Interactive Gourmet Escapes
As luxury travellers increasingly explore a destination through its food and drink, they want to connect with the people who produce it, says Penny Rafferty, head of sustainability at Tourism Australia and executive chair, Luxury Lodges of Australia. Regent Taste Studio at IHG Hotels & Resorts is one such example.
“Created by our chefs along with artists, designers and tastemakers, it is an ode to the multidisciplinary approach, letting the best artisans sublime their respective crafts by inspiring each other and our guests,” says Tom Rowntree, global vice president of luxury brands at the hospitality giant.
Rarer Access
Luxury travel now emphasises exceptional experiences over expensive items. As an example, Nicole Robinson, chief marketing officer at andBeyond, a luxury experiential travel company that customises exclusive safaris and tours, says, “Travellers are looking beyond traditional safari excursions to learn what conservation means.” The company offers small groups tours to South America hosted by conservation champions. Guests learn about pioneering wildlife conservation projects protecting jaguars and pumas.
Rafferty concurs, “Travellers no longer want to admire art from afar. They seek genuine human connections leading to an irreplaceable experience.” She suggests the Dinner with David experience at MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) in Tasmania hosted by owner and collector David Walsh. Visitors ride a private jet from the mainland, stay in luxurious riverfront pavilions, and embark on guided tours of MONA and Moorilla, its winery.
Places like Antarctica are also rising in popularity, says Mike Harlow, general manager of Scott Dunn. Guests who head to White Desert Echo Camp sleep in one of six futuristic heated pods with floor-to-ceiling windows and embark on adventures ranging from ice climbing to visiting a 28,000 Emperor Penguin colony.
Mind, Body, Spirit
Staying mentally healthy and learning new skills are also key components of travel agendas. Robinson says there has been a “shift from wellness escapes and programmes to prescribing nature and incorporating holistic wellness into the entire experience”.
In response, andBeyond has created an 11-day itinerary focused on integrative wellness and spiritual health in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. At Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima in Japan, a secluded retreat set between mountains, cedar forests and the sea, visitors enjoy activities like forest bathing, and receive diet advice and excellent massages. At Longitude 131 in Australia’s Northern Territory, guests learn about Aboriginal dot painting and the symbols and styles used by local Anangu women artists.
Sustainability In All Aspects
As accommodations become more sustainable, they are also becoming more popular. A good example is Desa Hay Bali. Opened this March, the solar-powered resort is pro zero-waste and recycling, and supports the building of community wells and an orphanage. Western Australia’s eco-friendly tented camp Sal Salis blends into its natural surroundings in Cape Range National Park. Almost all of the camp’s power is generated by the sun.
