Defining the true essence of the luxury experience can be challenging for both providers and advisors.
To this end, tour operator Kensington Tours collaborated with Opinium Research to conduct an in-depth survey of luxury travelers of more than 400 adults with families earning more than $250,000.
This specialized organization of luxury travelers reported taking 3 to 10 trips a year, lasting two weeks or more.
Luxury lovers revealed a strong willingness to spend more on seamless experiences, personalized planning, advanced access, never-before-seen adventures, and increased space.
Here are some of the luxuries that affluent travelers say they’re willing to pay more for:
A staggering 66% expressed frustration with common issues and noted their willingness to pay more to avoid queues, crowd-free experiences, and personal tours.
Approximately two-thirds (66%) of respondents were in favour of personalised and tailored travel, and 62% were looking for simplified, one-stop scheduling.
The preference for premium resonated strongly: 81% lacked reports with no wait times, 78% opted for personal guided tours, 74% sought exclusive events, and 72% were hungry for exclusive off-the-beaten-path adventures.
A remarkable 89% of these experienced travelers expressed interest in finding new destinations, with Switzerland, Norway and Portugal topping the list.
50% of respondents considered accommodations that offer more space, privacy and exclusivity, confirming the appeal of luxury villas and personal yacht expeditions.
Helen Giontsis, president of Kensington Tours, affirmed the alignment of the survey’s effects with her customers’ observations. The company is actively responding to customers’ personal tastes by introducing new systems that cover all continents.
These offerings come with an expanded portfolio of personal villas; an exclusive yacht program with shore experiences, personal jet and helicopter transfers; and exclusive sea and river itineraries with guided shore excursions.
As Giontsis stated in announcing the findings, “Our survey validates the trends observed among our clients, and we remain dedicated to exceeding expectations by developing unique offerings tailored exclusively for the luxury travel sector.”