Experiential Programming for Resorts

This study investigates the influence of experiential programs (EPs) on enhancing consumer experience offerings at luxury resorts. EPs encompass a variety of activities, amenities, and services designed to immerse consumers in the local culture, scenery, and authenticity. The research focuses explic...

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Main Authors: Matthew Miller, Jannatul Rafia-Tracy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Tourism and Hospitality
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/2/105
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author Matthew Miller
Jannatul Rafia-Tracy
author_facet Matthew Miller
Jannatul Rafia-Tracy
author_sort Matthew Miller
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the influence of experiential programs (EPs) on enhancing consumer experience offerings at luxury resorts. EPs encompass a variety of activities, amenities, and services designed to immerse consumers in the local culture, scenery, and authenticity. The research focuses explicitly on EPs related to fitness, evening entertainment, children’s activities, and personalized experiences. By analyzing data from 30 resorts, significant trends and typologies within each category of EP emerged, highlighting the diverse ways in which resorts meet consumers’ desires for immersive and status-enhancing experiences. Valuable insights were gained through semi-structured interviews with two hoteliers, providing a deeper understanding of the strategic integration of EPs. Fitness EPs highlight activities, including hiking and yoga, whereas evening entertainment encompasses experiences like mixology, music, and astronomy education. For children, EPs prioritize cultural immersion through hands-on experiences, while personalized EPs—including romance packages and private dining—allow for consumer exclusivity. The research underscores how these EPs align with contemporary trends in conspicuous consumption, where luxury resorts leverage unique, high-quality, and culturally rich experiences to reinforce affluence and societal standing. The findings emphasize that EPs are a vital strategy for luxury resorts to differentiate themselves in a competitive market, enhancing consumer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive self-image.
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spelling doaj-art-1f2aaae99cc14c19b54f92109ee73c112025-08-20T02:21:51ZengMDPI AGTourism and Hospitality2673-57682025-06-016210510.3390/tourhosp6020105Experiential Programming for ResortsMatthew Miller0Jannatul Rafia-Tracy1Department of Hospitality, Sport, & Tourism, Niagara University, New York, NY 14109, USABusiness College, Underwood University, Suwanee, GA 30024, USAThis study investigates the influence of experiential programs (EPs) on enhancing consumer experience offerings at luxury resorts. EPs encompass a variety of activities, amenities, and services designed to immerse consumers in the local culture, scenery, and authenticity. The research focuses explicitly on EPs related to fitness, evening entertainment, children’s activities, and personalized experiences. By analyzing data from 30 resorts, significant trends and typologies within each category of EP emerged, highlighting the diverse ways in which resorts meet consumers’ desires for immersive and status-enhancing experiences. Valuable insights were gained through semi-structured interviews with two hoteliers, providing a deeper understanding of the strategic integration of EPs. Fitness EPs highlight activities, including hiking and yoga, whereas evening entertainment encompasses experiences like mixology, music, and astronomy education. For children, EPs prioritize cultural immersion through hands-on experiences, while personalized EPs—including romance packages and private dining—allow for consumer exclusivity. The research underscores how these EPs align with contemporary trends in conspicuous consumption, where luxury resorts leverage unique, high-quality, and culturally rich experiences to reinforce affluence and societal standing. The findings emphasize that EPs are a vital strategy for luxury resorts to differentiate themselves in a competitive market, enhancing consumer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive self-image.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/2/105experiential programsluxury hotelsresortsconsumer experiencescontemporary luxuryexclusivity
spellingShingle Matthew Miller
Jannatul Rafia-Tracy
Experiential Programming for Resorts
Tourism and Hospitality
experiential programs
luxury hotels
resorts
consumer experiences
contemporary luxury
exclusivity
title Experiential Programming for Resorts
title_full Experiential Programming for Resorts
title_fullStr Experiential Programming for Resorts
title_full_unstemmed Experiential Programming for Resorts
title_short Experiential Programming for Resorts
title_sort experiential programming for resorts
topic experiential programs
luxury hotels
resorts
consumer experiences
contemporary luxury
exclusivity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/2/105
work_keys_str_mv AT matthewmiller experientialprogrammingforresorts
AT jannatulrafiatracy experientialprogrammingforresorts