A key highlight on the first evening at ILTM
saw an audience of over 1,000 attending the
first ILTM Ultratravel Forum, showcasing two
distinguished international panels to discuss
and debate luxury travel’s most current
issues; ‘Keeping Luxury Relevant’ and ‘The
Future of Luxury Travel’.
On ‘Keeping Luxury Relevant’ Paul Jones,
President, One&Only Resorts commented;
‘Luxury travellers are not prepared to forgo
their annual family trips; but personalisation
and tailoring travel is now essential.’ Daniel
Levine, Founder and Executive Director,
Avant-Guide Institute recommends; ‘As
suppliers we need to, surprise and delight the
customer, anticipating their desires whilst
delivering meaningful experiences.’ While
Sonu Shivdasani, Founder and CEO, Six
Senses suggested customers need to ‘Feel
the destination’.
Turning to ‘The Future of Luxury Travel’,
the panel discussed the need to balance the
demand for a personal experience without
over-servicing, followed by debate tackling
how best to unlock Generations X and Y.
Melissa Biggs Bradley, Founder and CEO of
Indagare Travel confirmed, ‘The consumer is
Clockwise from top:
now empowered by their use of online media
Dr Buzz Aldrin speaks to Graham
Boynton, Group Travel Editor
and this is an influence here to stay.’
Telegraph Media Group; Entrance
At a time when commercial space travel to ILTM’s Official Party at
has become reality - those in attendance
The Martinez; Virtuoso’s Kristi Jones
were also witness to an exclusive pre-
sips Champagne with Vanity Fair’s
Victoria Mather; Speed Networking in
recorded address from Sir Richard Branson -
full swing at ILTM
on the eve of the public unveiling of
SpaceShipTwo in the Mojave Desert - the
first commercial flight to space, commencing
in 2011 with a price tag of US$200,000. This
was also prelude to honorary guest speaker;
Dr Buzz Aldrin - world famous Apollo 11
Watch the ILTM Showreel :
Astronaut who took to the stage, celebrating
the 40th anniversary of the very first
moonwalk.
Dr Aldrin went on to present the inaugural
ILTM ultra.travel Awards for the Best Luxury
Experiences from around the world, as voted
for by the users of luxury travel community
www.ultra.travel and participants of ILTM.
Details on the ILTM Ultratravel Forum, a
selection of images from the ILTM Official
Party as well as the daily ‘Gostelow Live
Report for ILTM’ with the ultimate insiders’
outlook on luxury products produced by Mary
Gostelow, as well other features from ILTM
2009 can be found at www.iltm.net.■
February 2010 TheInsider 5
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