Trend forecaster, speaker and editor of the influential Trend Tablet, Cecile Poignant is a modern anthropologist who observes and reports about the world around her. Recently, she presented an inspiring and insightful lecture on "The Future of Travel & Hospitality" at The Murray, Hong Kong's first ever Niccolo Lecture in the region. From the movement towards minimalism to a growing affinity for all things nature, here's what Poignant's findings had to show:
1. Embracing new surroundings
Above Photo: Courtesy of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Gone—somewhat—are the days when a holiday meant hiding away at a resort, removed from the culture and everyday life happening outside of its gates. “People no longer want to be passive, they want to be a part of something,” says Poignant, adding that hotels are increasingly bringing elements of their location into their design to create their own unique ecosystems.
A perfect example is 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in New York, which used reclaimed wood from trees felled during Hurricane Sandy from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens to create tables for the hotel's restaurant, café, and lobby.
"There should be a feeling of history, of meaning and of soul," she says. "A sense of being rather than having."
2. A destination for both travellers and neighbours
Above Photo: Courtesy of Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
