The findings are from the first Luxury Travel Report from Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 600 hotels across 80 countries.
The findings affirm that the desire for travel remains robust, with luxury travellers planning an average of eight leisure trips this year – including three international journeys – and more than half expecting to spend more on travel than in 2024.
The report also reveals that today’s affluent travellers are investing not just money but meaning into their journeys.
Luxury travellers seek immersive, curated experiences that feel personal and enduring – avoiding generic, mass-produced offerings in favour of authenticity and emotional connection.
The Luxury. Travel Report identifies the five emerging forces of luxury travel, signalling a new era of expectations:
The Beige-ification of Travel Is the Industry’s Wake-Up Call. Luxury travellers are turning away from sameness in design, service and experience – nearly 70% say modern luxury hotels have lost their soul to standardisation.
Today’s affluent traveller craves the unrepeatable: places that excite, environments that surprise, and experiences rooted in individuality. Nearly three-quarters say they won’t pay for luxury accommodations that feel generic.
2. Legacy Moments Are the New Luxury Currency. Luxury is less about accumulation – it’s about transformation. Today’s affluent travellers seek rare, authentic experiences that fundamentally shift their worldview and create lasting memories.
Over four-in-five say that insider connections unlock the most unforgettable travel moments and 64% prefer to navigate a destination with advice from locals rather than AI-driven concierge services and digital guides.
3. Curation is the New Standard of Luxury. Curation is now as essential as five-star service. More than 90% of luxury travellers say the best journeys feel effortless yet are expertly crafted, with 89% expressing interest in seeing local charm reflected in hotels.
Travel advisors are the new power brokers, with 84% of survey respondents agreeing that a trusted travel advisor is more valuable than unlimited internet research.
4. Heritage Is the New Frontier. Luxury travellers don’t want to just observe history – they want to be part of it. More than 90% seek experiences that immerse them in history and culture, favouring heritage-rich stays.
Additionally, with 71% planning multi-generational trips in 2025, demand continues to rise for spacious accommodations that foster connection to each other and their own family roots.
5. Loyalty Programs Are Lifelines to Consistency and Customisation. Amid economic pressures and rising costs, loyalty has become more valuable than ever.
For 82% of luxury travellers, loyalty programs are very important to ensuring hotel quality, while nearly two-thirds say a great past stay drives repeat bookings.
Today’s loyalty isn’t transactional – it’s deeply personal, driven by human touch, customisation and consistent excellence.
PreferredHotels.com/TheLuxuryTravelReport
