Expert Insights on the Evolution of Exclusive Vacation Experiences
Life as we knew it due to the global COVID-19 pandemic has sent the world spinning like never before, and with the situation still uncertain, it's hard to predict what the future holds. But fret not, travel aficionados! Our seasoned experts have shattered some light on the state of luxury travel post-apocalypse. Here's what you can expect:
Robo chauffeurs, remote lodges, health-focused service, and private villas - these buzzwords and more will dominate the luxury travel scene.
Andrew Forbes, TLE editor, predicts that wellness will escalate rapidly across the luxury sector, with properties integrating wellness services into every aspect of their guest experience – they'll be going above and beyond the standard spa offerings. Multi-generational travel will also increase, as families prefer the comfort and security of private villas for their getaways.
Jenny Southan, founder of Globetrender, neatly summarized it: "Luxury travellers will be the first demographic to start traveling again, albeit with an 'isolationist' mindset." They'll choose private jets, private villas, and yachts over packed public transportation, and remote, nature-based locales over crowded cities and resorts. In the long run, "Health will be the new wealth," resulting in higher demand for personalized wellness vacations and longevity spas.
James Bell, managing director of The Turquoise Holiday Company, shares his optimism: "People will travel again. It won't be a clear-cut transition... but hotels & resorts which have a high number of staff per guest will be able to offer extraordinary levels of cleanliness and cleanliness will be vital." Destinations with lower guest volumes, like Maldivian Islands, will be the first to reopen, as they already offer in-house medical care.
John Dopéré, general manager of Samujana, anticipates an uptick in multi-generational travel and an increased focus on health and wellness at their resort, which already offers a range of wellness programs and fitness retreats.
Jules Perowne, founder and CEO of Perowne International, is hopeful that the industry will shift towards authentic, smaller, locally-owned properties, as luxury travelers seek genuine experiences and fewer tourists.
In Norway, Knut Flakk sees a rise in domestic travel, with a preference for uncrowded, picturesque destinations that offer a minimal risk to travelers.
Paul Robinson, COO of Bawah Reserve, is optimistic about a return to travel, starting in September, with a focus on health-conscious amenities.
Keep an eye on these trends and be ready to #TravelFarther for that unforgettable adventure, and remember: safety will be the number one priority in the near future!
For more insights, dive into TLE's own views on the redefined landscape of luxury travel in our recently published article. Want to stay updated on the latest trends? Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to recieve reports on the "Future of Travel in the Age of Coronavirus."
(Sources: 1 – [Burke, D., 2020], 2 – [Seneviratne, D., 2020], 3 – [CNN Travel, 2020], 4 – [Trends for Wellness Travel Post-COVID-19, 2020], 5 – [Defeo, R., 2020])
Adventure-travel enthusiasts may find solace in the growing focus on remote, nature-based locales, as luxury travelers prefer these destinations over crowded cities and resorts for their post-pandemic travels. Additionally, luxury travelers seeking personalized wellness vacations can anticipate increased availability of longevity spas and health-focused services integrated into every aspect of the guest experience.
