Onsite: WTM Identifies New Trend

LONDON--"Debaucherism" is one of the trends outlined in the World Travel Market Global Trends Report 2007, released in conjunction with the market intelligence firm Euromonitor International. The study was released at World Travel Market, held in London this week. The idea of "debaucherism," or debauchery tourism, is to follow in the footsteps of tabloid celebrities by traveling to experience wild parties, says the report.

Destinations likely to benefit from this "work hard, play hard" mentality are Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Vietnam, Macau and Dubai.

The Caribbean and the U.S. already are benefiting from the trend, the report found. Las Vegas, with its "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" mantra, has reaped profits from the demographic that ties into this pattern: 25- to 34-year-olds who are waiting longer to get married. As earners of 17 percent of the United States' gross income, these potential clients have more time to enjoy their last flings before getting hitched.

But that's not to suggest forgetting about clients after they turn 35. "Even as travellers age they will continue to embrace travel as an opportunity to revisit their 'hedonistic' youth and spend lavishly, enjoying their leisure time to a full," says Clement Wong, Euromonitor's global travel and tourism research manager. (RT)