PIVOT: What's New with The Last Mermaid
Ok, now that you know why I’ve been MIA let’s get into the new direction for the Thought Pieces and The Last Mermaid in general. As you know already - since you’re already here - The Last Mermaid is home to all things fitness and feting. However, after doing my very first Trinidad Carnival review I realized there was a major part of The Last Mermaid that was missing - TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION.
I, THE Last Mermaid (LOL) work within the technology space focused heavily on digital and emerging technology, experience design, innovation and product management. Because of this, I have a unique perspective (and some expertise) on how technology and innovation are impacting the world at large but I’m going to use this forum to focus on the fitness and culture industries. Revolution in the fitness industry has been ongoing for a while, but if COVID-19 has taught you nothing else you need to acknowledge that the culture and tourism industries are primed for innovation and cultural revolution - and yes feting and carnival fall under the culture industry FIGHT ME.
I’ve already spoken on The Business of Carnival; if you haven’t read it yet check it out here and yes carnival is a business. I know this opinion upsets a lot of people but if there’s one thing that corona had to teach you is that Carnival, like every other amusement event or entity is also a business and was impacted similarly. Recognizing the need for reverence across all cultural and religious events, affairs and traditions does not change the fact that they are businesses. That being said, if you’d like to have a separate but related conversation about the issues surrounding capitalism and its impacts on culture then we can have that discussion. Understanding all of that, there is tremendous potential for the future of Caribbean Culture especially in a AD (after disease) world, where more people will want to get out, explore new places, and have new experiences.
According to Statista as of March 21 2020, the Global Travel & Tourism industry is valued at 9.25 trillion USD with 4.715 billion USD being spent in 2019 (link). While we recognize those numbers have been severely impacted by the global pandemic that we have no choice but to keep talking about, it is still a considerably large industry. Similarly, Well To Do reported the Global Wellness Industry being 4.25 trillion with $828 billion being attributed to the Physical Activity Market (link). So, with so much capital involved in these two major industries how are companies working to satisfy patrons' needs in the digital era? The answer is simple - innovation and technology. Therefore, similar to my Trinidad Carnival piece that reviewed and referenced the new mobile app by Tribe Carnival, I will be focusing more heavily on industry leaders that are revolutionizing these industries. For example, we have all been attending many a virtual fete inna da quarantine, working out in our homes via conference calls or IG live and relying even more heavily on technology to lead what is now considered a “normal” life.
I’ll be on the lookout from here on out to see who are the true mover and shakers of the Caribbean and beyond. Working to revolutionize and modernize the fitness and Caribbean culture experience including carnival in the digital era in order to make the joy that we all share on the road accessible to all! I’ll also be doing more company, product, and book reviews along the way. I have my own ideas about what should happen next, but you’ll all just have to wait and see. If you’re doing something that deserves amplification LET ME KNOW jae@shoplastmermaid.com.
XOXO