Where the Experiential Economy is Headed in 2025
Industry insiders humble predictions for what we have in store for us next year-- IV drips once you step off the plane, backlash to hyper personalization, messy dinner parties and more.
Programming Notes: The final installment of our Deep Dive into the rise of running clubs is coming soon. In the meantime, we’re throwing our hat into the ring and sharing where we think the industry is headed over the next 12 months.
Don’t worry, this isn’t another in/out list. However, we took some time to reflect on the past 12 months in hospitality and travel, pinpointing the trends that began budding in 2024 and predicting which ones will fully bloom in 2025. These are our humble opinions, along with those of our industry friends whose spot-on pulse on the industry we trust—and yes, all of us will probably get a few things wrong. But as entrepreneurs, it’s a valuable exercise to step back, assess the broader industry landscape, and challenge ourselves to consider where our businesses fits in the future of the experiential economy.
Some standout predictions include:
The emotional economy edges out the experiential economy.
Japan becomes a repeat destination for the mass market similar to Italy.
Marketers need to pay attention to grown ass women because they are hot, full of class, and know what they want.
Quiet luxury gets social.
Free content will be a rarity.
But first, our love letters to 2024—because a lot of good stuff came out this past year, and we’re not about to rush past it and dive straight into the next.
2024 Recap: What We Loved This Year
Katalina’s Love Letter to 2024
Favorite Book: Get the Picture:A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See by Bianca Bosker
Favorite Song: This exact moment from Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso’s Tiny Desk Concert
Favorite Podcast Discovery: Hard Fork
Favorite Meal: The feast celebrating the wedding of the chef + owners of Xiao Ye, a restaurant in Portland, Oregon
Favorite Hotel: Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi, Georgia
Favorite Souvenir: This perfume from Iceland that literally gave me goosebumps and butterflies in my stomach (AT THE SAME TIME) when I smelled it
Favorite Hospitality Moment: Earlier this month, I dined at Dogan, the much-acclaimed and buzzy restaurant from Chef Kwame Onwuachi (the same chef behind Tatiana in NYC). Upon arrival, the hostess greeted me with three words that stopped me in my tracks: “Welcome home, Katalina.” When I told her how lovely that was to hear, she explained that this is exactly how Chef Kwame and Sheila (of THEE Sheila Johnson fame) want every guest to feel—as though they’re part of the family. To me, that simple moment perfectly captured the feeling exceptional hospitality is supposed to give you.
Kelley’s Love Letter to 2024
Favorite book: Can’t pick one - it’s a tie between Martyr! By Kaveh Akbar And Perfume and Pain by Anna Dorn (the screen adaptation is already in the works!)
Favorite song: A throwback but a goodie, Heat Waves by Glass Animals
Favorite meal: Cedric Bardawil gallery’s summer show, ‘Sticking up for Soft’ took the form of a dinner party turned exhibition. Every single piece, from the cutlery to the table, were made by hand for the exhibition and dinner party. Best part, all available for sale. Brilliant.
Favorite hotel: Took lots of staycations this year in the UK. New Hall Hotel & Spa was an 11/10
Favorite souvenir: My medal from the 2024 Chicago Marathon
Favorite hospitality experience: Hands down it was mid way through the year at the Royal Opera House for the 190th Anniversary celebrations of premier luxury brand, WOLF. The brand went all out and no detail was overlooked. Black tie, flowing top shelf champagne, a life sized jewelry box with a ballerina. Complemented by perfect summer evening weather, a rarity in London. I rented the most intoxicating dress via rental platform By Rotation, felt like a bombshell and danced the night away with my favorite people in the world.
Our 2025 Experiential Economy Predictions
It will be easier than ever to step off a plane and go straight into an IV hydration therapy session to tackle jetlag, bloating, and dry skin—all in one go.