Highly subjective and constantly evolving, luxury travel is increasingly becoming harder to define, as it continues to adapt to the changes in our society, culture, and technology. For me, the idea of luxury travel is…

– more about the experience, rather than just the appearance

– being able to fuel your needs in their entirety, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual

– an appreciation for the finer things in life tempered with the hidden gems of a destination’s local culture

– enrichment, authenticity, and exclusivity

[ictt-tweet-inline]Luxury travel is about the experience, not just the appearance. Luxury travel may be glamorous, but not always meaningful. Local culture may not always be glamorous, but it’s always meaningful. –Nyssa P. Chopra[/ictt-tweet-inline]

While that’s the idea of luxury travel from my perspective, let’s take a look what other people within the luxury travel sphere (bloggers, hoteliers, insiders, etc.) are saying:

Five-star resorts aren’t that uncommon, now we’re talking about space travel and remote encampments under the ancient constellations. It’s no longer enough to meet or exceed standards. I think what we all want is to feel the wonder and awe we experienced as children, when our world was new. That’s the essence of luxury travel today.

–Greg Velasquez, Director of Marketing at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles

Luxury travel is the delivery of superior services and products in a convenient and engaging way. Our clients want the best – from the positive and professional greeting by our doormen, to our plush beds and gourmet meals from in-room dining – the products and services should be outstanding. Luxury can also be synonymous with convenience. Trump Attaché™ and our associates do their best to anticipate our clients’ needs, and in cases where we could not do so, satisfy those needs quickly and with little effort on the client’s part.

–Erica Fox, Social Media Strategist at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto

Luxury travel is about sanity, time and exceptional experiences.  Regardless of destination or location it is the warm, sincere and anticipatory service that differentiate a luxury travel experience.

–Lindsey Ueberroth, President of Preferred Hotel Group

Comfortable seats with more legroom than you can bear. Indulging in sophisticated design that’s pleasing to the senses. Reliable transport. Food and wine so good it threatens to bring tears to your eyes. Getting lost in local culture. Creating authentic experiences. Complimentary Wi-Fi. Independence. Exclusivity. All of which are accompanied by a dash of social responsibility. Customized travel that makes you feel at home while away from home. Participation. Value for money. Enjoying the little journeys within each and every destination.

–JoAnna, Founder of For the Intolerants

Luxury is about unique experiences which can’t be easily replicated elsewhere. It’s less about facilities and amenities, more about authenticity of experience.

–Chris Warren-Gash, Co-Founder of Triptease

Luxury travel means experiencing destinations in inspirational, unprecedented ways on your terms. Truly luxurious travel provides experiences tailored to your personalized preferences, including what you desire, how you like it, where and when you want it. We each define, and re-define, luxury distinctly by our own desires, inclinations and impulses. It’s indulgence and pleasure for some, while others seek comfort and ease.

–Giuseppe Lama, Managing Director at The Resort at Pelican Hill

I think authenticity is becoming a rare commodity around the world, so having authentic experiences is the essence of luxury travel.  It’s important to support local communities and sustainable tourism.  I like to savor locally grown, freshly picked fruits and vegetables and find treasures made by local craftspeople.  There’s no point eating Italian food in Bangkok or Maine lobster in Tokyo or buying Chanel in China.

–Christine Gray, Editor-in-Chief at Luxury Travel Magazine

What does luxury travel mean to YOU?