DESTINATION MEXICO: THE EVOLUTION OF LUXURY TRAVEL LIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT If you have any questions about the skift.com visitmexico.com report please contact
[email protected]. Cenote el Pit, Cancun A place Soumaya Museum, Mexico City where riches are measured in flavors, sights and sounds Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos Coba, Riviera Maya El Cielo Beach, Cozumel Uxmal, Yucatan Higuera Blanca, Vallarta-Nayarit Destination Mexico: The Evolution of Luxury Travel SKIFT REPORT 2016 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: The evolution of the luxury traveler, and what 4 that means in Mexico Five experiences and the destinations where they resonate: 7 1. Cuisine as a cultural encounter 7 2. Hotels that are more than hotels 8 3. Adventure and nature travel 9 4. Top-of-the-line transportation 10 5. Special events 11 The challenges and opportunities of the sharing economy 12 Infrastructure upgrades 13 The evolving role of travel agents and operators 14 Key takeaways 15 ABOUT SKIFT Skift is a travel intelligence company that offers news, data, and services to professionals in travel and professional travelers, to help them make smart decisions about travel. Skift is the business of travel. Visit skift.com for more. Destination Mexico: The Evolution of Luxury Travel SKIFT REPORT 2016 4 INTRODUCTION The evolution of the luxury traveler, and what it means in Mexico Upscale travelers aren’t what they used to be, especially in Mexico. The days when a typical luxury vacation focused mostly on long stretches of sand, posh hotels and pampering spas aren’t gone, of course. But they’ve evolved to include a far wider range of activities and destinations, often far from any beach, as travelers seek more authentic experiences and a closer connection with local culture.