In this modern day and age, travelers are becoming increasingly critical and demanding. Constant technological advancement is transforming businesses and consumers approach so it comes as no surprise that luxury travel is enjoying rapid growth, surpassing the overall global travel growth and becoming the fastest growing segment in the travel industry. From 2011 to 2015, Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for luxury travel was 4.5 percent, slightly higher than 4.2 percent for overall travel.
Data comes from Amadeus, one of the leading European investors in research and development for the travel and tourism industry. In their report, done in association with various industry experts, growth rate of luxury travel in the next 10 years is projected to be 6.2 percent, compared to 4.8 percent growth rate of overall travel for the same period.
Why is this trend catching on? Vaibhav Deshpande from Dubai based HolidayMe believes luxury is becoming mainstream:
“Because luxury is slowly turning into everyday affordable and accessible services, allowing more and more people to experience it. Focus is shifting from materialism to experiential as experience is valued more than material goods. Luxury travel is rather personal and subjective as each traveler has a different perception of luxury, thus presenting something that appeals on a specific, private level that goes beyond the standard norm is a necessity. With innovations come new expectations, so raising the bar in services and experiences is essential in order to retain existing and gain new clients while maintaining much needed exclusivity.”
A Rewarding Experience
Catering to ecoconscious tourists is a great way to achieve it. Environmentally friendly, sustainable luxury is more rewarding and authentic travel experience, leaving lasting impressions while protecting and preserving the environment and contributing to development of local community in the process.
For travelling, train and bus are better options than travelling by air, if available as carbon emissions will be significantly lower. Even if you opt for air travel (or any other, for that matter), always look for companies that have a viable environmental and sociocultural agenda. During your stay, biking, walking and taking public transportation are all ecofriendly options, especially interesting with rising number of arranged walking and biking tours. Renting hybrid vehicles is also an option, if travelling by car is your preferred mode of transport.
As for accommodation, various eco retreats, camps, lodges and green hotels offer comfort and holistic experience by using natural and ecological resources, reducing waste and consumption. Some accommodations offer reusing towels and sheets instead of changing it every day, reducing water and electricity consumption. Energyefficient lighting and alternative, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are becoming increasingly represented around the globe, while recycling is a mainstay at this point, consisting of many programs, not just paper and plastics.
Local Customs
Forging a connection with local customs and nature is becoming more and more popular. Authentic taste of local cuisine by trying local dishes and delicacies, going with an independent local guide on tours through natural landscapes and immersing in cultural environment of the place you visit, learning about customs, social norms and standards are all in high demand, making for genuine domestic yet highly personal trip.
Nazabat Hossain Priyonto
Content Creator at MediaMuse
