Dear Friends and Colleagues,
2025 is fast becoming a year for the history books, marked by both challenges and successes. The early months from January to May saw a business slowdown, prompting strategic adjustments amid economic uncertainty. But the tide turned half-way into the year, bringing a strong and sustained surge in bookings that continues to this day. By strengthening our focus and reinforcing our foothold in our niche on delivering customised, tailor-made travel, we remained well positioned for the rest of the year.
Somewhere along the way, travel seemed to have taken a curious detour in the post-COVID era. Luxury or “Luxe” is now the buzzword everyone is chasing. Hoteliers, ground handlers, and the local travel trade have all rushed toward the luxe label, proudly advertising curated, one-of-a-kind experiences—often at prices guaranteed to make your heart skip a beat!
Admittedly, I am no different, having joined the luxury bandwagon myself. However, a beautifully penned article I read a couple of weeks ago made me pause and reflect. In our rush to promote luxury, are we slowly abandoning travellers who seek mid-range, sensibly priced, and genuinely affordable options?
There is no denying that our industry has benefited significantly from the rise of luxury travel. Yet, as a travel provider, I can’t help but sense a gradual drift away from reality. This segment places a premium on exclusivity and privacy, often irrespective of extravagance, and that in itself may prove to be a deterrent to long-term sustainability. In contrast, experiential and authentic travel, which does not always align with luxury, holds far greater potential for meaningful, exponential growth. In my view, it stands a strong chance of reclaiming the lead from luxury travel before the decade draws to a close. But more on this next time…
Earlier this week, I received an intriguing email from a travel technology provider claiming that their artificial intelligence platform can now build a complete, multi-day tour from a single customer inquiry, entirely from scratch, in under a minute. Imagine your ability to now create a logical, day-by-day tour structure and generate a fully detailed itinerary, complete with all required components, in less than 60 seconds. Now take that a step further: you’ll be able to instantly respond to customer inquiries at any time, across all time zones, powered by this AI tool capable of producing “under-one-minute” tours with clear, itemised pricing down to the very last component. Technology sure is moving at lightening speed and somewhere in not-so-distant future, AI will almost certainly become the ultimate travel designer. Now I wonder whether an hour-a-day of work should allow me to spend the rest of my time at my Golf & Country Club, a dream come true! 😊
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