Luxury Redefined

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Read about the new trends in the luxury and understand how the whole scene has changed over the years.

Luxury travel always meant being exclusive, comfort and having memorable experiences. The concept of luxury travel has evolved from grand tours by European blue bloods to private jets and custom itineraries for the wealthy today.

As societies change, technology improves and people become more connected all over the world so does the meaning of luxury. Curiously, luxury travel today encompasses customization where individualized itineraries are planned for each person’s taste thus redefining a stylish way to travel.

The Evolution of Luxury Travel

According to historians, luxury travel has its roots in the 17^th and 18^th centuries where young European Aristocrats had a right of passage which was called the “Grand Tour”. These “Grand Tours” were long trips planned all across Europe and especially in France and Italy with the aim to introduce these young people to art, culture, and history. These trips weren’t meant to end in just a few days; these could go on for months or even years.

The main message this Grand Tour sent to the masses was that of a higher social status and better intellectual development of the young scholars. These travelers would go with their teachers as well as their servants so that their stay could be more comfortable.

Later in the late 19^th and 20^th centuries, steamships and luxury trains were also made for travel. The Orient Express is a good example of such transport. Grand Hotels were also made for the travelers to stay at. People who had the money required to stay at such places started traveling extensively. Spots like Egypt, India, and the French Riviera became famous as new places full of luxurious service became available.

The Modern Era

What started off as cozy, romantic, or informative soon became a means of escape from the hustle and bustle of the world. Luxury traveling has started focusing more on the authenticity and cultural experience of the tourists rather than simple, traditional methods of service. Today, people want to go to places which might be difficult to stay at as compared to traditional luxury spots, but which are authentic and left untouched. This has made the experience of the journey just as important as the destination.

So, now luxury travelers like to go for spots where their experience can be customized according to their needs and be as original as possible. From hiring private jets for travel to exclusive access during cultural events and personal wellness retreats where such services are offered.

Furthermore, this pattern has been exacerbated by technology where travel companies employ data analytics and AI to predict what their customers will require and address them appropriately. Such travelers can now work with travel consultants in designing trips that may go down even to the level of determining the type of food they could eat while travelling or pillow types they would like. The idea is creating memorable moments for a traveler without disruptions that will make him/her feel very special and understood.

The Future of Luxury Travel

It is highly probable that, to a greater extent, luxury travel will change. In fact, luxury travel in the future will be all about more bespoke experiences that are combining technology and human expertise thus leading to the highest levels of customization you can ever imagine. Virtual reality previews, AI-driven recommendations and hyper-personalized itineraries are some of such possibilities which may come out soon. The essence for luxury travels remains what it has always been; giving unique memorable experiences by reflecting on individuality of a traveler.

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