Splurge-worthy trips to jump start your travels
After more than two years relegated to mainly local travel (or none at all), many well-to-do travelers are planning to make up for lost time with a vengeance.
That was one of the findings of a recent survey conducted by the International Luxury Travel Market in collaboration with affluent research specialist Altiant.
The poll found that almost half of the high net worth respondents spread across the Asia-Pacific region planned on spending more on holidays compared to pre-COVID trips.
Another emerging theme was the desire to “travel better”.
Instead of whistle-stop travel, or jumping from one destination to another, luxury travelers plan on flying less and staying longer. Companies like Explora Journeys are creating experiences that combine all the comforts (and the feeling of security) of home with opportunities to explore. The company plans on launching its first of six ships in May 2023, with luxurious ocean front “Homes at Sea” featuring private terraces complete with daybeds and an outdoor dining area while sailing to 138 ports in 40 countries in its first year.
Another trend is opting for more sustainable travel, a result of seeing how a significant reduction in tourism during the pandemic helped lessen the burden on the environment. Mindful travelers are considering where to spend their money in a way that will help make a difference. For instance, travelers booking a room at member rates at properties of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, can feel good knowing that two trees will be planted for every night’s stay through TreeSisters, a non-profit organization whose goal is planting 1 billion trees annually. Individual properties are also funneling profits back into the environment, like Ol Jogi, a 58,000-acre Wildlife Conservancy just north of Nairobi, Kenya. Visitors staying at the luxe 11-room lodge can enjoy meals made from organic produce and take game drives to spot the Big 5 including 110 or so resident rhinos, all the while knowing their money is funding conservation and community projects.
Unsurprisingly, wellness looks to remain a key driver in travel planning with many looking to de-stress and recuperate from the pandemic while focusing on a healthier lifestyle. At Kamalaya on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, visitors can book multi-day programs for detox, stress and burnout, emotional balance, and even sleep enhancement, all just steps from an idyllic lagoon and white sand beaches.
