"Life Finds a Way"

Meanwhile, and with a roaring T-Rex in my mind…

Travel Industry News & Trends

Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita Reimagined

After a comprehensive two-year enhancement and a temporary closure starting March 31, 2025, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita (website) is re-emerging with a soothing light-filled redesign led by London-based 1508 London. They've transformed every space, from pool villas to the spa, using natural materials, vibrant Creole-inspired accents, and a seamless indoor‑outdoor flow. The villas are scheduled to reopen in early November 2025. HD

It is not just a facelift but a thoughtful renovation that brings soul back to this island haven.

Aman’s Sister Brand Janu Is Headed to Turks & Caicos

Aman Group is bringing its more social, wellness-forward brand Janu to the Caribbean for the first time. Slated for 2026, Janu Turks & Caicos will sit along Grace Bay’s white sands and include a 70-key resort and branded residences. The property will emphasize connection, movement, and contemporary design, aligning with Janu’s “soulful balance” ethos. This marks Aman’s deeper push into lifestyle-driven luxury, and Janu’s third confirmed destination after Tokyo and AlUla. TMR

Grace Bay just got a lot more… social. Think Aman energy, but with playlists and Pilates.

Cunard Teams Up with Abbey Road Studios for a Beatles-Inspired Voyage

Cunard has announced an exclusive partnership with Abbey Road Studios, launching a special “Greatest Hits of The Beatles” transatlantic sailing aboard Queen Mary 2. Departing September 2025, the voyage will feature live performances, curated talks, and rare memorabilia tied to the legendary band. The collaboration is part of Cunard’s strategy to elevate onboard enrichment by tying in world-class cultural institutions. LTA

Because sometimes luxury sounds like string arrangements and Strawberry Fields.

Accor’s Emblems Collection to Debut in the UK This Year

Accor will introduce its first Emblems Collection hotel in the UK later this year with the opening of The Relais Henley – Emblems Collection. Located in Oxfordshire, the riverside property marks the soft brand’s expansion into heritage-rich boutique territory. Emblems is Accor’s answer to “curated luxury,” grouping independent hotels under a flexible brand umbrella similar to LHW or Autograph. This debut follows previous launches in China and Vietnam. LTA

Downton Abbey vibes, now with loyalty points and a brand playbook.

🦕 What Jurassic Park Can Teach Travel Professionals

The original Jurassic Park (Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel and Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film) offers some relevant lessons for today’s travel professionals. Here are a few sharp takeaways:

🧬 Don’t Let the Tech Do the Thinking

In Jurassic Park, the park’s creators trusted too much in technology — electrified fences, automated feeding systems, and complex monitoring software.

🧭 Travel Pro Insight: AI itineraries and booking tools are great… until they fail. Tech should enhance your expertise, not replace it. Personal curation still beats automation when it comes to unforgettable travel experiences.

🦖 Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

John Hammond cloned dinosaurs because he could. But he never stopped to consider why or how it might go wrong.

🧭 Travel Pro Insight: Not every trending destination, hotel, or partnership is right for a client. Vetting and intention matter more than novelty. Exotic doesn’t always mean ideal.

⚡ Chaos Theory is Real — So Plan for It

Dr. Ian Malcolm’s famous line: “Life, uh... finds a way.” Meaning: systems break, nature rebels, things go sideways.

🧭 Travel Pro Insight: Always have a contingency plan. Whether it’s a missed connection or a hotel overbooking, your ability to adapt and reassure is what makes you invaluable.

🏝️ Experience Design > Hype

The park looked good on paper. But the actual guest experience? Terrifying and poorly thought out.

🧭 Travel Pro Insight: Don’t oversell a destination just because it’s buzzworthy. Craft journeys that align with travelers’ desires, not just Instagram trends.

🎢 People Remember How You Made Them Feel

At the end of the story, the survivors don’t talk about the innovation or the technology — they remember the fear, the awe, the thrill.

🧭 Travel Pro Insight: What travelers remember isn’t logistics — it’s emotion. Design for wonder, not just convenience.

TL;DR:

You don’t need to wrangle dinosaurs to appreciate Jurassic Park’s core lesson: Experience without forethought leads to disaster. And in luxury travel, that lesson is golden.

Destination Experts | Australia

Your curated guide to the DMCs delivering ultra-luxury experiences across the Great Southern Land.

Yes, your clients have heard of Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. But Australia isn’t just a bucket-list destination, it’s a canvas for exquisite, remote, and wildly creative journeys… if you’ve got the right people on the ground.

Because let’s be honest: Australia is huge, logistically complex, and full of “experiences” that read better in a brochure than they feel in real life. (Koala cuddling, anyone?)

That’s why choosing the right DMC, one that understands discerning travelers, not just itineraries, is everything.

These boutique operators stand out for their ability to design seamless, high-touch journeys across Australia’s vast landscapes. Think: private reef charters, wilderness lodges, Aboriginal-led art encounters, and tasting menus where the chef harvested half the ingredients at dawn.

🇦🇺 Southern Crossings

A pillar of Australian luxury travel for over 35 years, Southern Crossings combines deep regional knowledge with world-class concierge-level service. Ideal for ultra-personalized FITs and special-occasion journeys.

🇦🇺 Touring Treasures

Known for cinematic, emotionally rich journeys, Touring Treasures specializes in romance, slow travel, and ultra-bespoke experiences. Perfect for couples, honeymooners, or clients seeking a deep connection, not just a checklist.

🇦🇺 The Tailor

With 25+ years of experience, The Tailor is a pioneer in luxury Australian travel. They specialize in handcrafted itineraries for HNW clients, including private wine safaris, luxury station stays, and behind-closed-doors culture.

🇦🇺 Alquemie

Curators of the ultra-bespoke, Alquemie creates once-in-a-lifetime journeys with obsessive attention to detail. Their insider access spans private reef charters, heli-hiking in Tasmania, and artist-led outback immersions.

🇦🇺 Southern World Australia

A high-performing DMC with solid partnerships and deep logistics expertise — especially good for complex, multi-region trips. Southern World Australia’s FIT team understands luxury service standards.

Not a DMC, But Worth Knowing

Luxury Lodges of Australia – A must-use network when planning high-end stays. Think: Saffire Freycinet, Longitude 131°, Capella Lodge… It’s the cornerstone of most great Aussie itineraries.

Other Operators to Explore

• Epic Private Journeys – Ubiquitous across multiple continents, great for private adventure clients, but not exclusive to Australia.
  🔗 https://epicprivatejourneys.com/

• Abercrombie & Kent Australia – Strong logistics and global brand power; slightly less tailored at the ultra-high-end.
  🔗 https://www.abercrombiekent.com.au/