Art has become as important as food in influencing travel choices, according to travelpulse.com.
New York-based luxury travel advisory network Embark Beyond’s recent trends report forecasts that art in all its forms will be one of the biggest tourism drivers this year.
The report found that art festivals, cities with an art scene, art shopping trips and artist studio visits were among the network’s most requested experiences. “Destinations with a cool art scene are getting attention from jet setters and the culturati alike,” said the report.
In California, San Diego’s Westgate Hotel, whose design was inspired by France’s Palace of Versailles, features an impressive collection of European art and antiques, featuring European-style elegance.
Madison Kent, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Grand America Hotels & Resorts, says hotels focusing on art cater for an audience interested in culture and history and the opportunity to gain a new perspective, adding a special element to the property.
According to US luxury travel adviser, Deborah Director, art is a big driver of travel choices, particularly at destinations where art fairs have become an annual tradition bringing in travellers from all over the world.
Director says art plays a big part in travellers’ selection of hotels. Certain hotels also offer an artist-in-residence programme that allows clients an exclusive, immersive experience.
She says an example of boutique hotels making art central to their appeal is The Ellerman House in Cape Town, which has just 13 rooms and over 1 000 pieces of art.
