WHAT’S TRENDING?


Fairmont earmarks exclusive experiences for its guests


Experiential travel will continue to spearhead the luxury market this year, according to a luxury insights report by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. While it’s been a trend for some time, the new data showed two in three affluent travellers consider it important to have experiences that are not accessible to everyone – and are willing to pay a premium to do


Conservation is key


Holidaymakers are more concerned with their green footprint than ever and there’s a wealth of eco-luxury properties that are too. Erica Bush puts the spotlight on three hotels working to protect the environment


Amanyangyun, Shanghai The hotel’s owner, Ma Dadong, rescued more than 10,000 ancient trees and 50 Ming and Qing dynasty homes from Jiangxi Province after a proposed dam threatened to submerge them. He transported them 700km to the outskirts of Shanghai, reimagining them into a collection of luxury rooms and suites.


Six Senses Laamu, Maldives Keen to protect the sea creatures, plants and coral reefs that surround it, this Six Senses resort in the Laamu Atoll is home to the Maldives’ largest marine team. It has also partnered with a UK-based sea turtle charity to protect the island’s green and hawksbill turtles.


Elewana Lodo Springs, Kenya (pictured above) Set in Kenya’s Loisaba Conservancy, Elewana Lodo Springs will generate local jobs and help continue vital conservation efforts. The land was purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 2015 to support local communities and wildlife, and serves as a critical sanctuary and ‘corridor’ for elephants.


22 ASPIRE FEBRUARY 2019


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them. “The importance of the exclusivity of an experience over the quality of the sheets or the amenities is taking precedent,” said Fairmont vice-president Sharon Cohen (pictured). As such, travellers are looking for memorable


gastronomic experiences that team local fare with luxury dining; visiting attractions that the majority of tourists don’t know about; and learning about the area from insiders, such as hotel porters and guides.


Millennials seek creature comforts while on holiday


Travel is all about seeing the world, but affluent young travellers want their creature comforts too. According to Fairmont’s research, 73% of those aged 22 to 36 prefer to have the same amenities as they have at home when visiting a destination. “We think of millennials as intrepid travellers who don’t care about having the comforts of a Coca-Cola and a club sandwich, who only want the local stuff. Well, actually, they want both,” said Cohen.


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CREDITS: NEIL THOMAS; SHUTTERSTOCK


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