The ninth DONG Connection Event, themed "Future Journey Human Moments," concluded in Sanya, China, marking a significant milestone in the luxury travel industry. Held at The Sanya EDITION, the event was the first high-end travel industry gathering since the Hainan Free Trade Port's closure operations began. It brought together 750 attendees, including executives from leading international luxury travel suppliers, to explore new collaboration avenues.
Since its inception in 2018, the DONG Connection Event has become a dynamic platform for the high-end travel industry in China. This year's event saw participation from 360 luxury hotel groups and overseas tourism organisations across 40 countries, representing 451 top-tier suppliers. The event aimed to foster collaboration between public enterprises and the Sanya Tourism Development Board, linking domestic and international luxury travel ecosystems.
The event's agenda focused on AI-driven luxury travel, with over 20,000 one-on-one Peak Dialogue sessions exploring themes like AI-enabled travel, emotional value in experience design, and sustainable travel development. An awards ceremony recognised companies and individuals contributing to the industry's advancement.
The China Luxury Travel Trends Report, unveiled at the event, highlighted key insights such as the growing role of women in outbound travel decisions and the rising demand for tailored, localised services. May Wong, CEO of the DONG Connection Event, emphasised the shift towards experiential luxury, stating, "Emotional value is now at the core of luxury."
Co-founder Bamboo Zhou discussed AI's transformative role, noting its potential to enhance efficiency and personalise guest experiences. The DONG Connection Event continues to drive innovation, blending AI advancements with human-centric experiences to redefine luxury travel
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