Top travel stories of tomorrow

Last year’s top travel stories included ash clouds, an oil spill, snow storms, airline pat-downs and fees. And bedbugs. Who would or could have predicted those events would be the most notable of last year?
 

There will undoubtedly be some surprises in 2011 as well but instead of looking back, we should be able to anticipate what some of the top stories will be this year.
 

Events and anniversaries will be big travel events.
 

—New York City is already the US’s No. 1 tourist destination but business will be even brisker with the decade-long anniversary of 9-11. So will the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, which will have a major impact on many southern cities all across the US. Battlefields will be big.
 

—Spring break is always a big story and observers will be watching to see whether college students head back to the beaches of the Florida Panhandle in the wake of last year’s major oil spill. Mardi Gras will be a bigger story than ever for this age group because New Orleans is targeting 18-35 visitors. Drug violence may fade the allure of Mexico but Vegas may take up the slack for younger break visitors.
 

—Airline stories will certainly bring some surprises but higher fares and more fees will also certainly be a part of their most momentous moments this year. Could there be record prices that might be among notable stories this year?
 

—In Hawaii, Disney’s Aulani resort will open in August just outside Honolulu. Travel observers will be watching to see how Disney does in its first entry into the Hawaiin market that also is the first resort not connected to a cruise or resort attraction.
 

—The shipbuilding splurge of the early part of the past decade is starting to slow, but there are still three monster-sized ships debuting this year: Celebrity Silhouette, Carnival Magic and Disney Dream. Cruise lines and agents will hope travelers will embrace the bigger-is-better trend.
 

—Europe’s weak economy should lead to record numbers of bargain deals, making it among the most popular destinations for North Americans. Economically-strapped Greece, Spain and Ireland will have notable deals.
 

—In the Baltic Sea: Tallinn, Estonia, and Turku, Finland, are the 2011 European Capitals of Culture, as designated by the European Union. Each city will host a series of concerts, art exhibitions and museum showcases throughout the year.
 

—There may or may not be new airplanes for flyers. The delivery date of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been pushed back so All Nippon Airways will get the planes next summer.
 

—Alaskan travel has been buffeted by higher costs and more cruise fees but Sarah Palin’s Alaskan television show should revive some of that state’s fading popularity.
 

—The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shows no signs of softening or backing off from its new rules that created some outrage among passengers so this year may be a turning point as more airports turn to private security providers.
 

—Thousands of US boomers will be celebrating their 65th birthday this year. The likely spurt in travel demand they will create could be a top story this year.
 

As for any other travel predictions: only one thing is certain about 2011 — expect the unexpected.
 

By David Wilkening