SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sojern, the leading digital marketing platform built for travel, today shares its latest travel data ahead of the holiday season and beyond. Travelers are eager to hit the road or skies, but economic concerns and inflation are widening the wealth gap. Compared to 2023, more consumers are opting for road trips over air travel, if they're traveling at all. Sojern data shows upscale and luxury hotel prices have risen by 1.7% and 1.4%, while economy lodging remains steady, reflecting growing demand for higher-end accommodations.
"Unlike the pandemic where travelers chose less crowded destinations, those who are traveling are going back to more popular and expensive cities–and they're willing to pay a premium," said Noreen Henry, Chief Revenue Officer at Sojern. "We saw this with Taylor Swift's Eras Tour where booking interest traffic to European cities spiked 65% and hotel room prices were up 154%. This holiday season, we're seeing the same trends. From events to festive outings, travelers want immersive adventures, and the travel brands that deliver personalized, magical experiences will win."
United States Travel Spikes for Thanksgiving and Christmas
With an estimated 4.7 million people flying over the Thanksgiving holiday, Sojern data shows that domestic flight bookings are up 4% in 2024 compared to the same time period in 2023, with Orlando taking the top spot as the Thanksgiving flight destination of choice.
Meanwhile, domestic travel during Christmas is down 15%, while travel to Europe is up 2% and Asia up 9%. Top destinations domestically are Honolulu, New York, which is expecting approximately 7.5 million visitors, and Orlando while the top destinations internationally are Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada and Dominican Republic. While Mexico has long been a popular destination for Americans, flight bookings from the United States are down 8% this year. Instead, they're choosing the Dominican Republic, where flight bookings are up 14%.
European Cities Delight International Travelers While Europeans Flock to Asia
Europe's festive flair and array of Christmas markets have long attracted travelers from around the world–and this year is no exception. However, while travelers from around the world are packing their bags and jetting off to major European cities, Europeans have other plans. Currently, domestic flight bookings are down 26% and bookings within Europe are down 5%. Interestingly, flight bookings to Asia (14%), Latin America (3%), and non-conflict countries within the Middle East and Africa (3%) are all up, indicating that Europeans either prefer to drive for their holiday experiences or embark on long-distance adventures.
London, with its charming pubs, festive holiday displays, and as the host of World Travel Market, stands as Europe's top destination this season, capturing 79.1% of flight bookings and 89.7% of hotel reservations.
With bustling Christmas Markets, Germany and Austria have long been popular destinations. International travel to Germany is up 7% while travel to Vienna is scooping up 80% of Austria's holiday flight bookings.
Paris, with all its glitz and glamor, is still riding high off the 2024 Summer Olympics as one of the most in-demand destinations in Europe. Overall, domestic travel within France is down 41%, but international travel is only down 1%, with Americans looking to imbibe on French delicacies and stroll the markets. Much like other European destinations, domestic travel within Italy and Spain is down, but international travel is up 13% and 11%, respectively, with visitors choosing major cities, such as Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Madrid, and Barcelona.
Travel to Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia Spikes Ahead of Major Events and Peak Travel Season
Formula One (F1) events attract significant crowds. For instance, the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix boosted travel to the country by 63%. The UAE is gearing up for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Dec 6-8), with flight bookings from the past 30 days showing a 9% overall increase for December. Regional bookings are up 13%, and international travel is up 4% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is experiencing rising demand as it enters peak travel season, with international flight bookings up 15% and regional travel surging by 38%.
Travelers Skirt Traditional Ski Destinations in Favor of Japan
Holiday skiing has always attracted travelers, but this year their preferences are changing. Traditional destinations, like the German and Swiss Alps, are still in high demand, with hotel bookings up 20% and 42%, respectively. However, American and Canadian ski destination hotel bookings are down between 9% and 18% and European ski tourism is seeing similar patterns. Japan is emerging as a top ski destination, with hotel bookings up 417% compared to last year.
Chinese New Year Bookings are Down, with Three Months To Go
Chinese New Year in 2025 runs from January 28th to February 3rd and is driving travel across Asia Pacific. Singapore is typically a huge draw, but current hotel bookings are down 11.55% overall compared to the same period in 2024, with domestic bookings down 26%. Singapore is China's top destination for the holiday, capturing 14.8% of non-intra-regional Asia Pacific travel. While some Chinese travelers are flying for the holiday, flight bookings are down 18.82%. Hotel bookings are up 10.41% compared to 2023, indicating a higher demand for domestic travel, but likely by rail or car.
The Travel Landscape in 2025 and Beyond
Today's travelers are more experience-driven than ever, investing heavily in attending concerts, events, and major sports like the FIFA World Cup. In 2022, Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, spiking international lodging searches by 541% worldwide. Next up, Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing travelers from around the world to cheer for their teams.
As travelers increasingly seek out experiences, they are willing to spend more, driving up both costs and expectations. In response, the travel industry is embracing innovative solutions, such as Generative AI, to better understand guests and deliver personalized experiences at scale. This year marks just the beginning, as the adoption of these cutting-edge tools is set to grow well into 2025 and beyond.
*Sojern data pulled as of Oct. 1, 2024
About Sojern
Sojern is a leading travel marketing platform designed to boost growth and profitability for the travel industry. The Sojern Travel Marketing Platform is a set of easy-to-use software and services that delivers unrivaled traveler insight, intelligent audiences, multichannel activation and optimization, and a connected guest experience—all in one place. More than 10,000 travel marketers rely on our platform annually to find, attract, convert and engage travelers. Founded in 2007, Sojern is headquartered in San Francisco, California with teams in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Travelers Are Spending Big This Holiday Season-With Higher Expectations Than Ever
SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As technology continues to evolve, consumer electronics have become essential to everyday life. Elephant Robotics, a high-tech company specializing in robotics design and production, is thrilled to announce its participation in the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025. This premier technology trade show will be held in Las Vegas, USA, from January 7-10, where you can find Elephant Robotics at Booth 8963 in the LVCC North Hall.
With a mission to "Enjoy Robots World", the company offers a diverse range of robotic products, including educational collaborative robots, professional robots, the Mercury humanoid robot, and bionic companion robotic pets. Committed to pushing the boundaries of robotics technology, Elephant Robotics aims to provide everyone with opportunities to experience the convenience and benefits of robots in daily life. At CES 2025, the company will showcase innovative robotic solutions and host 3 engaging interactive activities.
Elephant Robotics is dedicated to reducing the barriers to robot applications by offering a diverse range of personal desktop robots, including 4 DOF collaborative robotic arms, 6 DOF cobots, 7 DOF robot arms, and mobile robots. These intelligent robot assistants are characterized by their versatility, high openness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use, making them perfect for creative projects, daily tasks, and production applications. Equipped with a variety of end effectors—including cameras, suction pumps, grippers, and dexterous hands—these robots can perform a wide range of tasks. This versatility enhances the practicality of robotic arms, reducing the workload and increasing efficiency, allowing people to spend more time on creative and recreational activities. Ultimately, these robotics innovations enhance convenience and joy in everyday life. Whether functioning as personal assistants, production tools, or artistic platforms, they are becoming essential components of modern living.
Alongside personal entertainment and convenience, the broad commercial applications of robotics technology are a significant aspect of future intelligent living. At CES 2025, Elephant Robotics will present 2 commercial collaborative robots with powerful performance and sleek, integrated design aesthetics.
The myCobot Pro 630, a high-performance commercial collaborative robot, boasts a sleek integrated design and advanced capabilities. Equipped with a holographic device, it provides an immersive and dynamic experience for commercial displays and exhibitions, enabling multi-angle movement and captivating 3D visual effects. This robot offers a fresh approach to business marketing and displays with impressive flexibility and a wide range of applications.
Additionally, the Mercury X1, a universal wheeled humanoid robot, features a mobile chassis with high-performance LiDAR and 19 DOF dual-arm robotic arms, delivering exceptional agility and intelligence. Mercury X1 can work seamlessly alongside humans to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and expand commercial opportunities in sectors such as service, hospitality, education, scientific and academic research, entertainment and smart home applications. Since its official launch in late 2023, Mercury X1 has received significant market attention, already delivering notable success in sectors like electronics, chips, and the 3C industry. Since its official launch in late 2023, the Mercury X1 has garnered significant market attention, achieving mass delivery just 7 months post-launch. This versatile wheeled humanoid robot is easily integrated into light industrial manufacturing, particularly in sectors such as electronics, and chips. There are some already successful applications include stripping adhesive sleeves from mobile phone components and assembling flexible connectors. By replacing manual labor, the Mercury X1 improves work efficiency and reduces costs.
Robots can also be soft and cuddly, bionic companion robot pets are set to become the most heartwarming intelligent companions in daily life. Elephant Robotics will unveil its new series of bionic robotic pets—metaCat AI, metaDog AI, and metaPanda AI—at CES 2025. These AI bionic robotic pets, available in cat, dog, and panda shapes, closely mimic the appearance, texture, sound, and experience of real animals, fulfilling people's need for companionship and emotional comfort. Equipped with AI models, they understand human language and emotions, providing a life-like interaction experience.
Designed to provide companionship and emotional support, these pets are equipped with lifelike features such as realistic fur, interactive movements, and engaging behaviors. These AI bionic companions understand human emotions and can respond to voice commands, offering a truly immersive and responsive interaction. Equipped with AI models, they understand human language and emotions, providing a "life-like" smart interaction experience.
Particularly beneficial for children, seniors, and individuals with autism or Alzheimer's disease, these AI bionic companion robotic pets help reduce feelings of loneliness, alleviate anxiety, and promote mental well-being. In addition, their AI capabilities allow them to engage in dynamic, lifelike conversations, and even respond to emotional cues, fostering deeper connections with users. In family environments, these pets can serve as both educational and comforting companions, while in healthcare settings, they offer potential in emotional support and mental care. They represent a new frontier in human-robot interaction, where robotics not only enhance productivity but also improve emotional quality of life.
Elephant Robotics is not only showcasing its cutting-edge robotic products at CES 2025, but is also offering visitors the opportunity to participate in 3 exciting interactive activities.
Innovative Robotics Workshop: In this hands-on workshop, visitors will experience the power of graphical programming tools like myBlockly to control the 6 DOF collaborative robot arm, myCobot 280. By arranging code "blocks" in a fun and intuitive way, participants can easily bring their creative ideas to life. The workshop simplifies programming, allowing participants to enhance their practical skills and hands-on experience through direct interaction with various robotic products. This engaging environment encourages more people to explore the applications of robotic arms in everyday life.
Share & Win: Visitors can participate by sharing posts on social media platforms (Facebook, X, LinkedIn) with the hashtag #ElephantRobotics to win a free, limited-edition panda doll keychain. It's an easy and fun way to engage with the brand while standing a chance to win a unique souvenir!
Explore to Win – NVIDA and Partner Passport Program: As an official NVIDIA partner, Elephant Robotics is honored to be invited to participate in the Explore to Win event, part of the NVIDIA and Partner Passport Program at CES 2025. Visitors who scan the QR code at Elephant Robotics' booth (LVCC, North Hall – booth #8963) will be able to collect points and have a chance to win exciting prizes.
CES 2025 is an unparalleled platform for showcasing cutting-edge technology and fostering idea exchange. Participation in CES 2025 allows Elephant Robotics to showcase its latest robotic innovations and emphasize its mission to integrate AI and robotics into everyday life. It also offers opportunities to explore collaborations with international organizations and companies, fostering loyalty and trust among its customers. Visitors are encouraged to visit the company's booth at LVCC North Hall – booth 8963 to experience their innovative robotics technologies firsthand and discover how these innovations can transform everyday's life.
For more information, please visit: CES2025 - Elephant Robotics; or connect with them on social media:
X: https://twitter.com/CobotMy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycobotcreator
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elephantrobotics/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/elephantrobotics
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Elephant Robotics to Exhibit at CES 2025: Featuring Cutting-Edge Innovative Robotics Solutions and AI Bionic Robots Debut
