Luxury Travel Trends Highlight Authentic, Individual Experiences

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with The Harris Poll, released its first Luxury Travel Report, revealing significant shifts in luxury travel preferences for 2025. Affluent travelers are planning an average of eight leisure trips—including three international journeys—and more than half intend to increase their travel spending over 2024. The report highlights a strong desire for authentic, emotionally resonant, and culturally rich experiences, with travelers rejecting standardized hotel offerings in favor of unique, locally rooted stays. Key trends include the pursuit of transformative 'legacy moments,' a preference for insider guidance, and opposition to the 'beige-ification' of luxury hotels. Reflecting this shift, the 2025 Preferred Awards of Excellence honored independent hotels excelling in creativity, sustainability, and personalized service. These developments point to a broader industry evolution emphasizing individuality, meaning, and heritage.