Podcast
Podcast
Episode 34: Building the Next Generation of Luxury Travel with KSL Capital Partners
Finding the intersection between innovation and experience, the future of luxury travel will be defined not simply by where people go, but how those journeys make them feel.
Joining me in the Luxury Travel Innovators studio in Denver, Colorado, May Lilley, Executive in Residence of Global Commercial for KSL Capital Partners shared her unique career journey, the evolution of experiential travel, and how one of the industry’s most influential investment firms is shaping the future of hospitality. From ski slopes in Colorado to global resort acquisitions and luxury outdoor hospitality, May’s path offers a compelling lens into how modern travel brands are being built, scaled, and reimagined.
Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, May studied psychology while exploring a wide range of academic interests, from business statistics to art history. But it was a ski season in Colorado that ultimately changed the trajectory of her career. What began as a role teaching young children to ski at Vail evolved into an opportunity to work with high-profile guests from around the world, exposing her to influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, and travelers who shared her fascination with exploration and experience.
That early immersion in hospitality laid the foundation for more than a decade at Vail Resorts, where May helped lead international communications and destination marketing efforts during a period of tremendous growth. The company’s acquisition of Perisher in Australia (Vail’s first international resort acquisition) gave her the opportunity to help develop entirely new approaches to international destinations and pass products. Building a career around industries and experiences she genuinely cared about then led her to join Under Canvas as its first marketing leader. At the time, the company operated only a handful of camps and was still helping define what luxury outdoor hospitality could become. Shortly afterwards, KSL acquired the company, accelerating its growth and providing the resources needed to scale the business. During her tenure, Under Canvas expanded significantly, launched new concepts, and helped establish experiential outdoor hospitality as one of the most exciting categories in luxury travel.
Today, May brings those experiences to her role at KSL Capital Partners, where she works across one of the largest travel and leisure investment portfolios in the world. Rather than focusing solely on financial performance, KSL’s approach combines investment expertise with operational leadership, creating opportunities for portfolio companies to learn from one another and share best practices across brands, geographies, and market segments. That perspective gives May a unique vantage point on where luxury travel is headed, and one theme surfaced throughout the conversation: travelers are increasingly prioritizing experiences over traditional notions of luxury.
She pointed to the recent launch of Beckons as an example of this shift. Bringing together extraordinary experiential properties across destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South America, the collection reflects growing demand for immersive, highly personalized travel experiences that allow guests to connect more deeply with both place and culture (listen to Episode 16 to learn more about the brand, formerly Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels). Rather than seeking the familiar, today’s luxury travelers are increasingly drawn to destinations that feel authentic, remote, and transformative.
“The secret’s out. People want immersive experiences, meaningful connections, and extraordinary places.”
Our discussion naturally expanded into the broader trends shaping the luxury travel landscape. Wellness, for example, has evolved far beyond spa treatments and fitness centers. Travelers now expect wellness to be woven throughout the entire guest experience, influencing everything from dining to programming to outdoor adventures and recovery-focused amenities. At the same time, personalization continues to become more important as guests expect brands to understand their preferences and anticipate their needs in increasingly sophisticated ways.
No conversation about the future of travel would be complete without mentioning artificial intelligence, and we remarked on the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for the hospitality industry. Rather than viewing the technology as something to fear, May sees it as an important tool that industry leaders must actively engage with. At KSL, she helps facilitate collaboration across portfolio companies, encouraging teams to test emerging technologies, share learnings, and identify practical applications that can improve both operational efficiency and guest experiences.
Yet despite all the excitement surrounding AI, data, and personalization, May believes the most important aspect of luxury hospitality remains unchanged: people.
Some of the most memorable travel experiences are not defined by technology, amenities, or even destinations. They are shaped by the individuals who create moments of connection—whether it’s a guide leading guests through a remote wilderness experience, a hotel employee anticipating an unspoken need, or fellow travelers sharing stories around a dinner table after a day of adventure. That human element serves as a reminder that while technology will continue to transform how travelers discover, book, and experience destinations, genuine hospitality will always be rooted in personal connection.
As per usual, we closed our conversation with LTI’s signature rapid fire questions. For personal travel, May is heading up to Clayoquot, the Beckons Lodge on Vancouver Island, followed by a summer in Europe, specifically the Dolomites and Ibiza. Looking back at travel in the past, May wishes that food on planes was still enjoyable. And looking forward to future innovation, she remarks on the total hassle it is to find the lights in a hotel room, wishing instead that there was a simple system right by her bedside that could kill the entire room with one switch.
Thank you, May, for joining me on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators. The full episode is available to listen to and watch on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Youtube.
