At Condé Nast Traveler, we are always thinking about what’s next for luxury travel. Which is why, at our first Points of View Summit to be held in the Middle East, we gathered a trusted group of local and international experts in travel, the arts, luxury retail and design to discuss just that.
Hosted by Traveler’s global editorial director Divia Thani, Points of View took place in early February at Raffles Doha, with a line-up of insightful talks and panel discussions on topics covering everything from family wellness to the importance of service, the legacy of mega-events and the increasing demand for experiences rooted in culture.
Held in partnership with Qatar Tourism, the first Points of View summit in the Middle East region follows successful events in the US and UK. The summit was an opportunity for top-level travel bookers and specialists, who came from the US, UK, India, China, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, to learn more about Qatar, its culture and some of the exciting tourism initiatives unfolding in the country. While there were plenty of takeaways from the day’s discussion, the overarching theme was the importance of human connection in travel. Here are seven key takeaways from the day.
Wellness is for everyone, including families
Since the pandemic, wellness has taken on a new importance, especially when it comes to travel. During the first panel discussion, Thani sat down with acting deputy CEO of exhibitions and public art at Qatar Museums, Sheikha Reem Al Thani, vice president of service and excellence at Qatar Tourism, Denisa Spinkova Boeckx, general manager of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Ammar Samad, general manager of Our Habitas Ras Abrouq, Mohammed Wazir, and mall manager at Place Vendôme Carole Sabbagha. Samad spoke of the rise of multi-generation groups visiting Zulal, and how wellness resorts should be a consideration for family travel—not for the programmes they offer, but for the values they help to instil. When children come to Zulal, for example, they don’t take part in treatments or intense diet plans. Rather, they eat wholesome meals, take part in sports and enjoy being outdoors. “Wellness is the best gift to pass onto your children,” he said.
