The staff at Avionco have a broad array of interests and are constantly reading and commenting on various trends and ideas. So, as we enter this brand spanking new year ready to experience all it can bring, we thought we’d use today’s blog to share some random observations our team sees on the horizon.
- Culinary tours are an expanding trend. As fame and fortune continues to rise for celebrity chefs, tv shows and restauranteurs around the world so does the interest of travelers. People are making destination plans based on the kind of culinary experience they’ll have instead of just thinking about seeing the sites or lying on a beach somewhere. Those with the means to do so are all getting their Anthony Bourdain on and traveling the world.
- Pest is the best? History reminds us that the city of Budapest was created by the amalgamation of two cities, Buda and Pest, each on its own side of the famous Danube River. Seems there is some sibling rivalry here as there is a real buzz emerging over the attractions of Pest, on the east side. Pest is being celebrated for its more fiery and lively character with historical attractions and a unique café culture. The Danube Promenade, or Dunakorzo as it is referred to by citizens, draws crowds of tourists strolling past and enjoying the terrace views of upscale hotels while others enjoy attractions like the Szechenyi Thermal Bath showcasing one of the largest natural hot springs in the world.
- Outsourcing is the new “ownership” in private aviation. Where would we be without an observation on private aviation in an Avionco blog after all? It’s no secret that costs can be a real factor in operating a private aircraft which has given rise to services like jet cards, fractional ownership and on-demand charters. In 2019 we’ll see more corporations move away from complete ownership of their aircraft in favour of outsourcing their private jet needs to more effectively control costs.
- Kidnap insurance is a growing commodity. As the world becomes smaller and the rich get richer, so do the risks associated with being on the “have” side of the equation. Kidnapping rings are becoming a real danger as they seek the ransoms that only the super rich can bare. The insurance covers the ransom expense, or it might actually include a rescue extraction team to get the victim out safely.
- Social Media Experiences are creating their own travel culture. More and more people are blurring their real life with their social media experiences. One no longer can exist without the other, so it’s no surprise that a key criteria for choosing a travel destination is how you can exploit the experience to impress the world via your Instagram or facebook accounts. It makes us wonder if some will actually see the sights live or predominantly just through their device.
- Customer experience in private aviation will only get more important in 2019. Okay, one more aviation observation. Operators and brokers are fighting for that one great advantage – customer loyalty. It’s the one thing that will keep clients coming back, exploiting what marketers call the lifetime value of a customer. This will include everything from inflight service to ease of booking, flexibility and an entire experience that creates client trust resulting repeat purchases. The winners will be those who can really overachieve with innovation and insight while the rest of the pack serves the same bubbly, the same way, over and over.
Well, there you have it. 6 completely random observations from a variety of people observing a variety of informative sources. Welcome to 2019. Enjoy the business of flight.