Looking to plan a cream-of-the-crop meeting or event? New top-tier luxury venues in Dubai or Mexico may be just the ticket. And while you’re here, catch up on the latest news in travel advisor tech, the launch of a new Reed & Mackay division and brand-new research on the customized travel market.
Reed & Mackay Launches Events Division in France
UK-based Reed & Mackay, the international travel management company, has debuted its events division in France as a response to a growing interest in the service. The addition will be led by Barbara Labrit, head of meetings and events for France, who is based in Paris. Reed & Mackay has also recently expanded meetings and events operations in Spain, Italy and the Nordics, with its global events team growing from six to over 165 employees since 2019.
“I am delighted to announce the launch of this new offering in France, which is a strategic priority for the company and our group. We are committed to offering our clients event solutions at the same levels of excellence and quality as the business travel services we have been providing for nearly 25 years, relying on our experts and the best technologies,” said Johann Smith, managing director of Reed & Mackay France.
Luxury All-Inclusive Kimpton Tres Rios by Playa Hotels & Resorts Set to Open Next Year
Playa Hotels & Resorts, the largest owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, has officially opened 2025 reservations for its newest property, Kimpton Tres Rios, located in Riviera Maya. The debut is especially anticipated, as it will be the first all-inclusive resort as part of Kimpton’s esteemed luxury brand. Elevated dining, amenities and programming are intrinsic to Kimpton Tres Rios; Fernando Mulet, executive vice president and chief investment officer of Playa Hotels & Resorts, said, “Kimpton Tres Rios redefines the luxury experience in the Riviera Maya, offering guests an all-inclusive retreat where every detail has been carefully designed to provide tranquility, comfort, and an intimate connection with nature…It has been an honor to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring this first ever Kimpton all-inclusive property to life. The result is a true benchmark in high-end hospitality.”
Global Travel Collection Agencies In the Know Experiences and Nicer Launch New Joint Venture
Internova Travel Group’s luxury division Global Travel Collection has launched a new joint venture between In the Know Experiences and Nicer. The latter has acquired a 50% stake in the former, granting In the Know Experiences agents free access to Nicer’s technology, which creates a more efficient workflow. Nicer will provide recruitment, onboarding and training of new advisors and employ the learning-management systems and training resources of Global Travel Collection. Following a goal of $2 million in sales set for new advisors, the affiliation with In the Know, which will continue to focus on seasoned advisors, will be finalized. Angie Licea, Global Travel Collection’s CEO, said, “If we take these two pieces—the progressive advisor and this technology that’s enabling a different way of selling—and put them together, what could we do?”
Nicer is designed for new advisors or assistants by acting as a lead generator and connecting them with consumers who are new to the industry, while also providing a database within the app for existing clients.
Over 2,700 New Hotel Rooms in Dubai Opened in the First Half of 2024, 75% in Luxury Category
According to new research by real estate advisory group and property consultant Cavendish Maxwell, an additional 10,100 hotel rooms in Dubai are projected to open by the end of 2025, topping off the 2,700 that have opened in the first half of this year alone. As it currently stands, 75% of keys belong to rooms in the luxury category, thanks to a 216% increase from 2023 in growth of 4-star establishments (with 5-star hotels increasing 111% over the same period).
Approximately 67% of all Dubai inventory stands in the luxury, upper upscale or upscale classification as of June 2024, solidifying the city as a top destination for ultra-extravagant group travel. New openings in 2024 include The Lana Dubai Dorchester Collection, SIRO One Za’abeel, One & Only Za’abeel, FIVE Lux JBR and the Address Palace Dubai Creek Harbour, with Ciel Dubai Marina, Viceroy Dubai Business Bay, Port De La Mer hotel and more set to debut before the end of the year.
Travcoa, Black Tomato, Luxury Gold and More Lead New Era of Customized Travel Experiences
The customized travel market is set to grow to $600 billion by 2030, spurred by a rising demand for tailored experiences. Key players dominating the industry include Travcoa, Black Tomato, Luxury Gold, Exodus Travels and Adventures by Disney, who are all vying for the largest slice of this expanding market.
Recent research by HTF Market Intelligence analyzed the approaches of these companies, which included a focus on adventure, culture and luxury. The report also points to a diminishing consumer interest in standard, pre-packaged tours, so competition within the industry is refocusing on new strategies and advanced technology to meet the rising demand for customization.
Key market segments in the study included application (sightseeing, education, business travel and more), type of traveler (luxury-focused, adventure seekers, cultural enthusiasts, family and solo), trip duration (either short breaks under seven days or extended vacations of seven to 15 days), and trip focus (special interest tours, wellness retreats and educational travel). Research results yielded an increased demand for wellness travel, growth in special interest tours, and sustainability and eco-friendly travel, which are all establishing themselves as key trends within the industry.
