A Conscious Approach To Luxury Travel

Historically, travel has been synonymous with escape and indulgence. However, in an era of heightened environmental awareness, the concept of luxury travel is getting a new makeover where opulence and extravagance are reimagined through a lens of consciousness. It’s called conscious luxury travel!

Published On Jan 20, 2025 | Updated On Jan 20, 2025

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Not too long ago luxury travel was depicted as a world of endless champagne, lounging in an infinity pool, chartered yachts, jet-setting in private planes and so on. However this old model defined by unbridled indulgence, is waning. Today, there’s a new benchmark for what constitutes true indulgence and it involves discerning travellers who seek exceptional experiences that also benefit the environment. Also known as conscious luxury, it combines indulgence with responsibility, enjoying lavish experiences while respecting both nature and local communities.

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For travellers yearning for more than just a vacation, conscious luxury offers a journey of discovery. (Picture courtesy: unsplash)

For travellers yearning for more than just a vacation, conscious luxury offers a journey of discovery. It's about crafting memories through immersive encounters that tell stories of history, nature, and the vibrant tapestry of local life. These are travellers who trade fleeting snapshots for deep cultural dives, seeking authentic connections rather than mere checklists. “For an emerging class of well-travelled individuals - those who have already collected passport stamps from the world’s most celebrated destinations - luxury now means delving deeper into experiences that challenge, enlighten and transform.

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Seasoned travellers seek journeys that offer more than mere comfort or status; they pursue adventures that expand their understanding of the world and themselves. (Picture courtesy: unsplash)

These seasoned travellers seek journeys that offer more than mere comfort or status; they pursue adventures that expand their understanding of the world and themselves,” explains Mallika Sheth, Co-Founder, TealFeel, a travel company. Anita Manfreda, a luxury accommodation researcher and senior lecturer at Torrens University Australia agrees. “We have seen a significant shift in the idea of luxury, particularly in the mind of tourism consumers. It now signifies new values, such as intimacy, simplicity and authenticity. Luxury tourists are increasingly conscious of the impacts of their activities and seek transformational experiences which help them connect with unique destinations and local communities. A novel paradigm of luxury is emerging, one that embraces sustainability, responsible practices, and transformative experiences.” Additionally, the pandemic too has profoundly altered our travel preferences, fostering a renewed appreciation for simplicity. This shift has seen a greater emphasis on reconnecting with nature, nurturing social connections, prioritizing well-being and enhancing the overall quality of life.

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The pandemic too has profoundly altered our travel preferences, fostering a renewed appreciation for simplicity.

The core of conscious luxury travel is slow travel - taking the time to truly savour each moment and connecting with the destination on a deeper level. "Luxury for us is when we settle in and explore the place thoroughly at our own pace. We like to dive into the tradition, eat where the locals eat instead of ‘the most instagrammed restaurants,’ and explore places not usually on tourist radars. It's all about seeking out genuine cultural interactions and avoiding the superficiality of tourist traps," says Varun Singh an IT professional who spends a minimum of a week to 10 days at a destination when he travels. Instead of rushing from one landmark to the next, travellers like Singh embrace a more mindful approach - one that prioritizes rejuvenation, learning, and authentic experiences.

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Dar Tantora lot up with candles in the night.

What constitutes conscious luxury in the 21st century? It's no longer about the acquisition of rare objects, but rather the cultivation of rare experiences. In Alula, Saudi Arabia, travellers looking for an authentic stay can book in one of the mud-brick and stone rooms at Dar Tantora, an abandoned settlement restored by renowned Egyptian architect Shahira Fahmy into a luxury hotel. The rooms here have no electric lights (barring just one in the bathroom) and no air conditioning as the building's clever, time-tested design maximizes natural cross-ventilation. Of course there is WiFi and a lap pool on the hotel’s rooftop. As night falls, the property is illuminated solely by candlelight and lanterns, creating a truly magical atmosphere as dancing shadows play across the walls and murals.

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In a world increasingly defined by noise, speed, and confinement, true luxury are the quiet moments, the vastness of space, and the gift of uninterrupted time. (Picture courtesy :unsplash)

In a world increasingly defined by noise, speed, and confinement, true luxury are the quiet moments, the vastness of space, and the gift of uninterrupted time. Just like at Isla’s Ridge an intimate four-bedroom bungalow nestled in the tranquil Palani Hills of Kodaikanal. Owned by renowned interior and textile designer Isla Van Damme and managed by CGH Earth, pioneers in earthy and responsible luxury hospitality, meals here are carved from freshly picked vegetables from a thriving organic garden, and served under the infinite expanse of the night sky, helping rediscover a connection with oneself and the natural world. “We believe luxury transcends ostentation. It’s not about extravagant decor but the simplicity of open spaces, the serenity of a locale, and the enriching experiences they offer. Today’s discerning traveller seeks more than opulence—they are drawn to destinations that foster personal growth, cultural immersion, and a deeper connection with nature,” says Michael Dominic, Managing Director - CGH Earth.

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The river view at Capella Bangkok 

Elite travellers are now also measuring opulence by the positive footprints they leave behind. That’s the reason luxury resorts these days are ensuring that the high-end escapades are guilt-free, and eco-consciousness is woven into every thread of the itinerary. Take Capella Bangkok for instance. Awarded the best hotel in the world by The World’s 50 Best Hotels, the villas here are studded with a private plunge pool, a decadent bathroom that feels like a mini spa and balconies with pinch-me panoramas of the soothing Chao Phraya River.

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One of the curated experiences at Capella Bangkok is meditation with a monk 

But the most sought after experience at the hotel is a private meditation session with the head monk of a 250-year-old temple Wat Yannawa. The guided session ends with techniques and tips to improve memory and concentration. “Conscious travel is becoming increasingly popular as a trend where you are employing the time and money spent in travelling to bring value for not just the travellers but also the community they visit,” believes Christine Galle-Luczak, Founder & Managing Director, Heavens Portfolio, the company that manages Capella Bangkok.

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Soneva the luxury resort chain transforms waste into wealth at all its properties.

Soneva the luxury resort chain transforms waste into wealth at all its properties. While old tin cans find new life as beautiful lampshades, dead branches into sculptures and waste glass and concrete into beautiful tables. Food waste and tree trimmings become compost, and even polystyrene is converted into lightweight concrete blocks.

During my stay at Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat I was thrilled to watch turtle hatchlings make their way from their sandy nests into the ocean. And it didn’t end there, I could even tag them and join the resort’s turtle rangers to help the hatchlings to the water.

Conscious luxury travel also respects local communities. Amankila, a luxury retreat that rests on a lush hillside beneath Mount Agung in Bali, shares the organic produce from its gardens with the people of the local village of Kedewatan. It has also converted one of its plush villas into an exhibition area for local painters, stone carvers, basket weavers and calligraphers to show their wares for guests to purchase. Children from the village are also taught traditional dance by the resort’s inhouse dance teacher. Food waste is sent to local farmers to feed their chickens, pigs and ducks. It minimises what’s sent to methane-generating landfill and leads to richer soil.

At Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, guests enjoy intimate dining experiences created by Executive Chef Mahesh and local villagers. Meals can be served in settings ranging from a torchlit lake, a stocked cellar to straw mats in a paddy field. Adding to the experience is the knowledge that the food is prepared using a biogas plant fuelled by the hotel's food waste. “Nature, the timeless luxury, stays evergreen. Conscious travel is the norm, leaving no trace and uplifting local communities,” says Jose Dominic who built the CGH Hotel group. For luxury travellers, this means indulging in the world's wonders while knowing they are contributing to a healthier future for all.

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Participate in activities like guided hikes, yoga, or cooking classes led by locals. (Picture courtesy: Fiji Tourism)
  1. Opt for mindfully constructed, family-owned boutique properties over gigantic hotel chains.
  2. Whenever possible choose train travel over flights.
  3. Shop at local markets, buy from artisans, and book excursions with local operators.
  4. Consider visiting art studios, farms, or participate in activities like guided hikes, yoga, or cooking classes led by locals.
  5. Not all flights are created equal. Modern planes like Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 are two of the most fuel-efficient models. Check the carbon emission of your flight on booking websites such as Google Flights and Lite Flights.
  6. Always fly economy, pack light (a heavier plane burns more fuel), and fly direct as take-off and landing is more carbon-intensive.
  7. Instead of car, cycle, trek or kayak.
  8. Overtourism harms the fragile ecosystem and historic architecture. Explore less-visited destinations which means smaller crowds and more authentic experiences.

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