Spring Meet’s Friday General Session takes members through Boom, Bust & Echo

March 28, 2003

Spring Meet’s Friday General Session takes members through Boom, Bust & Echo
Dr. David Foot, Professor of Economics at the University of Toronto and noted author of Boom, Bust & Echo, enlightened Spring Meet delegates during Friday’s General Session on shifting world demographics and the implications for the travel industry.

Focusing on the aging of the massive boomer population and the entrance of their children, the echo generation, into the marketplace, Foot showed that the way business is conducted must change and how NTA tour operators can prepare for the change now. "As the boomers head into their 50s, their children are heading into their 20s," Foot said. "These are two very distinct, different markets."

Foot broke down future traveling markets not only by generation, but also by region and emphasized that success lies in taking both into consideration. "Are you marketing your product regionally, as well as generationally?" he asked.

The General Session was immediately followed by an in-depth breakout session dedicated to what these shifting demographics mean to the tourism industry.

Click here to view full coverage of the 2003 Tour Operator Spring Meet.