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Last week, New York City was abuzz with excitement as hundreds of professionals from the travel industry gathered for Travel + Leisure’s inaugural World’s Best Summit. Over the course of two days, innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders from airlines, hotels, and other facets of the travel industry came together to share insights and trends, curated by Travel & Leisure Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Gifford. With execs from top names like Aman Resorts, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Hilton, Hyatt, Singapore Airlines, and more, the summit was a convergence of some of the brightest minds in travel and hospitality.
The discussions spanned various themes, with a particular focus on personalization, family-friendly travel, and sustainability. Check out the full agenda here. Hertelier contributor Tiffani Cailor Torrence, Director of Corporate Communications, Omni Hotels & Resorts, shares key learnings from some of the standout sessions:
Family Travel Panel:
Multigenerational Travel: One of the significant trends discussed was the continuation of multigenerational travel. Panelists highlighted that older children, even those in their 20s and 30s, are still traveling with their parents (and grandparents). This trend underscores the importance of catering to a wide age range within family units.
Elevating Kids Programming: Hotels and resorts are increasingly focused on enhancing their kids' programming. The emphasis is on incorporating local culture into these activities, providing young travelers with enriching and educational experiences.
Skip Generation Travel: A notable trend, skip generation travel, where grandparents travel with their grandchildren without the parents, is on the rise. This travel style offers unique bonding experiences and caters to specific family dynamics.
Popular Family Travel Cities: Panelists mentioned several cities that are particularly popular for family travel, including Chicago, Atlanta, various destinations in North Carolina, and Orlando. These cities offer diverse attractions and amenities suitable for families.
Sustainability: Pioneering Green Practices in Travel
The travel industry is making significant strides in sustainability, with brands leading the charge in creating greener practices at every step of a traveler’s journey. During the summit, several key initiatives and insights were shared that highlight the industry's commitment to a sustainable future.
Six Senses Pioneers Sustainable Luxury: “Seven years ago, we decided to remove single-use plastics from everything,” said Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses Hotels Resorts & Spas. This bold move required a complete overhaul of their supply chain, including providing metal cases to local fishermen to replace plastic ones. Jacobs is currently writing a book detailing the success of their sustainability goals, aiming to provide a blueprint for other organizations to follow.
Reducing Food Waste: A significant focus at the summit was on addressing food waste within hotels. Strategies discussed included donating untouched leftover food to local food banks and using surplus food to feed employees in hotel cafeterias. This approach not only minimizes waste but also supports local communities and enhances employee welfare. AI and other technology are helping to reduce waste.
Related reading: Hilton 'Green Breakfast' Pilot Results in 62 % Decrease in Food Waste Across 13 Hotels
Innovative Sustainability Practices: The summit highlighted various innovative practices that hotels and resorts are adopting to enhance sustainability. From energy-efficient building designs to water conservation measures, the industry is exploring numerous avenues to reduce its environmental footprint.
Empowering Local Communities: Sustainable travel extends beyond environmental concerns to include social responsibility. Many brands are investing in local communities by supporting education, healthcare, and local businesses. This holistic approach ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared more equitably and contribute to the long-term well-being of destinations.
Luxury Panel:
Defining Your Grand Journey: Luxury travel is evolving to include diverse experiences such as slow travel, journeys with close friends, or simply enjoying a book on a park bench in silence. The essence of luxury lies in the value of time and access to unique experiences.
Balancing Technology and Human Touch: While advancements in technology and automation enhance efficiency, the human touch remains irreplaceable. The art of listening and personal interaction continues to be a crucial element of luxury travel.
Next-Gen Traveler Insights: As wealth transfers to the next generation, it's essential to understand the needs and desires of these travelers. What is meaningful to them? This question drives the creation of experiences tailored to their unique preferences.
Set Jetting: Traveling to locations featured in popular TV shows and movies, known as set jetting, is a significant trend. Destinations like the UK, with its iconic castles from "Bridgerton" or "Downton Abbey," are seeing increased interest from fans.
Wellness:
Holistic Health Assessments: Wellness travel is no longer just about relaxation. Many travelers seek comprehensive medical workups and holistic health assessments during their vacations. This trend highlights the growing intersection of travel and personal health.
Keynote: Bobbi Brown in conversation with T+L editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford
Bobbi Brown, who recently opened The George hotel in Montclair, NJ, captivated the audience. She’s got a great sense of humor! She shared her travel experiences and insights into opening her hotel, emphasizing the importance of self-care, including daily workouts and exercise, especially as we age. "The hospitality industry has a lot going for it, because people are less concerned with how they look and more concerned with enjoying life experiences,” Perfect thought to end on!
Left the two-day T + L World’s Best Summit inspired and excited, and already looking forward to going again next year. Great conversations and networking–also loved seeing so many women on the stage!!!