That’s what British Airways thinks anyway. The airline’s in-flight magazine (High Life) has conducted some research and revealed the six new types of traveller, all of whom are influenced by modern technology and social media.
Which one chimes with you?
The Flashpacker?
The Flashpacker is a tech-savvy backpacker who won’t tolerate a £10 hostel when there’s a boutique B&B with a pool up the road with free WiFi. Flashpackers are similar to old-school backpackers, but with more money and style. And they never travel without their iDevice.
Famous Flashpackers: Joey Essex, Greg James, Charlotte Crosby
Flashpack destinations: Sydney, Bangkok, Marrakech, Greece, Bali
Flashpack hotels: L Hotel Seminyak (Bali), Riad Anyssates (Marrakech), Glow Trinity (Bangkok)
The Fake-ationer?
They’re well-heeled travellers who book expensive trips to starry destinations. They stock up on travel essentials, but they’ll never truly relax. Their phone is just as busy as it was pre-holiday. Work and social arrangements carry on as if they’re still in the office.
Famous Fake-ationers: Victoria Beckham, Orlando Bloom, Simon Cowell
Fake-ation destinations: St Tropez, Tuscany, Los Angeles, Barbados
Fake-ation hotels: Sandy Lane (Barbados), Hotel Martinez (Cannes), L’Andana (Tuscany)
The Festitourist?
Why risk Glastonbury’s rain and mud when the Festitourist can guarantee sun at Soundwave in Croatia? Festitourists, in onesies, flip flops and Beats headphones (looking slightly the worse for wear) can be seen in departure lounges across Europe every Monday of the summer.
Famous Festitourists: The Bodyrockers, Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Cara Delavingne
Festitourist destinations: Croatia, Ibiza, Barcelona, Cancun
Hotels: Hard Rock Hotel Cancun (Mexico), Ushuaia Beach Hotel (Ibiza), W Barcelona (Spain)
The Luxury Voluntourist?
They wear designer labels while feeding endangered species. They take selfies “saving the world”. And then they troop back to their luxury seven-star resorts to sip a cocktail while talking loudly about their day!
Famous Luxury voluntourists: Leonardo DiCaprio, Pamela Anderson, Rachel Hunter
Voluntourist destinations: Kenya, Sydney, Johannesburg, Costa Rica
Voluntourist hotels: Motswari Private Game Reserve (Kruger Park, Africa), Park Hyatt (Sydney)
The Multigens
They’re that noisy group all wearing the same “40th wedding anniversary” T-shirts, better known as “The Multigens”. They’re typically made up of at least three generations – grans, kids and grandkids.
Famous multigens: The Rooneys. The Kardashians, Mark Wright and family (Nanny Pat!)
Multigen destinations: Marbella, Dubai, Cyprus, Paris,
Multigen hotels: Melia Hotel (Marbella), Atlantis the Palm (Dubai), Four Seasons, George V (Paris)
The Brocationers
Typically, this will be an alcohol-soaked short break to a European capital. High-octane adrenaline junkies travelling in a large pack. Think quad biking in the morning, whisky tasting in the afternoon and larging it at night.
Famous brocationers: Justin Bieber, The Inbetweeners
Brocation destinations: Amsterdam, Prague, Las Vegas
Brocation Hotels: The Wynn (Las Vegas), Europa 92 (Amsterdam), Duo (Prague)
(Feature image: Susanne Nilsson)
