Production Passport Newsletter | 👔 Dior, Prada & F1: The New Face of Luxury Sport

Today’s Top Pick 🔎

Behind the Itinerary: Why Travel Management Needs a Radical Rethink in 2025

In 2025, travel is no longer just a logistical exercise—it’s a critical function of performance, reputation, and resilience. For high-impact travellers in business, sport, and luxury, getting from A to B isn’t the challenge. It’s ensuring they arrive prepared, supported, and protected in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Geopolitical instability, rising costs, and increasing demands for sustainability and wellbeing have reshaped the travel landscape. While technology has advanced, many providers still operate reactive, one-size-fits-all models—offering automation without true accountability.

What’s needed is a proactive approach: where human expertise and AI work in sync to design travel that anticipates needs, minimises disruption, and delivers measurable value.

At Coraaj, the team specialise in managing complex, high-stakes travel with discretion, precision, and purpose. From Olympic athletes and CEOs to heads of state, they provide more than bookings—they provide assurance. Every itinerary is built with performance and trust in mind, managed by experts with decades of experience supporting the world’s most demanding clients.

Travel isn’t an afterthought. It’s a strategic asset. If your current provider isn’t treating it that way, it might be time for a rethink.

Sector Spotlight 🌟

LUXURY BRANDING

How Sports Became The New Playground of Luxury

The article delineates how luxury brands are increasingly venturing into the sports domain, integrating high fashion with athletic arenas. This trend signals a shift towards experiential luxury, where sports like tennis, Formula 1, and padel become platforms for luxury experiences. For instance, Dior and Chanel are crafting exclusive wardrobes for après-ski activities, while Louis Vuitton produces bespoke trophy trunks for prestigious events like the FIFA World Cup and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Emphasising the deepening bond between luxury and sports, brands like Ralph Lauren and Prada are not only creating specialised gear but also envisioning entire sports venues. Social media amplifies these collaborations, showcasing moments such as athletes adorned in designer wear at prominent events. This not only broadens brand reach but also reinforces the allure of active luxury, appealing to a younger, global audience eager for culturally relevant and dynamic experiences. Such strategies reflect a new era of cultural engagement, where luxury intersects with athleticism, setting a trend that likely shapes future market landscapes.

SPORTS TOURISM GROWTH

India's Booming Sports Tourism Cricket and Tennis Drive Luxury Travel Surge

India is swiftly becoming a premier destination for sports tourism, with luxury travel merging seamlessly with the cricket and tennis fervour. Valued at approximately $38.7 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $133.4 billion by 2030, the sector showcases the country's robust growth. Collaborations between India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and FICCI aim to enhance governance and infrastructure, further solidifying India's ambitions, including a bid for the 2036 Olympics.

The demand for high-end experiences is surging, with affluent travellers expecting exclusive packages that include VIP access, cultural experiences, and luxurious accommodation. This trend not only boosts local economies but also fosters global cultural exchanges, strengthening India's position on the world stage. As this sector expands, the integration of modern infrastructure and public-private partnerships will be crucial, ensuring India can cater to diverse sports beyond cricket and tennis, such as kabaddi and badminton, enhancing its tourism portfolio and market strategy.

SPORTS INVESTMENT EXPANSION

NHL Expansion Team Set To Cost US$2 Billion Amid New CBA Negotiations

The National Hockey League (NHL) is reportedly setting an ambitious US$2 billion fee for any future expansion teams, a stark contrast to the US$650 million Seattle Kraken paid in 2018. Despite no immediate plans, six potential ownership groups are already in consideration, each needing an additional US$1 billion investment for a new arena. This move aligns with the league's imminent collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the NHL Players Association, set to extend the regular season to 84 games and ensure a 50-50 revenue split, which heralds a phase of financial stability and growth.

Additionally, the NHL's host city selection process for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey is underway, inviting international bids for the prestigious event. This tournament offers perennial economic and cultural opportunities as the league capitalises on growing global ice hockey interest. The upcoming CBA and World Cup of Hockey signify a strategic vision for long-term expansion and international engagement. This forward-thinking approach emphasises the NHL's commitment to not only navigate the complexities of the market but also to harness them for enduring success in the sports industry.

SPORTS INDUSTRY INNOVATION

AI Driving Innovation And Intelligence In Sport Through Strategic Integration

AI is propelling innovation in sports, transforming aspects like performance analysis and fan engagement. Ten Toes embraced this shift by fully integrating AI into their operations during AI Week, demonstrating its potential to enhance creativity rather than replace it. By involving the team in a hands-on approach, they tested tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney across real-world challenges, like launching NASCAR in Europe, to grasp AI's capabilities in talent, monetisation, and lasting impact.

The event highlighted AI's role as a fundamental aspect of a fast-paced, ever-changing sports marketing landscape. Tools and training offered by the company accelerate strategic thinking and tangible outcomes, notably through initiatives like a fan insight AI tool being applied to major accounts, including preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By forming the GenAI Council, Ten Toes aims to consistently innovate and pioneer within this dynamic environment, underscoring that AI is essential, not just beneficial, in their growth strategy.

TOURISM GROWTH TRENDS

Middle East Tourism Spending To Surpass $300 Billion By 2030 With Expanding Markets

The Middle East is poised for a tourism boom by 2030, with spending projected to surpass $300 billion, driven by sectors such as luxury, business, and sports tourism. Iconic locations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are leading this expansion, becoming global hubs for high-net-worth visitors seeking exclusive experiences like yacht cruises and cultural events. A noteworthy 60% of visitors prioritise luxury experiences, revealing the region's appeal to affluent travellers. This growth is supported by substantial investments in infrastructure and high-end developments that cater to the increasing demand.