One novelty was The Sail, a space devoted to cruising that presented eleven luxury brands spanning ocean, river and yacht travel. One in four advisors said they wanted to learn about more products of this kind, confirming that exclusive cruising is consolidating as one of the categories with the strongest outlook. The organisers have already announced the next North American edition, to be held from 27 to 30 September 2027 at the same resort, and the Cannes event, scheduled for 30 November to 3 December this year.
Meanwhile, Paris offers another reading of contemporary luxury. During the Spring/Summer 2027 Fashion Week, running from 28 September to 6 October, well-heeled visitors increasingly prefer serviced residences, private townhouses and small hotels set away from the great boulevards. Neighbourhoods such as the 15th arrondissement and the Left Bank, with their residential atmosphere, galleries and the quiet streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, attract those looking for a reserved experience.
Along those lines comes the planned opening on 1 December of Alfred Paris Lecourbe, a 43-room property in the 15th arrondissement. Such accommodation offers housekeeping, transport, restaurant bookings and support for cultural visits, tailored to guests who value privacy. For business and high-level travel, Paris-Le Bourget airport remains a reference point for private aviation, although some promises of new exclusive biometric corridors should be treated with caution, since they still lack reliable confirmation.
This turn towards discretion has consequences for destinations. Those hoping to attract high-spending travellers must look after the environment, safety, local cuisine and authenticity, and offer experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. Overcrowding, even at the top end of the market, is counterproductive for those who have paid precisely for calm and exclusivity.
The role of the travel advisor is changing too. In a market where information is abundant, their value lies in trust, first-hand knowledge of properties and the ability to resolve unexpected problems. That is why trade fairs remain decisive stages: they allow suppliers and advisors to meet in person, check product quality and build lasting agreements that later translate into concrete bookings.
There is also a lesson for emerging destinations. Smaller markets can compete in the luxury segment without building enormous resorts, provided they offer something genuine: a distinctive landscape, a local craft tradition, a respected chef or a heritage property with a story to tell. The Costa Rican, Croatian and Japanese presence at the Bahamas fair suggests that advisors are actively looking for precisely that kind of fresh, character-rich proposal.
Both stories sketch a luxury that moves away from obvious glitter and towards the intimate, the local and the human. For destinations, hoteliers and agencies, the lesson is clear: differentiation no longer depends solely on facilities, but on the ability to offer trust, discretion and authentic experiences to a client who knows exactly what they are looking for.
