What to avoid in experience design

When I ventured around Queenstown last week, I got a sharp reminder of what we all need to avoid.

The travel industries biggest threat... the beige-ification of tourism.

This is where you travel around the world but everything feels the same.

The opposite of this is where a sense of local place comes through making the destination unique and memorable, not just tick-the-boxable.

It could be a unique counter bell... not the same round bell you see on every other front desk in the world (The Headwaters).

A custom brass sign... that most people won't notice (Fergbaker).

Locally designed furniture and art... hidden with brail messages (Mountain Club x Ed Cruikshank).

It's well worth thinking through the different touch points - everything from the counter bell onward.

Thoughtful design (not always expensive design) can elevate a travel experience just as much as 5 star service.

So ditch the beige!