From traditional ultra-luxury to hybrid ecosystems blending wellness, real estate, gastronomy and culture, the global hospitality industry is entering a new phase of diversification—one in which local identity has become a key strategic lever.

At the head of Audemars Piguet since 2024, Ilaria Resta is accelerating the transformation of the family-owned brand. Between financial structuring, broader outreach to the general public, and investment in innovation, she explains the strategic vision for 2040 designed to secure growth.

In New York, Generation Z now has its first walk-in clinic specializing in acne treatment. The first Spotless clinic opened its doors last year in the Upper East Side neighborhood. It will be followed by a second location in the city center in 2026.

An increase in European exhibitors, a tentative market recovery, debates on China and ready-to-wear: Milano Unica 2026, bringing together the best manufacturers of high-end fabrics and accessories, revealed a luxury sector forced to rethink its priorities between financial performance, product value, and cultural responsibility.

Sundance, the Oscars, Berlinale—in 2026, film festivals will serve as mouthpieces for the many current divisions, but will also seek to question how past conflicts have been handled. Festivals will take on an educational mission, ready to face history head-on.

With more than 2.25 billion cups consumed every day, coffee represents an industry worth nearly $200 billion. Between moving towards higher-end, new consumption habits, supply tensions, and a growth-driven Chinese market, its price is skyrocketing. The sector is now attracting the attention of premium players, such as Johan Pesenti, a pioneer in New York.

A social showcase for over a century, the horse race on the frozen lake in St. Moritz has been putting on its equestrian show in the Swiss Alps over three weekends of February 2026. Striving to cultivate a more popular and contemporary image, White Turf remains nonetheless a gathering place for the wealthy, inseparable from the codes of ostentatious luxury.

In 2000, French entrepreneurs Yannick Gavelle and Nicolas Dubois created the Hôtel & Préférence platform. In 2025, they launched TemptingPlaces Collection, a five-star franchise with a strong brand positioning: contemporary luxury, French flair, and extensive support for hoteliers. Today, they are strengthening their presence in China and, above all, Africa.

Long considered the ‘little Switzerland’ of West Africa, Benin is showing all the signs of new economic prosperity. A vibrant arts scene, luxury hotels, a new fashion incubator and international festivals make it one of the trendiest destinations.

By investing in the high mountains, brands are no longer seeking merely a spectacular backdrop, but a territory capable of combining performance, desire, textile innovation, and experiential storytelling. As the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic Games approach, the mountains are asserting themselves as a space for growth and influence for the luxury sector.

Between opening clinics and Longevity Hubs, creating an investment fund, and developing a residential real estate project, Simone Gibertoni is accelerating La Clinique La Prairie’s international expansion. Faced with the arrival of new players boosted by artificial intelligence, the Swiss group is strengthening its ultra-premium model based on medical expertise, technological innovation focused on longevity, and customer experience.

As the global luxury market enters a phase of normalization, certain European regions long considered secondary are now emerging as solid and credible growth drivers. Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe are shaping a new luxury landscape.

Gold’s record rally ($5,080 per ounce on January 26, 2026) is softening jewellery sales in top markets – India and China. As consumers prioritise investment over adornment, how are local jewellers pivoting to keep shoppers engaged?

While philanthropy occupies a central place in American culture, its influence extends far beyond the borders of the United States. In France, major American donors and foundations now play a decisive role in the preservation of French cultural and architectural heritage. American philanthropist Jean Shafiroff explains this in an exclusive interview.