Updated on March 17, 2025
Following its stunning first edition held in Europe, the premier luxury travel conference will return to Monaco from February 24 to 27, 2026. Amanda Frasier, President of Standards & Ratings at Forbes Travel Guide, oversees every facet of the prestigious Star Rating system. We asked Amanda Frasier to share her expert insights on The Summit and how it has evolved into a singular, unforgettable experience — one that captivates even the most discerning audiences, from global decision-makers and leading luxury brands to influential travelers from around the world.
The Summit is billed as a highly inspirational event in the luxury travel industry. What do you think sets it apart from other industry conferences?
Amanda Frasier : Exclusivity is what immediately comes to mind. The Summit is a by-invitation-only event, and the only show of its kind to offer a bespoke environment for a wide variety of luxury brands looking to power network. It’s also the only event curated by Forbes Travel Guide’s luxury experts – who have redefined hospitality service around the globe for more than 65 years. The Summit, for all these reasons, is at once educational AND inspirational, entertaining AND elegant. It’s structured and composed in such a way that our guests leave the three-day event feeling fulfilled and energized, rather than exhausted or overwhelmed.
How would you pitch The Summit?
Amanda Frasier : Our ultimate goal is to bring our special community together in a way that inspires them to generate new business ideas and opportunities, while forging new partnerships. At FTG, across all our business centers, we are deeply committed to empowering our Star-Rated properties. We also engage with the world’s best educators, travel professionals and provide a wide variety of solutions for anyone in the luxury space. We are the embodiment of Forbes Travel Guide, so leaving our guests both surprised and delighted by world-class entertainment is another essential element of the journey.
In 2026, Monaco will see its second consecutive year hosting The Summit.
Amanda Frasier : Is there a better place in the world to host a luxury event and showcase luxury brands? Monaco has long been recognized as the epicenter of luxury. It offers all the vital ingredients for the discerning traveler and the same key values we look to instill in The Summit. Monaco made perfect sense and came as a very natural partnership choice for us.
How are the philosophy and values of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer a perfect match for The Summit?
Amanda Frasier : FTG has been operating its Star-Rating system in Monaco for several years and proudly features several SBM properties, one of which has maintained our coveted Five-Star award for a number of years, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. We have long recognized the leadership of SBM and their hotel, restaurant and spa staff to be exceedingly passionate and authentic in their service delivery — we knew they would be wonderful ambassadors not only of their brand, but of the entire principality. No detail was left unturned, and upon reflection, our attendees could not have been more warmly welcomed and cared for.
Monte-Carlo SBM’s iconic venues — from the Diamond Suite Prince Rainier III to Le Salon Rose and Amazónico — played host to a series of exclusive moments. Could you share more about the uniquely tailored experiences and events curated for VIP guests?
Amanda Frasier : The main programming ran for two days. To elevate the overall destination experience and ensure our guests felt they really got to see as much of Monaco as possible, we crafted a selection of 23 bespoke events that began two days prior to the main show. This allowed attendees to find even greater value in their experience, while offering partner brands meaningful opportunities to collaborate and enhance their visibility with our elite community of hoteliers. Guests invited to select SBM events were able to engage with the brand in a way that felt both organic and elegant.
The Summit is a by-invitation-only event. What types of leaders and experts do you look to include?
Amanda Frasier : The Summit is really designed for leadership and executives within the hospitality industry, along with owners, investors, operators, and asset managers. We also invite some of the world’s top travel advisors, who generate significant business for our Star-Rated community. In addition, we host dozens of global media. Together, this creates a range of opportunities for our attendees — whether they’re looking to enhance service, grow their business, or anything in between.
What were the expected highlights this year? Were there any key announcements or debates?
Amanda Frasier : 2024 was an incredible year for our industry, and some highlights we were able to help celebrate included two of the world’s best luxury collaborations — with Ritz Paris and Frame winning Best Luxury Retail Collaboration, and Atlantis The Royal and Louis Vuitton winning for Best Luxury Experience Collaboration. We also launched our own new endeavor, BOND CO.LAB, where our experts provide guidance to ensure success when collaborating with another luxury brand.
We were, of course, beyond thrilled to welcome Dame Shirley Bassey to the stage for an exclusive performance, and were truly honored by the gracious presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, who also attended The Summit marquee moment that saw chef Alain Ducasse honored with the Forbes Travel Guide Award of Excellence by Baccarat.
What impact is the Summit having on the travel industry and global luxury standards?
Amanda Frasier : The Summit is an extension of not only the incredible partners we work with, but also of our own corporate brands. Whether it’s FTG’s Ratings, or support from Atelier CX in assisting with bespoke service standards for any business looking to elevate its customer experience, or the Learning & Development solutions provided by The Academy and its team of experts, the collective result is inspiration — to become a better business, create better guest experiences, and take pride in the industry we’re all privileged to be part of.
As Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company, reminded us on stage, the hospitality industry will need more than one million new workers in the coming years. FTG and The Summit are committed to helping generate that interest and support the future of hospitality careers.
What criteria would you say now define true luxury in hotels and travel? And what are the latest trends you've noticed?
Amanda Frasier : Luxury is far less prescriptive than it may seem at first. FTG’s standards have never been a checklist of “must do’s.” While some systems out there do follow that model, we like to think of our criteria as a road map. This approach has served us successfully over the decades, as we always aim not to homogenize service globally but to empower hotels and brands to define their own character — and, in doing so, deliver a more authentic, genuine experience to their guests.
The greatest focus we’re seeing right now, driven by guest demand, is around well-being. Travelers are looking for destinations where they can maintain their chosen lifestyle — whether through quality sleep, nutrition, education, or meaningful experiences. In 2025, we will further refine our own well-being standards to ensure that our criteria and guests’ expectations are aligned.
Customer experience is a key element of luxury. What technological innovations — including artificial intelligence — are currently transforming the experience of high-end travelers?
Amanda Frasier : As with any technology, AI is going to be a significant part of the hospitality industry going forward. The opportunity to embrace it in a way that complements and enhances services that still require a human touch will be an important balance — whether front or back of house. We’re excited to see what lies ahead in terms of driving efficiency, managing operating costs, and elevating the guest experience — and probably in ways we haven’t even imagined yet.
Your return for the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Summit is wonderful news! What inspired your decision?
Amanda Frasier : It became clear to us quite early in the week that something special was unfolding for our attendees. The energy of our group coming together in this remarkable location, — where many of them have worked at some point in their careers, making it all the more meaningful — was truly palpable. We also recognized the incredible amount of work invested in The Summit, both by our team and by hundreds of individuals across Monaco over the past year. I think we all felt equally excited by the possibility of doing more, creating even bigger experiences, and meeting higher expectations — and we’re all absolutely up for that challenge!
Discover the video recap of the gala evening that took place at the Sporting Monte-Carlo on February 27th!
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