for well held travelers. 39 00:02:08,733 --> 00:02:12,293 Speaker 3: So think of your boomers who are into slow travel, 40 00:02:12,373 --> 00:02:15,853 Speaker 3: getting off the beaten track. That obviously has gained huge 41 00:02:15,893 --> 00:02:19,293 Speaker 3: currency right across the demograph in recent years, but in 42 00:02:19,333 --> 00:02:23,733 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six that Ethos is seeing just a huge 43 00:02:23,973 --> 00:02:29,533 Speaker 3: array and frequency of luxury rail journeys ramp up dramatically. 44 00:02:29,973 --> 00:02:32,693 Speaker 3: So for example, in Italy, in recent months, La doulcea 45 00:02:32,813 --> 00:02:36,853 Speaker 3: Vita Orient Express has been launched with these Rome return 46 00:02:36,973 --> 00:02:42,213 Speaker 3: rail trips wildly popular. The Orient Express is also launching 47 00:02:42,453 --> 00:02:45,973 Speaker 3: extra lengthy journeys between Paris and the Amalfi Coast. That 48 00:02:46,133 --> 00:02:50,613 Speaker 3: is quite a journey. Belmont in the UK have just 49 00:02:50,693 --> 00:02:54,773 Speaker 3: launched the Britannic Express. But across all segments of the 50 00:02:54,893 --> 00:02:58,013 Speaker 3: rail market it is booming. I came across this really 51 00:02:58,013 --> 00:03:04,333 Speaker 3: interesting stat. Holiday rail bookings around the globe grew forty 52 00:03:04,493 --> 00:03:09,573 Speaker 3: percent year on year to December last year, and even 53 00:03:09,573 --> 00:03:12,773 Speaker 3: in New Zealand like in the last few weeks. Mainland 54 00:03:12,893 --> 00:03:15,773 Speaker 3: Rail is also an example of this trend that have 55 00:03:16,133 --> 00:03:19,173 Speaker 3: launched these trips between christ Church and the Cargo. Yeah. 56 00:03:19,333 --> 00:03:21,973 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's a good point. Actually, gosh, that's a huge boom, 57 00:03:22,013 --> 00:03:24,493 Speaker 2: isn't it. Museums are going through a bit of a 58 00:03:24,573 --> 00:03:26,853 Speaker 2: reimagining as well, so what's the big shift. 59 00:03:27,813 --> 00:03:31,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's a big wave of openings and reopenings this 60 00:03:31,293 --> 00:03:34,093 Speaker 3: year and they all seem to be challenging the notion 61 00:03:34,173 --> 00:03:37,813 Speaker 3: of museum displays having to be static, hands off and 62 00:03:37,933 --> 00:03:41,733 Speaker 3: behind glass. So for example, the v and A storehouse 63 00:03:41,773 --> 00:03:45,173 Speaker 3: in London, they have this Order and Object service, So 64 00:03:45,293 --> 00:03:49,533 Speaker 3: this lets anyone request to see and photograph and in 65 00:03:49,573 --> 00:03:53,973 Speaker 3: some cases touch items from a two hundred and fifty 66 00:03:54,213 --> 00:03:56,853 Speaker 3: thousand strong collection. You can just say, I want to 67 00:03:56,893 --> 00:03:59,613 Speaker 3: see that photo open blah blah blah, blah blah. The 68 00:03:59,733 --> 00:04:04,533 Speaker 3: National Geographic Museum opens in DC this summer. It's hyper immersive. 69 00:04:04,573 --> 00:04:08,053 Speaker 3: It's going to have augmented re exhibits and lots of 70 00:04:08,093 --> 00:04:10,973 Speaker 3: projection mapping. And I love this one. Jack. The London 71 00:04:11,053 --> 00:04:14,093 Speaker 3: Museum is currently being rehashed and they are going to 72 00:04:14,133 --> 00:04:20,293 Speaker 3: include the wow factor. Provision of Thameslink trains tootling through 73 00:04:20,333 --> 00:04:23,413 Speaker 3: their galleries so that you're a passenger in the train 74 00:04:23,773 --> 00:04:26,933 Speaker 3: and you can glimpse the museum displaced as you pass through. 75 00:04:28,573 --> 00:04:29,533 Speaker 2: Is going to work. 76 00:04:30,773 --> 00:04:33,653 Speaker 3: They're basically building a tunnel through the museum, so the 77 00:04:33,693 --> 00:04:35,813 Speaker 3: trains go through and they can see the galleries as 78 00:04:35,853 --> 00:04:36,453 Speaker 3: they pass by. 79 00:04:36,893 --> 00:04:42,253 Speaker 2: Yeah, okay, very good. So grocery store tourism is apparently 80 00:04:42,453 --> 00:04:42,853 Speaker 2: a thing. 81 00:04:43,973 --> 00:04:46,773 Speaker 3: Oh it's a huge thing. And I thought it might 82 00:04:46,813 --> 00:04:48,173 Speaker 3: have just been a big thing for you and me. 83 00:04:48,813 --> 00:04:50,173 Speaker 2: I was going to say it sounds like a bit 84 00:04:50,213 --> 00:04:50,493 Speaker 2: of meat. 85 00:04:52,653 --> 00:04:55,413 Speaker 3: Well, I mean it may have been a niche pastime 86 00:04:55,933 --> 00:04:58,573 Speaker 3: for the inquisitive like Jack Dam and Mike Abby, but 87 00:04:58,653 --> 00:05:02,973 Speaker 3: it's become increasingly popular. So visiting a local grocery or 88 00:05:03,013 --> 00:05:06,213 Speaker 3: corner store wherever you happen to be in the world, 89 00:05:06,813 --> 00:05:10,293 Speaker 3: I reckon it's the fast track to affordable authenticity. You know. 90 00:05:10,333 --> 00:05:13,653 Speaker 3: It's the different flavors of chips, the exotic fruit, the 91 00:05:13,693 --> 00:05:16,773 Speaker 3: regional soft drinks, the unique snacks that people buy. It 92 00:05:16,853 --> 00:05:20,373 Speaker 3: just gives you a great sense of place. And apparently 93 00:05:20,373 --> 00:05:24,253 Speaker 3: on TikTok Alan last year there were more than fifty 94 00:05:24,373 --> 00:05:28,173 Speaker 3: million posts related to grocery store travel. 95 00:05:29,013 --> 00:05:34,253 Speaker 2: Wow. Okay, so I'm glad that this is just an observation, 96 00:05:34,413 --> 00:05:36,813 Speaker 2: a way of traveling that is appreciated by lots of people, 97 00:05:36,973 --> 00:05:40,493 Speaker 2: rather than someone actually turning it into some business ventures. 98 00:05:40,533 --> 00:05:40,893 Speaker 1: Totally. 99 00:05:40,973 --> 00:05:44,533 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah, because the moment someone does that, it 100 00:05:44,573 --> 00:05:47,453 Speaker 2: immediately loses that authenticity factor. 101 00:05:47,733 --> 00:05:48,893 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly moment. 102 00:05:49,213 --> 00:05:53,293 Speaker 2: So on the set jetting front, period ms are the big. 103 00:05:53,213 --> 00:05:58,053 Speaker 3: Driver, absolutely, yeah. Bonnets and buggies are at the ready 104 00:05:58,173 --> 00:06:01,813 Speaker 3: because it's particularly Britain that is going to feature big 105 00:06:02,173 --> 00:06:07,253 Speaker 3: on the fan pilgrimage funt arm because of a lot 106 00:06:07,293 --> 00:06:11,973 Speaker 3: of literary adaptations hitting the big screen. So Dartmoor, Devon 107 00:06:12,173 --> 00:06:14,933 Speaker 3: in the Peak district. They're all very excited because they've 108 00:06:14,933 --> 00:06:18,493 Speaker 3: been showcased in Jane Austin's Quide and Prejudice. The latest 109 00:06:18,533 --> 00:06:21,613 Speaker 3: iteration of Sense and Sensibility as well has honed in 110 00:06:22,053 --> 00:06:25,733 Speaker 3: on those regions. Wuthering Heights is being shot on the 111 00:06:25,853 --> 00:06:29,813 Speaker 3: Yorkshire Dales as we speak, and Cornwell is where the 112 00:06:29,813 --> 00:06:33,533 Speaker 3: new Harry Potter TV series is being lavishly shot. So 113 00:06:33,653 --> 00:06:36,693 Speaker 3: it's all about blighting when it comes to set jetting 114 00:06:36,733 --> 00:06:37,453 Speaker 3: this year, real. 115 00:06:37,493 --> 00:06:41,173 Speaker 2: Nice AI versus HI who's in control? 116 00:06:41,293 --> 00:06:45,693 Speaker 3: M Many travelers are clearly using AI for planning and booking, 117 00:06:45,773 --> 00:06:49,133 Speaker 3: so even Expedia and Booking dot Com they've integrated tools 118 00:06:49,173 --> 00:06:53,573 Speaker 3: like chat GPT, but I don't believe chatbots are anywhere 119 00:06:53,733 --> 00:06:57,253 Speaker 3: near becoming a match for that real time on the ground, 120 00:06:57,693 --> 00:07:00,653 Speaker 3: trusted human intelligence. It seems to be where AI just 121 00:07:00,813 --> 00:07:03,973 Speaker 3: isn't quite there yet. Yeah, So, I mean it doesn't 122 00:07:03,973 --> 00:07:05,933 Speaker 3: have to be experts either. You think of like the 123 00:07:05,973 --> 00:07:09,293 Speaker 3: power of word of mouth, whether it's from your friend, 124 00:07:10,173 --> 00:07:13,733 Speaker 3: a travel agent or a Saturday Morning travel correspondent. It's 125 00:07:13,773 --> 00:07:18,693 Speaker 3: there is that tried and tested knowledge on destination tips 126 00:07:18,733 --> 00:07:21,653 Speaker 3: that people still really are hungry for. 127 00:07:21,733 --> 00:07:24,413 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think the human thing, the human factor is 128 00:07:24,453 --> 00:07:28,453 Speaker 2: still so valuable, isn't it. Although yeah, I mean, yeah 129 00:07:28,573 --> 00:07:31,133 Speaker 2: it is. It is so useful to go to those 130 00:07:31,213 --> 00:07:33,373 Speaker 2: chat bots I and just and just say something like, 131 00:07:33,453 --> 00:07:36,213 Speaker 2: you know, what, what train options are there? What did 132 00:07:36,213 --> 00:07:39,213 Speaker 2: you say from Paris to the Amalfi Coast? You know, 133 00:07:39,333 --> 00:07:40,653 Speaker 2: you know that it would be able to come back 134 00:07:40,653 --> 00:07:42,493 Speaker 2: to you and say, well, funny you ask. Actually usually 135 00:07:42,493 --> 00:07:44,213 Speaker 2: it would be a really coolaluted journey and you'd have 136 00:07:44,213 --> 00:07:46,373 Speaker 2: to take eight different trains, but there's going to be 137 00:07:46,413 --> 00:07:48,253 Speaker 2: this tree. You know, it would come back to your. 138 00:07:48,213 --> 00:07:50,133 Speaker 3: Met Yeah, which is yeah, that's true. 139 00:07:50,253 --> 00:07:53,373 Speaker 2: So many other notable trends that are going to define 140 00:07:53,413 --> 00:07:54,493 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six, do you. 141 00:07:54,413 --> 00:07:57,773 Speaker 3: Think, Yeah, coverle cook things apparently gone on the days 142 00:07:57,813 --> 00:08:00,333 Speaker 3: of booking the same trip as everyone else. I know 143 00:08:00,613 --> 00:08:02,733 Speaker 3: a lot of travel agents would agree with this, that 144 00:08:02,893 --> 00:08:07,213 Speaker 3: it's ultra personalization that is really big now and you 145 00:08:07,253 --> 00:08:09,413 Speaker 3: can actually notice it in the advertising. You know, a 146 00:08:09,413 --> 00:08:13,813 Speaker 3: lot of specialist tours have emerged that's seek to serve 147 00:08:14,413 --> 00:08:18,973 Speaker 3: very specific life stages and situations, whether it be divorce, grief, 148 00:08:19,493 --> 00:08:25,413 Speaker 3: menopause retreats, marriage retreats. And then I noticed in there 149 00:08:25,453 --> 00:08:30,933 Speaker 3: the other day for a very alterra niche insect enthusiastic tours, 150 00:08:31,293 --> 00:08:39,733 Speaker 3: so too. Probably I think he's the guide. And by 151 00:08:39,773 --> 00:08:42,653 Speaker 3: the way, Jack, the travel industry is, I'm sure you've noticed, 152 00:08:42,893 --> 00:08:45,773 Speaker 3: loves to coin buzzwords. You know. I think of things 153 00:08:45,853 --> 00:08:50,733 Speaker 3: like cool cations and staycations and flesh packing. Well, apparently 154 00:08:50,773 --> 00:08:54,733 Speaker 3: the buzzword this year is quiet cation. And it's also 155 00:08:54,893 --> 00:08:58,333 Speaker 3: known as hospitality, which is a bit try hard, but 156 00:08:58,413 --> 00:09:01,853 Speaker 3: it's all about holidaying and comfort and silence. It's like 157 00:09:01,893 --> 00:09:05,293 Speaker 3: an upgrade on digital detoxing. And it's funny because I 158 00:09:05,333 --> 00:09:08,253 Speaker 3: received an email last week from this outpit called sky 159 00:09:08,533 --> 00:09:11,853 Speaker 3: Cave Retreats in Oregon, and I reckon they are an 160 00:09:11,853 --> 00:09:16,173 Speaker 3: example of a quiet cation. They offer three days in 161 00:09:16,213 --> 00:09:19,213 Speaker 3: a cabin in complete darkness. 162 00:09:20,213 --> 00:09:23,253 Speaker 2: Right, so you just go and you sit there. Do 163 00:09:23,293 --> 00:09:25,013 Speaker 2: you get food? Do you get anything? 164 00:09:25,373 --> 00:09:28,693 Speaker 3: Yeah? Apparently right, so maybe by candlelight? 165 00:09:29,053 --> 00:09:32,493 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah. But the idea is like a sensory deprivation thing, 166 00:09:32,573 --> 00:09:33,173 Speaker 2: is it? 167 00:09:33,173 --> 00:09:37,053 Speaker 3: It is? It is? Yes, very niche, yeah, very niche. 168 00:09:37,133 --> 00:09:39,333 Speaker 2: Well, I mean I'm sure there is a demand for it. 169 00:09:39,333 --> 00:09:41,773 Speaker 2: People go on those on those yoga retreats or those 170 00:09:41,813 --> 00:09:45,293 Speaker 2: silence there for a couple of weeks time. Sometimes they do. 171 00:09:45,693 --> 00:09:47,933 Speaker 3: Yes, all in Collingwood. 172 00:09:48,373 --> 00:09:51,693 Speaker 2: That's true, that's true. I'm not I'm just I'm not 173 00:09:51,733 --> 00:09:55,493 Speaker 2: sure it's for me necessarily, not sure it's for me. Agreed, Yeah, 174 00:09:56,053 --> 00:09:58,373 Speaker 2: you do you as we always say, very interesting. 175 00:09:58,653 --> 00:09:58,973 Speaker 3: Here you go. 176 00:09:59,093 --> 00:10:00,773 Speaker 2: Nathan's just flect us of text to say, Jack, me 177 00:10:00,853 --> 00:10:03,453 Speaker 2: and my wife just turned thirty and we've booked a 178 00:10:03,493 --> 00:10:05,893 Speaker 2: trip on the Garden for later this year. Was outside 179 00:10:05,893 --> 00:10:08,613 Speaker 2: of it. So do you go. It's not just going 180 00:10:08,653 --> 00:10:10,533 Speaker 2: for the luxury train travel. I would love to do 181 00:10:10,613 --> 00:10:12,733 Speaker 2: the Garden. Yeah, that would be That would be amazing. 182 00:10:12,773 --> 00:10:13,533 Speaker 2: What a great thing to do. 183 00:10:14,653 --> 00:10:15,573 Speaker 3: That's fabulous. 184 00:10:15,733 --> 00:10:17,973 Speaker 2: Very good. Hey, thank you, Mike. Enjoy having the relatives 185 00:10:18,013 --> 00:10:21,413 Speaker 2: in town, and we will catch you again next weekend. Jack, 186 00:10:21,733 --> 00:10:23,853 Speaker 2: very good. Mike Cowdley, our travel corresponding. 187 00:10:24,293 --> 00:10:27,413 Speaker 1: For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live 188 00:10:27,493 --> 00:10:30,333 Speaker 1: to News Talks d B from nine am Saturday, or 189 00:10:30,413 --> 00:10:32,293 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.