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CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER UK International Luxury Travel Market Asia 2012 |
www.iltm.net/asia Luxury travel trends
The demand for luxury travel continues to grow apace in the emerging BRIC economies. Asia, which has one of the world’s fastest growing populations with expendable income, is playing a major role in this scenario. Link this with the region’s formidable reputation for high standards in service and a very real appreciation of luxury goods and you have a range of very exciting possibilities emerging.
The importance of quality brand names in China and India, and in particular prestigious British ones such as Bentley and Burberry, are ensuring these two countries are game changers in the world of luxury marketing.
The Chinese domestic tourism market is booming, as reflected in the emergence of glamorous spa resorts in Hangzhou for weekend breaks from Shanghai. Macau is now bigger than Vegas: in 2011 gaming revenues were US$ 33.5bn compared with Vegas’s US$ 6bn. And all the major USA casinos are there now, including the Venetian, Plaza, Wynn, MGM and Hard Rock. Macau represents one of the most interesting cultural phenomenons of our generation.
The new Song Saa Private island is
opening up an entire archipelago of islands long forgotten by Westerners
Although the majority of wealthy Chinese tourists still prefer to travel within Asia, those looking further afield are growing in number and influence. CLTs are looking for safe, stable destinations with good sightseeing and access to Asian restaurants and the best Western shopping. They are increasingly well catered for, and as their consumer confidence grows so will their numbers. In recessionary Europe, it is this socio-economic group that’s keeping the designer boutiques of London, Paris and Milan buoyant.
In India, the development of ‘cross-breed’ business/leisure hotels continues with the opening of luxurious new ‘urban retreats’ such as the spectacular Oberoi hotel in Gurgaon; and the new Vivanta by Taj in Bekal is indicative of a thriving beach-holiday market too. Spas are increasingly important in the Indian hotel mix, reflected in the consistent demand for traditional Ayurvedic treatments as well as more Western ‘cosmetic’ options.
Over in Cambodia, the new Song Saa Private island is opening up an entire archipelago of islands long forgotten by Westerners, but this time introducing a strong environmentally aware ethos in terms of community development and involvement in protecting the country’s marine life.
With economic woes still dominating news headlines in the West, looking East is perhaps the best tonic. A new confident world class Asia is emerging. These are indeed exciting times in travel.
Simon Leadsford Publisher, Condé Nast Traveller (UK)
Catalogue sponsored by
21 Designer Outlets across Europe
Visit us at stand D350
mcarthurglen.com
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