-
From left to right: Tanya Pillay-Nair, Jeremy Nguee, Michelle Mickan, Kissa Castaneda, Yacine Bensalem, Cathy Wagstaff – Image Credit Bspoke Associates
The Bspoke Private Salon in Singapore highlighted the evolving landscape of luxury hospitality, focusing on sustainability, cultural immersion, and emotional design.
On June 30, 2025, during the ILTM APAC event in Singapore, Bspoke hosted an exclusive salon at the RASA Space. This gathering brought together prominent figures from the luxury travel and hospitality sectors, including architects, culinary experts, and sustainability strategists.
The salon aimed to explore the future of hospitality, emphasizing the integration of purpose, culture, sustainability, and emotional design into luxury experiences. Biancalucia Perna and Beatriz Gimeno of Bspoke Associates curated the salon.
The Shift in Luxury Hospitality
The salon highlighted a significant shift in the luxury hospitality industry. Traditionally associated with opulence and exclusivity, luxury is now being redefined to focus on meaningful connections and cultural engagement. Guests are increasingly seeking experiences that offer personal growth and cultural immersion, rather than mere aesthetic appeal or social media moments.
Key Themes and Insights
Several key themes emerged from the discussions at the salon:
Luxury and Meaning
The panelists emphasized that modern luxury is about creating meaningful experiences. Travelers are looking for connections with culture and purpose, moving away from traditional notions of luxury as mere opulence.
Emotional Design
Hospitality spaces should engage the senses and evoke emotions. Design should go beyond aesthetics to create environments that foster emotional connections and a sense of belonging.
Culinary Identity
Food plays a crucial role in cultural storytelling. Culinary experiences should reflect the heritage and identity of a place, offering guests a deeper understanding of the local culture.
Sustainability as Luxury
Sustainability is becoming a cornerstone of luxury hospitality. Regenerative practices and community empowerment are essential for creating responsible and impactful guest experiences.
Transformational Travel
Guests are seeking transformative experiences that contribute to personal growth. Travel is viewed as a vehicle for inner change, rather than just a collection of destinations or activities.
Panelists and Their Contributions
The salon featured insights from several industry leaders:
Yacine Bensalem, an architect known for designing emotionally resonant spaces, discussed the importance of creating hospitality environments that prioritize sensory experiences over mere aesthetics.
Kissa Castañeda, a travel journalist, highlighted the shift from escapism to engagement, emphasizing the value of cultural fluency and authentic connections in luxury travel.
Jeremy Nguee, a culinary strategist, spoke about the role of food in preserving cultural identity and community ownership, advocating for culinary programs that tell the stories of people and places.
Tanya Pillay-Nair, a sustainability strategist, emphasized the need for hospitality to align with its ecological and social context, advocating for purpose-driven travel that empowers local communities and restores ecosystems.
Michelle Mickan, a marketing executive, discussed the trend of transformational travel, where guests seek personal change and emotional richness in their journeys.
