Limitless luxury & layering value for modern travellers

HUE & CRY Luxury is no longer about checking in. It’s about checking out: of routine, of roles, of the expectations that define everyday life. In modern travel, “premium” has become a layered proposition. Less about opulence, more about resonance. Less about five-star symbols, more about how an experience makes you feel. According to American […]

Imperfection is the new way of life

HUE & CRY Luxury has always been about signalling. But what it signals, and how, is evolving. We’re entering the post-quiet luxury era. Where once consumers looked for smooth surfaces, flawless finishes, and high-gloss design, they now look for the opposite. Texture. Variation. Marks of the maker. In food, drink, and travel, imperfection has become […]

High-Low snacking & the democratisation of indulgence

HUE & CRY The snack aisle has become a cultural battleground, and a creative goldmine. What was once a space for convenience and comfort has evolved into a proving ground for flavour, design, and identity. Today’s consumers are not only looking for something tasty. They are looking for something that reflects who they are and […]

Premium is a feeling, not just a price tag

HUE & CRY Premium used to be easy to spot. It was the thing that cost more, looked glossier, or came with a badge of status. But in 2025, thanks to the change in channels and consumer behaviour, the rules are constantly evolving. Premium has become a feeling. And the best brands are not just […]

Sports, spectacle, & the rise of fandom travel

HUE & CRY Sport has always been emotional. But now, it is becoming aspirational, and increasingly experiential. As spectators evolve into superfans and arenas turn into destinations, we are seeing the rise of premium fandom travel. According to Nielsen, 70% of sports fans globally are willing to travel for live events. Whether it is a […]

The art of aspiration for premium brands

HUE & CRY The brands we admire most today share a common trait. They don’t just offer products. They offer perspective. In the past, aspirational branding was tethered to exclusivity. High prices, hard-to-get launches, and elite associations. While this still stands true, there’s an evolution in terms of what aspiration means to audiences. It is […]

Everyday Escapism: The new premium trade-up

HUE & CRY What does premium mean when people are tired, stretched, and constantly plugged in? Increasingly, it means escape. Not the long-haul kind, but something smaller, faster, and closer to home. According to WGSN, 71% of consumers now prioritise purchases that make them feel good in the moment. A further 63% say they are […]

From social posts to bookings: storytelling in the scroll era

HUE & CRY Social media has changed. It is no longer just for inspiration. It is a booking tool. The good news is, if content is king then context is the booking engine. Travellers now use Instagram and TikTok to find hotels in real time. A 2023 report from Skift noted that 70% of Gen […]

Travellers want truth, not tropes: why authenticity wins

HUE & CRY The most powerful thing a brand can do today? Be honest. That doesn’t mean boring. It means lived, human, and coherent. Today’s travellers – especially Gen Z and Millennials – want to feel something. They want that feeling to be real. And they want the promise you made before booking to match […]

How to stay relevant without selling out

HUE & CRY For legacy hospitality brands, the pressure to evolve can feel like a threat to everything built so far. But staying relevant does not mean losing who you are. It means expressing that identity in a way that resonates today. At our recent webinar, Jenni Benzaquen, a luxury business advisor and former Global […]