What Does the Future of Ultra-Luxury Travel Look Like in the World’s Most Fragile Destinations?

Climate change, overtourism, and environmental strain are forcing destinations to redraw the boundaries of access. And as the world takes note, the ultra-luxury sector is adapting first.

In Hawaii, the shift is already happening. From 2026, the state will introduce a landmark climate levy on visitors, expanding its transient accommodation tax to fund shoreline protection, wildfire prevention, and climate resilience projects. It’s the first US destination to ring-fence tourism revenue specifically for environmental protection, and it reflects a growing global truth: paradise now comes with resp...