Travellers are seeking new experiences and finding new ways to research their destinations. As we enter the last months of the year and look ahead to 2025, The Residence by Cenizaro hotels share some of the trends we have seen, and what they expect to emerge over the coming months…

Experiential Travel

According to Bloomberg, 86 percent of travellers prefer to travel for experience and culture, immersing themselves in their location. Research suggests that the nature of travel is changing, with a stronger focus on immersive experiences, the kind that aims to forge a deeper connection with a destination than can usually be had from traditional leisure holidays. These often involve an element of adventure, whether physical, cultural or spiritual. The Residence Zanzibar offers a wide range of activities that are both experiential and involving, they offer a fascinating trip to discover the secrets of Stone Town, with an abundance of history and ancient stories, the Stone Town forms part of the older Zanzibar City. With truly unique architecture, explore the famous ancient buildings including Anglican Cathedral, former Slave Market and the Sultan Palace. You can also include a visit to Prison Island, the island is also known as Changuu, the Swahili name for a fish which is abundant in the surrounding waters, a tropical paradise most famous for its resident population of Aldabra giant tortoises. Get to meet these exquisite creatures and learn about how they came to be here as well as the conservation efforts that have saved them from extinction. Beneath its pristine beauty, Prison Island has a sinister history, here you can learn all about its past whilst taking in the stunning views and surrounding area.

Reset Retreat

The number of people concerned about their health and wellbeing has rocketed since 2020. The stats suggest that 80% of those surveyed by Public Health reported wanting to change their lifestyle to become healthier. Reset Retreat travel is based on providing travellers with the opportunity and the space to physically, mentally and energetically reset, leaving them ready for a new season with renewed energy whilst also being able to take in the exotic location to heal, rest, rejuvenate and recharge.

The Residence Maldives offers a “Holistic Journey of Wellbeing”, where you can embark on a retreat to revive your senses and relax your mind. They offer from two day and up to seven day programmes depending on your needs. Perhaps you would like to indulge in their ULTIMATE BEAUTY & SLEEP RETREAT over two or three days, This ultimate anti-aging face and body experience promotes full body and mind rejuvenation which offers a complete holistic approach, it prevents the effects of ageing and gives the radiating glow to you that lasts longer. Or how about a five day VIGOUR & VITALITY RETREAT, Immerse your body in a healthy experience of relaxation, vitality and well-being. Start with a Body Composition Analysis and a Personal Training Session. This programme aims to improve your aches and pains from the strains of daily lives, leaving a lighter soul and more comfortable body. Whatever your concerns and however much time you have, this wellness retreat will have you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. If you would like to check out this unique and inspiring space before you go, please follow the link attached to enjoy a 360 virtual tour of one of the treatment rooms overlooking the blue azures of the Indian Ocean:-

The Residence Mauritius is inspired by the “zen” philosophy, here you can enjoy private sessions of your favourite wellness activities, or take the opportunity to try something you have always wanted to but never found time to do. Along with a wide array of treatments and massages you can enjoy Reiki healing, an ancient Japanese technique used to balance and reinforce the vital organs through the placing of hands on energy centres or chakras and by a full body massage to relax, balance the soul and body. Wellness has no age and the spa also allows children to experience a soft and gentle spa indulgence, enjoy this magnificent moment with your child in the peaceful atmosphere of The Sanctuary.

Immersed in Nature

We all know that time in nature has a host of health benefits, these include lowering blood pressure, improving immune system function and reducing levels of stress hormones. It's therefore no surprise that this is also one of the fastest growing travel trends, a study conducted by the UAE Government found that 92% of adults who visited a green and natural space agreed that spending time outdoors was good for their physical health, and 91% agreed it was good for their mental health.

The Residence Zanzibar allows you access to the Jozani Forest, the largest area of indigenous forest on Zanzibar Island, and is famously home to populations of Zanzibar red colobus monkey (an endangered species found only on Zanzibar) as well as other monkey species, bushbabies, duikers and more than 40 species of birds. Thousands of butterflies are farmed sustainably by the locals and the community project aims to protect the endangered species of butterflies and teaches you all about these beautiful creatures.

The Residence Maldives also allows you to immerse yourself in nature at its finest but this time under the sea, explore the un-spoilt coral reefs nearby on a snorkelling expedition. The underwater biodiversity of the Maldives is awash with a kaleidoscope of marine life in crystal-clear waters. Marvel at intricate coral formations teeming with parrotfish, angelfish, and clownfish, while keeping an eye out for sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks.

Food Focus

Foodies can delight because the desire to taste authentic cuisine is on the rise. We are seeing a rise where more people will travel to find the perfect plate and immerse themselves in a more authentic foodie experience. Virtuoso, the travel industry's leading luxury network found that there has been a 70 per cent increase in travellers booking trips with a food and wine focus.

The Residence Maldives allows you to discover their Earth Basket, enjoy the beautiful surrounding areas whilst taking a plant nursery and garden tour, learn the importance of compost making and take a tour of the herbal garden. Pick your own harvests all naturally grown from the Earth Basket, then learn how to whip up a delicious and nutritious lunch and enjoy the fruits of your labour at the Earth Table.

The Residence Mauritius also offers a wonderful blend of flavours that can be found at the resort's four restaurants and bars, whose menus epitomise the unique blend of cultures which Mauritius is built upon. Guests can savour a medley of Indian, Chinese, European and Creole influences, with many dishes made using local produce.

Outside the resort, visitors can immerse themselves in the colourful culture of Mauritius, with a memorable choice of excursions and experiences such as visiting the nearby markets, or learning how to cook the local dish, Creole Cari Poole, a chicken curry.

Skip-gen Travel

Luxury travel companies have reported a 450% increase in grandparent-grandchild trips in the last five years. Skip-generation travel, also known as skip-gen travel, where multi-generational travel includes grandparents and grandkids while leaving the middle generation at home. This travel trend is a great way for the older generation to get to bond with the younger generation in a new environment.

The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah is a great place for skip-gen travel, with many different villas to choose from with families in mind and each with its own private pool the resort is perfect. The resort offers an amazing selection of dining options to suit all ages and with kids menus available at most of the restaurants, no one will go hungry. Activity choices are endless, grandparents can share memories to last a lifetime by joining a leisurely cruise to spot wild spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins in the azure waves and when the grandparents need a little break, Children are well taken care of with a host of Kids Club activities designed to keep young minds entertained and enthralled.

Sustainable Travel

When surveyed in 2024, over 80 percent of global travellers said that sustainable tourism was important to them and this trend is set to rise. Sustainable tourism, also known as ecotourism, or green tourism, is a form of tourism that attempts to take responsibility for its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts.

The Earth Basket initiative is in place across the majority of The Residence by Cenizaro properties, it is a year-round on-site kitchen garden, converted from degraded land at each resort.

The Residence Maldives specially cultivated Ayurvedic plants are incorporated into uplifting, health-focused beverage offerings as well as used with house-made virgin coconut oil for spa treatments. Spearheaded by each resort’s Green Committee, All the produce is grown pesticide-free and the food waste from the resort is converted into compost and used to nourish the garden. The freshly grown produce features in the culinary and spa offering, allowing guests to eat well and live well. Not only this, but the Earth Basket programme is fully integrated into elevating the guest experience, through workshops in the farms, to culinary masterclasses with the hotel’s chef, to packages designed for guests to learn about sustainable living.