Need to Know
18 : 11 : 22

China –1413, a magazine playfully exploring modern Chinese culture, has published an issue debunking stereotypes on the country’s health and wellness practices.

The magazine, which was founded by creatives Zengli Shan and Wu Yijing (known as Lisa and Echo), has previously addressed a variety of topics, ranging from the societal meaning of the selfie in China to local fandom culture. The seventh issue tackles traditional Chinese medicine and wellness, with a personal and light-hearted approach that defines the magazine’s style.

The bilingual publication has taken two years to produce and is divided into three sections: Hot, Chi and Mind. It gives answers to some common questions, such as the benefits of drinking hot water or how Qi works. ‘The idea of Chinese wellness conjures traditional images of herbs, hot tea, big-brush calligraphy or an old guy with a long beard looking old,’ adds Echo. The result is an educational issue paying homage to tradition, with a strong visual identity and a humorous tone.

The modern Chinese consumer has many faces, and such initiatives help shed light on the intricacies of the country’s diverse cultural context.

US – Intelligence firm Morning Consult's latest research has revealed that the perception of travel brands as family-friendly is low.

When averaging responses across the most well-known brands measured in each sector, only 26% of US consumers strongly agreed that airlines are family-friendly. The story is slightly better for holiday rental brands and chain hotels, but only 31% and 36% said the same about them, respectively.

There are easy wins for brands to counter this perception, according to the report, including scrapping extra fees for booking airline seats as a group.

With tourism market research firm Longwoods International reporting that family travel accounts for up to 35% of all domestic travel in the US – and with travellers with children spending more than those travelling without – there are significant opportunities for brands in the sector to build stronger connections with families. Understanding what makes the experience easier is crucial, but so is refocusing on the need for family adventure and escape in turbulent times, as detailed in our Millennial Family Travel report.

Join our Food & Drink Futures online event, where we’ll be exploring the ever-changing meaning of nourishment in turbulent times, and discover the cultural rituals, flavour profiles and bio-hacks that are set to propel the food and drink market in unexpected directions over the coming decade.

The desire to eat and drink is a constant human need in a world in which change is inevitable. But food and drink are being redefined by global citizens who are pushing for positive impact on people, planet and profit. In 2022, we’ll take a closer look at how future-fit food systems and new technologies will transform the sector. As consumers continue to re-align their social beliefs to fit their dietary requirements, brands will need to respond, refocusing on niche communities, ingredients and experiences. Join us to uncover the next frontier for food and drink. You can buy tickets for just £80, or join The Future Laboratory Community and get inside access to our full programme of online events in 2022.