2017 saw 10.5 million Australians travel abroad and a growing number of young professionals are going on backpacking adventures around the world. However, with more money to spend, they’re embracing the ‘flashpacker’ lifestyle. But what exactly is this group looking for from the perfect holiday?

While foreign visitor numbers are on the decline in Barcelona due to fears of terrorism and political unrest in Catalonia, the national picture for tourism is a strong one, with more holidaymakers opting to venture beyond the traditional hot spots and head to the heartland instead.

As travellers both new and seasoned demand more unique experiences that they can boast about on their social feeds, some are opting for sustainable trips to offset their CO2 footprint and help communities abroad. How can tour operators facilitate this kind of responsible travel?

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?