When you think about luxury travel, you might think of posh hotels with impeccable service and corporate venue spaces Singapore, or the latest in health and wellness. But these are not the only features that distinguish luxury travel from the average experience. Hotel concierges, health and wellness, and longer stays are also important for those in search of the ultimate travel experience. If you want to maximize your luxury travel experience, here are some trends to watch out for:
Experiences are the new status symbols in luxury travel
As more of us realize that experiences are the new status symbols of luxury, we are shifting our expectations accordingly. Instead of purchasing designer handbags or expensive hotels, we want to invest in personalised experiences. The wealthy have a new demand for luxury: experiences. Rather than merely buying a nice hotel, they are planning multi-million dollar trips that take them away from their daily grind and allow them to re-charge and reconnect with family. This trend is particularly evident when it comes to travel. In 2018, luxury travel agencies experienced an increase in demand for personalised experiences.
In a Harris Group study, millennials rated experiences over material things. And a recent Expedia survey found that 74 percent of Americans prefer experiences over material objects. This shift may be driven by the fact that we are constantly surrounded by objects. While material possessions are a part of our daily lives, experiences are our true identity. This trend will only continue to grow. And if the trend isn’t going away anytime soon, there’s no better time than now to take advantage of it.
Hotel concierges are a must-have for luxury travelers
When you stay at an opulent hotel, concierge services are an important part of the experience. They’ll help you with everything from lost luggage to recommendations for the best kid-friendly play areas. Concierges can also arrange a babysitter for your little one or make dinner reservations at a restaurant with outdoor seating. Not to mention, they’ll take care of everything else you need.
A concierge can arrange everything from special dinner reservations to tickets for exclusive events. They can even help arrange private tours or shopping sprees! And in today’s world, luxury travelers expect a concierge’s assistance with everything from booking tickets to arranging a trip. Concierges are like fairy godmothers for the hospitality industry – they’ll grant you every wish and make your stay as luxurious as possible.
Longer stays are a trend in luxury travel
Increasing numbers of travelers are opting for extended stays. These travelers do not want to travel across multiple borders. The trend in luxury travel for 2020 and beyond is longer stays. For instance, Italy is one of the most popular single destination trips in 2022, with bookings for longer tours rising 10% year over year. Other destinations with rising bookings include Portugal, Iceland, and the U.S. domestic market.
The luxury travel market is more divided than ever today. Today’s luxury travelers are segmented into three broad categories, based on their travel motivation, interests, and behavior. The first is the ultra-high-net-worth travelers, who seek the best of everything. The second group is the aspirational upscale travelers, who splurge on luxury travel for special occasions. Finally, there are the high-net-worth travelers who travel for business but don’t always travel on vacation.
Health and well-being are a big trend in luxury travel
The emergence of the pandemic has changed the world and the luxury travel market in a way never seen before. It has forced the travel industry to reinvent itself, embracing advanced health protocols and sharpening its wellbeing offerings. It has also changed the way travelers book and how they pay for luxury travel, creating an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent the travel experience. Luxury hotels are addressing these challenges with innovative concepts and new booking policies.
A recent study showed that 76 percent of consumers are willing to spend more on travel that promotes their wellbeing. Nearly half of these consumers would pay more for wellness activities on their next vacation. These results demonstrate the ubiquity of the belief that travel improves our mental health. While wellness is a global trend, consumers from different regions prioritize wellness activities differently. In many parts of the world, outdoor exploration has become a top priority. In Japan, meanwhile, cooking and traveling were considered a top priority among health conscious travelers.
Location of a hotel is a major factor in luxury travel
The location of a hotel is one of the most important aspects of luxury travel. Luxury travellers want to feel like they belong and they would rather spend more if they were treated to a personalized experience. Most travellers would pay more for products that are tailor-made to their tastes. To create this personal touch, hotels can send personalized information to their guests, ask them about their special needs and share tips for a great trip. Concierge services can also publish insider tips.
Luxury travellers want to experience new things and are also looking for hands-on activities. Luxury travellers also want the experience to be easy and seamless, so that their trip is hassle-free. Hotels can streamline the travel experience by creating apps and offering guests an easier way to check in. By offering these conveniences, hotels can attract more guests and increase their bottom line. In addition, some hotels even offer pre-check-in services via an app to simplify guest experiences.
Brands offering unique experiences are reaping the rewards
The four Seasons is a prime example of a luxury travel brand that provides unique experiences to their customers. It is ranked among the top five brands for the wealthiest 5% of travelers. Likewise, the Four Seasons is among the top three luxury hotels for the richest 1% of travelers. Creating memorable experiences is the essence of luxury travel, and this philosophy is paying off for all hoteliers.
While many travelers are looking for authentic experiences, luxury travelers want a company that offers these experiences while also sustaining its business model. Research has shown that two-thirds of the affluent 1% of US travellers participate in once-in-a-lifetime activities. They also like to have personal touches, including hands-on connections with hotel staff. High-tech options are also popular, and AI-powered butlers are just one of them.
