Alta Thoughts (May 2025)
By Rakesh Patel
Lifestyle travel isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a real trend. For me, it’s about integrating travel experiences into my daily life, being present where I am, and going beyond occasional vacations.
In recent months, my travel has embodied this ethos. From blending art and business in Barcelona, immersing in Sri Lankan culture while working, embracing wellness and business in Ko Samui, to focusing on my well-being at an Ayurvedic retreat in Bali – each experience has been enriching both personally and professionally.
The lifestyle travel space is diverse, offering everything from bleisure and immersive experiences to wellness retreats, purposeful journeys, eco-friendly travel, remote work, and the digital nomad lifestyle. What suits you best as a modern traveller?
For hotel owners and operators, this trend necessitates a shift from superficial branding to authentic, value-driven offerings. It’s about creating spaces that genuinely reflect the local culture and ecosystem, whilst catering to the holistic needs of modern travellers.
Below are a few of our recent thoughts posted on LinkedIn. Always good to hear your feedback. You can follow us directly on LinkedIn and go to our website.
Experiential Travel Is The New Mercedes Benz
Experiential travel is reshaping the tourism industry by prioritizing unique experiences over traditional sightseeing. Travelers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are now planning trips around specific activities like concerts. In fact, 79% now prioritize quality of experience over cost. This shift reflects a growing desire for personalized and meaningful travel experiences.
Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok play a significant role in this trend, with approximately 72-74% of frequent travelers, using them as primary trip-planning tools. The visual and shareable nature of social media content drives interest in unique experiences that can be showcased online.
In response, travel brands and loyalty programs are adapting by offering rewards that include exclusive access to events and personalized adventures. And technologies like AI are being utilized to tailor these experiences to individual preferences. This evolution marks a significant shift in how travelers choose and plan their journeys.
The human body hosts an ecosystem of around 100trillion bacteria, viruses and fungi. These ecosystems are interconnected, promoting digestion, metabolism, immunity, and much more. Any imbalances in one can impact the others.
Gut health has been a headline grabber, but beyond this, we’re neglecting communities like the mouth and skin. Modern lifestyles damage oral flora and skin microbiomes are affected pollution.
A holistic, lower man-made ingredient approach is key to maintaining microbial diversity, balance and overall well-being.
The surprising state of employee health
Employees are not in good shape and this is impacting productivity. A McKinsey study shows leaders often react to health issues rather than prevent them, overlooking the importance of mental, emotional, alongside physical health.
This holistic approach is tied to major economic value—up to $11.7 trillion globally. Much of this is lost to presenteeism. How many employees are at work but underperforming due to health issues, especially mental and emotional strain?
Companies can gain a competitive edge by creating healthier workplaces. Small, proactive steps and supportive environments can improve employee well-being, reduce turnover, and boost performance.
