A few decades ago, people’s thoughts and perceptions of luxury travel were hugely different from what they are today. Luxury travel used to mean 5-Star hotels, Michelin-star restaurants and butler service – things which were only available to those with a lot of money. However, this has become the norm for many people, with a lot of travellers choosing to spend their money on luxurious holidays as a form of escape.

It is predicted that over the next 10 years, luxury travel will continue to evolve and instead of focusing on luxury destinations and services, instead the focus will shift to luxury trips – ones which offer some form of life enhancement, cultural appreciation or inner transformation. Whether it’s taking time out to seek wilderness or taking a career break in order to travel the world, this decade will likely see a shift away from materialism to experientialism.

Space Tourism

Space tourism is, undeniably, the most exciting development which can be expected to “take-off” this decade. After years of talks, Virgin Galactic is now planning to take members of the public on a 90-minute tour into space – 50 miles up on the edge of space. In 2019, photos were released of the new departure lounge, where the first batch of amateur cosmonauts were preparing to take their journey on the new VSS Unity.

In this tech-obsessed world, space tourism and travel is a trend which is only growing and is something which is a dream for billionaires all over the world. Now that members of the public are being granted access to space travel, this is the height of luxury for a number of people who get to take part in extra-terrestrial space travel without the need for extensive training.

Out Of The Ordinary Accommodation

Luxury travel thrives when there is a sense of exclusivity and what could be more desirable and sought after than a hotel or holiday accommodation which is completely out of the ordinary? There are numerous unique hotels and accommodation all over the world, so no matter what you’re searching for, you’re bound to find it. From the Bjorli Snow Hotel in Norway, which is a ski resort built only from snow and ice, to The Muraka, the undersea hotel in the Maldives, there is certainly no shortage of luxury and unique hotels wherever you are in the world, with this number only set to rise throughout the decade and the experiences to become slightly more surreal.

Even if you’re visiting a more traditional holiday destination, such as Portugal or Greece, then you can also expect to see an increase in unique and luxury private accommodation. Luxury Algarve villas are set to become more popular than hotels, with a whole host of luxury services and amenities available and in Europe, private and tailor-made tours and experiences are going to appeal to more travellers looking for luxury.

Career Breaks

Many travellers are now putting their working life on hold in order to take a career break to faraway locations. Over recent years, there has been a huge increase in the development of “sabbatical travel”, where the focus lies on those looking to take a break from the day-to-day and travel with specific goals in mind, before returning back to their careers in 12-18 months time.

Whether it’s learning to tango in Argentina with expert dancers or helping out on a conservation project in Africa, these breaks are more focused on the experiences they offer in order to provide a once in a lifetime adventure. These adventures are more focused at the older generations on higher incomes who are looking for something a little different and more rewarding than their traditional luxury holiday.