travel leisure luxury awards asia pacific 2023

Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau Announce Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023

BANGKOK , March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --  Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau , a media brand under BurdaLuxury, today announced the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023, an all-new awards programme aiming to shed light on and applaud the places and people that make Asia so outstanding in hospitality.

An evolution of the brand's Asia's Best Awards 2022, the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 includes an expanded list of countries and award categories. Destinations include Australia , Cambodia , Hong Kong S.A.R. , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Maldives , Singapore , South Korea , Thailand , and Vietnam and more, with categories varying to account for different sizes and strengths of the industries in each place. Awards will go to the reader-voted best City Hotels, Resorts, Hotel Pools, Hotel Spas, and Hotel General Managers and more. 

"BurdaLuxury and our brands have been renowned for decades as the ultimate authority in the luxury lifestyle space," said Björn Rettig, CEO of BurdaLuxury. "We are thrilled to bring this focus to Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau with the launch of the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023. Through this, and the exclusive event we will host later this year, we hope to continue recognising and bringing together people who are truly making a difference in their fields and sharing best-in-class recommendations for our community of readers."

Reflecting Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia Hong Kong & Macau's recent addition to the BurdaLuxury portfolio, the inaugural Luxury Awards includes new categories that spotlight the very best in luxury, including integrated resorts, cruises, and experiences, a new category created in partnership with Techsembly. BurdaLuxury and Techsembly will also be partnering on a new luxury travel marketplace, a platform offering a curated selection of bucket-list experiences from the world's leading hotels. Combining luxury lifestyle content with worldly experiences and inspirational travel tips, the platform will launch on the Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia Hong Kong & Macau website in Q2 this year.

Jeninne Lee St. John , Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau said: "In celebration of both this partnership and the efforts some of the region's top hotels make to give their guests the most luxurious, culturally immersive, exclusive, and out-of-the-box encounters and adventures, the inaugural Luxury Awards will include a category for best experiences. Voters will be able to peruse the coolest of Techsembly's curated offerings and cast their ballot for their favourites. These experiences plus many, many more will be available for purchase on the Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau marketplace once it launches."

As part of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau's brand ethos and commitment to recognise and reward excellence in the hospitality industry, nominees were selected by the brand's team of editors and expert contributors across Asia Pacific . Voting is open now through 22 April 2023 at https://luxuryawards2023.travelandleisureasia.com/ . Winners will be chosen through a readers' survey, announced at an exclusive event later this year.

About Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau

Finding creative ways to tell meaningful stories and celebrate authentic luxury experiences, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau explores destinations through the perspective of the individuals that make travel so special. The Asian edition of the world's leading travel brand, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau is the go-to source of travel inspiration, with an audience of luxury travellers, high net-worth individuals, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. Travel + Leisure globally and in Asia enjoys a remarkable history of credibility and is the bible of luxury travel in Asia and abroad.

About BurdaLuxury

BurdaLuxury is one of Asia's most vibrant and progressive independent media houses. Its portfolio includes a variety of successful regional publishing brands in lifestyle and luxury markets across Hong Kong S.A.R. , India , Malaysia , Singapore , and Thailand . Print publications include AUGUSTMAN, HELLO! Magazine Thailand , Prestige, PIN Prestige, and Travel + Leisure India & South Asia . Digital offerings include Lifestyleasia.com, Augustman.com, PrestigeOnline.com, PinPrestige.com and Travelandleisureasia.com. BurdaLuxury is part of the Hubert Burda Media family, one of the largest media companies in Germany . Operating in 14 countries, Burda employs 11,000 people and owns 550 media brands.

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• Awards 2023

T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024

Browse through the categories and see the complete lists of winners.

What might be in store for this year’s winners?

Check out our Luxury Awards 2023 gala party! And for the full lists of winners, click the “Awards 2023” tab at the top of this page

Fill in your nominations

Can’t spot your favourites? Nominate a hotel, spa, pool, airline, cruise, travel agent and more here.

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• Entertainment

Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau Hosts Inaugural Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific Event 2023, Revealing Best Hotels, Resorts, Spas, and More, as Voted by Readers

BANGKOK , June 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau , a BurdaLuxury brand, recently hosted its first Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific event at Park Hyatt Bangkok. Celebrating the destinations, hotels, and experiences that make Asia Pacific so outstanding in hospitality, the inaugural event spotlighted the individuals, hotels, and brands shaping the landscape of travel and hospitality in 16 countries in the region, and beyond. Winners were chosen through a readers' survey that was open to anyone in the world, during March and April of 2023, and were ranked in top-10 or top-5 lists, depending on the category and destination.

An evolution of the brand's Asia's Best Awards 2022, the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 included an expanded list of countries and award categories. From five-star urban escapes to idyllic private-island beach resorts, innovative spas, Instagram-worthy swimming pools, exceptional airlines and airports, captivating cruises, reputable travel agents, exclusive travel experiences, and more, the awards showcased the best of Australia , Cambodia , Laos , Hong Kong , Indonesia , Japan , Macau , Malaysia , Maldives , New Zealand , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , the South Pacific, Thailand , and Vietnam .

"We're here to celebrate breaking boxes and boundaries, forward thinking innovation, and next-generation luxury," Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong and Macau's editor-in-chief, Jeninne Lee-St. John , told the audience of top-level hoteliers who attended the event on June 5 . "We're here to thank you for your clairvoyant service that gives guests what they want before they know to ask and offers what they'll love before they've ever had a taste of it. You inspire us but more importantly you inspire our readers. You send them home with outstanding experiences and memories and new friends that they hold in their hearts. And I know this because they voted you into this room tonight."

The full Top 10 and Top 5 lists of the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2023 winners for all 16 countries are available at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific site .

No. 1 WINNERS, BY COUNTRY /REGION

AUSTRALIA Best City Hotels: Como The Treasury Best Beach or Island Hotels: The Langham Gold Coast Best Country Hotels or Lodges: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Best Hotel General Managers: Steve Molnar , Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas Best Hotel Pools: Sofitel Sydney, Darling Harbour Best Hotel Spas: Como The Treasury

CAMBODIA Best City Hotels: Rosewood Phnom Penh Best Beach, Island or Upcountry Hotels: Shinta Mani Wild , Preah Sihanouk Best Hotel General Managers: Daniel Simon , Phnom Penh Best Hotel Pools: Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh Best Hotel Spas: Six Senses Krabey Island

HONG KONG Best Hotels: Rosewood Hong Kong Best Hotel General Managers: Jill Goh , The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Best Hotel Pools: K11 Artus Best Hotel Spas: The Oriental Spa at Landmark Mandarin Oriental

INDONESIA Best City Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan Best Beach Resorts: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay Best Upcountry Hotels: Capella Ubud Best Hotel General Managers: Marcel Kloet , The St. Regis Bali Resort Best Hotel Pools: The Apurva Kempinski Bali Best Hotel Spas: Ayana Resort Bali

JAPAN Best City Hotels: W Osaka Best Beach or Upcountry Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto Best Hotel General Managers: Go Kondo , W Osaka Best Hotel Pools: Hoshinoya Okinawa Best Hotel Spas: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

LAOS Best Hotels: Amantaka Best Hotel General Managers: Anshul Sharma , Sofitel and 3 Nagas M Gallery Luang Prabang Best Hotel Pools: Sofitel Luang Prabang Best Hotel Spas: Le Spa at Sofitel Luang Prabang

MACAU Best Hotels: Mandarin Oriental Macau Best Hotel General Managers: Saurabh Mishra , Galaxy Hotel Macau Best Hotel Pools: Grand Hyatt Macau Best Hotel Spas: Banyan Tree Macau

MALAYSIA Best City Hotels: EQ Kuala Lumpur Best Beach or Upcountry Resorts: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi Best Hotel General Managers: Grant Young , The Westin, Desaru Coast Best Hotel Pools: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi Best Hotel Spas: Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang

MALDIVES Best Resorts: Anantara Kihavah Best Resort General Managers: Idu Ribeiro , W Maldives Best Resort Pools: Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi Best Resort Spas: Joali Being

Most Outrageous Villas: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – Stella Maris Ocean Villa Best House Reefs: Anantara Kihavah – Baa Atoll Best Resorts for Families: Patina Maldives

NEW ZEALAND Best City Hotels: Park Hyatt Auckland Best Country Hotels or Lodges: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers Best Hotel Spas: Paihia Beach Resort & Spa

PHILIPPINES Best City Hotels: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Beach, Island or Upcountry Resorts: Banwa Private Island Best Hotel General Managers: Preet Singh , The Farm at San Benito Best Hotel Pools: Shangri-La Boracay Best Hotel Spas: The Farm at San Benito

SINGAPORE Best Hotels: Raffles Singapore Best Hotel General Managers: Peter Draminsky , Four Seasons Hotel Singapore Best Hotel Pools: Marina Bay Sands Best Hotel Spas: Oasia Spa, Oasia Resort Sentosa

SOUTH KOREA Best City Hotels: Four Seasons Seoul Best Beach or Upcountry Hotels: Park Roche Resort & Wellness, Jeongseon Best Hotel General Managers: Brian Harris , Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas Best Hotel Pools: Grand Hyatt Seoul Best Hotel Spas: Grand Hyatt Seoul

SOUTH PACIFIC Best Resorts: Como Laucala Island Best Resort General Managers: Nowdla & Bill Keefe , Namale Resort & Spa Best Resort Spas: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa Best Resort Pools: Namale Resort & Spa, Savusavu, Fiji Most Outrageous Villas: St. Regis, Bora Bora

Best House Reefs: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji Best Resorts for Families: Castaway Island Resort, Fiji

THAILAND Best City Hotels: Kimpton Maa-Lai Hotel Best Beach or Island Resorts: Rosewood Phuket Best Upcountry Hotels: 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai Best Hotel General Managers: John Blanco , Capella Bangkok Best Hotel Pools: Park Hyatt Bangkok Best Hotel Spas: Sindhorn Kempinski

VIETNAM Best City Hotels: Capella Hanoi Best Beach or Island Resorts: Regent Phu Quoc Best Upcountry Hotels: Azerai La Residence, Hue Best Hotel General Managers: Alexander Schoell , Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon Best Hotel Pools: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa Best Hotel Spas: La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc – MGallery

BEST DESTINATIONS

1.  Bangkok, Thailand

2.  Singapore

3.  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

4.  Hong Kong

5.  Tokyo, Japan

6.  Hanoi, Vietnam

7.  Luang Prabang, Laos

8.  Hue, Vietnam

9.  Siem Reap , Cambodia

10.  Taipei

1.  Bali, Indonesia

2.  Palawan, Philippines

3.  Phuket, Thailand

4.  Langkawi, Malaysia

5.  Boracay, Philippines

6.  Koh Samui, Thailand

7.  Penang, Malaysia

8.  Phu Quoc , Vietnam

9.  Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

10.  Sri Lanka

TRANSPORTATION, No. 1 WINNERS

Best Cruise Lines: Silversea Cruises Best Airlines: Singapore Airlines Best Airports: Singapore Changi

REGION-WIDE CATEGORIES, No. 1 WINNERS

Best Integrated Resorts: The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel Best Hotel Loyalty Programmes: IHG One Rewards Best Travel Agents or Specialists: Scott Dunn Best Hotel Experiences: How to Train Your Dragon Boat, Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou

"We are thrilled to have hosted the first-ever Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific event. The occasion brought together influential figures from the hospitality and travel sectors, providing a unique opportunity for networking, collaboration, and recognition," said Björn Rettig, CEO of BurdaLuxury. "We are proud to showcase the exceptional destinations and experiences that define Asia's hospitality landscape, and we look forward to launching more initiatives that celebrate luxury travel in the region."

Renowned Thai singer Rasmee, whose band excitingly blends traditional molam music from the Isaan region with blues and soul, performed live at the party. Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, Campari, Grey Goose, Dewar's and Lady Trieu were beverage partners.

For the full lists of all the winners, visit the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific site .

About Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau

Finding creative ways to tell meaningful stories and celebrate authentic luxury experiences, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau explores destinations through the perspective of the individuals that make travel so special. The Asian edition of the world's leading travel brand, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau is the go-to source of travel inspiration, with an audience of luxury travellers, high net-worth individuals, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. Travel + Leisure globally and in Asia enjoys a remarkable history of credibility and is the bible of luxury travel in Asia and abroad.

About BurdaLuxury

BurdaLuxury is one of Asia's most vibrant and progressive independent media houses. Its portfolio includes a variety of successful regional publishing brands in the lifestyle, luxury and travel markets across Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Print publications include AUGUSTMAN, HELLO! Magazine Thailand, Prestige, PIN Prestige, Architecture + Design and Travel + Leisure India & South Asia . Digital offerings include Lifestyleasia.com, Augustman.com, PrestigeOnline.com, PinPrestige.com, Architectureplusdesign.in and Travelandleisureasia.com. BurdaLuxury is part of the Hubert Burda Media family, one of the largest media companies in Germany. Operating in 14 countries, Burda employs more than 11,000 people and owns 550 media brands. 

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Minor Hotels clebrates 27 accolades at the 2023 Travel+Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, won big for the brand taking home two coveted awards – the Best Resort in the Maldives and Best House Reef in the Maldives, while also being voted into the second-spot for Best Spa in the Maldives.

BANGKOK – Minor Hotels , the parent company behind the Anantara, Avani, Tivoli, NH Collection, NH, nhow, Oaks and Elewana hotel brands, is celebrating a total of 27 accolades awarded to its properties throughout the Asia Pacific region in the first annual Travel+Leisure Luxury South East Asia awards recently held in Bangkok.

Travel+Leisure South East Asia , the popular luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, conducted an online survey in which readers rated their overall travel experiences resulting in the first Luxury Asia Pacific Awards. The awards recognise excellence in the travel industry, ranking the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, pools and leaders from a region covering the Maldives to Australia.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas , won big for the brand taking home two coveted awards – the Best Resort in the Maldives and Best House Reef in the Maldives, while also being voted into the second-spot for Best Spa in the Maldives. Situated along the pristine beaches of the Maldives’ Baa Atoll island archipelago, Anantara Kihavah consists of 80 luxury villas, the largest telescope for stargazing in the Indian Ocean and the award winning underwater restaurant and wine cellar SEA. Thanks to its privileged location within the Baa Atoll, a renowned UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah is the ideal base from which to explore the world that lies hidden beneath the calm turquoise waters. Built on a naturally formed island, the resort is encircled by a magnificent coral reef that is widely regarded as the best house reef in the Maldives.

In Thailand, Anantara’s two northern resorts Anantara Chiang Mai and Anantara Golden Triangle made the top five best upcountry hotels at number 3 and 5 respectively. Minor’s wellness offerings in Thailand also fared well with the newly opened BDMS Wellness Clinic Retreat at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel ranked as the fourth best spa, and Clinique La Prairie Bangkok located at the S t Regis Bangkok rounded off the top five.

Continuing the top five rankings of the region’s best, Anantara Hoi An Resort was voted in at number 2 of the Best Upcountry Hotels in Vietnam, while the history-rich boutique sanctuary Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel was voted in number 5 position for Best Hotels in Laos.

“On behalf of our hotels, I would like to thank the readers of Travel+Leisure South East Asia for their continuous support,” said Mr. Dillip Rajakarier , Group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels. “It’s such a pleasure and honour to see our properties in the region listed as the best that the Asia Pacific region has to offer.”

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Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

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Vietnam's Hoi An among Asia's best cities: Travel + Leisure

I ndustry leading magazine Travel + Leisure's Luxury Awards Asia Pacific featured Hoi An and its Hoiana Resort & Golf listed on its lists of best cities and resorts.

In the Best Cities category, Bangkok, Thailand, secured the top position for the second consecutive year.

Japan featured prominently with three cities in the top five, which are Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto.

Hoi An, Vietnam, claimed the 6th spot, a position previously held by Hanoi, another Vietnamese city.

Last year’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific featured Hanoi and Hue from Vietnam as top contenders, but in 2024 only Hoi An made the list.

Hoi An, situated on Vietnam's central coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a preserved historic Old Town intersected by canals. The town features Vietnamese, Chinese, and French architectural influences.

In the Best Integrated Resorts category, Hoi An’s Hoiana Resort & Golf secured 3rd place for the second consecutive year.

Galaxy Macau took the top spot, followed by Crown Perth in Australia.

Others in the top 5 Best Resorts are the Sands Resorts Macao and Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore.

The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific is an annual event celebrating excellence in travel and hospitality across the Asia-Pacific region. Launched in 2023, the awards are determined by the votes of well-travelled readers, who evaluate a wide range of experiences including hotels, resorts, spas, and pools.

Here is the complete lists of the 2024 Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific:

Best cities:

1. Bangkok, Thailand

2. Osaka, Japan

3. Tokyo, Japan

4. Dubai, UAE

5. Kyoto, Japan

6. Hoi An, Vietnam

7. Hong Kong

8. Seoul, South Korea

9. Singapore

10. Taipei, Taiwan

Best integrated resorts:

1. Galaxy Macau

2. Crown Perth, Australia

3. Hoiana Resort & Golf, Vietnam

4. Sands Resorts Macao

5. Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

6. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

7. Crown Melbourne, Australia

8. City of Dreams Manila, Philippines

9. City of Dreams Macau

10. Okada Manila, Philippines

More From Forbes

Australia tops list for asia-pacific luxury travelers, report says.

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The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne debuted in 2023.

Australia landed at the top of the list of the hottest destinations among luxury travelers in Asia Pacific, according to a new report from Marriott International Luxury Group.

The survey also put data behind other big travel trends in the region, including 91% of respondents saying safety is important for a luxury experience. Fine dining is a major travel draw, with 88% planning trips around food. And Indians emerged as significant drivers of growth in luxury travel, with 89% looking to spend more on their average of six vacations in the next year.

Popular Destinations

The report surveyed high-net-worth individuals in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and India, finding a robust 74% planning intra-regional travel in the next 12 months. Australia took the top spot as the most popular destination among 46% of respondents. Japan was close behind at 42%, with Hong Kong at 27%.

Oriol Montal, managing director of Luxury, Asia Pacific (excluding China) at Marriott International, initially found Australia’s pole position surprising. But when he dug into the other findings, he understood the appeal. “We know that luxury travelers are looking for phenomenal hotels, and over the past few years, Australia has been opening great hotels in different destinations,” Singapore-based Montal said.

Marriott is poised to take advantage of the trend, having expanded its footprint on the continent with the notable 2023 openings of The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne , Australia’s tallest hotel at 80 stories, and W Sydney , a 588-room hotel that’s the largest in the W portfolio.

The Tasman resides in Hobart, Tasmania.

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“One of the things that we saw in that study is the growth and interest in nature, culture and as well,” he said, highlighting the fact that 84% of those surveyed said that being immersed in nature was important when traveling, and 76% said they wanted to see wildlife. “Australia is a paradise for nature and wildlife.”

Another reason travelers want to go Down Under: 77% said they’d likely take part in a cultural event while traveling and 82% want to see a city’s distinct architecture and design (the latter figure jumps to 92% for Indians). As an example of Australia’s many cultural draws, Montal mentioned MPavilion, a yearly project that invites leading global architects to design a meeting place for Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Gardens. After the structure debuts, there’s a free five-month design festival, and then the venue is relocated to a permanent place in the city. In 2022, MPavilion drew 350,000 visitors.

Under-the-radar Tasmania, in particular, should make the list of those who prize great culinary travel, said Montal, who went there for the first time last year. “Spending time driving a car and visiting wineries, connecting with those entrepreneurial young persons [experimenting] with the food, wine and whiskey was an incredible learning [experience].”

Culinary travel is a big draw in the region.

Travel Motivators

Gastronomy ranked as the No. 1 factor when planning a trip, with 88% calling it “important” and 40% calling it “very important.” High-net-worth Indians are the epicureans of the region, with 55% of respondents rating it as “very important.”

In addition, 81% select a hotel based on fine dining options and 83% choose a destination so they can visit a critically acclaimed restaurant. Indeed, 82% define “luxury” as being able to dine in award-winning restaurants.

Montal said these diners seek out culinary-driven hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore , which have received top accolades for their respective French restaurant La Baie and Cantonese outlet Summer Pavilion. “That is something that those guests are looking for, but I would say that the experiential part is very important as well,” he said.

While there is a strong demand for fine dining options, guests also crave other immersive culinary experiences. It’s prompting hotels to get creative with their offerings. He pointed to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands ’ Masters of Crafts, a program launched in 2023 that brings prominent chefs and bartenders to the archipelago for short stints. Chef Bruno Verjus, who helms Paris’ popular Table restaurant, will visit July 27 to Aug. 3 to share his French cuisine with guests but also offer a cooking masterclass. And Pam Soontornyanakij, who was named Asia’s Best Female Chef for 2024, will bring her Thai-Chinese fusion to the resort Aug. 10 to 12 for Chinese Valentine’s Day.

Montal added that travelers looking for a premier culinary destination flock to The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo . “They keep reinventing their food and beverage offering,” he said. After achieving success in Paris, Nagano native chef Kei Kobayashi returned to his home country to debut Héritage, his new French restaurant within the Five-Star hotel. There’s also Hinokizaka, which focuses on the different elements of Japanese cuisine, from sushi to teppanyaki, and uses local ingredients, and The Bar, an upscale lounge that made the 50 Best Discovery list.

Find wellness at Mandapa in Bali.

Wellness also inspires Asia-Pacific travelers to hit the road: 80% of respondents say a wellness retreat is a motivating factor to travel this year, and the number increases to 86% among the 26-to-34 set. They are heading to places like Bali. Bvlgari Resort Bali , he said, caters to this crowd with a distinctive service: instead of signing up for scheduled wellness classes, you can request them whenever needed. Another Bali wellness option is Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve , which launched the Disconnect to Reconnect program that helps you unplug from your digitally driven day-to-day to help you focus and regain a sense of purpose.

Thailand is another renowned wellness destination, he said. There, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa goes beyond the spa to add wellness with the JW Garden, a sanctuary open to guests where fresh produce and herbs are grown for the onsite restaurants and bars. It’s an amenity found at all JW Marriott hotels, but Khao Lak elevates it to the form of a working farm nestled alongside a park.

Across the region, multigenerational families and friends are also traveling together to mark a milestone, like a birthday, wedding or religious holiday, with one in four planning a celebratory trip (it rises to 33% among Indians). In Singapore (26%) and India (28%), there’s a trend of a married parent taking a child on vacation to bond and share a love of travel. The report found that affluent travelers see kinship and connection within a group — be it family or friends — as enriching the travel experience.

Explore lush Thailand.

“[Group celebratory travel] has been very important always in Asia Pacific,” Montal said. “There was a rise post-pandemic. I would have thought that it would go slightly lower, but surprisingly, it continues being top of mind of the luxury travelers of this part of the world.” As a result of the rise in celebratory group travel, Montal said Marriott’s hotels have seen an increase in buyouts, more requests for larger villas and more demand for in-villa dining with private chefs.

“We are now in the process of doing the entire renovation of the W in the Maldives, and we will adapt to those needs, transforming some of our one-bedroom villas to two-bedroom villas because we see that this type of travel is here to stay,” he said.

Traveling in a group also promotes a sense of security, a critical component for these globetrotters — 91% said safety and protection are important for a luxury experience. “When we are talking about feeling safe, it will be all angles: it will be privacy, food safety, data protection, that I can trust that hotel and based on that I can fully relax and disconnect,” Montal said.

“Experience connoisseurs” are drawn to places like Goa.

New Types of Travelers

The report identified three new categories of luxury travelers. The “venture travelist” is an evolution from the bleisure (a blend of business and leisure) tourist. But instead of visiting destinations to do business, they go to generate new business. Montal said he sees this entrepreneurial-minded ethos often among younger generations in Indonesia, India and Singapore. “They always have like two or three businesses,” he said. “They travel and they are always looking for opportunities.”

Another new category offered up by the report is the “experience connoisseur,” mostly millennials, who travel for their well-being, both mental and physical. Montal said they head to places like Goa, India, for personalized, one-of-a-kind experiences, like learning a new skill or practicing wellness at a yoga retreat.

Finally, “timeless adventurers” are seniors who want to immerse themselves in a destination, not through touristy attractions but with activities and culture that can only be found in the city. These travelers want local restaurants and shopping and little-known destinations like Indonesia’s Labuan Bajo, he said.

8 FACTS ABOUT ASIA-PACIFIC LUXURY TRAVELERS

• 88% pick a holiday destination based on discovering a new food or culinary experience.
• 89% of high-net-worth Indians plan to spend more on trips, making them the most active and engaged group in the region.
• 84% say being immersed in nature is an important travel motivator, and 76% want to see wildlife.
• 88% expect total privacy while on vacation.
• 80% say a hotel’s sustainability and environmental practices are a consideration when deciding where to stay.
• 80% say a property’s wellness facilities are an important factor in choosing a hotel.
• 72% will travel to attend a high-profile sporting event or concert.
• 82% want to see a city’s distinct architecture styles and design highlights.

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There’s a New Regent Seven Seas Ship Coming in 2026 — and It’s the First in Its Class

Introducing the Seven Seas Prestige.

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises will debut a brand-new ship and ship class in 2026: the Seven Seas Prestige .

The new ship will hold up to 850 guests on board and will be the first new ship class for the company in 10 years, Regent shared with Travel + Leisure . 

“This is a truly historic moment for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, as we name the next ship to join The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet as Seven Seas Prestige and reveal her sleek exterior design,” Andrea DeMarco, the president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said in a statement shared with T+L. “Seven Seas Prestige, debuting in 2026, continues our legacy of revolutionizing ultra luxury travel as she will transcend luxury in every way. This incredible new ship will be the epitome of timeless elegance, exemplifying Regent’s commitment to excellence which is reflected in every aspect of her elevated design and exuding an ambiance of sophistication and refinement.”

When it launches, the Seven Seas Prestige will feature brand new stateroom categories and a reimagined Regent Suite (the largest and most luxurious option Regent offers). The new ship will also include new dining experiences, but Regent said details on those were not immediately available. 

The Seven Seas Prestige will be the first of two Prestige-Class ships. The second in the series is expected to launch in 2029.

The new class of ships comes after Regent launched several Explorer-class ships in 2016, in 2020, and in 2023. The company’s most recent ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur , features an impressive 1,600-piece art collection with multiple Picassos and the first-ever Fabergé Egg to be permanently installed at sea. Currently, Regent boasts six ships in its fleet. 

Regent offers all-inclusive trips with cruise fares complete with perks like free unlimited shore excursions, free valet laundry, included gratuities, and more. This year, the company introduced new fare options , allowing passengers to pick an all-inclusive cruise-only fare or an “Ultimate All-Inclusive Fare,” which also includes roundtrip flights and a private chauffeur service. The new fare options are available for travelers who book new reservations on or after July 1.

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Home > Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau Hosts Inaugural Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific Event 2023, Revealing Best Hotels, Resorts, Spas, and More, as Voted by Readers 

Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau Hosts Inaugural Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific Event 2023, Revealing Best Hotels, Resorts, Spas, and More, as Voted by Readers 

by Netty Venita Prommaporn | June 7, 2023 June 27, 2023

Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, a BurdaLuxury brand, recently hosted its first Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific event at Park Hyatt Bangkok. Celebrating the destinations, hotels, and experiences that make Asia Pacific so outstanding in hospitality, the inaugural event spotlighted the individuals, hotels, and brands shaping the landscape of travel and hospitality in 16 countries in the region, and beyond. Winners were chosen through a readers’ survey open to anyone in the world, during March and April of 2023, and were ranked in top-10 or top-5 lists, depending on the category and destination. 

An evolution of the brand’s Asia’s Best Awards 2022, the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 included an expanded list of countries and award categories. From five-star urban escapes to idyllic private-island beach resorts, innovative spas, Instagram-worthy swimming pools, exceptional airlines and airports, captivating cruises, reputable travel agents, exclusive travel experiences, and more, the awards showcased the best of Australia, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the South Pacific, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

“We’re here to celebrate breaking boxes and boundaries, forward thinking innovation, and next-generation luxury,” Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong and Macau’s editor-in-chief, Jeninne Lee-St. John, told the audience of top-level hoteliers who attended the event on June 5. “We’re here to thank you for your clairvoyant service that gives guests what they want before they know to ask and offers what they’ll love before they’ve ever had a taste of it. You inspire us but more importantly you inspire our readers. You send them home with outstanding experiences and memories and new friends that they hold in their hearts. And I know this because they voted you into this room tonight.” 

The full Top 10 and Top 5 lists of the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2023 winners are available at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific site .  

No. 1 WINNERS, BY COUNTRY

AUSTRALIA   Best City Hotels: Como The Treasury  Best Beach or Island Hotels: The Langham Gold Coast  Best Country Hotels or Lodges: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley  Best Hotel General Managers: Steve Molnar, Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas  Best Hotel Pools: Sofitel Sydney, Darling Harbour  Best Hotel Spas: Como The Treasury 

CAMBODIA   Best City Hotels: Rosewood Phnom Penh  Best Beach, Island or Upcountry Hotels: Shinta Mani Wild, Preah Sihanouk  Best Hotel General Managers: Daniel Simon, Phnom Penh  Best Hotel Pools: Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh  Best Hotel Spas: Six Senses Krabey Island 

HONG KONG   Best Hotels: Rosewood Hong Kong  Best Hotel General Managers: Jill Goh, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong  Best Hotel Pools: K11 Artus  Best Hotel Spas: The Oriental Spa at Landmark Mandarin Oriental 

INDONESIA   Best City Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan  Best Beach Resorts: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay  Best Upcountry Hotels: Capella Ubud  Best Hotel General Managers: Marcel Kloet, The St. Regis Bali Resort  Best Hotel Pools: The Apurva Kempinski Bali  Best Hotel Spas: Ayana Resort Bali 

JAPAN   Best City Hotels: W Osaka  Best Beach or Upcountry Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto  Best Hotel General Managers: Go Kondo, W Osaka  Best Hotel Pools: Hoshinoya Okinawa  Best Hotel Spas: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto 

LAOS   Best Hotels: Amantaka  Best Hotel General Managers: Anshul Sharma, Sofitel and 3 Nagas M Gallery Luang Prabang  Best Hotel Pools: Sofitel Luang Prabang  Best Hotel Spas: Le Spa at Sofitel Luang Prabang 

MACAU   Best Hotels: Mandarin Oriental Macau  Best Hotel General Managers: Saurabh Mishra, Galaxy Hotel Macau  Best Hotel Pools: Grand Hyatt Macau  Best Hotel Spas: Banyan Tree Macau 

MALAYSIA Best City Hotels: EQ Kuala Lumpur  Best Beach or Upcountry Resorts: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi  Best Hotel General Managers: Grant Young, The Westin, Desaru Coast  Best Hotel Pools: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi  Best Hotel Spas: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang 

MALDIVES   Best Resorts: Anantara Kihavah  Best Resort General Managers: Idu Ribeiro, W Maldives  Best Resort Pools: Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi  Best Resort Spas: Joali Being  Most Outrageous Villas: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – Stella Maris Ocean Villa  Best House Reefs: Anantara Kihavah – Baa Atoll  Best Resorts for Families: Patina Maldives 

NEW ZEALAND   Best City Hotels: Park Hyatt Auckland  Best Country Hotels or Lodges: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers  Best Hotel Spas: Paihia Beach Resort & Spa 

PHILIPPINES   Best City Hotels: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila  Beach, Island or Upcountry Resorts: Banwa Private Island  Best Hotel General Managers: Preet Singh, The Farm at San Benito  Best Hotel Pools: Shangri-La Boracay  Best Hotel Spas: The Farm at San Benito 

SINGAPORE   Best Hotels: Raffles Singapore  Best Hotel General Managers: Peter Draminsky, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore  Best Hotel Pools: Marina Bay Sands  Best Hotel Spas: Oasia Spa, Oasia Resort Sentosa 

SOUTH KOREA   Best City Hotels: Four Seasons Seoul  Best Beach or Upcountry Hotels: Park Roche Resort & Wellness, Jeongseon  Best Hotel General Managers: Brian Harris, Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas  Best Hotel Pools: Grand Hyatt Seoul  Best Hotel Spas: Grand Hyatt Seoul 

SOUTH PACIFIC   Best Resorts: Como Laucala Island  Best Resort General Managers: Nowdla & Bill Keefe, Namale Resort & Spa  Best Resort Spas: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa  Best Resort Pools: Namale Resort & Spa, Savusavu, Fiji  Most Outrageous Villas: St. Regis, Bora Bora  Best House Reefs: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji  Best Resorts for Families: Castaway Island Resort, Fiji 

THAILAND   Best City Hotels: Kimpton Maa-Lai Hotel  Best Beach or Island Resorts: Rosewood Phuket  Best Upcountry Hotels: 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai  Best Hotel General Managers: John Blanco, Capella Bangkok  Best Hotel Pools: Park Hyatt Bangkok  Best Hotel Spas: Sindhorn Kempinski 

VIETNAM   Best City Hotels: Capella Hanoi  Best Beach or Island Resorts: Regent Phu Quoc  Best Upcountry Hotels: Azerai La Residence, Hue  Best Hotel General Managers: Alexander Schoell, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon  Best Hotel Pools: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa  Best Hotel Spas: La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc – MGallery   

BEST DESTINATIONS  

CITIES   1. Bangkok, Thailand 2. Singapore 3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4. Hong Kong 5. Tokyo, Japan 6. Hanoi Vietnam 7. Luang Prabang, Laos 8. Hue, Vietnam 9. Siem Reap, Cambodia 10. Taipei, Taiwan

ISLANDS   1. Bali, Indonesia 2. Palawan, Philippines 3. Phuket, Thailand 4. Langkawi, Malaysia 5. Boracay, Philippines 6. Koh Samui, Thailand 7. Penang, Malaysia 8. Phu Quoc, Vietnam 9. Koh Phi Phi, Thailand 10. Sri Lanka

TRANSPORTATION, No. 1 WINNERS  

Best Cruise Lines: Silversea Cruises  Best Airlines: Singapore Airlines  Best Airports: Singapore Changi 

REGION-WIDE CATEGORIES, No. 1 WINNERS  

Best Integrated Resorts: The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel  Best Hotel Loyalty Programmes: IHG One Rewards  Best Travel Agents or Specialists: Scott Dunn  Best Hotel Experiences: How to Train Your Dragon Boat, Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou 

“We are thrilled to have hosted the first-ever Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific event. The occasion brought together influential figures from the hospitality and travel sectors, providing a unique opportunity for networking, collaboration, and recognition,” said Björn Rettig, CEO of BurdaLuxury. “We are proud to showcase the exceptional destinations and experiences that define Asia’s hospitality landscape, and we look forward to launching more initiatives that celebrate luxury travel in the region.” 

Renowned Thai singer Rasmee, whose band excitingly blends traditional molam music from the Isaan region with blues and soul, performed live at the party. Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, Campari, Grey Goose, Dewar’s and Lady Trieu were beverage partners.  

About Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau   Finding creative ways to tell meaningful stories and celebrate authentic luxury experiences, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau explores destinations through the perspective of the individuals that make travel so special. The Asian edition of the world’s leading travel brand, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau is the go-to source of travel inspiration, with an audience of luxury travellers, high net-worth individuals, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. Travel + Leisure globally and in Asia enjoys a remarkable history of credibility and is the bible of luxury travel in Asia and abroad. 

About BurdaLuxury   BurdaLuxury is one of Asia’s most vibrant and progressive independent media houses. Its portfolio includes a variety of successful regional publishing brands in the lifestyle, luxury and travel markets across Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Print publications include AUGUSTMAN, HELLO! Magazine Thailand, Prestige, PIN Prestige, Architecture + Design and Travel + Leisure India & South Asia. Digital offerings include Lifestyleasia.com, Augustman.com, PrestigeOnline.com, PinPrestige.com, Architectureplusdesign.in and Travelandleisureasia.com. BurdaLuxury is part of the Hubert Burda Media family, one of the largest media companies in Germany. Operating in 14 countries, Burda employs more than 11,000 people and owns 550 media brands.   

Media Contact   Netty Venita Prommaporn  Regional Head of Communications & Corporate Development, BurdaLuxury  [email protected]   

Netty Venita Prommaporn

Regional Director of Communications & Corporate Development

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Marriott International unveils luxury travel report for Asia-Pacific

As the Asia-Pacific region continues to be the growth engine for luxury travel, a new comprehensive report from the Luxury Group by Marriott International has identified new expectations and travel preferences among high-net-worth (HNW) travellers in the region.

The research was commissioned by Marriott International Luxury Group conducted over a period from April 18 to May 13 this year, with frequent international travellers who primarily travel for leisure. The study targeted the wealthiest 10% of residents in Australia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan with 200 respondents from each market.

Across the region, 68% are planning to spend more on travel over the next 12 months – 89% among Indians – with 74% planning to travel within Asia-Pacific and 88% prioritising gastronomy as the reason to travel. One in four of all holidays planned (25%) are celebrations.

In addition, three distinct new groups of luxury traveller have emerged: Venture Travellists seek business opportunities when travelling; Experience Connoisseur millennials who travel for enrichment; and Timeless Adventurer are those over 65 who are building their own itineraries and exploring places before they become popular.

“Our  New Luxe Landscapes Report  provides deeper behavioural insights and motivations into elite travellers from Asia and the Pacific,” commented Oriol Montal, managing director, luxury, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. “Whether it’s discovering new culinary experiences, travelling with their family or friends, or looking to forge connections with the local community, our research has identified new traveller archetypes, and provides Marriott International with new understandings in catering to this discerning traveller segment.”

Deeper extended experiences with family and friends The research among HNW travellers in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and India reveals they are travelling frequently with longer holidays especially across Asia-Pacific. An average of six leisure trips is planned within the next 12 months while 33% of respondents are planning at least seven holidays this year. On average, a short stay comprises three nights while a long stay is two-and-a-half weeks. For many, the kinship and connection within a group enhances the richness of the travel experience, with over 70% choosing to travel with family or friends.

Australia is the destination of choice (46%), above Japan (42%) and Hong Kong (27%). 69% of India’s HNW tourists are planning a trip to Australia and it is the top destination of choice for Indonesian, Japanese and Singaporean travellers.

Increasing demand in India The most active and engaged travel market, 89% of Indian HNW say they are planning to spend more on travel. Families and friends are touring together to mark key milestones, attend a private function or event, with 38% planning a trip with friends and 33% making theirs a celebratory trip.

A fascination for food Travellers (88%) are picking their holiday destination based on discovering a new food or culinary experience. Acutely aware of dining trends, almost half of the respondents (49%) describe a fine dining experience as an ideal night out. Reinforcing this point, 83% will choose a destination to visit an award-winning restaurant and 35% agreed they would spend more on unique culinary experiences. When choosing a hotel, 81% of HNW travellers make their selection based on fine dining options and 83% choose a destination so they can visit a celebrated restaurant.

New traveller personas With more disposable income for holidays and a growing population of ageing travellers, the research has identified three new categories of affluent travellers.

The Venture Travellist is the next-generation bleisure tourist, prioritising holiday destinations that will generate business opportunities. While they enjoy their vacation with their family and loved ones, they are always on the lookout to secure a deal. Entrepreneurs at heart, they explore a location, shopping for local products and antiques, and looking to forge business connections with members from the local community.

The Experience Connoisseur are predominantly millennials who plan their leisure travel as an opportunity for personal enrichment. They travel extensively and see the experience as an investment in their mental and physical well-being. They want to deeply explore a destination, value personalisation, and actively seek exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences.

Finally, the Timeless Adventurer keen explorers over 65 who want to immerse themselves in a destination. They are less interested in tourist attractions and more drawn to what gives the destination a sense of place, what makes it unique and memorable.

‌The full report is available to download here .

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NEW REPORT REVEALS CHANGING FACE OF LUXURY TRAVEL IN ASIA PACIFIC

PR Newswire

SINGAPORE, July 1, 2024

The Luxury Group by Marriott International launches extensive research among affluent travelers across six markets

• 68% spending more on leisure travel with 74% respondents planning an intra-regional holiday within Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• Australia is the top destination in next 12 months ahead of Japan, with 46% planning to visit
• Indian HNW are driving luxury travel with 89% Indians planning to spend more in next 12 months
• High-end gastronomy is the primary driver for luxury travel with 88% planning holidays around food
• Three new personas of luxury traveler defined

SINGAPORE, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Asia Pacific region continues to be the growth engine for luxury travel, a new comprehensive report from the Luxury Group by Marriott International has identified new expectations and travel preferences among high-net-worth (HNW) travelers in Asia Pacific. Across the region, 68% are planning to spend more on travel over the next 12 months – 89% among Indians - with 74% planning to travel within Asia Pacific and 88% prioritizing gastronomy as the reason to travel. One in four of all holidays planned (25%) are celebrations. Three distinct new groups of luxury traveler have emerged – the 'Venture Travelist' who seeks business opportunities when traveling, 'Experience Connoisseur' Millennials who are traveling for enrichment and 'Timeless Adventurer', over 65s who are building their own itineraries and exploring places before they become popular .

"Our New Luxe Landscapes Report provides deeper behavioral insights and motivations into elite travelers from Asia and the Pacific," says Oriol Montal, Managing Director, Luxury, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International . "Whether it's discovering new culinary experiences, traveling with their family or friends, or looking to forge connections with the local community, our research has identified new traveler archetypes, and provides Marriott International with new understandings in catering to this discerning traveler segment."

Deeper Extended Experiences With Their People The research among HNW travelers in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and India reveals they are traveling frequently with longer holidays especially across the Asia Pacific region. An average of six leisure trips is planned within the next 12 months while 33% of respondents are planning at least seven holidays this year. On average, a short stay comprises three nights while a long stay is two-and-a-half weeks. For many, the kinship and connection within a group enhances the richness of the travel experience, with over 70% choosing to travel with family or friends.

Australia is the destination of choice (46%), above Japan (42%) and Hong Kong, China (27%). 69% of India's HNW tourists are planning a trip to Australia and it is the top destination of choice for Indonesian, Japanese and Singaporean travelers.

Increasing Demand in India The most active and engaged travel market, 89% of Indian HNW say they are planning to spend more on travel. Families and friends are touring together to mark key milestones, attend a private function or event, with 38% planning a trip with friends and 33% making theirs a celebratory trip.

A Fascination for Food 88% are picking their holiday destination based on discovering a new food or culinary experience. Acutely aware of dining trends, almost half of the respondents (49%) describe a fine dining experience as an ideal night out. Reinforcing this point, 83% will choose a destination to visit an award-winning restaurant and 35% agreed they would spend more on unique culinary experiences. When choosing a hotel, 81% of HNW travelers make their selection based on fine dining options and 83% choose a destination so they can visit a celebrated restaurant.

New Traveler Persona s With more disposable income for holidays and a growing population of ageing travelers, the research has identified three new categories of affluent travelers. These include:

i) The 'Venture Travelist' The next-generation Bleisure tourist, the Venture Travelist prioritizes holiday destinations that will generate business opportunities. While they enjoy their vacation with their family and loved ones, they are always on the lookout to secure a deal. Entrepreneurs at heart, they explore a location, shopping for local products and antiques, and looking to forge business connections with members from the local community.

ii) The 'Experience Connoisseur' Predominantly millennials, Experience Connoisseurs plan their leisure travel as an opportunity for personal enrichment. They travel extensively and see the experience as an investment in their mental and physical wellbeing. They want to deeply explore a destination, they value personalization and actively seek exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences.

iii) The 'Timeless Adventurer' Debunking every stereotype of the over-65 'silver set travelers', Timeless Adventurers are keen explorers who want to immerse themselves in a destination. They're less interested in tourist attractions and more drawn to what gives the destination a sense of place, what makes it unique and memorable.

The full report is available to download .

Note to Editor Findings are from a research report commissioned by Marriott International Luxury Group conducted over a period from April 18, 2024, to May 13, 2024, with frequent international travelers who primarily travel for leisure. The study targeted the wealthiest 10% of residents in Australia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan with 200 respondents from each market.

Refer to Annex A for additional data on the preferences of luxury travelers across the APEC region. 

About Marriott International Marriott International, Inc.  (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,900 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 141 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program.  For more information, please visit our website at  www.marriott.com , and for the latest company news, visit  www.marriottnewscenter.com .  In addition, connect with us on  Facebook  and @MarriottIntl on  X  and  Instagram .

About Marriott International Luxury Portfolio With an unrivaled portfolio of eight dynamic luxury brands, Marriott International is creating authentic, rare, and enriching experiences sought by today's global luxurian. Spanning all corners of the world, Marriott International's luxury brands group offers a boundless network of more than 510 landmark hotels and resorts in 70 countries and territories through The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels. From the world's most iconic destinations to the ultimate undiscovered gems, the international hospitality leader's collection of luxury brands is focused on elevating travel with highly contextualized, nuanced brand experiences that signal the future of luxury by allowing guests to indulge their passions while sparking personal growth.

ANNEX A: 10 INTRIGUING FACTS ABOUT THE CHANGING FACE OF  LUXURY TRAVELERS ACROSS THE APAC REGION  

Most engaged travel market  is India. 89% of high-net-worth (HNW) Indians are planning to spend more on their leisure travel, looking at six trips over the course of the year, with an average three-four nights for a short trip and two-three weeks for a long holiday. 

Most self-sufficient travelers  are Singaporeans. 61% prefer to travel independently and curate their own itinerary, versus 43% across the region.

Most pressing social issue is sustainable travel. Mindful of the impact their travel has on the environment, 80% of HNW travelers say a hotel's sustainability and environmental practices is a consideration when deciding where to stay. 43% want to see hotel restaurants offering locally-sourced food products and a further 35% expect to see effective management of food waste.

Most likely to holiday longer  are Australians. With Australians entitled to a minimum of four weeks annual leave, it's not surprising they take the longest holidays with 73% planning a minimum two-week getaway and 33% taking over three weeks. Similarly, a third of Indonesians expect their trips will extend beyond three weeks.

Most important factor in a luxury experience  is a sense of security. Most respondents (91%) say a safe environment is more important than exceptional service (41%), engaging in an exclusive experience (36%) or having a truly personalized experience (33%).

Best reason to shop overseas  is to purchase locally made products. For HNW individuals, shopping is a key driver to travel and 85% of respondents say access to locally-made products is a key consideration when deciding where to travel.

Most likely to stay within their hotel are South Korean travelers. 54% of travelers surveyed would rather spend time at their hotel or resort rather than exploring local attractions or engaging with the locals.

Most favored cuisine is authentic local dishes, with over 62% preferring to explore unfamiliar local flavors over food from home.

Top mark of a luxury holiday is discovering a new destination, with 78% regarding it as important or very important.

Most valued   luxury experience is an immersive and refined sense of space, with 80% defining luxury travel as being surrounded by refined craftsmanship and exquisite design.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.

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