Unique and memorable experiences still lead the way in tourism growth, reports the Mastercard Economics Institute in their updated Travel Trends 2024. Year to year, global vacationers are spending 12% more than last year. In 2023, the Institute notes spending on special experiences was up 65% since 2019.
One thing is clear: the demand for unique and unparalleled travel experiences is not just persisting. It is intensifying.
SiteMinder recently identified "The Memory Maker" as one of four emerging travel profiles. Three out of four travelers reported that their accommodation needs have evolved over the last year, with a growing emphasis on the uniqueness of a property playing a critical role in their travel choices.
But where does one find "uniqueness" in today's world? SiteMinder found that 70% of global travelers — 90% for Gen Z and 84% for millennials — turn to social media to discover new adventures.
Almost 5 Million Instagram Posts Feature Glamping
Glamping is one of the most popular alternatives to classic four-walled accommodations like hotels or vacation rentals. Glamping, or "glamorous camping," started to gain popularity around the mid-20th century as a more comfortable alternative to camping.
Now, almost 5 million posts on Instagram are tagged with the glamping hashtag, amassing billions of impressions.
Over the years, many varieties emerged besides the classic tent design, like yurts, igloos, geodesic domes, dome tents, bubble cabins, pods, or Hobbit homes.
25 Years of Glass Igloos
Originally, igloos were the dome-shaped homes made of blocks of snow and ice. Though originally the work of the Inuit surrounding the Arctic Circle, the design concept eventually spread worldwide. Over time, these spaces became unique tourist accommodations.
Jussi Eiramo, the owner and founder of the now world-famous Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finnish Lapland, invented the world's first glass igloo in 1999. Visitors of the glass creation could watch the Northern Lights from a comfortable bed nestled within a heated room.
Glass igloos soon became a commercial hit; Northern Europe has more than 60 glass igloo resorts, ranging from budget to luxury options.
Rovaniemi is a famous destination in Finland. Visitors can catch the Aurora Borealis, visit Santa Claus, and explore the Arctic through a reindeer sleigh ride or dog sleighing. Famous resorts like the Apukka Resort or the Arctic Snow Hotel offer numerous glass igloos.
Unlike stationary glass igloo resorts, Lindblad Expeditions offers the first-ever floating igloos at no extra cost on board its National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution ships. These deck-side igloos have the distinct advantage of ever-changing scenic views.
Ana Esteves, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Lindblad Expeditions, explains that their goal was to stretch their creative boundaries to develop the most immersive guest experience at sea, creating geodesic igloos with hot tubs on the deck.
Anybody Want Unique and Secluded?
Several recently released accommodations target travelers seeking seclusion that traditional resorts don’t offer.
In Jyväskylä, Finland, visitors can find tigloos, glass-walled tipi-shaped cabins in the middle of the forest, or a unique cabin often described as a "cottage on a pole," which combines the traditional Finnish bear-proof food cache design with contemporary wood construction methods.
During January, Amber Haggerty stayed in a remote Arctic dome on a hillside overlooking Narvik, Norway. The best part of her experience was the view, she reports, citing the stunning blanket of fresh snow covering the town.
While this option was relatively budget-friendly, she urges travelers seeking indoor bathroom access to pursue costlier options. "The most unusual feeling of staying in the dome was having to dress for Arctic conditions whenever we wanted to go to the bathrooms, as they were a short walk away (probably 200 feet). The dome was quite warm, but we were hit with a blast of cold air whenever we opened the door."
Unparalleled Views Beyond the Arctic
Geodesic domes and cabins are domelike transparent structures that offer spectacular views and allow closer proximity to nature. These structures have become popular accommodations in regions beyond the Arctic, especially near popular natural attractions.
Located near the Grand Canyon, Clear Sky Resort offers several geodesic domes. Many of these cabins are themed — galaxy, snow globe, and retro gaming — offering niche amenities for visitors of all ages.
This trend aligns with Mabrian's Social Listening Study findings, highlighting travelers’ growing preference for experiential activities — nature-focused experiences, wellness retreats, and food tourism — over more sedentary, relaxation-centered getaways. The study reports that hiking and camping top the list of experiential activities globally, with a more than 20% reported increase from 2016 to 2023.
Jackie Swayze of Maximizing my PTO scaled a via ferrata, or “iron path” in English. The Alpine climbing path to reach the Skylodge has a permanently fixed safety wire to assist travelers. The lodge housed cliffside glass pods suspended over 1,000 feet above Peru's Sacred Valley. She savored the solitude offered by her cabin’s suspension, relishing the lack of nocturnal visitors. She found it worthwhile as she woke to spectacular views of the valley floor below. The following day, she descended via zip-line, which put a bow on her entire adventure.
Glass Walls to Nature Are More Than Just for the View
Research consistently showsthat exposure to nature significantly enhances our well-being. The calming effects of natural environments are well-documented.
Julio Hernández Sánchez, the owner of Óom Bubble Boutique Hotel in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, fills with pride upon seeing the faces of the guests when they arrive and see the bubble dome for the first time. He recalls his goal was to develop an innovative project in the area, offering guests an immersive jungle experience with a low environmental impact.
Thomas and Mallory Odom, the owners of The Glass Cabin in Dahlonega, Georgia, mirror the same sentiment. Their goal was to provide a place where people could eliminate hurry from their lives. They feel that being close to nature does this effectively.
Memorable Wildlife Moments
Safe and close encounters with wildlife can transform a simple stay into an unforgettable adventure. "We opted for full glass walls because we wanted guests to feel immersed in nature while enjoying a luxury stay,” says Ariel Haas, the owner of Glassy Stays. “The best part is that the animals can’t see you while inside, but you can see them. We’ve been a couple of feet away from a wild deer who had no idea we were there."
Kevin Mercier stayed in Attrap'Rêves Bubble Cabin in France, where he had a night filled with surprises that went from spooky to hilarious. He heard an unusual sound and saw a dark figure emerging from the darkness. Thankfully, the truth quickly revealed itself as he encountered a deer in hot pursuit of a rabbit.
Tad Negrete recalled a particularly memorable night in a Stargazing Cabin in Joshua Tree, California, when a curious desert owl perched on a nearby cactus visited him. They shared a moment of silent connection before the owl took flight, leaving him with a sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of the desert.
Hammer Tsui and her husband stayed in an underwater room with glass walls at Manta Resort in Tanzania. At night, when they were getting ready to sleep, a school of vibrant fish swam by, which felt like watching a living painting come to life before her eyes. But seeing a playful pod of dolphins made it even more memorable. She described her night as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, filled with awe and wonder. Upon waking, she felt a deep appreciation for the stunning beauty of the underwater world.
As travelers in 2024 continue to pursue distinctive experiences, transparent sleeping accommodations are proving more than a passing trend. While social media unearths even more unique stays, time will tell.
