Top three trends for luxury travellers in the Asia Pacific region

Written by: Poppy Skinner Created: 09 October 2023

There's still time to tick off some bucket-list trips from your list this year.

The year’s top luxury destination: Africa

Since the tail end of the pandemic, the Scott Dunn team has seen a clear favourite when it comes to luxury destination travel: Africa. From the richness of South Africa, to the vibrancy of Morocco, and the mysteries of Egypt, the continent has cemented its spot as the luxury travel operator’s top-selling destination since late 2022.

Hsu says: “We’ve seen a strong uptick in interest for far-flung destinations, especially those that many have considered to be ‘bucket list’ destinations. We definitely attribute this to pent-up demand from the pandemic, and we see that luxury travellers are now more adventurous when it comes to the regions that they want to travel to.”

Africa’s popularity is one that cuts across all groups, as there is such a wealth of different experiences to be had in Africa. For example, Morocco’s buzzing cities and sprawling mountains are also a popular choice; one unique experience to consider is a visit to a Berber village, where guests can immerse themselves in their day-to-day culture and learn how they bake bread, or how to make a traditional pot of Moroccan tea.

On a different note, Africa offers up a huge amount when it comes to Safaris with the likes of Tanzania seeing the most magnificent annual migration of animals and the famed 'Big Five.'

Enjoying the journey: A resurgence in luxury train travel

Conjuring up romantic images of a bygone era, train travel is now seeing a resurgence in popularity in the luxury sector, driven by an increased desire for slower, more thoughtful travel.

One well-known route would be the Eastern & Oriental Express, often colloquially referred to as Southeast Asia’s answer to the famed Orient Express. The train — which makes its return in 2024 with routes in Malaysia — takes guests through some of Malaysia’s most remote and untouched areas, including one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, all in iconic comfort and style.

Switzerland’s Glacier Express is a popular choice for high-net-worth clients, especially during the year-end period. Often named one of the world’s most beautiful train rides, the Glacier Express whisks guests through the majestic Alps, and runs through a wealth of different landscapes; its well-appointed glass-covered carriages make for a  wonderful place to admire the incredible views.

A lesser-known choice is the Andean Explorer, South America’s first exclusive sleeper train, and one of the highest train journeys in the world. Highlights include the well-appointed cabins, which feature hand-woven Peruvian fabrics and soft Alpaca wool. The train gives an up-close view of the dramatic Peruvian Andes, and includes opportunities to explore Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital.

Pleasure cruises: An uptick in private yacht holidays

In recent times, Scott Dunn’s luxury travel experts have seen a whopping two-fold increase in interest for private yacht holidays from their well-heeled guests. Ranging from plush vessels that epitomise the barefoot luxury trend, to sprawling, cutting-edge superyachts, private yacht holidays are most certainly on the rise.

The spectacular Indonesian archipelago, in particular, is fast becoming a launchpad for such holidays. Both the Vela and Rascal take inspiration from local craftsmanship, specifically, the phinisi — a traditional Indonesian sailing vessel recognised by UNESCO.

While the Rascal, too, takes inspiration from local craftsmanship, she has been designed specifically for vibrant social gatherings. Large decking areas and unique cabins take inspiration from Hampton-style beach houses make for the perfect choice for groups of friends and family to discover Indonesia’s sprawling archipelago in unfettered style and luxury.

Croatia is also an especially popular destination for guests keen on a private yacht holiday due to the crystal clear waters, hidden coves and beaches and bustling towns.

The Maldives is another ideal location for a luxurious yacht holiday. With so many secluded islands scattered throughout the atoll, each one makes for the perfect stopping place to feel truly disconnected from it all.

Written by: Poppy Skinner

Poppy covers a wide range of topics at Billionaire, having spent the past 13 years at companies including Singapore Tatler, Her World Plus and Harpers Bazaar UK. She has a passion for fashion, jewellery and travel as well as an avaricious fascination with crime novels. Follow her at poppypskinner on Instagram.