Why ‘transformative travel’ is the next luxury trend
Lucy Jackson, founder of bespoke tour operator Lightfoot Travel, lets us in on the latest in holiday trends
Luxury travel isn’t just about limos, butlers and designer brand amenities; the well-heeled and well-travelled now expect nothing less than completely personalised experiences. Here, co-founder Lucy Jackson discusses the recent shifts in people’s travel expectations, as more of her company’s customers seek holiday experiences that are personally fulfilling, and which provide opportunities for self-development and reflection.
How has your view and understanding of luxury travel evolved over time?
Moving from the UK travel market to the Asian travel market 10 years ago shifted my perception of luxury travel. The Asian market is focused on high-end service as well as the hardware of the hotel. For me, luxury travel offers a pared-back authenticity – this is inherent in the guides that we handpick and the stories that we share. However, Lightfoot Travel now overlays this with highly personalised service that you couldn’t find elsewhere.
What was your primary motivation behind creating Lightfoot Travel? What kind of demand were you hoping to satisfy?
My business partners Simon [Cameron] and Nico [Heath] and I wanted to share a way of travelling that didn’t yet exist in the market: a tailored approach to planning a holiday for discerning and well-informed travellers who are looking for a more exclusive way to discover the world. We wanted to help create that demand through inspiring content and saw the demand of the Asian traveller at the forefront of this. Since our offices opened in Singapore and Hong Kong, we [have] opened in Dubai, and next year we will be looking at the Australian market.
A post shared by lightfoottravel (@lightfoottravel) on Oct 14, 2017 at 2:43am PDT
You’ve mentioned experiential travel. What exactly is that?
Experiential travel is going beyond visiting some place; it’s about becoming immersed in the country, tapping into the local culture, seeking out new and exciting authentic experiences, connecting meaningfully with the community, and developing a rich knowledge and understanding – not just about your surroundings, but also about yourself.
How do you see experiential/bespoke travel evolving in the years to come? What new strategic moves do you plan on implementing?