You may have arrived in a hotel room to find a chocolate on your pillow or a welcome message on the TV. But imagine checking in and finding the exact pillow you specified, the temperature just right, and a personal menu, along with a bespoke wellness program. This is not a fairytale—it’s the future of luxury travel, powered by technology.
Your preferences, such as temperature, lighting, meal options, and even activity schedules will be as easy to choose as booking as a room with a sea view or a taxi from the airport. And it’s not just peaceful sleep these accommodations will offer. Peace of mind is also paramount as discriminating guests are increasingly seeking destinations that offer “regenerative” services as well.
As a category, regenerative resorts are often glamping or eco-friendly destinations that also seek to be carbon neutral at the very least, and increasingly carbon negative. They invest in their local communities, support local businesses, and prioritize the triple bottom line—while offering unique and extraordinary experiences for travellers seeking both luxury and purpose.
Eco-tourism built on technology
While eco-tourism may seem rooted in simplicity, it is fundamentally a high-tech industry. Luxury accommodations in natural settings often require advanced engineering to minimize environmental impact while ensuring resilience to extreme weather conditions. Architects and developers must consider the location, supply chain logistics, and local workforce capabilities when designing and constructing such resorts. Remote operations also rely on sophisticated off-grid energy systems and logistics to function efficiently.
Modular construction is emerging as a key solution for eco-resorts. For instance, 3D-printed structures made from recycled materials offer a sustainable, efficient alternative to traditional building methods. These modular units can be produced in a fraction of the time and with significantly less waste. Companies like mine, Azure Printed Homes, are leveraging this technology to create eco-friendly accommodations for glamping and eco-resorts, reducing construction waste by 90% and cutting production time by 70%. Such advancements align with the needs of environmentally conscious and technologically savvy travellers.
Create the guest connection
In an increasingly crowded marketplace, eco-resorts face the challenge of effectively conveying their core values and unique offerings to potential guests. Digital platforms play a critical role in this effort, with many resorts using social media, booking sites, and influencer partnerships to reach their audience. As consumers become more discerning, authenticity is essential. Guests are willing to pay a premium for unique, meaningful experiences, but they also invest significant time researching their options.
Technology is revolutionizing guest interactions before and during their stay. Smart keys integrated with mobile apps allow guests to adjust room temperatures, book dining reservations, or schedule activities with ease. AI-powered room features learn guest preferences to provide a personalized experience, transforming hotel stays from impersonal to tailored and intuitive. For remote eco-resorts, AI also enhances operational efficiency by monitoring emissions, optimizing waste management, and streamlining supply orders, all while maintaining the focus on sustainability.
Transformational travel: Wellness meets the outdoors
The fastest-growing segment of luxury travel is wellness tourism, driven by travellers seeking physical, mental, and emotional transformation. Unlike traditional vacationers who prioritize relaxation and sightseeing, today’s travellers are also looking to be rejuvenated and inspired. Glamping and eco-resorts are ideally positioned to meet this demand by integrating wellness programs into their natural settings.
In Mexico, for example, The House of AïA offers wellness programs supervised by shamans who design a tailor-made personal development program for guests. “They are known as the “Architects of Life,” the resort’s website says. “These programs unlock our inner doors, be they physical, emotional or spiritual.”
Offerings range from guided hikes and yoga sessions to bespoke wellness regimens, tailored to individual needs. Resorts are increasingly incorporating data-driven personalization, using guest preferences shared before arrival to craft unique experiences. Some destinations draw on ancient rituals and spiritual practices to deepen the guest’s connection to their surroundings, creating truly unforgettable journeys. For example, certain wellness programs integrate mindfulness, meditation, and even guided stargazing, reflecting the growing popularity of “dark sky” tourism.
Themed resorts provide the ideal “something extra”
Some resorts offer an immersive educational experience such as Observer Ranch, a year-round space-themed campground located an hour south of Colorado Springs. This unique destination, owned by children’s book author Kat Davidson, offers stunning mountain views, a learning center, and a library with resources on science, nature, homesteading, and sustainability. Guests can enjoy educational classes, hands-on workshops, and fun events like model rocket launches.
Redefine luxury through sustainability
Luxury is being redefined as travellers move away from excess and opulence toward meaningful, exclusive experiences. Modern luxury emphasizes privacy, authenticity, and a connection to nature. This shift aligns with the concept of “barefoot luxury,” which prioritizes simplicity and sustainability over extravagance.
Technology plays a pivotal role in fostering this new vision of luxury. Tools like the My Green Butler app encourage eco-conscious behaviors by gamifying the guest experience. Guests earn rewards for actions like reusing towels or reducing water and energy consumption. These small incentives not only enhance the guest experience but also reinforce the resort’s commitment to sustainability. By engaging guests in sustainable practices, resorts hope to inspire lasting behavioral changes that extend beyond the vacation.
Transformative travel offers more than just relaxation; it provides guests with a renewed perspective on the value of natural resources and the importance of preserving them. By combining sustainability, personalization, and cutting-edge technology, the luxury travel industry is poised to create experiences that are as impactful as they are unforgettable.
Gene Eidelman is the cofounder of Azure Printed Homes. Stephanie Curtis-Raleigh is the founder of Eco Resort Network.
