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- The Day Coldplay Hijacked a Family Heritage Trip
The Day Coldplay Hijacked a Family Heritage Trip
Live events have turned destinations into stages + Travel Industry Events AI Tool (Downloadable)
Alex Mustaros
September 18, 2025
In partnership with
We had been talking about their trip for more than two hours now.
Coffee cups sat empty on the table.
Maps of the UK were spread everywhere.
My friends, Betty and Ivan, both in their forties, had been planning this dream for years: three weeks in the UK to trace their family roots.
"We want to visit the village where my great-grandmother was born," Betty said, pointing to a tiny dot near York. "And Ivan's family came from this area in Scotland."
Alex Mustaros | Midjourney
That's when their teenagers walked in.
"Wait, when are we going?" asked Emma, their sixteen-year-old, suddenly interested.
"October 15th to November 5th," Ivan replied.
Emma's eyes lit up. She grabbed her phone. "Oh my God! Coldplay is at the O2 Arena on October 17th! We HAVE to be in London!"
"And Manchester United plays Manchester City on the 19th!" shouted Jake, their fourteen-year-old son. "It's the Derby! Dad, you love football!"
"But wait," Emma interrupted, scrolling frantically. "Adele is in Glasgow that same night! We can't miss Adele!"
While I kept writing all of these down, Betty and Ivan looked at each other.
Their inspirational trip to small English villages had just turned into a race across Britain.
Aunt Maureen's hometown near York? The kids couldn't care less.
For some, this used to be how travel worked: the show was a lovely surprise along the way. Now it’s often the reason we pick the city.
Because for 3 in 5 younger travelers, concerts, festivals, or sporting events aren’t optional extras anymore; they’re central to the travel plan.
Some will even fly 600+ miles for a single show.
The show comes first. The place comes second.
Sections:
From The Editor’s Desk (My Laptop)
Event travel is no longer a fringe luxury.
Events are becoming central to how people choose where and when to go.
According to American Express’ 2025 Global Travel Trends, nearly 60% of global respondents plan trips around entertainment or sporting events.
The music tourism market in the U.S. alone was $27.6B in 2024, with forecasts of ~15.5% CAGR through 2033.
Billions USD
And the sports tourism sector?
It’s accelerating too, growing demand, more major events, more planning.
Why mention this now?
Because this shift changes everything for travel businesses and luxury advisors.
It means the lead time matters. An artist’s concert, a cup final, a destination festival; those things aren’t surprises you tack on. They’re anchors.
It means logistical knowledge, ticketing access, and hotel relationships; the sort of things that used to be “extra polish” become the baseline.
It means businesses that can anticipate and embed events into their product, marketing, and operations will win from both demand and margin.
Events shift what success looks like: it’s no longer about adding value by chance but about envisioning and delivering the event-first travel experience.
Those who understand the event calendar months or even years ahead, whether for concerts, sporting fixtures, or festivals, will be the ones designing the trips that clients remember and are willing to pay more for.
Look at your upcoming 12- to 24-month horizon: identify the concerts, sports matches, and cultural festivals that could move hearts.
Secure relationships with venues, ticketing partners, and luxury hotels now.
Own the opportunity where planning leads and premium experiences follow.
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Global Luxury Travel News
Aqua Expeditions Sets Sights on the Arctic with New Luxury Voyages
Aqua Expeditions will sail its first ever Arctic journeys aboard the Ice-Class 1B Aqua Lares, launching in summer 2026. The line will operate 5- to 14-night small-ship expeditions through Svalbard, Lofoten, Tromsø and other remote Arctic zones. The yacht has 15 cabins (including three Owner’s Suites), spa, sauna, indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi, and lounges, all aimed at combining rugged polar landscapes with elevated comfort. Wildlife, glaciers, and striking iceberg vistas are on the menu. CRUISE INDUSTRY NEWS
Polar bears, fjords, sky-full of stars, and yes, you can have hot cocoa at sunset, too.
Priority Pass Raises the Bar with a Luxe Private Airport Experience
Priority Pass announced a new “Priority Pass Private” offering that aims to deliver a fully elevated airport experience, launching first in 76 airports across Europe & the Middle East. The invitation-only service includes expedited private check-in, security, access to a VIP lounge, and chauffeured transfer directly to the plane. Aimed at high-net-worth clients, this adds another layer of exclusivity for travelers who want privacy, time savings, and comfort from the moment they arrive at the terminal. T+L
Why start your vacation with a queue at security when you can start it sipping champagne in your swipe-in lounge?
PONANT Launches Yachting Brand & Unveils New Catamaran for Luxury Sailors
PONANT Explorations Group is rolling out a new brand, PONANT Yachting, expanding its luxury sailing footprint with an added catamaran, the Spirit of Ponant II, based full time in French Polynesia. This becomes the 22nd ship in the group’s fleet, joining La Désirade and two others, each accommodating 9-12 guests only. Charters include personalized service (crew, chef, hostess), curated excursions, gourmet dining, and water sports. The new Lagoon EIGHTY 2 catamaran costs around €64,000 (excl. flights & fuel) for private charters. TMR
When luxury is sized for a dozen, the sea feels more like home than horizon.
The Marketing Corner
Turn Event Season into Revenue: The AI Workflow
September through December is event overload: Virtuoso, ILTM, PURE, Serandipians, WTM.
By the end, most Travel professionals have nothing more than a bag of cards, a bunch of scattered notes, and a ‘camera roll’ of stage photos.
We built a Luxury Travel Events AI Workflow to fix that.
A cheat sheet that shows you exactly how to use AI to capture insights, score contacts, and turn event notes into follow-ups and revenue.
Get it right here 👇
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Global Events Calendar
🦅 The Eagles – The Sphere, Las Vegas
📅 Oct 3–4, 10–11, 31 • Nov 1, 7–8
The Sphere’s 360-degree visuals meet The Eagles’ greatest hits. Imagine Hotel California with light shows that make the music feel like architecture.
🏎 Formula 1 – Singapore Grand Prix
📅 September 19–21
Street racing at night through Marina Bay’s skyline. Neon lights, rooftop parties, and luxury yachts lining the harbor. Singapore is where speed meets spectacle.
🏈 NFL Season – United States
📅 Through January 2026
Football is back. Tailgates, luxury suites, and America’s most-watched drama rolling week after week.
🎶 Andrea Bocelli – Rome, Terme di Caracalla
📅 September 28
Opera under the stars, framed by ancient Roman ruins. A one-night performance in a setting as timeless as Bocelli’s voice.
🍷 Big Sur Food & Wine Festival – Monterey County, CA
📅 Nov 6-8, 2025
Sip & Saunter in coast-side lodges, tasting menus, wine pairings, and sweeping views.
📌 This Events Calendar is brought to you in partnership with,
For your every ticket needs
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