Luxury Travel

Rumor has it that Airbnb is gearing up to announce a more personalized experience soon, and Onefinestay may have just beat its strongest competitor to the punch.

It takes old-school hospitality expertise and new-school marketing hustle to create a cult property from scratch. Nihi Sumba Island seems to be the culmination of both, plus it has the right capital and vision.

A growing number of mainstream cruise lines think they can capture luxury travelers by offering them a premium product. The approach makes sense. After all, not every luxury cruiser wants the intimacy and exclusivity of a small ship.

The sharing economy has typically been connected with budget or mid-range travelers looking for a deal along with a unique experience. But in recent years, luxury services have moved into the space, offering new opportunities for travel agents working with the most discerning travelers.

Will a traveler who only expects the finest ever decide to board a mass-market cruise ship? Well, the marketplace has spoken and it says, “Maybe, but only under certain conditions.”

This evolution of luxury will require brands to adapt products and experiences consistent with consumers’ new definitions of quality, comfort and elegance.

The smartest people in luxury travel are realizing that they can't just keep doing things the old way. Keeping a high-touch, personal approach while adapting to the needs and wishes of today's travelers will be key to survival.

Customization, wellness, and technology are must-haves for any luxury hotel brand that wants to remain relevant — regardless of the age of their customers.

Luxury hospitality is no longer defined by marble bathrooms and turndown service. To compete and appeal to today's luxury guest, hotels have to be a lot smarter and more thoughtful than ever before.

It's difficult to pin down exactly what's going to dominate the headlines in the luxury travel sector in 2018, but expect a handful of destinations to grow in popularity and for hoteliers to talk up the benefits of enhanced personalization.