Trip of a lifetime

HOW many people have you met who've actually stuck to their New Year's resolutions past January? Instead of fretting over that pesky list of things that'll get chucked out faster than you can say "Happy New Year", take a cue from travel industry experts and map out where you'll spend your resolution-free vacation days in 2016 instead.

With travellers becoming more time-poor, the demand for experiential travel has increased tremendously. No longer satisfied with just superficial sightseeing, the savvy tourist looks for something tangible; something that will leave a lingering mark on far more than just his wallet.

Caroline Lam, executive director of luxury travel management company Quintessentially Travel, says: "In the past, we've had requests from clients visiting Italy which revolved around shopping and dining. There's been a recent shift to ones that incorporate elements of experience. We just facilitated a client's desire to feel like a race driver for the day by arranging for him to participate in the Master Maserati Course in Parma and Florence. There's definitely a shift in what travellers are demanding."