Luxury Travel

Tourism providers can make big claims about their sustainability credentials, but is anyone really listening?

Tablet Hotels found itself a world-class strategic buyer to propel its growth. Tablet as part of Michelin will face huge marketing hurdles, and the challenge of trying to reshape Michelin's legacy guide offerings.

Like so many other aspects of the travel industry, honeymoons are evolving. Today's newlyweds want something very different than past generations.

Well-heeled newlyweds are hoofing to destinations far beyond the beach for their honeymoons these days. Influenced by Instagram and luxury travel advisors, couples with means are looking for more meaningful, adventure-filled post-wedding getaways.

High-end travel companies need to find a way of targeting the newly wealthy, or they risk being left behind.

Just as a gold digger goes after an older mate with deep pockets, so the luxury market has traditionally kept a focus on the mature top 5 percent. But as the world of wealth evolves, companies need to broaden their horizons to consider the new and younger groups that are becoming eligible for elite status.

Justyna Smith built up a modest Instagram following, and she's used that, plus word of mouth, to run a four-woman luxury travel agency that's making money. Many businesses decide to market wherever the customers are; in Smith's case, the customers came to her and the business followed.

Taking a peek behind the scenes during earnings seasons offers some useful insights. Can Norwegian make a successful play for bigger cruise spenders, and will Belmond eventually sell itself?

Travel advisors need to reinvent how they market themselves. It's not about service fees anymore. Forward-thinking agents sell service packages — unabashedly.

Luxury travel advisors are experts at planning a five-star vacation for their clients, but agents are more frequently being asked to add a more local element to their plans. A lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into making sure these experiences go off without a hitch.