Luxury

Have you ever claimed your value added tax back for things you bought during a trip to Europe? Then you probably used a Global Blue Tax Free Shopping service. Global…

Danny Akaka, a historian and ambassador at Auberge Resorts Mauna Lani in Hawaii, represents the best of modern cultural diplomacy. He's worked at the property for 39 years and shares the stories, oral traditions, and spirit of the area with guests who can't get enough. As luxury travelers look for more meaning in their travels, this is a masterclass on how to broker it elegantly.

The bright side of Covid for many Indian luxury boutique hotel operators has been the discovery of a domestic clientele, who previously formed a very small share of the pie.

So far, luxury travel club Inspirato is on track with the projections it made in June for its growth. Other companies looking at subscription or luxury products should take note of its latest pitch deck.

In this brand talk from Skift Global Forum 2021, Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, speaks with Rafat Ali, Skift founder and CEO, on what luxury travel will look like moving forward.

It's time to recognize long-haul travel for what it is: an endurance event. For those making the trip instead of the Zoom, there are new imperatives that premium brands need to serve up to cater to these travelers. Hint: it doesn't look like the luxury of the past.

What is required for the new normal of crossing borders while living with Covid is government coordination, user experience, simplicity, and accessibility when it comes to registering and sharing data. The best countries with the smartest, most streamlined approaches will win out.

For Marc Gibson, building a more diverse travel industry requires creating a path to leadership for youth. Explore Charleston's new internship collaboration with historically Black colleges and universities shows it can be done when everyone commits to change — tourism boards, hospitality businesses, universities, and students.

With business travel down, is there a future where we see a surge in free agents untethered to loyalty plans? This might be on the horizon for certain segments.

There's a danger in the surging average daily rates as travel takes off: Luxury hotels don't have the staff or the ability to live up to inflated rates. This presents a long-term danger to carefully cultivated brands.