A new travel trend is “fluxury travel.” Not familiar with this term? It is a fairly new term that applies to travel due to consumers paying more for excursions. Travelers have to make hard decisions about when, where, and how to travel.
Tara Cappel, founder of FTLO Travel, stated, “Rather than choosing between all-out luxury and strict budget travel, travelers are going to be more flexible and creative with how they spend their vacation, mixing high and low.”
Usually, educational journeys are structured on shoestring budgets to allow as many students as possible to afford the trip. However, there are ways to incorporate unique experiences into the trip (the luxury) combined with affordable options (budget). “Fluxury travel allows travelers to reach bucket list destinations and have unique opportunities without overspending, making aspirational travel feel more attainable,” Cappel said.
How does this work? Student travel groups may want to experience an overnight stay in a 4-star or 5-star hotel in New York City, for example. The first or last night of the trip could include accommodation at The Ritz or The Hyatt Times Square. The remainder of the trip, the group stays in simpler and less expensive accommodations. This gives the students an opportunity to experience a night of luxury.
During a journey around Egypt, our tour group spent one night in a 5-star hotel in Luxor. I will never forget walking into the hotel lobby and seeing the marble floors. When I arrived at my hotel room, I had a balcony that overlooked the hotel pool, but more importantly, the Nile River. That trip was 20 years ago, and I still vividly remember that night of luxury and what the hotel looked like.
Alternatively, educators may spend big for once-in-lifetime experiences like Michelin star dining. A meal in Le Cinq in Paris would cost 100 Euros or more per person, but think about the unique experience for the students and educators. Participants would dress appropriately, use proper table etiquette, and eat food unlike anything they have ever tried before.
Years ago, I led a group of college students to South Africa. We ate dinner at the Gold Restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa. There were fourteen courses, and included food from all parts of Africa. One of the courses was homemade bread served in a flower pot. When we asked the waiter about how the bread was made, he invited us to the kitchen to watch it being baked. Throughout the meal, there was live drumming and Mali puppets. I suspect that was not only to entertain us, but to give us a break from one course to another. Did I enjoy the food in all fourteen courses? No, but I have never forgotten this incredible experience.
For the remainder of our trip in Africa, we ate simpler and less expensive meals. Mind you, the cost of a Michelin star restaurant in South Africa is much cheaper than one in Paris, but it is the experience that you are seeking for your students that matters.
Perhaps your group wants to attend or participate in a unique celebration or a once-in-a lifetime event like a sporting event (World Cup, Final Four, Super Bowl, Olympics, International Special Olympics) or a special occasion (Rose Bowl Parade, Tall Ship Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Presidential Inauguration, Mardi Gras, Cherry Blossom Festival).
Traveling to destinations that host special events involves planning well in advance, and I recommend using a SYTA company to help coordinate the logistics (accommodations, transportation, and tickets to the event, if required). The cost to visit these locations will be higher, due to the influx of visitors expected, but the experiences for your students will last a lifetime.
Fluxury travel could also include a unique experience like a behind-the-scenes tour at Radio City or Rockefeller Center in New York City, a swim with the manatees in Florida, a boat ride behind Niagara Falls or through the canals of Amsterdam, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, taking a tour of Buckingham Palace or Palace of Versailles, and so many other opportunities.
I have led high school and college students on many USA and overseas trips. During the planning process, I survey students to find out the top three activities they want to do at the selected destination. Once the results are tallied, I then ask the students if they want to spend more money on experiences or accommodations, transportation or meals. Every time, they chose experiences and are willing to make sacrifices on transportation (using public transportation versus a tour bus), accommodations (stay at 2-star and 3-star hotels or farther away from the main city) and meals (eat at less expensive restaurants).
Fluxury travel allows travelers to mix premium, exceptional comfort, and custom-made experiences with a strategic approach to exploring the world that maximizes value rather than just minimizing costs. It’s the perfect combination for educational travel that focuses on learning, gaining knowledge, and intellectual or personal growth.
Written by Julie Beck.
