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MEXICO

Ecology Urgency

Leading the way in the future of travel industry are businesses that offer sustainable solutions and align with the priorities of preserving the planet. One such place is Boca de Agua in Bacalar, Mexico, which leverages techniques including biophilic design and renewable energy to create a synergy between tourism and ecology. With a biophilic approach to design, the hotel delivers benefits for both the natural world and human health. Not a single mangrove plant was removed or damaged during building, the structures are elevated from the ground to minimize the hotel’s impact and footprint on the site, and 90% of the land owned by the property remains untouched and will form part of a regeneration and conservation program. From a guest experience perspective, such a direct connection to nature promotes physiological and psychological wellbeing. In addition, electricity is provided by Ammper, a Mexico-based renewable energy supplier, while amenities and consumables are custom-made with natural and biodegradable materials by Laguna Cyprien.

Ancestral Wisdom

Amid growing concern over the long-term consequences of our current extractivist tendencies, the travel industry is also witnessing a radical shift towards exploring indigenous knowledge systems and practices. In the hopes of finding solutions to what is often referred to as a “cultural crisis of disconnection,” ancestral approaches and other ways of knowing provide old ways of tackling new problems. To create Otro Oaxaca, Original Carlos Couturier of Grupo Habita looked to the local surroundings and traditions to integrate age-old local culture into this hotel in the center of Oaxaca. The floor plan takes inspiration from the nearby ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mitla, with a cross-shaped walkway at the heart of the design, while the underground wellness center Otro Mundo features a pool reminiscent of a cenote and roots its treatments in ancient wisdoms.

UNITED STATES

Connected Quests

Another result of the cultural crisis of disconnection is widespread loneliness, with people craving deeper connections and more meaningful relationships—and this feeling is affecting how travelers navigate their hospitality choices. People are starting to prioritize places that allow them to join connected quests through offerings like membership programs or niche communities. At the San Francisco Proper Hotel, Gilda’s Salon Dinners establish such a community every Friday and Saturday evening. Each night, no more than 10 guests gather to indulge on an 11-course, multisensory culinary experience prepared by chef Jason Fox at the hotel’s design-driven salon. The communal setting gives way to meaningful moments and dialogue, including marveling at Fox’s artistic presentations of inventive dishes crafted with both local and exclusive ingredients. 

MALDIVES

Age of Awe

Science shows that seeking more daily experiences of awe can have a transformative effect, and this knowledge is empowering travelers to truly embrace moments of wonder and appreciate the beauty that stops us in our tracks. Such moments are unending at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, where natural wonders align with curated spaces, artworks, and special events to offer unscalable moments against the awe-inspiring setting of the North Malé Atoll. Throughout the resort visitors encounter numerous immersive, site-specific artworks, such as Skyspace Amarta by renowned American artist James Turrell. To make the work, Turrell crafted a specifically proportioned chamber with an aperture in the ceiling open to the sky, inviting guests to contemplate their own perception of forms as they immerse themselves in the sensual abundance of light, color, and openness. Turrell’s work, alongside the many others at the resort, also exemplifies the concept of neuro-aesthetics, or the power of art and design to act as an antidote to stress and anxiety.

ITALY

Remedial Pursuits

As the world around us continues to be increasingly unstable, travelers are carving out deeply regenerative opportunities for healing and rest, such as those provided at Eremito, an escape nestled deep in the Italian countryside. Housed in a former monastery, the Umbrian property emphasizes slowness and silence so guests can disconnect from digital noise and reconnect with a more meaningful way of life. Every month a different retreat is hosted, with March featuring an epigenetic boost. The three-day experience begins with the detection of vital corporeal values, such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, followed by a daily routine including meditation, yoga, health talks, nature walks, and a vegetarian ketogenic diet. Supported by an expert yoga and meditation teacher and monitored by a doctor, participants will see how some healthy habits can influence physiological values directly linked to the aging of cells, increasing wellbeing, and longevity. Come April, the focus shifts to discovering one’s true essence through a four-day program aimed at helping guests recenter within themselves.

GREECE

Intelligence Era

The implications of artificial intelligence span industries, with debates revolving around its potential risks and benefits. While AI is significantly impacting planning and booking processes in the tourism industry, it is also being used to invigorate external communications and stimulate fascinating discussions. Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, for example, posted on Instagram a carousel of stunning images featuring dancers performing around a disused wine silo on the hotel’s property in Kourouta, Greece. The accompanying caption prompted its community to reflect on the question of whether AI-generated art is, in fact, art. The end of the caption, however, revealed a twist: the photos had actually been generated with Midjourney, and the text was written by ChatGPT.