Luxury Travel Insights and Trends

GIRL IN POOLLuxury Travel—Insights and TrendsBy Lydia GregoryLuxury travelers are increasingly seeking unique, immersive experiences over traditional opulence, and this shift is reshaping how advisors curate high-end itineraries. As Michael Johnson, President of Ensemble, notes: “We’ve got to realize that people aren’t one size fits all. There’s no one definition of luxury. And just because somebody isn’t booking luxury on Trip A doesn’t mean they’re not booking luxury on Trip B.” GLAMPIINGThe Luxury of Customization & FamilyRecommend recently caught up with Johnson to talk about what’s new in luxury travel during the consortium’s Horizon event, a 4-day conference that brought together nearly 800 travel professionals in Las Vegas’ ResortsWorld. “What’s interesting about luxury is that it’s so personal. The example that I use is, I’ve got young kids and I’m never going to put them in the front of the aircraft because a lie-flat seat is wasted on my 7-year-old. But when we land, we absolutely have a private guide. We have a private transfer and everything is choreographed. And to us, that’s luxury because we’re not wasting time. It’s seamless. To someone else, well, the front of the aircraft may be very, very important. It all depends on the individual.” Johnson also reiterated that luxury travel is, indeed, on the rise. “We’re up double digits in luxury, which is very exciting—and a lot of it is expedition cruise. [Additionally], DMCs are such a perfect way to build luxury right into your itinerary. It’s custom, it’s personalized. And that is often what the luxury client wants. They don’t want to be in a group with 13 other people.” QUOTE What’s also on Ensemble’s radar? “We see a lot of skip-gen happening…and these are also luxury customers that may be interested in a luxury experience with their grandchildren.” Brigette Oestreich, of Goldrush Getaways, concurs: “My biggest client books 2- and 3-bedrooms [on] cruise ships, because it’s all about the family experience. The Christmas present doesn’t exist anymore, it’s all about travel. It’s more about turning people on to the experience and the memory, not about the material item anymore.”The Luxury of AuthenticityFor Diana Hechler of D. Tours Travel it’s also all about having insider knowledge—and authenticity. “Everybody talks about authenticity. That’s important, but the authenticity comes from interacting with local things. “Everywhere you go, you need to be adding value to the equation. I go to ILTM in Cannes every year, and I am always asking both DMCs and hotels to tell me something I don’t know. That’s my question. Tell me something I don’t know. And they might say, ‘Oh, we have this wonderful cooking class, or we have yoga on the roof.’ALASKA “I’m like, no, I’m way beyond the cooking class. Tell me something I don’t know. And some of the hotels get it, and some of them just don’t. Well, we can provide a tour of the Vatican. You have a lovely hotel, rooms are nice, but you’re not going to do it for me. “You want to be able to know that I.D.I. Travel, which is in Italy, can get you in early in the morning because Filippo has the key to the Sistine Chapel.” To that point, Amanda Pilar of EXO Travel shared during the Horizons event a story about one of their tours. “We have a very popular experience in Japan called Tea Ceremony and Zen Temple Walk. It’s with a tea master, and it’s more about the cultural exchange. So, they talk with the tea master about life as a priest, how to incorporate Zen through their daily lives. And it’s more about the philosophy.” “I want them to change their name of the tour now because it actually doesn’t have anything to do with—well, it does—but it’s not just about watching someone pour tea. It’s about the authenticity and the cultural exchange more than actually watching someone pour tea. So, I found that very interesting because it’s literally only about the storytelling part of it, not the actual tangible part of it.”THE VAULTThe Luxury of Slow Travel & SustainabilityAnd in this fast-paced world where just about everything is disposable, slow travel and sustainability keep rising to the top of the trends. “Slow travel is expected to peak, with travelers spending more time in one location to immerse themselves in local culture and enjoy luxury experiences tailored to their preferences,” says Mark Benson, Associate VP of Sales & Strategy for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. “Slow travel not only enhances luxury but also supports sustainability by reducing frequent travel, prioritizing quality over quantity and fostering authentic connections with the local way of life.”BEACH DINNER “In the luxury market, I think that people will be very concerned about responsible travel,” adds Barry Collymore, Owner of Grenada’s Mount Cinnamon boutique property. “Traveling to places where they can make a difference. It’s less about being seen, so the overcrowded traditional hot spots will give way to off the beaten path, responsible destinations like Grenada, which have developed in a responsible way with no high rises, limited cruise ships, sustainably focused hospitality businesses. These luxury travelers are more discerning with where they go, not following the crowd but setting the trend.” Adds Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, Palladium Hotel Group’s VP of Sales and Marketing for the Americas, “As we look towards 2025, we’re seeing a shift towards hyper-personalization, wellness-focused retreats and sustainable travel. Guests are seeking more bespoke services and immersive experiences that allow them to connect deeper with the destination.”

COVERPALLADIUM SPREADTable of ContentsSANDALSSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesEDU HOUSE ADLuxury Travel Insights and TrendsMGM RESORTSMGM RESORTS SCSEABOURN SCSEABOURNCustom Content: Living the Luxe Life, Vancouver-StyleALASKA RAILROAD SCCruise: These are the Cruise Itineraries to Book for Luxe ClientsSilversea: Immersive ExperiencesAMA WATERWAYS SCAMA WATERWAYSATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES SCATLAS OCEAN VOYAGESEXPLORA JOURNEYS SCEXPLORA JOURNEYSOCEANIA SCOCEANIA CRUISESPRINCESS CRUISES SCPRINCESS CRUISESST. LAWRENCE CRUISE LINES SCST. LAWRENCE CRUISESSCENIC CRUISES SCSCENIC CRUISESOnboard Review: Exploring Coastal Maine on American EagleOnboard Review: Explora II—Luxury Line Expands and ExcelsOnboard Review: Regent Seven Seas Explorer—All-Inclusive Elegance at SeaOnboard Review: The Viking Mississippi—Adventures on Tom Sawyer’s RiverMexico/Caribbean: Exclusive Escapes—Fresh High-End Experiences in Mexico and the CaribbeanOnsite Review: Spotlight on the Brand-new AVA Resort CancunTURKISH AIRLINES