A bevy of mommy bloggers were whisked off to the Bahamas last weekend, flights courtesy of Jetblue, to soak in the sunshine and preview the new children’s LEGO Camp at Atlantis, all expenses and accommodations free.
As more companies and brands try to create buzz in the blogosphere, Moms who write blogs have been spearheading their word of mouth marketing efforts. The incentives and perks that publicity firms and marketers dole out to garner support from this highly desirable consumer segment are effective, until you consider the missed opportunity costs of the singles segment.
Yup that’s right: Today’s singles make up more than 62 percent of the travel market, yet continue to be overlooked by the flailing hospitality industry. And many of the popular single bloggers, like Single Gal in the City and Funky Brown Chic, have plenty of followers who are searching for single-friendly retreats.
This huge oversight was recently explained by Glenn Glassman Editor-in-Chief of Hotel Interactive when he wrote, “the biggest culprit that’s causing the problem is a massive lack of creativity out there.” Age old misconceptions also play a role as many still believe that unmarried individuals cannot afford or have no desire to travel alone, or that they are a disruptive bunch. Thankfully Glassman contests such hasty generalizations by posing hard questions and proffering sensible ideas: “How about a Valentine’s Day package that appeals to single folks? Maybe you can create a singles weekend at your hotel. Or how about a girlfriend getaway that gets the ladies’ minds off not having a relationship?”
While finding travel deals and special packages for solos may be difficult at this time of year, they do exist. Here is a shout out to the bold few who were brave enough to promote a single-friendly incentive this February:
1. Share the Love Singles Snowshoe Tour, Squaw Valley, California
This Valentine’s Day men and women can share the love and have a blast in the snow with other lucky singles. Guests enjoy a starry Cable Car ride up to High Camp, where they will embark on a snowshoe tour around Squaw Valley’s upper elevation. Following the event, guests can mix and mingle over tasty hors d’oeuvres and drinks in an inviting mountaintop setting.
