By Jim Hofman and Laura A. Hofman

As we move into the 2010’s, more and more unique travel niches will continue to gain popularity. The recent trend of eco tourism is booming as people continue to seek local, specialized products. Wine trails in America are growing with the trend, and here’s what we see happening through this decade…

Wine Trails Defined

Interest in wine has never been higher, as more people discover the social and even health benefits of this classic beverage. And wine making, once a regional activity limited to places like California, Washington, and upstate New York, is now part of the national fabric.

All fifty states have at least one winery, with new vineyards and wineries opening every month. Just about every state has a certain geographic area that is conducive to growing grapes, and if grapes thrive, wineries are sure to follow.

In most states, you’ll find a cluster of wineries located a few miles apart. Often, they band together for promotional and marketing purposes and form a wine trail. This makes visitors to the area aware of several wine choices and allows them to experience several wineries in a day or two.

These trails are usually designated by the individual state, which brings some promotional benefits. Highway signage, tourism dollars, and marketing efforts are just a few.

The Growth Of Wine Trails

As little as ten to fifteen years ago, wine trails were rare. You could find them in traditional grape growing areas like the Finger Lakes region of New York and parts of California, for example.

Now, there are more states with wine trails than those without. Many are located in states the general public would not associate with wineries, like North Dakota, Connecticut, Arizona, Colorado, and Nebraska.

These states, and many others, recognize the value of eco tourism. In fact, in some states a cooperative cross promotional effort is underway. Other businesses, like bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and regional tourist attractions, recognize the value of officially designated trails. The trails attract visitors, and everyone can benefit.

There are now over 110 official wine trails in America, and many more that aren’t officially designated.

Future Direction And Trends

We expect the trend in establishing wine trails to grow in this decade. With an increased emphasis on local travel and eco tourism, wine travel is big business. State tourism bureaus recognize the economic impact and we continue to notice more states promoting their wine culture and regions.

There are a few roadblocks to the growth, though. While most winery owners are forward thinking, others are protective of their interests. When several wineries are clustered together, wineries need to recognize visitors will almost always visit two, three, or more. What is good for one is good for the other. Cooperation and cross promotion rule the day, and savvy owners are coming to this realization.

The second obstacle is the nature of running a winery. It is expensive and labor intensive, and monitored closely by several state and federal agencies. Often it takes several years to see a profit. This is all the more reason for creating wine trails, since a group of wineries is more likely to attract visitors versus just one.

Summary

With over 110 wine trails and growing, there are ample wine travel options here in the United States. People are beginning to explore and embrace non traditional wine regions as well as the established areas.

We expect the growth of these trails to continue, although there are obstacles which need to be overcome. The popularity of eco tourism is a positive factor, as is the ever growing interest in wine. Watch for more trails to be introduced or officially designated in the next two to three years.

Jim and Laura Hofman have visited over 40 wine trails across the United States in the last seven years. They have developed the internet’s primary information source about wine trails and share their travel experiences in their online magazine. Learn more about America’s wine trails by visiting: http://www.winetrailsusa.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Hofman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wine-Trails—Wine-Travel-Trends-in-2010-and-Beyond&id=3834919

Tags: All Fifty States, Classic Beverage, Finger Lakes, Finger Lakes Region, growing grapes, Hofman, Marketing Efforts, National Fabric, New Vineyards, Niches, Regional Activity, Specialized Products, Tourism Dollars, Travel Trends, Unique Travel, Wine Choices, Wine Trail, Wine Trails, Wine Travel, wineries

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