First Look: Caesars' Octavius Tower in Las Vegas

Caesars’ Octavius Tower in its Las Vegas casino is fairly new—only a few months old—but the “hotel within a hotel” seems to balance classic Vegas extravagance and modern style with admirable skill.

I arrived at Caesars for the annual US Airways Vacations Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt after a delayed flight, so I haven’t had a chance to properly explore all that the tower has to offer, but it’s already made a good impression: Instead of just an armchair, the room has a full curving sofa so that guests at the hotel can invite up guests of their own. The bathroom is huge and has a Jacuzzi tub (will try that as soon as possible), and the towels are some of the softest I’ve ever felt. The desk has a built-in power strip with USB ports for charging various peripherals—a nice touch for working guests. Good to know: Internet access in the rooms is $14 per day per item (that is to say, a laptop and an iPod Touch can’t share a signal), and the cost goes up if you want to take the items out of the rooms.

Downstairs, I met my group at Old Homestead Steakhouse, and due to the late arrival missed the main portion of the meal. Instead, I was served a sampler of what the steakhouse has to offer: fork-tender lamb, a rich porterhouse and delicate fillets of Dover sole that just melted in my mouth. Oh, yes, and the broccoli, which I would ordinarily avoid like…well, like broccoli, was served in a cheddar cheese cream sauce so rich that I may just be tempted to eat my vegetables if I can have more of it. A selection of desserts was also brought out, and while I may lose my New York street cred if I say the cheesecake was magnificent (it was), it’s safe to say that the chocolate chip cookie cooked in a cast-iron skillet and served with ice cream was a lovely experience.  

The steakhouse is just across the hall from a big sign that says NOBU—but it’s not referring to a new restaurant. Instead, chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa is partnering with longtime partners Meir Teper and actor Robert De Niro to launch a new tower at Caesars’s Centurion Tower. The new tower should open late this year.  

What do you see when I say Aman and Opposite?

For the answer to my question, read today’s blog post!

Okay, so where was I in describing the 2011 Virtuoso Chairman’s Event when my eyes slammed shut last night? Right, now I remember. We had the opening meeting, an event so positive that we all kept discussing it on our ride to Opposite House, a unique hotel in the Chaoyang District. It sits among shops that are the originals that are copied in the Pearl Market and Silk Market . Opposite House, owned by Swire, the largest Coca Cola bottler next to Coke itself and owner of Cathay Pacific and a myriad of other recognizable named companies. Opposite House’s name derives from the placement of houses in a hutong

 

Entering Opposite House is walking into an organic piece of art! Reclaimed wood floors, native sandstone walls, rooms on the perimeter of a soaring roof high lobby that features two ribbons of woven stainless steel suspended from the center of the ceiling. Anthony Ross, Area GM, and his staff converted the lobby area into a contemporary dining venue and he hosted a most amazing contemporary Chinese luncheon. Service by servers dressed in eggplant tops and ballooning black jumpers was impeccable and the food (things I recognized and those that were a mystery to me) was a foodie’s delight! Meg Maggio, owner of the art gallery, Pekin Fine Arts, described the art scene and private art tour options available in Beijing. Meg, originally from Boston, practiced law in Beijing before turning her passion for collecting art into a full-time vocation.

 
The site inspection at Opposite House was no less spectacular than the meal and, I might add, cleverly tucked between the main course and dessert! Rooms and suites, 99 in total, are minimalist yet warm and inviting. Sweeping floor to ceiling windows provide a meld of inside and outside with electrically operated black-out shades ensure a good night’s sleep. A lower level restaurant and bar cleverly use the diffused light offered by the main structure and even provide light to the subterranean and spectacularly unique swimming pool. Can you tell I was impressed by this property? Who wouldn’t be?

 

We returned to Raffles with just enough time to layer up for our ride to the Summer Palace. Raffles, an iconic property, in the center of everything and a short walk to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, has a historic presence in Beijing. As Diane Baker, Raffles VP, described this property and the other unique properties in the Raffles group, as offering emotional luxury. How true! Scattered around the property are photos that provide a history of Beijing in the 20th century and all photos were taken on site!

 
We had a police escort on our drive to the Summer Palace, a replica of the West Lake area of Hangzhou (which I had the joy and privilege of visiting on a trip to China last month with Imperial Tours). We arrived in record time, actually ahead of schedule, and only Aman, who operates a hotel adjacent to the Summer Palace, could host this event and make it look effortless! We gathered at the edge of the lake and slowly watched the sun set. We also had a demonstration of a man practicing calligraphy on the pathway, using only a long handled brush and water, as his medium of choice. Just in front of the setting sun stood the famous bridge, 17 steps so at the top the emperor could be at 9, a number associated with the emperor and meaning longlasting.

 

After the sun had set we strolled through the grounds of the Summer Palace and came to an area cordoned off just for us Virtuosos. We then spent a fascinating couple of hours dining our way around a small lake while being entertained by traditional dance, chamber music, ancient Chinese music, dancers with swirling fabric, all accompanied by dramatic changes in the hues of the lighting. It was one of those evenings that I wanted to capture in my heart and mind to adequately describe it to you AND to my grandchildren. I can hear myself telling them about it when they are old enough to understand the rare opportunity their grandma experienced. In fact, someday they will probably say, “Grandma’s on her reminiscing roll again! Let her roll!”

 
Appropriately clad for an outdoor event (layers and more layers), I was still grateful to move indoors for the site inspection of the Aman Summer Palace. Having been newly baptized as an Aman junkie after my stay last month at Amanfayun, I was equally impressed with this property…and the warmth, too! Dessert, along with painting and craft demonstrations, was provided in the main hall before we reluctantly boarded our coaches for our ride back to the city.

 

This morning provided a very special shopping opportunity because Nancy Kim, Managing Director of Imperial Tours, assembled a group a vendors, offering us a chance to purchase some select items of clothing, jewelry and décor. You know, of course, that I had to purchase a few baubles, right?

 
Now we’re off to a luncheon ON the Great Wall of China, hosted by St. Regis hotels. Stay tuned!

If it’s Wednesday, it must be Beijing or is it Shanghai?

Wednesday, often called Hump Day, marked the last day in  Beijing and our first day in Shanghai. We squeezed in one more bit of sightseeing Wednesday morning in Beijing. We went to the Hutong area, one of Beijing’s last and oldest neighborhoods. A hutong is traditionally described as a quadrangle of houses with the main house in the North. North is a very important concept to the Chinese and many historic areas are on a North-South line. When the Communists took over, they changed the main emphasis to East-West. They built a broad, multi-lane road that runs for 30 miles on an East-West axis. In fact, Raffles Hotel sits on that boulevard. While the government felt the change was important, people still held to the North-South concept. The government has relented and when they built the two main structures for the 2008 Olympics, the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube, they built them on a North-South line. The government now claims to be the custodian of the traditional China.

Our visit to the hutong began was a leisurely stroll through a market area and we were guided by Lijia Zhang, noted author and lecturer. Our next activity was a ride through the hutong area in rickshaws. We stopped along the way to admire the scenery and we spent some time in a park where our senses were bombarded by so many interesting sights and sounds–senior citizens exercizing, a man practicing calligraphy on the ground using a long brush and water, heated games of table tennis, grandparents and grandchildren playing together, and myriad of bicycles parked while people visited.

After a stop at the Westin Beijing to “test their plumbing” (one does NOT want to use the public restrooms, if possible!), we headed to the domestic terminal at the airport. We were escorted through the maze of people and queues and found our way to our gate for our flight to Shanghai. One last bit of elan, Imperial Tours had ordered each of us a takeout lunch of chicken and caesar salad to be delivered to the airport from one of their favorite delis.

The flight was uneventful (a good thing) and when we landed in Shanghai, we were greeted by our hosts for the second part of our journey, Patrick MacLeod and Gerald Hatherly and the staff of A&K. Once on our way in our motorcoaches, our guide gave us a brief history of Shanghai, often called “Paris of the East.” I love Shanghai! Michael and I have talked about renting a place for a month at some future day so we can fully embrace this city.

We exited the motorcoach and were surrounded by applause from the staff of the Ritz Carlton Pudong, who lined the way inside. They provided a lovely aperitif, we picked up our custom-made black velvet Mao jackets with brightly colored lining and headed to our rooms. My girlfriend, Sam, audibly gasped as we entered our room. “Oh my God,” she said, “this is wonderful!” The girl has good taste because recently Conde Nast Traveler rated the Ritz Carlton Pudong as the best hotel in the world!

Quick wardrobe change again and, voila, time to go to Flare, the loft-style restaurant and night club on the 58th floor. Food, food and more food–all of various Asian countries–was provided and we were entertained by a trio of female violinists playing pulsating and lively music.

Next stop was back to our suites and the oh so comfy Ritz Carlton beds. We are most definitely in Shanghai!

Blogging From the 2011 Virtuoso Chairman’s Event in China

Hi, I’m back! It’s me, Barbara King, for twitter followers it’s @travelingking1, and my regular blog is www.travelingking.net, or you can follow me on our website, www.greatgetaways.travel. Last year I blogged my way through the Virtuoso Chairman’s event in Kenya. This year I have the honor of sharing the Virtuoso Chairman’s Event 2011 in Beijing and Shanghai.
 
The prequel: Along with my guest, Ms. Sam Wehunt, I arrived in Beijing on Saturday afternoon after a 12 ½ hour flight from SFO. Greeted by an airport butler, we were taken to China World Summit Wing Hotel, and we enjoyed a lovely night’s sleep followed by a private and very tasty breakfast hosted by the hotel for Virtuoso event attendees. Next, Nancy Kim, managing partner of Imperial Tours, took 37 of us on a fast-paced shopping tour. First stop was the Pearl Market and we all appreciated Nancy’s expert assistance in bargaining. Imperial Tours takes no commission from shop vendors so the original asking price is significantly lower than the average tourist is quoted.
 
Next, we strolled through the Antique Market and our tired feet and burning credit cards enjoyed a wonderful respite at the Park Hyatt Beijing. A “OMG” (oh my God, for those not Facebook or texting inclined) lunch was followed by a site inspection of their “contemporary feel” rooms. Many of us were ready to be dropped off at Raffles, our home for 3 nights of the Chairman’s event, while the veteran shoppers continued on to the Silk Market.
 
Virtuoso Chairman’s Event: The opening – Last night, Raffles hosted us at the Opening Cocktail Reception. Signing the guest book in traditional Chinese inkstone, ink and brush, we were escorted inside by beautifully gowned hostesses. Food stations offered dim sum, Peking duck, succulent crispy pork, a variety of fresh, cold noodle salads, and passed hors d’ouevers of pate, shrimp, and ,and, and….It was so fun to see friends I had shared previous Chairman’s events as well as connect with “first timers”, those new to the event. I remember the first time I “qualified” for a Chairman’s event, 2008 in India, and how overwhelming it felt and yet totally wonderful. Now I feel like I am attending a family reunion with family members who all get along! While we see each other at Travel Mart every year, we are so busy interacting with vendors we don’t get to spend much time networking among ourselves.
 
This morning began with a complete breakfast buffet followed by a meeting for members and activities for guests. The theme was summed up by Guy Rubin, Managing Partner (along with Nancy Kim) of Imperial Tours and our Beijing host, “China-the lure of the past and the impact on our future.” Speakers included the Vice Chairman of the China Tourism Administration; Lijia Xhang, noted author; David Ben Kay, who cemented the relationship between China and Microsoft, now owner of a gallery and art incubator; and two college students, Shuai Yang-age 22 and an undergrad at Communications University, and Yan Wanqiu-a 27 year old grad student at Remnin University.

Focus on our industry came from Guy Rubin’s talk focused on the importance of China in the travel world as well as the great value offered in China. Patrick Macleod, Managing Director of A&K Hong Kong, focused on the new opportunities and new cities to visit in China. Virtuoso’s CEO, Matthew Upchurch, reminded us of the immense effect our industry, in total, has on the world GDP and David Kolner and Scott Ahlsmith, of 23 Touchpoints, showed how mining our data offered valuable insights into the profile of the Virtuoso traveler who visits China.
 
The takeaway message from this morning is that China is growing and changing. It is an exciting source of fresh ideas, possibilities and new solutions. What impressed me was the fact a person who visits China is likely to return at least twice more. This journey is my 4th visit to China and I already am mentally planning my next China itinerary!
 

I know this was a more “reporting of the facts” kind of blog post today-short on clever, long on details. That’s the price I pay for blogging while exhausted AND there are two more wonderful experiences to describe from today, lunch at Opposite House Hotel and Aman’s dinner at the Summer Palace. Alas, those will wait until tomorrow when, hopefully, I will be less prone to crashing my head onto the keyboard of my laptop. I’m so tired that almost every other word is misspelled, or is it Miss Spelled, or is it…oh who cares, that’s it for tonight!

Barbara S King   l   Co-President   l    www.greatgetaways.travel  l   913.338.2244   l    Virtuoso Member
 

Paradise Found at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa – Maldives

I do not often write about individual hotels except when I discover something exceedingly exceptional.  Recent examples I’ve been privileged to herald include The Upper House in Hong Kong, Fullerton Bay in Singapore, The Crosby Street Hotel in New York City, and Grace Bay in the Turks & Caicos.  Now I add another one to the list – Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, perched on the southernmost tip of the Maldives.
 

Stunning & Spectacular Location

Nestled 75 miles south of the equator on Villingili Island on the Addu Atoll, this 132 all-villa resort will celebrate its second anniversary on July 26.  With the choice of many major luxury hotel brands in the Maldives, how do you decide which resort to select?  After all, glorious sandy beaches, shimmering turquoise water, impeccable service and superb watersports are in abundance!  Often, the Maldives is associated with romantic getaways; however, if you are seeking a luxurious tropical resort that is truly family friendly, Shangri-La has perfected that with the Villingili Resort and Spa. 
 

All Villas, All Luxury

Fabulous accommodations include Water Villas, Tree Villas, the Pearl Suite (a fabulous secluded water villa), Presidential Suite and 10 wonderful two-bed room villas ideal for families, each with a private beach and swimming pool.  All accommodations are fully air conditioned and feature a comfortable layout, spacious bathrooms with separate shower and toilet stalls, outdoor showers, and large relaxing tubs.  Particularly eco-friendly, all villas are fitted with solar panels to generate hot water.  Service is unobtrusive, and your personal villa host (called by a pre-programmed mobile phone) looks after all your needs from restaurant reservations to activities.  Like all Shangri- La properties, the resort offers complimentary high speed Internet access for those of us who wish to remain connected to the outside world!
 

Active Pursuits – On Land & In Water

The location lends itself to lovers of outdoor activity – from all the traditional motorized and non-motorized watersports to a fully-equipped health club and tennis courts, run by staff who willingly workout with you or hit some balls for fun!  The coral reef is world-renowned so snorkeling is big even for non-swimmers (unlike many coral reefs, where non-swimmers are turned away).  There’s biking around the resort, lunching on a yacht on the equator, traditional Maldivian night fishing expeditions, and spectacular jungle and wildlife tours, run by the resort’s in-house eco-center.  Diving is a huge passion in the Maldives.  The resort has its own dive centre, and boasts the only decompression centre on the Atoll, which serves the entire community.  On my recent visit, my three boys(ages 15, 12 and 10) were captivated by the diving opportunities; they took a five-day intense diving course with 18 hours of diving instruction and are now Open Water certified (10 is the minimum age for this course)!  And, there is more coming with a nine-hole golf course to be completed in December. 
 

Soothing Spa Indulgence

Overlooking the ocean, the CHI spa features 11 treatment rooms (including several ideal for couples), yoga and an extensive menu of treatments and wellness programs.  To keep spa standards at optimum levels, all the therapists are required to participate in Shangri-La’s own spa training school in the Philippines ensuring the highest levels of professionalism and service delivery. 
 

Gastronomic Excellence

There are three different onsite food and beverage locations plus “Dine by Design” (personalized in-villa dining), beach barbecues and a themed jungle dinner experience.  Local produce is central to the menu offerings; the chef has even cultivated his own walled ‘Chef’s Garden.’
 

A Gracious & Dedicated Team

Operationally, this resort works like clockwork.  Led by General Manager Jens Moesker, who arrived at the resort two years before it opened, the resort has 600 associates, 58 percent of whom are locals from the surrounding islands.  The resort has successfully created one of the friendliest cultures you can imagine so employee retention is very high.  Many of the staff have been with the resort since before it opened, and they are all well-trained, detail-oriented, and extremely gracious. 
 

Committed To The Community

Shangri-La has done much more for the local economy than develop and train a local workforce.  As part of its commitment to the local community, Shangri-La created a cooperative with the farmers of Addu Atoll, whereby the farmers supply the resort with 38 varieties of fruit and vegetables.  In 2010, the farmers delivered 73,000 kilograms of produce!  In addition to supporting local economic development, this program has two main goals – offering guests fresh quality produce and minimizing the release of carbon resulting from flying in fruits and vegetables from around the world.  As my oldest son aptly put it – “Mr. Moesker is not just running a resort, he’s running a small nation!”
 

Getting There Is Worth It

Getting to Villingili from the United States is definitely “long-haul” but the experience is made easier with direct Singapore Airlines all-business class daily service from Newark to Singapore (17 hours).  The renowned Singapore Airlines service, coupled with just 100 passengers on the flight, makes this by far the most comfortable way to travel. 

Spending a few days in Singapore is a great way to recover.  This is definitely a city to visit – it has completely reinvented itself in the past few years.  After a few days respite in Singapore, you can fly Singapore Airlines to Male in the Maldives (just over four hours).  Upon arrival, you will be met by uniformed Shangri-La staff who assist you in clearing customs and immigration before transferring you to Maldivian Airlines for the one-hour flight to Gan.  Onboard, you will even be presented with a certificate as you cross the equator!  Once in Gan, you’ll again be greeted by uniformed Shangri-La staff, taken on a short bus ride to the jetty, and then a 20-minute speedboat ride to the resort.

Alternatively, combine a trip to the Maldives with a visit to the south of India and fly from Trivandrum in Kerala direct to Male and onward.  From many U.S. gateways, the third alternative is British Airways via London and then direct to the Maldives on recently introduced service.

If you’re interested in planning a trip to the Maldives, I suggest you contact our client Greaves Tours – http://www.greavesindia.com/maldives-resort-collection. 

 

In Closing

It is hard to imagine a more professionally run resort.  Like many Shangri – La properties, this one is 70 percent owned by the company, which fully embraces local customs and the community.  Often, one might regard Shangri-La for large city centre hotels or boutique properties like the stunning Shangri-La Tokyo, but the Maldives property is proof of what the hotel company is doing with luxury resort development.  Shangri-La presently operates 10 resorts in the group – two in the Philippines, four in Malaysia, one in Singapore, one in Muscat, one in Fiji, and of course, one in the Maldives.

Created on a deserted island from scratch, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa is a dreamy vacation getaway that is one of the few places I can confidently say allows the ‘globe-trotting road warrior’ in myself to actually relax. 


About the author:  Peter J. Bates, CTC, is President and Founder of Strategic Vision (www.strategicvision.org), a global communications consultancy offering a range of sales, marketing and public relations services for organizations in the luxury lifestyle, travel, hospitality and event industries.  Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/peterjbates and become a fan of Strategic Vision on Facebook.
 

Stompin' at the Savoy

A few days in London seemed like the ideal time to visit one of the city’s most iconic hotels—a hotel that only just reopened after more than two years of extensive, massive renovations; reportedly, the most expensive hotel renovations in the business.

And, I’m happy to report, the Savoy is in fine form. The polished wood gleams, just like the gold leaf on the columns. The marble tiles on the floor are not the uniform black-and-white of plastic, but genuine stone with complex gradients of color. And, perhaps most importantly, the rooms are divided into two unique styles to cater to different tastes.

An Art Deco room at the Savoy

Those who like over-the-top old-world opulence will love the Edwardian rooms, filled with era-appropriate touches like overstuffed chairs and cushions and crystal chandeliers. Those with more streamlined tastes will like the Art Deco rooms, which conjure the elegance of the 1920s.

An Edwardian Room at the Savoy

Cool Touch: The rooms are divided not by floor, but by a central small lounge area on each floor where one style begins and the other ends. (One can just picture a flapper and her parents choosing rooms on either side of the divide.) Another Cool Touch: Each room has a framed photograph of a celebrity who once stayed at the hotel. (Memo to self: Find the Noel Coward room next time I’m in London. This is a must.)

Sadly, the nine Signature Suites were booked and unavailable for touring, but we hear they’re amazing—especially the two-bedroom Royal Suite.

A bathroom in an Art Deco room

The public spaces in the hotel are gorgeous as well. Notably, a glass dome that was covered over during World War II has been restored in the main restaurant. (Alas, it was raining when I toured, so I couldn’t see how sunlight changes the room, but it certainly made for a great focal point in the room.) Off to the side, a cabaret room is paneled all in black for a very dramatic effect—it just screams “jazz.” A chocolaterie is just off the main lounge, and passers-by can watch truffles be prepared by hand. Later this month, Gordon Ramsey will reopen the Savoy Grill. (With luck, patrons won’t hear too much bellowing and cursing when he does.)

But perhaps the nicest aspect of the renovations is how understated the luxury is. Whether one’s tastes tends towards Edwardian or Art Deco, the elegance seems effortless and almost casual, making the space at once classy and comfortable at the same time.

World Travel Market in London: A Night at the Ritz

After a single night at the Athenaeum (not nearly enough to properly explore it), I headed up Piccadilly to the legendary, iconic Ritz hotel. It's easily the most opulent hotel I've ever seen, much less stayed in: The columns and cornices have real gold leaf, and the windows are covered in curtains so voluminous they could nearly be tapestries. And that’s just in the reception area.

Amber Aldred, from the hotel's PR team, took me on a tour of the building and pointed out some cool details (for example, the main hallway, which connects the Palm Court, the dining room and the main reception area, has a formal dress code). Tea at the Ritz is so popular that they have five seatings per day, beginning at 11 a.m., and reservations must be made months in advance. 

In 2006, the hotel annexed the William Kent House next door, and the hotel now uses the house for formal functions. Of course, when the Ritz says “functions” they mean “Her Majesty celebrated her 80th birthday here.” The house also features three notable suites--the Marie Antoinette Suite, the Royal Suite and the Prince of Wales Suite. I got to see the latter two, and they are just as opulent as you would hope, with lots of light and space and plenty of rooms for any kind of use. (His-n-hers dressing rooms? Of course!) 

Cool touch: Chinese artist Mao Wen Biao painted a huge mural in the house’s Grand Hall that depicts a personalities from London society during the William Kent period. Even cooler: One of them is using an iPhone. I hear they were very popular in the 1740s.

My room was no slouch, either, with all the over-the-top-ness one would want. From the curtains to the carpet to the overstuffed chairs and pillows, the room was a lovely mix of 1906 style and 2010 savvy. Even breakfast was over the top the next morning. I'd never had hard-boiled duck eggs or quail eggs before. They're actually very tasty.

Next: Around the corner to the Stafford!

Planning for the Rest of 2010

According to conversations I’ve had with my friends in the travel agent community, 2010 is shaping up to be a much better year than 2009, but many challenges still lie ahead as agencies look to climb the ladder of profitability. Doing better than last year is a huge plus, but the barometer you should measure yourself against is that of more profitable years from the recent past.  We must keep reality in check.

Now that the first quarter of 2010 is over, I’ve outlined out what I perceive to be the five biggest challenges that remain for the year with some suggestions on how best to address them.

Challenge 1:  Maintaining and Growing Your Client Base
Winning new clients and retaining current ones must remain a top priority.  We all know very well that a healthy customer base is the foundation of a healthy business.

Stay connected via phone, e-mail and/or social media with your valued clients.  Maintain ‘top of mind’ presence by keeping the lines of communication open.  Impress your clients with how well you know them by presenting vacation suggestions sure to fit their individual tastes and preferences. 

Encourage ‘word of mouth’ praise because the payoff to you is invaluable.  Consider incentivizing your current clients to bring you new potential customers.  That investment (in terms of an upgrade or special extra to enhance the luxury vacation experience) can yield huge rewards for you and your business. 

Tap into local community events to build awareness of your depth of knowledge and the customized travel experiences you can deftly craft.

Challenge 2:  Understanding How to Sell to Today’s Upscale Consumer
Today’s high-end consumer has changed. They possess a new mindset that we need to understand and engage in order for us to succeed with a sale. And, the best way to comprehend this mindset is through relevant conversation with your customers. 

Consumers are also taking a more collaborative approach with their travel advisors. Their wanderlust spirit and increased used of technology to search for information encourages them to bring more to the table than just their wallet.

They are seeking vacations that provide distinctive experiences and substantial value – not just financial but a value that connects to something personally enriching. This relates to why ‘voluntourism vacations’ is a trend that has seen growth in the past half-year.  Today’s luxury consumers also continue to be inspired by family travel opportunities.

Challenge 3:  Promoting Agent Value
You’ve worked hard to develop a reputation for your travel expertise. You’ve done your research.  You’ve spent time traveling in order to personally experience the offerings of hotels, cruises and tour companies around the world. And, you’ve cultivated relationships with global suppliers whom you can reach out to for special extras for your clients. 

Don’t be afraid to showcase the value you deliver to your clients—whether it’s conveyed through phone or e-mail conversation, featured on your agency’s website, or outlined in the travel documents you prepare for them.  Be your own champion.

As travel professionals, you possess a tremendous value that should be appreciated by your clients. Those are the customers you want to keep.

Challenge 4:  Effectively Harnessing Social Media
Incorporating social media into your business strategy is vital. If you continue to view technology as your enemy, it’ll continue to defeat you. It’s here to stay so embrace it. Your younger customers are, in all likelihood, completely connected and Internet savvy. Your older clients might surprise you with their tech abilities. 

We’ve become accustomed to an impersonal world, and social media is actually satisfying a need people have for a sense of community. They share stories, wishes and interests. People want to engage in conversation, and the anonymity of some social media platforms is highly appealing. Adapting to these changes shows your flexibility as a travel professional and enhances the value you provide your customers.

Since we know that conversation is key to sales success, don’t cut yourself off from the dialogue.

Challenge 5:  Combating the ‘Deals’ Mentality
Tout ‘quality, quality, quality’ and educate your clients on how that can be comprised for ‘the deal.’ Gently remind them that planning a luxury vacation should not be akin to the game show ‘Deal or No Deal.’ Holding out for a discount isn’t the same as designing the trip of a lifetime.

Although people are still cautious with their travel spending, we must encourage the importance of purchasing a travel experience based on ‘excellence’ as opposed to a shorter lead time. 


Signs are encouraging for the future, but we must remain realistic about our climb back to success. Agencies report better sales now than six months ago, and clients have given themselves permission to spend money on travel again, which is excellent news, but much of the statistics are compared to 2009, the worst year in the travel industry. None of us are the same as we were pre-recession – so we should take what we’ve learned and build a new strategic platform upon that. Travel advisors can shape themselves into more savvy vacation planners and redefine their role far into the future.


 

Hermitage Bay: Romance and Babymoons in Antigua

The best thing about Hermitage Bay, the 25-cottage property on Antigua? Beach service by friendly staff who serve fresh, exotic fruit while you lounge by the waves-- says our insider, who just scoped out this stunning hideaway on a "babymoon." Though the setting of the Hillside Cottage Suites-- high above the sand and sea-- comes in a close second. From the private plunge pool, the turquoise sea vistas spread out before you, views so achingly beautiful that they soothe the soul. Huge doors in the bedroom also open out to the sea, so you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Set on Antigua's most secluded corner, landscaped into a hillside of tropical gardens, Hermitage Bay is the perfect spot for a romantic escape. Like your own private island, a wide expanse of white sand is yours for the taking, Lost-style. And with a "no children" policy, the resort is ideal for a babymoon.

Your clients won't need to leave the resort. With dynamite cuisine and a dinner menu that changes daily, there's no need to venture farther afield in search of different restaurants. For breakfast, your clients will greet the day with a different freshly-squeezed juice made from local tropical fruit.

Nice touch: Spa services are divine, and very reasonably priced. While you partake in a massage, our insider raves, you can bliss out with views of the sea from the spa's elevated location.

Note: Our insider tells us that this is not the place for adventure enthusiasts as the watersports are limited. However, sea kayaks are available for jaunts to nearby beaches; a private lunch served on the sand is an absolute must.