The big consumer trends that are likely to shape travel in 2011?

The top trends reported by Travel Market Report have been evident the past couple of years but are expected to pick up more momentum this year.

What do travelers want from their travels these days?

Travel providers are seeing demand for the following:

As part of its 20th anniversary commemorating its founding, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) has launched the annual Innovation Leadership in Sustainable Tourism Awards to recognize innovative leadership of individuals and organizations who promote sustainable tourism that results in tangible benefits to communities and conservation. TIES is the world’s oldest and largest association dedicated to promoting ecotourism.

A new study coming out of Europe revealed a shift in consumer consciousness that is changing travel! People want their travel to be meaningful, feel good and have some impact in the world — not just for escapism or indulgences. So it’s no surprise that travel philanthropy and voluntourism are booming.

What does travel philanthropy and microfinance have in common?
Both can impact almost all areas of development — poverty, women’s empowerment, children, education, literacy, environment, health, etc.
As we mentioned in Part I, travel philanthropy is simply connecting people to places that’s done in a way that supports and empowers local destinations and communities. Microfinance serves as a powerful tool of travel philanthropy. Microfinance ties the giving to a destination to provide systemic change in a locale. With a little help, people are able to feed, educate, and care for their …

After a year of staycation or traveling close-to-home, travel providers are seeing a resurgence of international travel bookings for 2010. This means that U.S. travelers are feeling more comfortable with their job and economic situations. They are overcoming doubts about the economy as shown by their willingness to invest in travel, leave the office for longer periods, access discretionary funds, etc. At the very least these booking gains indicate their belief that things are stabilizing and that an economic turnaround is in progress.
“Travel is the ultimate barometer of consumer confidence,” …

MASSIVEGOOD is a new fund-raising initiative aimed at raising funds for global health causes by allowing travelers to make “micro-contributions” when they book a plane, hotel, or car. MASSIVEGOOD uses the power of social media to help stop the millions of preventable diseases and deaths in the developing world. Travelers can make their trip really meaningful and connect with fellow contributors on the website, a social network for those committed to building a healthier world.
MASSIVEGOOD will go live this Thursday. This hassle-free, easy-to-give model will work like this: a traveler …