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Above : Luxury travelers are focusing on wellness ; right : intimate settings , such as small vessels , are increasingly popular .
While ‘ luxury travel ’ seems to be trending right now , this area of the industry is by no means new . But with so many companies claiming they offer luxury travel experiences , it ’ s important to take a step back and figure out what , exactly , luxury travel means today — and defining it might not be that easy .
A SHIFT IN LUXURY TRAVEL The flashy features that once defined traveling in luxury seem to be a thing of the past . When asked what the definition of luxury is , Angie Licea , president of Global Travel Collection , said , “ There isn ’ t one anymore .” She added that while to some people it used to be a five-star hotel or resort with all the best amenities or maybe flying first class , the concept no longer fits into this specific definition .
“ Now , luxury is personal , and everybody defines luxury in a certain way ,” Licea said . “ For some people , it might be sleeping on the plains in Africa on a bed under the stars . For others , it might still be that fivestar hotel .”
Mark Benson , associate vice president sales & strategy , Inclusive Collection , part of World of Hyatt , agrees that luxury has a personal touch . “ If beauty is in the eye of the beholder , then so is luxury ,” he said .
If it means something different to every traveler , what aspects are important ? Are there any themes that connect the various forms of luxury travel ?
To Benson , it means a traveler already has what they didn ’ t even realize they needed . “ I see it as needs being anticipated and delivery
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