Words Emily McDermottDate 27 February 2024
In our first-ever Further Forecast trend report, we defined six megatrends that are transforming and will continue to transform the way we travel. The key themes, which address the environmental crisis and embrace the age of artificial intelligence, not only impact travelers but also help our member hotels define their ethos and revolutionize their operations. From Mexico to the Maldives, these six properties take such future-oriented paradigm shifts to heart.
Treehouses at Boca de Agua are a playful alternative to leave the land untouched
Adapting to the climate with traditional techniques and materials
Leading the way into the future of the travel industry are businesses that align with the priorities of preserving the planet. One such place is Boca de Agua in Bacalar, Mexico, which leverages techniques including biophilic design and renewable energy to create a synergy between tourism and ecology.
With a biophilic approach to design, the hotel delivers benefits for both the natural world and human health. Not a single mangrove plant was removed or damaged during building, the structures are elevated from the ground to minimize the hotel’s impact and footprint on the site, and 90% of the land owned by the property remains untouched and will form part of a regeneration and conservation program.
From a guest experience perspective, such a direct connection to nature promotes physiological and psychological wellbeing. Plus, electricity is provided by Ammper, a Mexico-based renewable energy supplier, while amenities and consumables are custom-made with natural and biodegradable materials by Laguna Cyprien.
Otro Oaxaca emphasizes local colors, materials, and craftsmanship
A cenote-like pool at the underground spa in Otro Oaxaca
Amid growing concern over the long-term consequences of our current extractivist tendencies, the travel industry is also witnessing a radical shift towards exploring indigenous knowledge systems and practices. In the hopes of finding solutions to what is often referred to as a “cultural crisis of disconnection,” ancestral approaches and other ways of knowing provide old ways of tackling new problems.
To create Otro Oaxaca, Original Carlos Couturier of Grupo Habita looked to the local surroundings and traditions to integrate age-old local culture into this hotel in the center of Oaxaca. The floorplan takes inspiration from the nearby ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mitla, with a cross-shaped walkway at the heart of the design, while the underground wellness center Otro Mundo features a pool reminiscent of a cenote and roots its treatments in ancient wisdoms.
Another result of the cultural crisis of disconnection is widespread loneliness, with people craving deeper connections and more meaningful relationships—and this feeling is affecting how travelers navigate their hospitality choices. People are starting to prioritize places that allow them to join connected quests through offerings like membership programs or niche communities.
At the San Francisco Proper Hotel, Gilda’s Salon Dinners establish such a community every Friday and Saturday evening. Each night, no more than 10 guests gather to indulge on an 11-course, multisensory culinary experience prepared by chef Jason Fox at the hotel’s design-driven salon. The communal setting gives way to meaningful moments and dialogue, including marveling at Fox’s artistic presentations of inventive dishes crafted with both local and exclusive ingredients.
An immersive experience at Patina Maldives
Skyspace Amarta by renowned American artist James Turrell
Science shows that seeking more daily experiences of awe can have a transformative effect, and this knowledge is empowering travelers to truly embrace moments of wonder and appreciate the beauty that stops us in our tracks. Such moments are unending at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, where natural wonders align with curated spaces, artworks, and special events to offer unscalable moments against the awe-inspiring setting of the North Malé Atoll.
Throughout the resort, visitors encounter numerous immersive, site-specific artworks, such as Skyspace Amarta by renowned American artist James Turrell. To make the work, Turrell crafted a specifically proportioned chamber with an aperture in the ceiling open to the sky, inviting guests to contemplate their own perception of forms as they immerse themselves in the sensual abundance of light, color, and openness. Turrell’s work, alongside the many others at the resort, also exemplifies the concept of neuro-aesthetics, or the power of art and design to act as an antidote to stress and anxiety.
A former monastery, Eremito emphasizes slowness and silence
Surrounded by over 3,000 hectares of protected natural reserve
As the world around us continues to be increasingly unstable, travelers are carving out deeply regenerative opportunities for healing and rest, such as those provided at Eremito, an escape nestled deep in the Italian countryside. Housed in a former monastery, the Umbrian property emphasizes slowness and silence so guests can disconnect from digital noise and reconnect with a more meaningful way of life.
Every month a different retreat is hosted, with March featuring an epigenetic boost. The three-day experience begins with the detection of vital corporeal values, such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, followed by a daily routine including meditation, yoga, health talks, nature walks, and a vegetarian ketogenic diet. Supported by expert yoga and meditation teacher and monitored by a doctor, participants will see how some healthy habits can influence physiological values directly linked to the aging of cells, increasing wellbeing, and longevity. Come April, the focus shifts to discovering one’s true essence through a four-day program aimed at helping guests recenter within themselves.
Dexamenes questions whether AI-generated art is still art
Former wine silos are now a place for cultural activities and conscious wellbeing
The implications of artificial intelligence span industries, with debates revolving around its potential risks and benefits. While AI is significantly impacting planning and booking processes in the tourism industry, it is also being used to invigorate external communications and stimulate fascinating discussions.
Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, for example, posted on Instagram a carousel of stunning images featuring dancers performing around a disused wine silo on the hotel’s property in Kourouta, Greece. The accompanying caption prompted its community to reflect on the question of whether AI-generated art is, in fact, art. The end of the caption, however, revealed a twist: the photos had actually been generated with Midjourney, and the text was written by ChatGPT.
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