2007 Travel Goods Show Trends

Here’s a quick overview of the latest trends in products from this year’s Travel Goods Show in Las Vegas.

Color Goes Mainstream

Although the use of bolder colors has been slowly increasing in travel goods for several years, this year color went mainstream – almost every manufacturer has a line with new and vibrant prints and colors, and in all categories -- business cases, handbags, luggage, backpacks, wallets, and travel accessories. This merger of utility and fashion will continue to grow as consumers purchase different kinds of luggage for the different kinds of travel they do, mixing and matching styles to create their own “wardrobe” of travel products.

Doing Business in Style

Many new items appeal to consumers who want functional bags and cases that carry all the essentials, and also enhance their sense of personal style. Whether bold or subtle, all of these products make a statement about the individual who chooses them.

There’s a demand for luggage that fits most popular laptops but doesn’t advertise the fact that you are toting a computer. Men’s bags include messenger styles and briefcases, while women’s bags include leather totes, briefs and slim, quilted bags.

Many of these bags have an upscale feel and appearance, marrying the traditional look with today’s electronic lifestyle by also including protective carriers for PDAs, MP3 players, cell phones and the like. Other bags and cases cater to the more casual business environments where polos and khakis are everyday business attire.

Laptop screens continue to get bigger, a reality that’s reflected in several laptop carriers that accommodate up to 17" laptops. Their corporate-chic styling looks right in a boardroom, and can also pass muster as an oversize handbag. And laptop jackets now have a streamlined shape that lets them turn almost any bag into a computer tote.


Family Values

Women make up more than half the work force and, by some estimates, they make more than 80% of shopping purchases. So it’s no surprise that they’re being targeted by savvy travel goods designers. There’s also a growing emphasis on family, and travel goods makers are paying attention to every member of the traveling household.

In a move that speaks directly to today’s music-loving teens and collegians, new laptop-compatible daypacks accommodate iPods, and let users have remote access to their tunes without having to shed their packs or even physically touch their players.

Children are a sometimes overlooked demographic that is getting more attention lately. Suitcases built specifically for children come in all sizes, colors and prints, and new lines of accessory sets for traveling with infants accommodate changing mats, blankets and seatbelt protectors in order to smooth some of the bumps that come up when traveling with a baby.

And just in case you want to make sure you don’t leave any members of the family out when you travel, carrying cases for bringing small pets on board are available to keep them safe and contained on the road and in the air.


Keep It Light

Light weight is hardly a new trend, but modern materials and construction methods let manufacturers cut down on weight. The use of new materials that are both lightweight and durable, such as ballistic nylon, polycarbonates and graphite, help reduce the weight of luggage substantially.

Considering that more airlines are charging customers for additional weight over a pre-set maximum, the lightweight luggage category should continue to grow.


Comfort and Safety

Comfort is key when it comes to a positive travel experience. So it’s no wonder the standout innovations in travel goods continue to emphasize comfort and convenience. Whether it’s for business, fun or a little of both, travelers in the modern age want to be comfortable. As NBC travel editor Peter Greenberg said in his address at this year’s All-Industry Awards Breakfast, “people do not change their lifestyle when they change their location.”

Adventure vacations are increasingly popular. Many travelers, while wishing to “rough it,” would like to have at least the basic amenities like clean and safe drinking water. Battery-powered equipment is available that uses intense UV light to sterilize drinking water, increasing traveler safety by killing such microbes as giardia, salmonella, E. coli, hepatitis, influenza and poliovirus. Personal air filters, airline seat covers and other “germ barriers” are also becoming more popular.

Peace of mind comes from taking safety precautions ahead of time so you can relax later. Backpacks and totes with stainless steel mesh laminated into the fabric provide cut-resistant security. And we’re beginning to see “tracking systems” installed in bags to be used if they are lost or stolen.

Four wheeled luggage continues to become more popular, making it easier to maneuver luggage through the airport and down airplane aisles. Better quality wheels and handles provide more comfort for users, and duffel bags and totes are also appearing with wheels and handles so they can be rolled as well as carried.



To sum it all up:

Luggage

  • New materials for lighter weight and more durability
  • Four wheels for greater maneuverability
  • Laptop compartments in backpacks, briefcases and totes
  • Lots of bright colors and patterns

Electronics

  • Dedicated pockets for cell phones, digital music players and other electronics in all types of luggage
  • Portable audio continuing to saturate and influence the travel market
  • On-the-go video getting more compact

Comfort and Health

  • Personal air filters, seat covers and other “germ barriers”

Kids and Pets Travel, Too!

  • Fancier and more portable pet carriers, and accommodations for small children and infants in backpacks, daypacks, and strollers that double as car seats




The Travel Goods Association (TGA) is the national organization that represents the travel goods industry.  Its members include the manufacturers, distributors, retailers, promoters, sales representatives and suppliers of luggage and other products for people who travel.

TGA is also the sponsor of The Travel Goods Show, the largest annual exhibition of finished travel and leather goods in the world, where approximately 40,000 products from over 250 leading companies are on display for 5,000+ attendees every year.

# # # # #