When Designer Bags Lose Their Shine, Longevity Becomes the New Luxury

A few days ago, The Economist published an article titled “Luxury goods are out, but luxury travel is in” — a piece that perfectly captures the shift we all feel, but few can name. After decades defined by accumulation — more brands, more things, more status symbols — luxury is being redefined. Sales of handbags, jewellery, and designer fashion are declining, while spending on luxury travel is reaching record highs. According to McKinsey, global spending on luxury hospitality will surpass $390 billion by 2028, nearly 70% more than in 2023. Hotels like Brown’s in London, Six Senses, Rosewood, and Rocco Forte are thriving. But a deeper question emerges: what does luxury really mean today?

From Objects to Experiences — and Beyond, to Meaning

The Economist points out that people no longer seek possessions — they seek feelings.
Luxury today isn’t behind glass. It’s in the calm of a sunrise by the sea, in the stillness we rarely experience at home. But the real shift goes even deeper: luxury has become an investment in oneself.
In health.
In regeneration.
In longevity. When we spend on travel, wellness retreats, therapeutic programs, or body diagnostics, it’s no longer “indulgence.”
It’s an intentional return to ourselves — a decision to invest time and resources in what truly compounds: more energy, more clarity, more years of vibrant life.

A Luxury That Doesn’t Fade — It Grows With You

Fashion ages.
Experiences fade.
But vitality — when nurtured — becomes wealth that grows over time. To invest in longevity is to live consciously:
to understand that the body is our most valuable capital, the mind our greatest currency,
and inner peace rarer than any gemstone. Those who understand this seek a new kind of travel — journeys not just with a destination, but with a purpose.
Journeys that merge science and sensation, regeneration and beauty, nature and technology. Trips that are not luxurious because of their five stars — but because they transform us.

True Luxury Is to Live Longer — and Better

As I watch the world of luxury evolve, I see something inspiring: we are no longer escaping into luxury — we are returning to balance. The greatest luxury today is not an exotic resort or a private jet, but the ability to:
sleep undisturbed,
breathe deeply,
move without pain,
think clearly,
and have time for what fulfills us. It’s the kind of luxury that can’t be bought — but can be cultivated.
With knowledge.
With care.
With conscious choices.

The Future of Luxury Is Personal

Luxury tourism, as The Economist predicts, will continue to grow — but the ones who will thrive are not those offering the largest suites, but those helping people live longer and live better. Investing in longevity is not a trend. It’s a civilizational shift — a response to exhaustion, stress, burnout, and the feeling that life is slipping through our fingers. When we travel to restore our body and mind, it’s not an expense — it’s the most meaningful investment we can make.

Because true luxury today is not about what we can afford —
but about how long and how well we want to live.