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Luxury travel in the 1980’s was all about materialism - where did you holiday? How expensive was it and what famous faces had been there before you?

In the 90s materialism - the number of restaurants in the hotel and how you demonstrated your wealth - in the lounge bar or in the casion - were still examples of holiday success.
 
As we reach 2010, luxury travellers still want the finest things in life and spending is definitely still in, despite the financial crisis but it is being shown in a more discreet and conservative fashion.

Consumers may still want to spend thousands of dollars on their holiday but, its less crass, mass market stampede and more private, understated niche.

New global research by TNS has shown consumers today are redefining luxury - it is now about your holiday experience and how this meets your emotional needs rather than the product or physical offering.

Some Australian experts are terming today’s approach to travel - luxury prudence - rather than middling mass-stige.

lebua Hotels & Resorts’ luxury Lake Okareka Lodge, is tapping into this new customer trend.

The award-winning Lodge in Rotorua, New Zealand attracts high rollers from Europe, Asia and North Amercia and offers a bespoke, unique experience. Guests can enjoy a 24-hour butler and concierge service and relax in an environment which evokes timeless classicism. It is proving to be very popular.
 
The question will be - is this new luxury phenomenon a product of our global financial crisis or will this be the norm for many years to come? Only the success of those businesses which are focusing on this new breed of luxury customers will tell.