Here is a gist of what’s in store for 2020 as per Virtuoso® Luxe Report, Conde Nast Traveller and other luxury travel experts.
Away From The Crowds
It turns out the well-travelled luxury set is now seeking remote, unspoiled destinations to avoid crowds – places ranging from the culturally distinct to those steeped in nature, including Borneo, Greenland and Oman. Extreme trips that come with a life coach are on the rise as are unique remote experiences in places like the Sheldon Chalet (featured above) in Alaska’s Denali National Park.
Conscious Coupling
Travellers now prefer to explore several destinations in one trip and the trend is on surprising combinations – a ski adventure with a beach finale (fire and ice); a city stay with a jungle adventure, or a well-travelled place followed by a little-known spot to mingle with locals.
Bon Apetit
Food is becoming a main motivation for travellers choosing their destinations. Cooking classes, eating in private homes, Michelin-starred restaurants, farm-to-table visits, truffle hunting – culinary experiences now allow you to get a taste of place in order to get a sense of place.
Buddymoons
Today’s travellers like to connect with like-minded people and share trips with common interests. Gen X-ers, Boomers and even Matures are travelling to bond with friends and others who share their passions or are at the same life stage. Affluent girls’ getaways and wellness trips are at all time high as are groups of couples travelling together including buddymoons – newlyweds bringing pals along for the fun. FlashPack, on the other hand, offers group adventures for singletons in their 30s and 40s (in the EU, one in three households is single).
EQ Phone Home
Today’s travellers seek more profound experiences that will allow them to find, engage and connect with themselves and our planet. Named The New Nomads by Conde Nast Traveller magazine, the latest breed of globetrotters measure carbon footprint, follow DNA maps, love barefoot nature immersion, foraging and rewilding of spirits. They are curious low-impact adventure seekers, who travel for a weekend on impulse, or six months, or five years, with kids, like-minded communities or just solo. Their mantra is positive transformation (of self and planet), fueled by the renewed interest in ancient mindfulness.
Marta Warren 