Personalization is a key trend in 2019; today’s travelers need new ways to feel special. Highly personalized itineraries, amenities, and individually curated experiences are increasingly in demand.
According to the Luxury Travel Magazine, the luxury travel trends for 2019 are ;
2019 Trend – Authenticity is Everything
2019 brings with it a strong desire to feel and live like a local. Travelers now want to peel back the layers of a destination, and luxury increasingly means authentic experiences. On the Northern Croatian peninsula of Istria, an area long famed for its white and black truffles – travelers can live like a local and become truffle hunters for the day.
2019 Trend – The Next Big Thing
Experiential travelers are looking for the next big thing to explore, away from the crowds; from discovering an ‘off the beaten track’ destination to exploring lesser-known areas and surprises surrounding a popular area. Allowing guests to explore unchartered territory, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is launching a series of boat trips designed to discover the hidden enclaves and sandy inlets of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
2019 Trend – Water Wellness
Water has long been a draw for travelers seeking beaches and water sports but 2019 means travelers are seeing H2O in a whole new light. Wellness through water is one of next year’s big trends.
Responding to this, Hurawalhi Island Resort in the Maldives is launching Ocean Healing Retreats which incorporate wave meditation, sound healing on Dream Island (a beautiful and deserted patch of white and a couple of minutes boat ride from the resort) and underwater yoga at their submerged restaurant, 5.8 meters under the sea.
2019 Trend – Micro Travel
2019 will be the year of ‘bite-sized travel’ – squeezing in curated travel itineraries into shorter time frames. Travelers will take more weekend trips in 2019, thanks to better flight routes, transport, on-demand car rentals along with a desire to fit in more experiences into a fixed vacation day allowance.
2019 Trend – Plastic Not so Fantastic
Travelers in 2019 will continue to seek out hotels with strong eco-credentials; they increasingly want to ensure that their interactions on holiday are sustainable. Additionally, 2019 will bring heightened interest in animal-related experiences such as visiting animal protection facilities or observing animals in the wild.
The newly opened Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has embraced this trend with the launch of their luxury Tented Jungle Villas – a unique alternative to overwater accommodation. Nestled in the heart of the resort’s lush interior jungle and burrowed in flora, dressed in island-style interiors these safari-style tented villas offer a true luxury castaway experience. Guests can pull back the tent and sleep under the stars as well as enjoy private cinema screenings with a jungle backdrop.
2019 Trend – Bringing Outdoors In
In 2019, hotels will be increasing all-season terraces, showcasing gorgeous indoor plants and panoramic views. This trend in hotel design will help guests to enjoy the great outdoors from the luxury and comfort of their rooms, creating memorable experiences that highlight natural beauty.
2019 Trend – The Instagram Influence
The Instagram effect continues unabated – travelers are looking to find the most captivating backdrops. Photos are no longer just for memories – they are to ensure bragging rights across half a dozen social media portals.
But whatever travel trend you choose in 2019, it’s going to be transformational enjoyment at each and every destination.
