TGA Industry News Briefs

Vegas in 2024? You Betcha!

TGA

The 2024 Travel Goods Show will be back in Las Vegas, and it will be unlike any other. We’re talking new buyers, workshops, education forums, panel discussions, special guests, industry professionals, travel influencers, and a few other surprises that we’re keeping under wraps for now. READ MORE HERE!

TGA Board of Directors Elects New Officers

TGA

We are proud to introduce Josh Cross as the new Board Chair of the Travel Goods Association (TGA). Josh is a seasoned software industry expert with a successful background in EdTech, having helped build one of the premiere software platforms in the space. As CEO of Elios, he brings a wealth of knowledge and innovation to our association, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him lead us into the future.

The 2023-2024 TGA Board of Directors

• Josh Cross, Elios, Chair
• Jesse Sutton, Bon Voyage/Sutton Home Fashions, Vice Chair
• Scott Kosmin, 24-7 International, Treasurer
• Jerry Kallman, Airline International Luggage, Secretary
• Cliff Ensley, Leisure Merchandising Corp., Immediate Past Chair
• Jacob Durham, Nomatic, Executive Committee
• Richard Krulik, Briggs & Riley/SOLO, Executive Committee

We Don’t Want to Play Favorites, But…

TGA

Travel Goods Magazine takes a deep dive into the products unveiled on the showroom floor at the 2023 Travel Gear + Luggage Expo. (Did we kick a few tires and earmark a few items for ourselves? Of course we did!) In Part II of our two-part series, you’ll see a sampling of the travel accessories, backpacks, casual bags, luggage and personal comfort items that got our attention. READ MORE

If you’re planning to take a trip for Memorial Day weekend, you may want to brace yourself for busy airports and roads. AAA expects 42.3 million Americans to travel 50 miles — or more — from their homes over the holiday weekend, the membership organization said Monday. That number is up 7% from 2022. READ MORE

What Exactly Is Luxury Travel in 2023 — And Is It Worth It?

THE POINTS GUY

What exactly is luxury travel? Ask any group of travelers what constitutes a luxury vacation, and chances are they’ll all give you a different answer. The point is: Luxury travel may seem obvious, but it’s actually a slippery concept. READ MORE

TravelSavers: Luxury Sales Outpacing 2022 by 32%

TRAVEL AGENT CENTRAL

TravelSavers advisors are experiencing an increase in premium and luxury sales, with luxury revenue pacing 32% higher than 2022. Expedition cruising is particularly vigorous, with sales up 78% from last year. Antarctica bookings have risen 84% year over year. READ MORE

As Household Budgets Tighten, Big Brands Double Down in Dollar Stores

REUTERS

Makers of brand-name household basics like Dunkin’ coffee and Schick razors are bulking up sales teams and adding specialized and lower-cost products to the shelves of America’s ubiquitous dollar stores in a bid to reach more budget-conscious shoppers. READ MORE

Tourism “Should Focus on AI”

THE PORTUGAL NEWS

One of the conclusions reached at Minsait’s Travel Summit 2023 is that in order for the industry to continue growing, companies should look to AI and Advanced Analytics technology. READ MORE

These Are the Biggest (and Busiest) Airports in the World

TRAVEL NOIRE

To accommodate more travelers, some airports are much bigger than others. These giant, international travel hubs are gearing up for massive amounts of travelers as summer approaches. So, which airports are the biggest in the world? Here are a few gigantic airports that stay busy all year round getting travelers where they need to be. READ MORE

ChatGPT and Generative AI for Social Media Marketing: Reality, Hype, What’s Next, and How to Prepare

INSIDER

Many social media marketers are already experimenting with generative AI tools. However, these fascinating new tools aren’t the solution for every marketing scenario. READ MORE

The Best Times for Social Media Marketing Posts Are…

CHAIN STORE AGE

Not all times of day are created equal when it comes to effective social media promotions. According to new analysis of 34,000 customers on its platform from social media management tool provider Sprout Social, the overall best times to post marketing content on social media are… READ MORE

Why a Travel Coach Is a Must-Have for Some Travelers

CNN

Planning a major vacation can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, so it’s perhaps no surprise that travelers often call in reinforcements for help. Some consult friends and family for recommendations and advice, some scroll through social media platforms for inspiration, some rely on information gathered from online searches and some do all of the above. However, it seems more and more people are turning to travel coaches to help them organize their upcoming trips. READ MORE

This Summer’s Travel Trends: Shorter, Cheaper Trips and More Driving — Unless You’re Rich

NBC NEWS

If you sat out last summer’s overcrowded, overpriced, booked-solid travel season in hope of cheaper and easier getaways this year, you may be out of luck. Sixty-three percent of U.S. adults plan to travel this summer, up from 61% this time last year, according to a recent survey by Bankrate. Airlines are bracing for high demand, and aviation authorities are warning of another season of flight disruptions. READ MORE