Bold Predictions for the Travel Industry in 2019
Photo Credit: A view of The Test Kitchen, a place on the first Virgin Voyages cruise ships where guests are treated by chefs to epicurean delights via plated meals. Skift predicts that in 2019 cruise ships may experiment with alternatives to the traditional buffet meal service. Virgin Voyages
Skift Take
Lately the improbable keeps happening. Exhibit A: Donald Trump. So we've ventured some bold forecasts on everything from cruise ship dining to the acquisition plans of Airbnb, Oyo, Microsoft, and Sabre. Chances are these things won't happen, but our editors thought this mental exercise may help prep readers to expect a surprising 2019.
Everyone likes a new year's forecast, but many experts play it safe by merely highlighting well-known trends. It seemed like every year after 2007 was called the "year of mobile," for instance.
Forecasters should be a bit more imaginative. After all, surprises happen. No one predicted that in 2018 lodging startup Oyo would raise a $1 billion funding round, Wynn Resorts would kick out its CEO Steve Wynn, and jet fuel prices would spike and then crash over a mere six months.
In that spirit, we came up with some stretch predictions for 2019. We think they're just plausible enough that they can't be dismissed entirely out of hand. Of course, we're not betting our own money on any of them happening. (To learn our serious forecasts, Skift Research subscribers can read "What Does 2019 Hold For Travel as Recession Anxieties Rise.") But we think that expecting the unexpected will be the key to a prosperous 2019.
The World Hits "Peak Cruise Buffet"
Cruise ship dining has made strides sin
