Case in point: the ‘bleisure’ traveller eager to make use of newfangled work-from-anywhere policies. According to Expedia’s 2023 Traveller Value Index which surveyed around 11,000 adults from countries like the United States, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, 28 per cent of people plan to take a ‘flexcation’ in the following year.

What’s a flexcation? Thinking sipping on a pina colada while lounging in a private pool and tuning in to a Zoom call.

A further 76 per cent of travelled polled by Expedia planned to extend work trips with some extra holidaymaking, thereby capitalising on the fervent return of business-related travel.

Some bleisure travellers take it a step further by becoming fulltime digital nomads – effectively taking a permanent ‘holiday’ while working a fully remote job.

Multidisciplinary design firm WATG sees this shift in mindset as an opportunity for hotels and resorts to rethink the designs for their suites. Adjustments like more wardrobe space, videocall-friendly backgrounds, more flexible work areas and an overall shift to homelier vibes might be on the horizon for hoteliers looking to capture these travellers.

Conversely, the flexible work arrangements also led to a blurring of lines between home and the office, in turn driving the desire to get away from it all – think escapes to rustic retreats at least a couple of thousand kilometres away from the nearest laser printer.

Almost half of some 24,000 travellers from across 32 countries surveyed by Booking.com for its Travel Predictions 2023 research expressed a desire for a travel experience best described as “back-to-basics” with only the bare necessities. A similar number (58 per cent) were keen to learn survival skills like sourcing clean water in the wilderness or starting a fire from scratch while on holiday.

However, these travellers were only willing to go off-grid provided it was a luxurious retreat (48 per cent) – with non-negotiable niceties like a phone and internet connection (53 per cent). No wonder we’re seeing growing demand for off-grid hospitality options that cater to the well-heeled.

Another trend set to make a return in 2023 is the large family getaway. Multi-generational gatherings – especially those split across international lines – have been put on the backburner for the better part of three years.

According to multidisciplinary design firm WATG, this translates into increased demand for accommodations and entertainment best suited for the entire family. Think interconnected suites, villas or bungalows with smart lock-off options and flexible configurations, as well as integrated hospitality facilities that cater both to excitable children and harried adults.

Wellness-centric travel will remains a focus. Expedia, Booking.com and WATG all forecast strong demand for travel with a goal of attaining peace for the mind, body and soul. Booking.com’s survey reveals that two in five are keen on mindfulness or meditation getaways – with a similar number looking at committing to a silent retreat.

The onus will be on hoteliers to keep up their amenities and programmes with the latest in physical, mental and spiritual wellness offerings. They can go a step further, says WATG, by incorporating wellness elements into the natural architecture of their individual hospitality facilities – like a dramatic upside-down spa centre with a magnificent alpine view.

Purpose-driven travel also remains a strong contender, concluded luxury travel agency Virtuoso after running their own survey among 300 travellers. They noticed that travellers, particularly millennials and Gen Zs, are visiting locations that embrace environmentally-friendly philosophies and practices while preserving the natural and cultural heritage.

And three out of four surveyed are willing to pay more for to travel sustainably too – provided they know where the money is going. In fact, 70 per cent agreed that travelling sustainability actually enhances their vacation experience.

Which three travel trends will be big among luxury travellers in 2023? 

• Demand for True Luxury

Beyond the glitz and glamour of hotel hardware and designer décor, discerning travellers will expect the luxury of space and time, which are priceless in this digitally connected era.  The demand for personal space and unobtrusive service — without compromising the standards of hospitality — will be a top criteria for travel decisions. 

• Respect for the Destination

The preference for exotic, off-grid travel destinations is on the rise, especially for luxury travellers.  More than ever before, travellers are showing elevated respect for the indigenous culture, rich history and unique surroundings.  Through local community engagements and conservation efforts, there is a growing desire to generate positive social impact and reduce environmental footprint during their journeys. 

At The Chedi Al Bait in UAE’s cultural capital of Sharjah, I can’t wait to share more about the new wing that was carefully and tastefully converted from three heritage homes belonging to the families of Khalid Ibrahim Al Midfa, the country’s first and foremost journalist.

• Authentic and Intuitive Hospitality

While automation and digital innovation can alleviate operational challenges, the magic of the human touch cannot be replaced.  Luxury travellers will continue to expect authentic conversations and intuitive responses by natural hosts in addition to the efficiency of digital solutions.  The ability to deliver warm and genuine hospitality from the heart is the definitive measure of success for luxury hotel operators.

What is the biggest change among the needs of luxury travellers in a post-COVID-19 world?

There is a growing demand for wellbeing – a need that transcends wellness and healthy eating.  It is the desire for purposeful travel and mindful living to promote better mental health, quality of sleep, positive social impact and active living. These are all the core elements that will be shaping and elevating the experiences that we will introduce in our new lifestyle brand, The Serai.

Which development on the future of hospitality industry excites you the most? 

The evolution of hospitality operations and talent management.  With the rapid adoption of digital solutions coupled by the shift of our workforce’s priorities, there is a need to revisit the practicality of traditional standards and regiments.  Throughout the pandemic, I have been amazed by the hotel industry’s creative ability to generate incremental revenue and deliver new guest experiences.  I am looking forward to more innovative and disruptive practices in the industry.

Talking about the future of hospitality and mentioning Saudi Arabia’s ambitious and remarkable Vision 2030 in the same breath is now essential. Its giga projects (large-scale construction projects) – two of which we are most honoured to be part of – look set to revolutionise travel and afford travellers with truly unforgettable and most importantly, new experiences. I am most excited for the future prospects of our upcoming hotels in this land of limitless potential and experiences.

What are the expansion plans of GHM Hotels & Resorts in 2023? 

Upcoming projects include The Chedi Wadi Safar, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, which is a partnership with Diriyah Gate Development Authority.  Another landmark project in NEOM, Saudi Arabia – The Chedi TROJENA, which is located in the Slope Residences, an iconic residential village perched on top of mountain peaks overlooking the Lake of Trojena.  Situated at the heart of NEOM, 50 kilometres from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, TROJENA will be the Gulf’s first outdoor ski resort, staging world-class sporting events, art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals.  These two projects in Saudi Arabia will join our pipeline of five projects under development. 

Which destination are you looking forward to travelling to this year?

I want to explore Africa. Being the world’s second largest and second most populous continent with 54 sovereign states, tourism in Africa has tremendous potential for growth in the new era of travel.  The appeal of this underrated continent lies in its cultural diversity, multitudes of landscapes as well as the rich biodiversity of native flora and fauna.

With ecotourism and artisanship headlining many travel stories recently, I am intrigued by the experiences that African countries have to offer.  More importantly, I hope to seek inspirations and ideas on how The Chedi brand can contribute to the tourism narrative of this amazing continent. This comes at an opportune time as we had just recently made our first foray into the world’s second largest continent with the opening of our El Gouna property in the magnificent Red Sea.

GHM, or General Hotel Management, is a Singapore-headquartered hospitality luxury boutique hotel management company that runs properties in the Middle East and Europe. Its portfolio include The Chedi AI Bait, Sharjah, UAE, The Chedi Muscat, Oman and The Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland.

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