On 23 October, Robb Report Hong Kong will host an extraordinary celebration inviting discerning connoisseurs and industry insiders to immerse themselves in the Best of the Best 2026 Travel, Experiences & Hospitality Edition, a special theme and accompanying event that encapsulates the essence of adventure, where the thrill of exploration meets cultural immersion, impact, meaningful diversions, and unparalleled indulgence.
At the heart of the 23 October event is the Leaders of Luxury Summit 2025, returning for its second year, all set to offer a platform for thought-provoking discussions on the current trends and the future direction of luxury travel. Forget the notion of a dry PowerPoint presentation—industry luminaries will explore emerging innovations, developments, and customer demands shaping the global hospitality landscape, from the rise of experiential travel to the integration of cutting-edge technology in guest experiences.
Paolo Barletta, founder and CEO of Arsenale Group, will open the event with a keynote speech to reveal the power of experiential travel. In “Charting Luxury’s New Horizons: Innovation and Integration in Global Dynamic Markets,” Andrew Pitchford of Ferretti Group, Gilda Perez-Alvarado of Orient Express and Accor, and Amy Yang of VistaJet and Vista Global will dive into the shared theme of “the journey” through ocean, rail, and aviation experiences.
In “New Frontiers of Luxury Hospitality: Balancing Opulence, Approachability, and Transformative Experiences,” Candice D’Cruz of Hilton will lead a spotlight on balancing opulence with approachability, and Hilton’s strategy for creating authentic, unscripted moments designed to resonate with the “travel maximiser” who blends work, play, exploration, and well-being. Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston will share his vision of immersive luxury and the importance of site-specific design in his spotlight, “Creating a Sense of Place: How to Blueprint the DNA of Luxury Hospitality.”
Chris Godfrey of HBA, Namhee Cho of The Hanok Heritage, and Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston will examine the critical role of architecture and design in crafting spaces that resonate with both emotion and culture on the “Architecting and Designing Timeless Luxury: Innovation, Preservation, and Cultural Harmony in Global Hospitality” panel. Meanwhile, the “Reshaping Luxury Hospitality: Leveraging Digital Tools and Influencers to Create Inclusive, Accessible Experiences” panel, led by Linda Petrie of Petrie PR, Danny Xiang of Saint Bella, and Ciara O’Shea of Soneva, explores how digital transformation and influencer strategies are revolutionising the way brands engage with a broader, more diverse audience—without losing their prestige.
James McBride of Nihi will reveal his philosophy of “rugged luxury” and how it has transformed Nihi Sumba into one of the top destinations in the world in “The Edge of Wildness: Pioneering Philanthropy Through Sustainable and Authentic Luxury in Remote Destinations.” In “Crafting Bespoke Horizons: Personalisation and Sustainability in Ultra-Luxury Experiences,” Jules Maury of Scott Dunn Private and Angel Chia of the Hong Kong Academy For Wealth Legacy explore the future of ultra-personalised travel and the impact of transformative travel on legacy. In “Live Celebration of Excellence: What Makes a Best of the Best Winner,” Robb Report Hong Kong’s team will take to the stage to unveil how hundreds of contenders are narrowed down through a rigorous judging process to select the pioneers that define true excellence.
Robb Report Hong Kong’s Leaders of Luxury are those voices that provide key insights, information, and illumination with their know-how and savvy. As day turns into night, and conference room turns into ballroom, esteemed VIP guests of the by-invitation-only Best of the Best 2026 Black-Tie Gala Dinner will hear from such discerning minds as André Fu of André Fu Studio, Frank Binder of Ulyssia, Anna Nash of Explora Journeys, Helen Huang of MSC Cruises China and Explora Journeys China, and Richard Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail, adding depth to the evening as we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the winners of Robb Report Hong Kong’s Best of the Best 2026 Travel, Experiences & Hospitality Edition.
For more information, visit rr1hongkong.com.
