Trends of the future: ‘Smart staterooms and human-centric entertainment’

MSC Cruises has revealed a forward-looking report that explores the trends that will impact the future of the travel industry, created in partnership with The Future Laboratory.

‘The Future of the Guest Experience’ identifies the ways in which travel and hospitality brands will have to deliver ultra-high definition (UHD) experiences “to satisfy the needs of the guest of the future”.

Impacted by hyper-connectivity, urbanisation and demographic transformation, the report shows that the future for the cruise industry is full of challenges but more importantly opportunities.

“New ships that will still be cutting-edge… 30 years from now”

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman said: “One of the challenges of the cruise industry is that we need to design and build new ships that will still be cutting-edge for our guests 30 years from now.

“As such, innovation and consumer trends are at the very core of our DNA and we need to have a strong and clear vision for the future while combining this with timeless style. Through intelligent innovation and design, with a strong commitment to sustainable travel, we will be able to facilitate all kinds of future experiences.”

According to the cruise line’s report, luxury will be hyper-luxurious, spas will be hyper-revitalising, entertainment will be 5D and beyond, and purpose-driven travel will be the norm.

Guests of the future will prize fluidity, freedom and cultural fluency while seeking out discovery and self-improvement. Travel brands will need to respond by providing experiences that resonate with individuals across a wider range of mindset and communicating new perspectives that help them grow and progress.

Technology such as ZOE will also be key in facilitating the trend where responsive technologies will seamlessly alter environments to individual guests’ moods and emotions.