The Week in Leisure: AI + Longevity = Leisure
In the age of AI, travel becomes more human and wellness becomes more attainable.
“Time is precious” and “travel is human” is a good way to sum up some of the key travel trends presented at Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Summit, recently held in New York City. I’m watching carefully how AI is shaping the way we travel, the way we do wellness and the way we do leisure. From what I can see, the age of AI has the potential to make travel more human and wellness more attainable.
The rise of AI during a time when consumer interest in wellness and longevity is at an all-time high is a perfect storm for the growth of leisure.
AI helps us automate things to give us more time for leisure.
We can use that extra leisure time to focus on wellness and longevity.
Which gives us even more time to focus on leisure.
Which gives us more time to focus on wellness.
And so on . . .
It’s an upward spiral indicating that for those in leisure and wellness businesses, the future is bright.
Jeremy
🦉 Philosophy & Culture
Doing Nothing Right
Reviewing David Edward Tabachnick’s new book The Leisure Ethic: The End of Work and a Return to Virtue, this essay traces the intellectual history of resisting the modern work ethic from Aristotle to Bertrand Russell. It argues that automation and artificial intelligence make a return to true “skhole”—purposeful leisure dedicated to community discourse and the good life—not only desirable but essential. (Literary Review of Canada)
“For Aristotle, leisure was the foundation for good citizenship. Ideally, it was free time away from the demands of work used to engage in discussions about the civic good. He recognized that, in order for these discussions to remain civil and fruitful, ‘leisure skills’ had to be taught and learned.”
🔬 Science & Psychology
Better Posture Linked to Better Decision Making and Mood
New research published in the British Journal of Psychology investigates how physical posture influences cognitive risk-taking and emotional state. The findings suggest that upright, expansive positioning can foster greater feelings of pride and more effective decision-making during demanding tasks. (Nautilus)
A Child’s Language May Predict the Arrival of Depression and Anxiety Disorders Years Before Onset
An NIH-funded study published on July 31, 2026, utilized natural-language processing on structured youth interviews to identify linguistic markers that anticipate later mental health disorders. By detecting subtle narrative cues up to six years prior to clinical onset, this work establishes an invaluable proactive window for early psychological intervention. (National Institutes of Health)
📈 Business & Strategy
Travel’s Future Is Still Deeply Human
At Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Summit, industry leaders identified six forces shaping the future of travel—from microcultures and frictionless journeys to community engagement and AI-enabled personalization. The most important theme, however, may be the simplest: travelers are hungry for meaningful human connection. (Travel + Leisure)
“There is a nuance to the human experience that AI cannot crack. It’s the nuance of that bartender making eyes at you from across the bar and knowing that you need something. It’s what the front desk staff sees and observes from their behavior on property.”
Consumers Redefining What Rest Really Means for National Relaxation
Recent marketplace analysis highlights a sweeping consumer shift toward intentional recovery, stress management, and boundary-setting over traditional hustle culture. Brands across hospitality and wellness are responding by redesigning offerings around quiet spaces and mental restoration rather than jam-packed itineraries. (Quid via LinkedIn Pulse)
✨ Innovation & Design
Are Timber Skyscrapers the Future?
Prompted by the recent topping-out of the world's tallest hybrid timber tower in Sydney, this design discussion evaluates whether mass timber can scale safely and sustainably to skyscraper proportions. The conversation highlights how renewable structural materials are redefining the carbon footprint and aesthetic warmth of our urban centers. (Dezeen)
🌍 Destinations & Communities
WTTC Unveils Seven Principles to Help Destinations Turn Tourism Growth into Shared Prosperity
In response to overtourism and destination strain, the World Travel & Tourism Council has released a seven-point framework prioritizing resident satisfaction, co-planning, and season-spreading. The guidelines provide a practical blueprint for turning sheer visitor volume into sustainable, long-term local value. (World Travel & Tourism Council)
“When destinations are managed well, Travel & Tourism creates jobs, strengthens communities, protects cultural and natural heritage, and delivers lasting prosperity. Destination stewardship succeeds when governments, local communities and the private sector work together with a shared vision for long-term success.”
Creating Better Cities Together
From September 22–25, more than 700 urbanists, placemakers, and community leaders will gather in Wrocław, Poland, for Placemaking Week Europe 2026. Through talks, workshops, and hands-on experiments, the festival will explore how public spaces can build belonging, encourage co-creation, support experimentation, and strengthen community resilience. (Placemaking Europe)
Placemaking Europe
Featuring exciting updates from Leisure Alchemy clients and partners.
Living Earth Crafts Embeds “Harmonic Wellness” into their Luxury Spa Tables
Vibro-acoustic Therapy is Making Waves
Sound therapy, gong baths, and vibro-acoustic resonance are all ancient technologies that are seeing a resurgence as consumers seek undiscovered pathways for mental focus and wellbeing. Last week, I had the opportunity to immerse my brain in gamma wave-induced acoustic resonance therapy on a Harmonic Wellness lounger featuring Mind-Sync at the Living Earth Crafts headquarters in Vista, CA. Every time I visit the LEC team, I try to do a session on Mind-Sync because it really does calm the mind and sharpen focus. They are now embedding this technology into treatment beds so your mind and body can both be massaged simultaneously. (Living Earth Crafts)
What’s your prediction for the future of leisure? Let me know! [email protected].
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