Two Types of Luxury Experiences

No market segment is immune to fragmentation, and this is especially true of luxury travel. In the recent upsweep of luxury experiences, two distinct types of experiences have come to the fore. One type has been termed ‘Luxploration’ and the other can be categorized as ‘one-of-a-kind’ experiences.

Luxploration

Luxploration is a buzzworthy term and refers to the experience economy as it exists within a luxury context. It’s aimed at the travelers who fit the luxury price bracket, and who want all the comforts associated with luxury plus an adventure. It’s experiential, but it’s not necessarily authentic, self-determined, or unique.

Example experiences:

• At Aspen’s Little Nell, adventure travelers can relax in style while enjoying the hotel’s slopeside Rocky Mountain location. There is a dedicated ski concierge who will warm your ski boots and the hotel gives guests complimentary “First Tracks” access to Aspen Mountain before it opens to the public in the morning.
• The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa combines whale watching with indulgence, by offering a curated experience special deal called the “Sea S’more Whales package.” Families will get beachfront rooms and s’mores kits to indulge in while watching the whales from oceanside fire pits.

Trips and tours within this category appeal to a traveler’s desire for a novel experience, rather than a transformational one. The experience offers something fun, and is carried out in style. “Luxploration means they’re going out and they’re exploring during the day and they’re certainly not roughing it” is how Jean Dickinson, Starwood Hawaii’s regional director of communications describes it. Rather than the understated version of luxury, luxploration really embodies the viewpoint that more is more. Guests who want an out-of-the-world experience, without compromising standard luxury hallmarks, are who these experiences are designed for.

One-of-a-kind experiences

If luxploration seems too mainstream, another niche has emerged to suit individuals seeking a more unique experience. The transformational element of these experiences is manifest when the traveler is able to learn something or develop a new appreciation for something.

Example experiences

• A cooking class taught by a villager in the South Pacific
• A behind-the-scenes visit to the conservation galleries at Pompeii guided by a local expert
• Recital by Plácido Domingo at Seville’s Alcázar Palace

This niche targets the millennial mindset – people for whom authenticity is important, but specifically for whom, self-determination is the strongest measure of authenticity. Per a recent Expedia study,  an activity or hotel chosen by a tour group is not considered to be as authentic  as one selected by a millennial traveler. “It is the perception of having chosen their destinations, activities and companions for themselves which underpins the feeling of authenticity.” This is not to say that travelers are eschewing professional advice, but they do want to be involved in the decision process.

One way travel providers can create incomparability, is by emphasising the relationships and connections formed during the experience. Conrad Hotels defines their brand of ‘Smart Luxury’ as offering “one-of-a-kind experiences with sophisticated, locally inspired surroundings. Service is more than personal; it’s intuitive. Connections are made to people and places around the corner, and halfway around the world.” The offering is more like a travel guide than a travel package so that there is still an element of self-determination.

At the very top end, there are the bespoke experiences. When you know the things your guest is passionate about, suddenly the opportunities to create priceless experiences abound. Cox & Kings’ president of the Americas, Scott Wiseman, reported that customers are “pursuing personal interests to the point where money is of little object. We’ve had people pay $500 a ticket to see a Japanese baseball game in Osaka, which you wouldn’t have seen in the past.”