friendly and with a hint of designer infusion are just some of the relevant touch points discussed at this year's 2008 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai - the industry's leading travel and tourism exhibition within the Middle East and pan- Arab region - that are top of mind with today's travelers when planning their next escape. These, along with other traveler preferences such as virtual tourism, adults-only resorts, and the attraction to destinations with unique political or religious environments encapsulate the emerging travel trends identified in the 2007 Country Brand Index (CBI), a comprehensive study of more than 2,600 international travelers conducted by FutureBrand, a leading global brand consultancy, in conjunction with public relations firm Weber Shandwick's Global Travel & Lifestyle Practice. CBI, now in its third year, examines how countries are branded and ranked according to key criteria and includes rankings and trends as well as travel motivations, challenges and opportunities within the worlds of travel, tourism and country branding. “An overarching travel trend this year is the idea of paradox and distinction,” said Rina Plapler, senior executive director, FutureBrand. “Now you can work with volunteer organizations such as Conscious Journeys on vacation in Tibet, participate in a carbon-offset program offered by companies such as Leading Hotels of the World, as well as ‘live' your favorite brand 24/7 by staying at designer hotels such as the Bvlgari Hotel in Milan or the upcoming Armani Hotel in Dubai. Travelers are continuing to look for new offerings, new attractions and new ways to enjoy more of everything. The UAE is ahead of the curve with this trend, as both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are already planning a breadth of tourist offerings across culture, sports, entertainment and shopping.” Emerging trends in travel and tourism identified in this year's Country Brand Index include: q Easier, faster, better : on the ground and in the air, companies are responding to travelers' desires for simplification and ease. With airports, companies such as Fly Clear allow travelers to pay registration and annual membership fees in return for expedited service through security lines. Some hospitality brands are also creating their own airport lounges as well as providing “flying kits” for customers to make the trip home more pleasant. q Voluntourism in demand: As a response to disaster aid, growing global village consciousness and a need to contribute to society in ways big and small, more travelers are planning their trips around humanitarian purposes. From building homes and teaching English to working at refugee camps and participating in animal conservation research, the menu of volunteer vacation options is growing. q Attraction of “other”: There is a growing interest in exploring cultures with unique political or religious environments. Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan all represent countries in transition. Rich histories meet political flux. Despite safety concerns, many seek to recreate and revisit famed cities of the past and at the same time witness modern defining moments of history. q Accountability grows in importance: Travelers are becoming more environmentally responsible and asking airlines and hotels to rally around the cause. The result is that consumers and pioneering travel brands are partnering to minimize their impact on the environment. Silverjet, with a mandatory carbon dioxide offset fee, became the first carbon neutral airline. Car rental companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis are adding more fuel-efficient cars to their fleets. __
