Luxury Travel is a type of holiday that provides 5-star accommodations and other services to the wealthy. These holidays can include everything from limos and private jet planes to special menus and private island rentals. This market is expected to grow strongly in the future due to the strong economy and rising income trends. However, the industry has many challenges that must be overcome in order to thrive.
One key challenge is that affluent consumers are demanding value in their travel experiences. “They’re looking for a real ‘wow factor,'” says Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of boutique luxury line Azamara Cruises. This means they want the kind of trip that cannot be found in a guidebook, like a Caravaggio-inspired one-on-one painting class with an instructor in Rome or an exclusive dinner experience at a chef’s private restaurant in Buenos Aires.
The other big trend is a growing number of luxury travelers are interested in exploring the traditions and cultures of their destination cities and countries. These consumers are particularly keen on cultural heritage, performance arts and storytelling. They also prefer luxury products that showcase traditional and local techniques and skills.
Increasingly, luxury travellers are interested in unique and authentic experiences that give them stories worth sharing, as well as help them to define their personal style and set themselves apart from the crowd. As a result, they are turning away from packaged tours and embracing more customized and co-created trips.