Forbes Travel Guide Expands: Mandarin Oriental Leads Debut Collection

On August 5, 2026, Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) announced a significant expansion to its luxury hospitality ratings with the introduction of 'Debut' and 'Curated' collections. These new categories aim to offer travelers and advisors trusted options beyond FTG's established Star-Rated portfolio, as prnewswire.com reports.

Headlining the inaugural Debut collection are 14 Mandarin Oriental properties slated to open within the next 18 months. This collaboration provides an early glimpse into one of the industry's most anticipated development pipelines, according to prnewswire.com.

The Debut collection spotlights hotels and cruises prior to their launch, while the Curated collection features luxury properties in destinations not currently covered by FTG's independent Star Ratings. This move, as prnewswire.com notes, ensures transparency by clearly marking sponsored profiles, yet each property undergoes a review to align with FTG's foundational luxury criteria.

Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, states that these collections help luxury travelers discover "what's next in luxury hospitality." Amanda Hyndman, Chief Operating Officer of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, adds that this partnership provides an opportunity for travelers and advisors to discover the "distinctive experiences, legendary service and essence of destination that define Mandarin Oriental."

These new collections are also accessible via MeridianV, FTG's platform for nearly 10,000 registered luxury travel advisors. prnewswire.com highlights that these advisors rely on FTG's independent authority for their high-value clients.

Our take: Forbes Travel Guide is wisely adapting to a rapidly evolving luxury market. By offering pre-launch insights and expanding into new territories, they maintain relevance while leveraging their trusted brand. The Mandarin Oriental partnership is a strategic coup, immediately lending prestige and substance to the Debut collection. This move signals FTG's intent to remain a definitive voice in luxury travel, even as it navigates commercial realities.