Journal des Palaces - English version’s Post

The global luxury hospitality sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by an influx of affluent travellers seeking exclusive personalized experiences. This is particularly true in the Middle East, a region with ambitious projects attracting the luxury tourist. Luxury hotel operators have nearly doubled the number of rooms over the last decade. Brands like Six Senses, Aman Hotels, and One&Only have shown significant growth, reflecting the sector's dynamic expansion. I am very proud to have collaborated in this Viewpoint of Arthur D. Little, where we identify five key differentiators of luxury hospitality: personalized exclusive experiences, ultimate wellness & well-being offerings, unique culinary journeys, sustainable offerings and culture of excellence François-Joseph Van Audenhove, Joseph Salem, Nicholas Nahas, Prof. Dr. Adrian von Dörnberg, Yateendra Sinh, Nour Cattouf, Camilla Bevilacqua, Valentyna Ardonceau MRICS, Nikola Miljanovic, CFA

Super interesting article on how Forbes rates 5* luxury hotels nowadays and how the perception of luxury has significantly changed in people's minds. https://lnkd.in/dGa3H8Aa

Totally agree with Colin N. about the state of luxury travel brands. It feels like an assembly line, something hotel groups "have attempted to standardize and scale what was once a craft." "The factory farming of luxury has created endless playbooks and protocols, turning the art of genuine hospitality into a series of predictable touchpoints." Who's winning in the space comes down to who is treating their guests less like suckers with a fistful of cash, and embracing an experience that feels more quiet luxury. Read the full column here: https://lnkd.in/grg_mdmX #luxurytravel #luxuryhotels #luxury #hotels #hospitality #voices

In this article, thought leaders share their personal anecdotes and professional insights on which luxury destinations set the gold standard for guest experiences.

I've been exploring the use of the word "luxury" in the hospitality industry for an article I'd like to write. Recently came across an article by vintner Michael Kennedy in Rolling Stone magazine. Is "luxury" overused? Is it exclusionary? How does it impact hotel descriptions? More to come! #HospitalityIndustry #LuxuryTravel #HotelIndustry #Hospitality #TravelTrends #HospitalityMarketing #LuxuryHospitality #TravelIndustry

A very insightful and relevant topic by TIM JOHNS We have seen the decline in service due to the pandemic, yet upon the return to service, the only thing that has increased are the prices with the services lagging behind. Today’s luxury traveller are very astute to value. While they can afford it, that does not mean they are willing to invest in experiences that are not providing value for them as the guest/customer. Luxury cruising continues to deliver a full service product to its guests with a focus on value. Knowing what is important to their guests. #luxurytravel #luxurycruise

Last week, I was lucky to host a webinar alongside Emilija Zane Zagere, 'Enhancing the Luxury Hospitality Experience'    Our guest speakers included representatives from The Peninsula London, Candacraig and Marbella Club where they shared insights on the luxury travel market and the evolving expectations of The Affluent Traveller. The discussion explored the stages of the guest journey and importance of embedding ESG across all guest touch points. To watch the full recording, please follow this link: https://lnkd.in/gBBetG_r    Key Takeaways: 1. Evolving Expectations of Affluent Travellers Affluent travellers, particularly those aged 18-34, are increasingly prioritising sustainable luxury options. Over 50% have chosen eco-friendly accommodations in the past three years. They seek destinations that offer exclusivity and sustainability, with a strong focus on locally sourced, sustainable cuisine. Industry leaders aim to create authentic, value-driven experiences by connecting guests with local communities and artisans. 2. Rising Demand for Personalisation Personalisation is growing in importance and can support sustainability. Customising in-room amenities reduces waste and energy consumption, with personalised experiences cutting energy use by up to 15%. Candacraig, for example, tailors guest rooms to individual preferences, ensuring a homely feel and personalised surprises upon arrival. 3. Wellness as a Luxury Priority Wellness continues to be a key demand in luxury travel. Properties like the Marbella Club blend wellness, exclusivity, and sustainability through initiatives like the new Ana Maria garden, offering nature-focused wellness activities and local gastronomy. This project promotes long-term sustainability while enhancing guest wellbeing. 4. Merging Personalisation and Technology for Sustainable Travel Sustainability should be integrated at every stage of the guest experience, from booking to post-stay. Technology can enhance this by enabling paperless check-ins, personalised services, and carbon footprint tracking while maintaining a luxury experience. 5. Mindful Sustainability Communications Guests expect transparency on sustainability efforts without greenwashing or green hushing. Industry leaders, like Antje from The Peninsula, stress the importance of clear, responsible communication to meet sustainability standards and align with guests’ values. 

✍️𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 💭 Recently, I have been reading many opinion articles about the meaning of luxury, especially in the Hospitality industry. Each perspective has sparked in me a deeper reflection about how I would also define it for myself – an interesting exercise that I would also invite you to do! Many words like exclusivity, scarcity, prestige, wealth, power and extravagance were traditional markers - and do still exist. However, when I remember the wise words of Antonio Paraiso in one of his talks saying that Luxury is constantly evolving and adapting to the society and cultures we are integrating, it made perfect sense to me. The concept has shifted dramatically in today’s world, and it has been fascinating to be able to witness one of the most transformative times about that meaning. In hospitality, luxury is far more than fulfilling, anticipating needs or having the best latest tech tools - it is more about understanding preferences, desires and dreams. It is the art of ultimate caring, much like how we care for the people we love. It’s not transactional; it’s relational. In addition, I would say that luxury also offers something priceless: the gift of time and space. Time to enjoy the moment, connect meaningfully and escape the rush of life. Space to breathe, relax, explore and feel completely free. What if Freedom would be the purest form of luxury - the kind that leaves guests with a profound sense of ease and wonder. It is about how we make people feel - creating experiences so unique, that they stay with them long after they leave. When those feelings turn into treasured memories, guests will return not just because of the place, but because of how we made them feel. This is where the essence of Luxury stays - in the power of caring. #caring #hospitality #luxury #values #mission 📍Viceroy Hotels and Resorts Ombria Algarve

Food for thought.... Is the world saturated, or is there headroom to grow for Luxury Hotel brands and experiences such as The Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Six Senses, etc? To take a true holistic approach, one cannot exclude the 3000+ unique hotels and luxury experiences members of Relais & Châteaux, Virtuoso Travel, The Leading Hotels of the World and Small Luxury Hotels of the World have on offer.... To get a real picture, let's compare the leading 1500+ internationally branded luxury hotels around the world as well as these 3000+ unique experiences. Did you know? 67% (of 3K luxury experiences) are members located in Europe or North America... with only 5% located in China an India (combined).... Are there no (or only few) luxury experiences in South-Middle America, Africa and Asia? Or is the industry missing out on real opportunities here? Action: At SpotQuest we initiated an effort to deeply study and profile the Luxury accommodation industry worldwide. We profiled 2000+ Luxury (branded) hotel experiences and 3000+ soft brand experiences... Interested to learn more, enrol here to get the series of insights in above (and more market and location) studies.... Link to register: https://lnkd.in/dyUGiNnz