50
%
HAVE USED AI TO PLAN OR RESEARCH A HOLIDAY
68
%
HAVE BEEN ON A PASSION PURSUITS HOLIDAY
59
%
RISE OF AI
stays to the start or end of a trip – such as a
As the world grows increasingly interconnected,
night in a spa retreat or a gastronomic splurge.
artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from
Not only does this allow travellers to access
a novelty to a necessity in travel planning,
experiences that might otherwise feel out of
particularly when it comes to researching
reach within broader travel budgets, but it also
destinations and booking accommodation.
provides emotional benefits that will enhance
According to the report, 50% of respondents
the overall travel experience. In fact, 46% of
have used AI to plan or research a holiday; up
those surveyed claimed that lux-scaping helps
sharply from previous years, this highlights not
them relax and get into the holiday spirit at the
just curiosity, but a change in behaviour. The
start of a break, while 43% said a luxury stay at
same proportion responded that they would feel
the end of a holiday results in them returning
comfortable booking accommodation directly
home feeling refreshed.
through AI platforms in the future, reinforcing
Hotels in gateway cities are uniquely
the growing familiarity and trust travellers are
positioned to capitalise on this growing
placing in the technology.
behaviour. The forthcoming St Regis London,
For hotel groups, the shift signals a desire
for example, will offer a refined rest to travellers
for properties that are digitally discoverable,
passing through the capital en route to other
visually distinctive and operationally seamless.
destinations. With spa suites featuring plunge
This new tech-forward mindset is reflected in
pools, butler services and curated rituals such as
the forthcoming W Riyadh, located within the
Midnight Suppers and Bloody Mary experiences,
LEED-certified King Abdullah Financial District.
the property is well equipped to deliver
The hotel’s positioning within what is said to
concentrated luxury in a tight time frame.
be one of the world’s most advanced mixeduse developments aligns with the expectations
PASSION PURSUITS
of AI-enabled travellers seeking efficiency,
Rather than being driven by destination alone,
innovation and bold design. Its always-on
holiday decisions are increasingly tied to a
programming and flexible events spaces cater
purpose or personal passion – be that music,
to a generation comfortable with moving fluidly
sport, culture, outdoor adventure or even
between work, leisure and social experiences –
volunteering. In fact, the report reveals that
often coordinated digitally before arrival.
68% of respondents have taken a passion-
LUX-SCAPING Another trend gaining traction across the
HAVE PREVIOUSLY BOOKED A ‘LUX-SCAPE’
134
led holiday before, with roughly a third doing so at least once a year, signalling a deeper reorientation in travel motivations.
region is ‘lux-scaping’, wherein travellers
Properties that align with these passions
intentionally add short yet high-impact luxury
by forging partnerships with local businesses