Nearly $1 trillion was spent on luxury experiences in 2012, with travel and hotels accounting for half that figure. National Geographic hopes to appeal to the world-class traveller with its Unique Lodges of the World, but how can it convince HNWIs to ignore the breadth of choices online?

Voluntourism and responsible travel initiatives have taken off in recent years, demonstrating how people are eager to do good in their time off. Kind Traveler is making it even easier for tourists to give back to local communities by playing matchmaker between charities and luxury hotels.

What do you want from a holiday? Glorious beaches? Plenty of cocktails? For certain thrill-seeking tourists, a trip abroad involves something more extreme. Untamed Borders offers breaks to some of the world’s most dangerous locations, but why are people risking their lives over a vacation?

Airbnb has shaken up the hotel industry, leaving major chains like Marriott and Hilton scrambling to figure out exactly what Gen Yers want while on their travels. London’s Cheval Residences is now aiming to reach these consumers by using technology to give them access to their favourite brands.

As travellers, we’re now more savvy and time-precious than ever before. We love short city breaks more than two weeks in the sun and prefer living like a local to holing up in hotels. Our holiday habits have changed dramatically, but how has our approach to booking a vacation shifted?

“Sharing is caring,” states a TV spot from holiday home rental company HomeAway. “Or at least that’s what they told us.” Actually, the spot highlights the uglier side of sharing holiday amenities like pools or bathrooms. But can HomeAway dethrone Airbnb by undermining the sharing economy?

Whether you're in inner-city London or the wilds of Africa, an Aussie twang won't be out of place. International travel has never been so popular for Australians, but traditional travel agents and package tours have lost relevance. Intrepid is a sustainable, independent alternative to the tour market.

Travellers are turning away from tourist traps and opting to find more authentic experiences in local cultures, with the wealth of information posted by social media users on holiday serving as an invaluable resource. How can countries and companies use these channels to their advantage?