Strategic Vision

07/30/2026

Today, we released the Pulse of the Industry 2026 Report. The results confirm the fundamental shift in how affluent travelers evaluate luxury — and in what the industry must deliver to earn their business.

Earlier this year, I wrote about what I saw as the new test for luxury travel: Is it worth it ? Demand remained strong, but high prices, unpredictable flights, global instability, uneven service, and the accumulating friction of travel were making even the wealthiest clients more selective. The

04/30/2026

Private sector partnerships are the backbone of travel and hospitality, and London-based NoteWorthy brought that to life this month by hosting 170 top U.S. travel advisors in London for its 40th anniversary. Led by Managing Director and Owner, Nic Butler, and supported by eighteen of the city’s leading luxury hotels, the program combined meticulous detail, imaginative programming, and standout event design, with unforgettable evenings at the National Portrait Gallery and the Natural History Museum alongside curated daytime experiences across the city.

Together, hoteliers, suppliers, and cultural partners showcased the enduring strength of the U.S.–U.K. tourism relationship. Peter Bates, President, Strategic Vision, was honored to introduce HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the opening evening at the National Portrait Gallery, to mark and celebrate the unique transatlantic tourism partnership.

Congratulations to all involved for demonstrating the power of creativity and collaboration.

04/09/2026

Our latest Luxury Beat: Luxury travel is no longer just competing with other destinations or properties. It’s competing with the friction of travel itself — and increasingly with the question of whether the effort is justified at all

My wife Camilla and I flew down to Miami for a weekend last month that offered a useful snapshot of where luxury travel stands right now. Some aspects went smoothly. Despite concerns about long lines at TSA, we sped through security in both directions. Our flights were uneventful in the be