Kiwi demand for luxury travel is expected to hit record levels, despite the Middle East conflict, as Flight Centre Travel Group New Zealand head of luxury brands Kelly de Graaf says luxury is back stronger this year.
The momentum is expected to continue, with de Graaf adding that demand is increasing month -on-month across all of the luxury pillars. “We’re on track for record breaking luxury demand in the Travel Associates brand, which is really exciting,” she says.
Travel Associates’ Cruise Boutique is going from strength to strength, she says adding that there’s ‘a real appetite’ locally to be part of the Luxury Travel Collective community.
. . . Trends
While luxury travel is growing, it’s also changing, says de Graaf who notes a global shift from quiet luxury to something more intentional. “In New Zealand specifically, we’re seeing that play out with longer stays, more back-to-back itineraries, and our customers wanting an adviser who can unlock access to things that they can’t arrange themselves to make their trips and holidays truly one of a kind,” she says. “It’s less about price tag we’re finding in the luxury sector, and more about whether that experience feels considered.”
As such, demand for East Africa is up around 75% year-on-year as clients seek something ‘more transformative’.
And whilst authenticity is important, so too is securing a seat at the front of the aircraft, especially for Kiwis, she says. “Even amongst the global disruption demand the premium end of the aircraft has held really firm. For New Zealand clients specifically we’re seeing them treat flights as part of the holiday rather than like a means to an end, so they start on this luxury journey how they mean to go on.”
Tailor-made and bespoke tours too are trending, which de Graaf attributes to clients seeking peace of mind, and knowing the agents behind the customised tours can step in if anything was to escalate.
There’s also growing awareness of expedition cruising, and a renewed confidence in longer haul bucket list style itineraries. This momentum, and these trends, are expected to continue over the coming year, especially bespoke experiences. “Those really considered journeys, and people wanting bespoke tailor-made packages, I think the luxury consumer sector will double down in this space,” concludes de Graaf.
