Captain's Choice Reveals Three Luxury Travel Trends for 2016

According to pioneering travel operator Captain's Choice, the luxury traveller of yesterday has evolved to become the luxury adventurer of tomorrow.

This new breed of guest is driving rapid change in the luxury sector in 2016 as they seek itineraries that deliver more of the world in one journey; offer access to more authentic discoveries; and that provide more value for their travel spend.

With 21 years' experience in the luxury travel sector, Captain's Choice has perfected the art of catering to the changing needs of travellers.

Here, company Founder Phil Asker shares insights into how this new tribe of 'luxury adventurers' are shaping the future of luxury travel – in 2016 and beyond:

The world in one journey

“Travellers spend their whole working lives dreaming of the perfect journey. Where, in years gone by joining all the dots between their dream destinations would be difficult, expensive and in some cases impossible; today it has become an affordable reality. Luxury travellers nowadays demand diversity in their itinerary but not at the expense of convenience and comfort.

“The new breed of luxury adventure seekers want to be able to travel to eight places in 18 days. But they don't want to queue at airports. They don't want to be kept waiting. They certainly don't want to spend hours in airport lounges waiting for connections. Travelling point to point – non-stop – directly to and from the desired destination is what is sought. The journey itself is no longer the adventure, what they experience at the destination is what matters,” said Phil Asker.

Captain's Choice has recently launched its latest 'Journeys by Private Jet' program that is designed to cater to this growing demand, offering an exceptional all inclusive travel experience both onboard and on the ground.

Guests can choose from Equatorial Explorer, August 23-September 13 2016; Ultimate South America, September 15-October 6 2016; or Icons of Asia and Africa, October 20-November 7 2016. Prices start from $47,500 per person, twin share.

Travelling from destination to destination, sometimes on flight paths that are usually unheard of, all 90 guests on board the Captain's Choice Boeing 767 will be able to relax on their own lie-flat seats while enjoying personalised service.

Guests are treated like VIPs throughout their journey, only changing planes to reach remote destinations such as the Galápagos Islands and Agra. Immigration is hassle free and in many destinations special arrangements are made for guests to fast track through formalities. Every itinerary has been crafted with convenience in mind with all flights, bar one, are scheduled during the day at times that suit guests' needs rather than the operational requirements of an airline.

According to Phil Asker, the trend for the luxury adventurer is not confined to country hopping, but instead centres on the desire to see everything on their tick list in one trip. Quickly, easily, without hassle and inconvenience, “We've just introduced two Australia by Private Jet journeys for 2016 because guests were telling us they wanted to see all the highlights of home but it was too difficult for them to link it all together themselves.”

Extraordinary Experiences

Captain's Choice has been offering 'Inspired Moments' on its tours for many years – features that are sometimes intricately planned, sometimes arranged on the spot by tour managers, but always designed to astound guests. But in recent years their prominence has become more pronounced.

Phil Asker believes that this is due to a higher level of expectation from guests who are forcing luxury travel providers to raise the bar to include more and more really special events and access to unique experiences:

“Our guests want to see everything in one go but they also want to feel as if they having an intimate experience. In the luxury travel sector there is now a certain expectation – the best hotels, restaurants, modes of transport, butler services – they are all considered a given. But what you can't bottle up is that magic feeling of anticipation and excitement when you get to experience something that you know no-one else can access.

“Taking a guest to a Michelin starred restaurant is amazing. Arranging for the Chef to come out and meet them is fabulous. But for the luxury adventurer of tomorrow, allowing them to meet the Chef early in the morning, go to the market with him or her to select the produce and then go back to the restaurant to see it being prepared – that's the extension of the experience. That's what transforms it from the ordinary to the extraordinary and that is the level of extra discovery that travellers are seeking in their itineraries,” said Phil Asker.

He admits it's a challenge to continually deliver against such high expectations. “Our job as industry leaders is to anticipate where our guests will want to go and what they will want to experience tomorrow – what their next definition of 'extraordinary' is going to be and how we can ensure they only experience it with Captain's Choice.”

The Value of Luxury

Value is more important than ever to the luxury adventurer. They have more to spend than those on a budget but then they increasing expect to receive more in return. For the travel providers catering to this clientele, there is a firm responsibility to demonstrate where that value comes from:

“Travellers need to understand what the extras are that they are paying for – the comfort, the ability to access places that they couldn't easily connect to themselves, the inspired moments that are arranged for them through local networks and contacts, the ability to step 'behind the scenes' of a culture or destination to see something that no-one else can. As the world becomes more accessible, our journeys become more sophisticated and our guests' expectation levels increase to reflect this,” said Phil Asker.

Also important to note is the value placed on personal safety and security.

“We live in a very different world and so while we now have luxury adventurers, they bring with them a heightened desire for reassurance that whoever is in charge is also able to handle every element of their trip, from itinerary changes to visa issues or lost belongings. As luxury travel providers we believe it our responsibility to offer this as standard. That peace of mind is incredibly valuable to the modern day traveller.

“Luxury travellers are savvy – they know what makes sense to purchase. Quality is a key driver, a relationship that will last them a long time and that will pay back, that will deliver in experience and that they can rely on and that echoes their own philosophies. It not perhaps a new edict but it is still incredibly important for the luxury adventurer of tomorrow,” concludes Phil Asker.

To find out more about luxury journeys with Captain's Choice, please call 1300 176 681, email info@captainschoice.com.au or visit captainschoice.com.au for further details.

About Captain's Choice

Captain's Choice was founded by travel experts Phil and Kaye Asker over 20 years ago. The company has built an enviable reputation for being connoisseurs of exceptional luxury travel, flying the flag across all that's remote, exotic and inspired.

From private jet tours to specially created luxury cruises, rail and land journeys, Captain's Choice has pioneered Australian exploration of some of the world's most fascinating and far flung destinations. Phil Asker plays an active role in the research and management of every journey and along with the rest of the Captain's Choice team is always on the lookout for fresh wonders to curate for its hand crafted experiences

With high staff to guest ratios, expert guides, genuinely all inclusive tours and active engagement with the communities it visits, Captain's Choice takes pride in being pioneers of exceptional experiences.

For further information, please contact: www.captainschoice.com.au