Visit Carlsbad, in partnership with the Pantone Color Institute and quantitative influencer marketing platform Fohr, has unveiled the results of the 2019 Colors of Travel Study, which identifies trending colors used in inspirational travel photos across social media and the color psychology that inform these themes.
The study revealed this year’s trending Colors of Travel:
Pantone 16-1522 Rose Dawn
Pantone 15-4323 Ethereal Blue
Inherently connected to a clear and cloudless blue sky, Ethereal Blue conjures up visions of endless opportunities for
Pantone 19-4535 Ocean Depths
Pantone 16-0948 Harvest Gold
Emblematic of autumn’s yellow florals, spectacular sunsets and idyllic sandy beaches, Harvest Gold is a primitive shade that connects us with the passing of the seasons and the beauty and splendor found within the habitat of our natural world. Savory and spicy, a golden yellow striking in appearance, Harvest Gold is equally suggestive of exotic culinary surprises. Illuminating without overly heating, we bask in the glow of this warmly lit solarized shade. “A rich autumnal golden shade, Pantone 16-0948 Harvest Gold brings to mind the richness of our natural world as the seasons turn, temptingly exotic culinary delights and the spirit of heritage,” said Pressman.
“From the open and expansive blue sky that conjures up endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and the soothing deep teal lagoon waters, to the savory and spicy golden yellow suggestive of exotic culinary surprises, and warming rose tone of the wondrous sunrise, this year’s colors highlighted in the 2019 Colors of Travel Study bring to life the unique beauty of Carlsbad’s natural surroundings and wellness-oriented lifestyle,” she said. “Calming and comforting, yet at the same time inspiring our imagination and containing a touch of the exotic, it’s a palette of color that expresses our desire to engage, connect, and experience—not only with nature and with others, but also with ourselves.”
To create the 2019 Colors of Travel study, Fohr selected 75 influencers with an Instagram following of 50,000 or greater and their five most engaged Instagram photos. These images were analyzed to determine the four most common colors.
“Color has always been a part of why we travel,” said Grace Murray, VP, Fohr. “The desire to ‘see’ a new place is rooted in a mental image we’ve already conjured: We are drawn to land and cityscapes that look drastically different to our own. Instagram’s influence over people’s travel decisions is incredibly dominant. Using a quantitative analysis approach, we discovered that the current trending, appealing and engaging hues in inspiration travel photos are much more grounded, calming and muted compared to the vibrant hues from a similar study last year.”
Informed by the 2019 Colors of Travel study, Visit Carlsbad and Pantone developed the second annual Colors of Carlsbad palette to showcase how these individual trending colors come to life to form a cohesive palette in Carlsbad, CA. Distinct from last year’s results, 2019’s palette reflects grounded, earthy and calming hues that are emblematic of Carlsbad’s deep-rooted dedication to wellness, serene outdoor sights, recreational opportunities, and wholesome approach to culinary creativity. This year’s primary hues can be discovered all throughout the “Village by the Sea” from its warming rose sunrises and airy expansive blue skies, to its soothing green-blue lagoon waters and golden yellow florals and culinary experiences.