Latest news with #immersiveexperiences
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Luminato performances to usher in a new era for the Toronto festival
The Luminato Festival – known for programming immersive experiences, large-scale installations and edgy works of live performance across downtown Toronto – is back again this summer, with new leadership at its reins. This year's festival is the first to be programmed by artistic director Olivia Ansell, whose previous experience includes roles at the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Festival. Luminato, like many Toronto festivals, suffered from pandemic-era lockdowns and subsequent years of tepid attendance. Recent summers have been marred by scandals, financial troubles and underpowered programming – but Ansell's inaugural season, complemented by recent turnover in the festival's producing staff, looks to course-correct Luminato as the festival enters a new era. Here's what I'm looking forward to at Luminato 2025. Tim Crouch's play, about a devastating car accident and a stage hypnotist, has made headlines whenever it's been produced, most recently at the Young Vic in London last month. The play invites a special guest each night to join the production, an actor who has neither read the script nor seen the show before. The end result, according to British critics, is a truly live experience that cannot be recreated owing to the unpredictable nature of the play. And at Luminato, there's a starry roster of local actors set to take part – talents such as Qasim Khan, Daniel MacIvor, Karen Robinson and Jean Yoon. Were you enamoured by the fashion at this year's Met Gala? If so, you might want to check out Dandyism, a 25-minute dance show scheduled to play across the greater Toronto area (including stops in Brampton and at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre). Using a blend of dance styles, Patrick Ziza's Dandyism promises to celebrate Black culture and style in a way that's accessible to audiences across the city. Billed as a dance piece that will 'stop traffic and start conversations,' I'm interested to see how this piece will deliver on the festival's promise of unique theatrical experiences. Produced by Peruvian theatre company Teatro La Plaza, this 95-minute Hamlet is nothing like the recent productions of the tragedy at High Park and the Stratford Festival: This one features eight actors with Down syndrome. Audiences across Canada might recall The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes, Back to Back Theatre's touring show from Australia that featured three adults with intellectual disabilities as they grappled with mortality – and the rise of artificial intelligence. Hamlet, in its Canadian premiere, promises to keep that conversation going. A sprawling dance piece by Compagnie Hervé KOUBI, co-presented by Luminato, TO Live and Fall for Dance North, What the Day Owes to the Night blends dance styles and aesthetics in its exploration of Algerian heritage. Martial arts and street dance combine on a canvas of 12 dancers to showcase choreographer Hervé Koubi's hyphenated French-Algerian identity — I'm interested to see how this one comes together.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Secrets of Notre Dame restoration among travel experiences money actually can buy
Years ago, the concept of sightseeing formed the foundation for most holidays. But a new generation of travellers now seeks to experience destinations in a different way. Being actively engaged with a place undoubtedly creates more lasting memories and stories to be shared with friends and family back at home. Booking platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator reported a 165 per cent growth in experience bookings between 2021-2024, overtaking traditional sightseeing tour growth which was only 37 per cent. Meanwhile, global travel network Virtuoso reports that 77 per cent of people regard curiosity and exploration as driving factors when planning their trips. The latest operator to offer immersive experiences is accommodation rental platform Airbnb. Last week, co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky launched a series of unique experiences designed to offer a different perspective on destinations around the world. Speaking at a glitzy event in LA, he said: 'We're changing travel again. This is about exploring a city with those who know it best.' Among the 22,000 experiences available in 650 cities around the world are a cookery class with a ramen master in Tokyo and the chance to get in the ring with a real-life luchador wrestler in Mexico City. Elsewhere you can learn the art of cake decoration at the LA bakery loved by Reese Witherspoon and Barbra Streisand, indulge in private farm-to-table dining in Barcelona, or enjoy a game of volleyball with a Brazilian Olympian on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The holiday rental giant – founded in 2007 by three friends who rented out an air mattress in their San Francisco apartment – has made good use of its pulling power to pull in help from a few A-listers. Another of the listed 'experiences' is the opportunity to hang out with singing sensation Sabrina Carpenter. The unifying theme for all tours is authenticity. More than half of Brits rank this as one of the most important factors when booking a tour on holiday, findings from a survey by Airbnb suggest. The world of credible guiding has come on leaps and bounds since the dreary days of 'copy-and-paste' walking tours based on facts lifted straight from Wikipedia. Here are a few of the top one-of-a-kind experiences to book from Airbnb's new collection. Secrets of an Icon The world watched in horror in the spring of 2019 as one of Paris' most beautiful and cherished buildings was engulfed in flames. Now, after several painstaking years, Notre Dame has risen from the ashes and one of the people who played a part in its rebirth is now leading one of Airbnb's most exciting new original experiences. With a background in design and historic preservation, one of the project's architects promises to share her unique insight into the cathedral's challenging restoration during this 90-minute tour. From £71pp. Alone with Michelangelo Filled with baroque beauty and renaissance splendour, the Vatican is home to some of the world's greatest cultural treasures. Chief amongst them is Michelangelo's masterpiece: the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Rome-based company LivTours offers the rare privilege of witnessing the heavenly art without any crowds as part of a special guided tour held before the galleries open to the public. But with prices starting at around £420 per person, such a treat doesn't come cheap. From £420pp. Time for tea Listen in as a former butler to the Royal Family lifts the lid on royal protocol over a spot of afternoon tea at a fancy spot just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace. Led by an expert in etiquette, who spent years serving King Charles and Queen Camilla as well as the late Queen Elizabeth II, guests learn how to make proper introductions, which piece of cutlery to use and how to sip tea correctly. Tuition is peppered with wonderful stories about the Royals which you won't hear anywhere else. From £135pp.
Hospitality Net
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Launches the Luxury Travel Report 2025
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand representing more than 600 hotels across 80 countries, today released its first Luxury Travel Report — a comprehensive luxury consumer trends study developed in partnership with The Harris Poll. The findings affirm that the desire for travel remains robust, with luxury travelers planning an average of eight leisure trips this year — including three international journeys — and over half expecting to spend more on travel than in 2024. The Luxury Travel Report by Preferred Hotels & Resorts reveals that today's affluent travelers are investing not just money but meaning into their journeys. Luxury travelers seek immersive, curated experiences that feel personal and enduring— avoiding generic, mass-produced offerings in favor of authenticity and emotional connection. The Luxury Travel Report identifies The Five Emerging Forces of Luxury Travel, signaling a new era of expectations: 1. The Beige-ification of Travel Is the Industry's Wake-Up Call Luxury travelers are turning away from sameness in design, service, and experience—nearly 70% say modern luxury hotels have lost their soul to standardization. The rise of 'dupe culture' and algorithm-driven itineraries has fueled a wave of 'destination disillusionment,' where cities and stays feel indistinguishable. Today's affluent traveler craves the unrepeatable: places that excite, environments that surprise, and experiences rooted in individuality. Nearly three-quarters say they won't pay for luxury accommodations that feel generic. 2. Legacy Moments Are the New Luxury Currency Luxury is less about accumulation – it's about transformation. Today's affluent travelers seek rare, authentic experiences that fundamentally shift their worldview and create lasting memories. Over four-in-five say that insider connections unlock the most unforgettable travel moments and 64% prefer to navigate a destination with advice from locals rather than AI-driven concierge services and digital guides. 3. Curation Is the New Standard of Luxury Curation is now as essential as five-star service. Over 90% of luxury travelers say the best journeys feel effortless yet are expertly crafted, with 89% expressing interest in seeing local charm reflected in hotels. Travel advisors are the new power brokers, with 84% of survey respondents agreeing that a trusted travel advisor is more valuable than unlimited internet research. 4. Heritage Is the New Frontier Luxury travelers don't want to just observe history – they want to be part of it. Over 90% seek experiences that immerse them in history and culture, favoring heritage-rich stays. Additionally, with 71% planning multi-generational trips in 2025, demand continues to rise for spacious accommodations that foster connection to each other and their own family roots. 5. Loyalty Programs Are Lifelines to Consistency and Customization Amid economic pressures and rising costs, loyalty has become more valuable than ever. For 82% of luxury travelers, loyalty programs are very important to ensuring hotel quality, while nearly two-thirds say a great past stay drives repeat bookings. Today's loyalty isn't transactional — it's deeply personal, driven by human touch, customization, and consistent excellence. The Luxury Travel Report by Preferred Hotels & Resorts deepens our understanding of the ever-evolving desires of luxury travelers, which is a critical step in reinforcing authenticity and spotlighting the unique, curated experiences that can be found throughout our global portfolio. We are guided by an ethos that celebrates an independent spirit, transformative experiences, and we remain committed to delivering authentic, memorable stays through our 'Believe in Travel' ideology. Through the Report, we hope to inspire meaningful experiences that resonate with the luxury travel set. Lindsey Ueberroth, Chief Executive Officer of Preferred Hotels & Resorts The Luxury Travel Reportwas conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Preferred Hotels & Resorts from February to March, 2025, among over 500 affluent U.S. travelers. Respondents met criteria including an annual household income of more than $250,000, at least $1 million in total assets, and a minimum spend of $10,000 on leisure travel annually. Explore the full findings of The Luxury Travel Report 2025 at About Preferred Hotels & Resorts Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 600 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 80 countries. Through its curated global collections, Preferred Hotels & Resorts connects discerning travelers to the singular luxury hospitality experience that meets their life and style preferences for each occasion. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high-quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program. The I Prefer™ Hotel Rewards program, Preferred Residences℠, Preferred Pride℠, and Preferred Golf™ offer valuable benefits for travelers seeking a unique experience. For more information, visit AboutI PreferHotel Rewards Launched in August 2013, the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program from Preferred Travel Group – the parent company that operates hotel brands Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Beyond Green, Historic Hotels of America, and Historic Hotels Worldwide – extends points, status, and other complimentary benefits to members upon eligible stays at over 600 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. In addition to earning points for eligible room nights, members receive additional benefits based on their tier status. The I Prefer program also offers a free mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices, which allows members to search and book hotel stays, and easily redeem Reward Certificates. With 5 million travelers currently enrolled in membership, I Prefer is complimentary to join. To learn more and to enroll in the program, please visit Jennifer Jackson Senior Director, Public Relations – Americas Preferred
CNA
10-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Businesses turn to immersive experiences to boost sales amid stiff competition
Mounting pressure from e-commerce giants, high rents, and shifting consumer habits is forcing local businesses to reinvent themselves. As Mother's Day approaches, many are turning to immersive experiences in a bid to stay relevant. Some report revenue doubling since 2020, but for others, the shift is a gamble with no guaranteed payoff. Alxis Thng and Rachel Teng with more.
