In a recent MediaPost article, Gary Leopold referenced two studies that could indicate future generations won’t share that love.

First, a study of 100K global teens by virtual world site Habbo concluded that today’s teens are far less inclined to want to travel or work overseas.

Then, a study commissioned by lastminutetravel.com said young people were spending more of their money on entertainment and technology than traveling the world. This, in turn, caused the UK’s Daily Telegraph to jump to say “perhaps worringly, a new generation will reject travel altogether in favor of gaming, social networking and ‘always on’ media.”

Telegraph, meet giant leap.

Still, would it surprise you if tomorrow’s adults liked to travel less?

This is a generation weaned online. They explore and connect virtually. It makes sense these experiences might supplant some of the need to travel.

Add to that the joys of travel today: Airports. Security. Global tensions. Not to mention, expense. And, let’s face it, you have to love travel to make it a priority.

Leopold offers the travel industry two pieces of advice. They’re good thoughts, whether you buy the doom-and-gloom or not.

Turn today’s youth into tomorrow’s travelers. In short, make them want it. To do that, you need to recognize what drives them is not the same as generations past.

Create ways to engage children (and help parents interact with their kids). Start a dialogue now that is going to make them want to pursue the wonders of the world beyond the screen.

Really, he’s saying, understand and engage the next generation.

Whether the studies cited point to anything or not, traveler marketers need to heed the advice. Turn on the news — terrorism, storms, oil, the economy. It doesn’t exactly breed a love of travel. If we hope tomorrow’s adults will have one, we might invest in helping grow it among our kids and youth today.

*RevPAR

I joined three others from my church and headed to Bajram Curri (BC) and Skhoder, Albania for nine days. It was quite an amazing trip, my first mission trip ever. We were able to build a playground area with a basketball goal, volleyball and tether ball sets for the underprivileged kids in the BC community and visit an orphanage in Skhoder. But most of the time was spent with the American missionary our church supports and the local pastors and church members in these two areas.

The country is beautiful but so run down. The mountain ranges were stunning but the mountainside gravel roads with hairpin turns and no guardrails were a little scary. The people we met were so gracious, so proud of their heritage and their faith. I was humbled and blessed to have met them and spent time with them. I hope we encouraged them as much as they encouraged and challenged us.

It was my first mission trip but it will not be my last.

In an effort to capitalize on the trend of staycations and daycations, the NH Division of Travel and Tourism created a campaign and contest geared toward residents, aptly titled, “I love it here.” And what better way to promote tourism in your state and stimulate the local economy than by engaging the people who love it the most?

The contest, “NH Dream Vacation Scavenger Hunt” which launched in May, encourages residents to visit their favorite attractions and outdoor activities throughout the state, and/or explore some new ones. To play, all you need is the “I love it here!” sign (pictured), a digital camera, access to the Internet, and an outing with a friend(s) to wherever in the state you love the most. Participants then upload their photos to NHdreamvacation.com where they are entered for a chance to win the grand prize, a dream vacation in New Hampshire.

Simple. Engaging. Fun. Three words perfect for consumers, and perfect for marketers. By the way, did I mention pretty cost-effective too?

The contest officially ends this weekend, but in a state with that much to see and do, and some of the proudest residents north of Texas, surely this campaign is just getting started.