A new report on tourism trends predicts that technology-free holidays, or ‘digital detoxes’, look likely to be a hit with holidaymakers in future.
Rather than flooding hotel guests with lashings of digital delights such as Wi-Fi, satellite channels and flat-screen TVs, World Travel Market’s ‘Global Trends Report 2012’ foresees holidaymakers opting for quiet, email and telephone-free weekends.
According to breakingtravelnews.com, some accommodation providers are now offering these kinds of technology-laden holidaymakers the chance to be relieved of their smartphone or tablet and enjoy something rather more indulgent instead – like a massage.
One hotelier in Chicago is offering what it calls a ‘tranquillity suite’ and a ‘technology break’ package, while another in Washington DC is offering a ‘be unplugged’ experience.
A comparable service in the UK might see hotels in Isle of Wight locales putting on similar events, or simply relying on the underlying beauty of the island to capture the imagination of its guests, who might fancy leaving the tech behind to walk around the island.
Commenting on the report, World Travel Market chairman Fiona Jeffery told metro.co.uk: “This is another great example of how hotels are bucking the gloomy trends in travel by tapping into the zeitgeist and providing an escape for busy travellers. This digital detox theme is part of the greater trend for hotels to offer innovative wellness packages.”
Caroline Bremner, Euromonitor’s international head of travel and tourism research, agreed: “Offering a relaxing alternative for consumers to step off the relentless ‘digital’ treadmill is another example of how hotels are filling a gap in the market and helping to boost their bottom line at a difficult economic time.”