Travel

Implications - As consumer expectations of products in general are heightened, even the most traditional industries such as banking are debuting innovative offerings to appeal to specific consumer segments. One of the ways this is playing out is in the form of multi-currency bank accounts, allowing consumers to move between countries with ease. This is reflective of today's consumer base -- who more than ever before -- expects and values frictionless service from providers.

Homework Question - What steps are getting in the way of your customer having the easiest possible experience with your brand? [More]

Implications - The use of subscription services in various travel accommodations is on the rise, whether that's in flight or for consumers traveling by car. These services cater to consumers who require customized travel experiences, whether those are in the form of payment limitations or in frequency.

Homework Question - Conceptualize a subscription service that your brand could offer its customers. [More]

Implications - With travel and vehicular brands constantly seeking to enhance passengers' perceived comfort, these brands are offering personalized forms of entertainment for each individual customer who's seated. These designs allow for brands to give the impression that they care for their customer, strengthening loyalty as a result.

Homework Question - How could your brand better incorporate personalization into its product or service? [More]

Implications - Virtual reality is becoming a conduit for accessibility, particularly as it relates travel. The use of virtual reality as a means of exploring the world particularly appeals to consumers with limited mobility, whether for financial or medical reasons. This use of virtual reality highlights how technology is being used to keep consumers connected to the larger world.

Homework Question - What are the changes that virtual reality is having on your industry and/or brand? [More]

Implications - As consumers look to invest in reliable travel gear that will last a lifetime, many are opting for stylish aluminum luggage based on its incomparable balance of durability and lightness. This shift highlights a facet of consumer culture that sees individuals willing to invest in more expensive products built to last instead of compromising on affordable alternatives to serve them in the short-term.

Homework Question - How can you elevate a product by incorporating industrial-strength materials that also emphasize style? [More]

Implications - New direct-to-consumer luggage brands are further enticing style-inclined frequent fliers with high profile collaborations that highlight the aspirational lifestyle element shared by both parties. This progression highlights that amid the direct-to-consumer revolution, brands continue to pique attention by building a strong online presence and correlating themselves with cult-status brands in adjacent categories.

Homework Question - How can an unexpected collaboration help your brand generate buzz in spaces such as Instagram? [More]

Implications - Focusing on both safety and empowerment, brands are offering travel services and tips for the LGBTQ+ community. These programs and services aim to enhance the lives of people in this community by offering them accessible forms of travel, prioritizing the safe spaces that LGBTQ+ people often require in order to live and enrich their lives.

Homework Question - How could your brand better prioritize LGBTQ+ people, or contribute to causes that do? [More]

Implications - Between discriminatory Airbnb hosts and prejudicial airline practices, the travel industry hasn't always been as accommodating as it should be for people of color – a fact that is slowly changing via travel brands led by and prioritizing people of color. By creating such specific spaces, these brands are showcasing the importance of grassroots and self-led empowerment in the process of creating large-scale change.

Homework Question - How could your brand collaborate with businesses that prioritize the empowerment of marginalized groups? [More]

Implications - Millennials today are known for their preference to spend on experiences rather than products, and this has impacted and contributed to the popularity of travel among this generation. Layering onto this interest in exploring the world is millennials' interest in self-improvement, which has led to the creation of tailored travel experiences focused around providing a path to wellness as well as a chance to explore the world. This shift speaks to the ways in which wellness has the capacity to impact a huge variety of segments, and the ways in which companies can leverage that interest to create something more appealing to today's young adult consumer.

Homework Question - What role does your company play in helping consumers become their best selves? [More]

Implications - As activists with disabilities and their allies continue to push for all-encompassing accessibility related products and services, travel brands are responding by offering services and trips that are focused on accessibility for people with disabilities. These emerging programs speak to the need for brands to view accommodation and inclusivity as not simply a necessity, but as a means to enhance the consumer’s lifestyle.

Homework Question - How could your brand more actively prioritize inclusivity in the products or services it offers? [More]