On Experience

The state of luxury is evolving and morphing. And the commonality of those who are forging resonant experiences is that they are looking outside of some of the tried-and-true formulas, mining heightened sensory territories that evoke something deeper in guests.

Abuse of staff is a problem in hospitality. And too often, it gets swept under the rug. What will it take for a zero-tolerance policy to actually be enforced — consistently?

Luxury hospitality can sometimes operate on an antiquated system when it comes to human talent. Here are some progressive thinkers shaking up structures and sacred cows, providing for a more meaningful guest experience.

As brands struggle to break through with consumers, they need to consider introducing themselves within the environs of hotels. It's a means to create a new relationship in a contextual way. And hospitality brands have a huge opportunity to introduce tastemakers to up-and-coming products.

Conservation is too soft a word to describe the measures being taken to address the crisis facing land and wildlife in Africa. But the Grumeti Fund is an example of best-in-class anti-poaching. This, coupled with large-scale systemic change, education, and community empowerment, is the one-two punch that can counter the imminent dangers facing wildlife and ecology in Africa.

It would be easy to see Namibia's ascent as a run of great PR, but the country has been playing a long game to attract visitors from around the world. And now there's both more access and new product to match rising demand from travelers who crave isolation — not to mention social media cred.

Here are some of the most inspiring innovations in design, service, and guest experience in hospitality and travel so far this year. The more the industry can cross-pollinate, learn from others, and experiment, the better it will be.

Luxury travelers often deconstruct what goes into the makings of great hospitality. It's also necessary, however, to ask what is required of guests so that they hold up their end of the bargain. It's a two-way street, and all too often we ignore one side of the equation.

Given the macro shift toward wellness in culture, it shouldn't be surprising that travel brands, with their expansive reach, need to be innovating in this space as well. Some of the smartest brands here are trying thoughtful new strategies to improve guest comfort and boost well-being.

Ambitious first-time hoteliers are forging some of the most intriguing hospitality experiences. The power of the beginner's imagination combined with knowledge and passion from other industries is adding up to exactly what the most jaded travelers want.