Can you guess what APAC’s top luxury resort for high net-worth people is? You might be surprised…it’s Australia!
Australia came out top as the destination that APAC’s wealthiest travellers want to visit, according to data collected by Marriott International’s Luxury Group.
Oriol Montal, Marriott International’s managing director of luxury for APAC said the numbers make sense given Australia’s natural beauty.
“A lot of the topics that were highlighted in the study were about connecting with nature, being close to the wildlife, and what better country to do that than Australia,” he said.
The desire of high-net-worth travellers is changing, he added.
“For younger generations we are moving away from materialistic consumption to something which is more experiential. The younger generation is looking for exclusivity.”
The hotels and destinations that stand out are the ones able to provide unique experiences, Montal said.
“A total of 80 per cent of respondents said they will book a hotel, based on their ability to offer cool, cultural, immersive experiences with the local community.”
As well as focusing on experiences, younger travellers are increasingly interested in wellness.
“Wellness for millennials is key. We are talking about taking the time to take care of your personal health. Mental health is something that was also highlighted in the report.”
It is not just individual health that is becoming a trend in luxury travel. HNW travellers are increasingly advocating for the health of the planet, Montal said.
“About 43 per cent of the respondents said that when they’re visiting restaurants, they like to ensure that the restaurants are locally sourcing food products.”
More than 35 per cent of the respondents want to see that a restaurant is taking measures to limit food waste, he said.
