What better time to focus on your wellbeing and self-care than Spring Break. Allianz Partners noted in its 15th Annual Vacation Confidence Index that 54% of 18-34 year olds reported wellness and self-care were a travel priority in 2023 and it only seems to be growing in importance in 2024. The Global Wellness Institute predicts the size of the global wellness tourism industry to be close to $1.4 trillion by 2027. Wellness today goes beyond spa visits and dawn yoga sessions on the beach. These days wellness vacations range from sexual wellness to grief-related wellness and even menopause retreats. What could wellness tourism look like by Spring of 2027

While expensive European vacations remain popular among travelers - many are looking to visit traditional US Spring Break destinations - without breaking the bank. Travelers are getting savvy and exploring "shoulder cities" near the main attractions. You may have heard of “shoulder seasons'' for travel or vacations booked during off peak seasons - which are typically more cost effective and less crowded. However, “shoulder cities” offer similar experiences to high demand destinations, at a more affordable price. For example, instead of Orlando's theme park thrills, Kissimmee, Florida offers a variety of hotels and vacation rentals, often at a fraction of the cost. Similarly Henderson, Nevada is just south of Las Vegas and is considered a jumping off point to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. It's a win-win – you get the proximity to the excitement without the hefty price tag

Are you late to the game and haven’t planned your Spring Break yet? Don’t fret - AI tools can help! Planning a trip can feel like a full-time job, especially with all the options available. Priceline / Harris Poll research found that the average traveler spends a whopping 16 hours, or the equivalent of two work days, just researching and booking a trip! Travelers are starved for AI options and travel sites / apps are ready to feed them! Penny, Priceline’s AI-powered travel assistant is built into their new Trip Intelligence suite and has been upgraded to use generative AI technology to help speed up research and plan trips. GuideGeek is free and uses WhatsApp and Instagram Messenger to help you plan trips by recommending hotels, restaurants, and even creating customized itineraries based on your interests. WanderAI uses machine learning to provide personalized recommendations for destinations, activities, and accommodations based on your travel preferences.