Luxury Travel & Lifestyle Trends

A survey developed by KWE group for Casa Velas Hotel Boutique in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico indicated that 70% of their guests were interested in learning to put their best profile forward on Facebook, establish a Twitter account, upload videos and the like. Happy to oblige, the hotel is offering twice weekly workshops, free to guests.

Hats off to Veuve Cliquot’s promotion at Design Miami. They commissioned U.K. designer Tom Dixon to design sculptures with the iconic orange packaging.

In other times, a luxury product offering discounts risked tarnishing its image and cachet, traditionally a big no-no. But as the economies around the world continue to deteriorate, luxury retail and travel industries (cruise ships, tour operators, hotels, attractions, etc.) have resorted to slashing prices to merely stay afloat while continuing to market aggressively to build market share so that when the economy turns around, they’ll be in a stronger position than ever before.

AmEx Centurion invented the grandiose credit card, popularly known as the Black Card – a card is so exclusive it cannot be applied for, you have to be invited. Now, just in time for the worst mega-recession of all time, comes Roberto Cavalli’s snakeskin-finished credit card.

A new year means a fresh look at the world and a fresh palate. We’ve found some food trends in store for 2009, so if you want to get a head start for the holidays, here’s some suggestions to start the year off right:

This past weekend’s re-opening of the legendary Fontainebleau in Miami Beach invoked nostalgic images of style and glamour. One felt transported to other (better) times, in what I would call a “Great Escape” – a fantasy, which at the end of the day, is part of what travel is all about.

Divorce has a new face, dare we say, it’s almost trendy. Sad but true, divorces have become an awfully good market – from divorce party planners and invitations to social networks and travel packages, we’re seeing more products, services and networks cropping up targeting divorcees who either want to celebrate or a shoulder to cry on.

Celebrations in life (weddings, anniversaries, job promotions, etc.) routinely happen, even in a recession. Consumers always seem to dig deep and find money for an occasion. Few marketers capitalize on this as successfully as champagne houses.

To help boost sales in a market that has seen a definite slowdown, business and developers constantly have to come up with new perks to entice luxury home buyers. Home upgrades and annulled closing costs are a thing of the past.