FEATURE LUXURY HOLIDAYS
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
BY ABIGAIL CATTELL While backpackers might rejoice at the prospect of a five-day hike up the Inca Trail to the mountain-top Inca city of Machu Picchu, your clients might prefer taking the train – it’s by far the quickest and most comfortable option. Clients can board from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo and the journey winds through the Sacred Valley’s breathtaking mountain scenery to reach Machu Picchu town. It’s not an attractive place so
recommend staying at Inkaterra’s Machu Picchu hotel, which sits in 12 acres of cloud forest filled with more than 350 species of orchid. Getting up before sunrise is a sacrifice
worth making to take a short coach ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu itself, to see the sun rise over this spectacular, 550-year old city. When you’re planning your clients’ Peru holiday, help them alleviate the possible effects of altitude sickness by planning time in Cusco (3,300m) and Lake Titicaca (3,860m) at the end.
What’s New
Hayes & Jarvis introduced Constance Moofushi in The Maldives this season and a new safari package, Governor’s Safari. Also in the Indian Ocean, the Sofitel Mauritius opened last December. In June, Cox & Kings launched private tours and holidays to Hawaii. Western & Oriental is introducing luxury Delfin Amazon Cruises. The operator also has introduced Puerto Rico and Vieques to its Caribbean programme. Journey Latin America has a new
family brochure for relaxing and active trips. Buffalo Tours now features the new Six Senses property on Con Dao island, Vietnam. LAN has started flights between Lima and Iguazu Falls. Abercrombie and Kent launches a
new families’ brochure in autumn. In Dubai Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah opens in July and the Jumeirah Creekside at The Aviation Club opens this autumn. Miami, USA is to focus on the luxury market with a new programme, Miami Lux. Dream South Beach hotel opens this summer in Miami Beach.
Tourism Talk
Clockwise: Personal attention from Beachcomber; Kaya Mawa, a luxury resort on Likoma Island, Lake Malawi; Song Saa Island Resort, on Cambodia's Koh Rong Archipelago
20 July/August 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
SIMON HAWKINS managing director, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board
“The luxury sector is doing extremely
well in the Maldives with the recent openings of Jumeirah Groups’ Jumeirah Vittaveli and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi as well as Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and Six Senses Laamu. Furthermore, some of the awaited openings for this year include Viceroy Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives, Niyama by Per Aquum, Zitahli Resort & Spa Dholhiyadhoo Maldives, The Regent Maldives, Ayada Maldives, Amari Addu Maldives, Raffles Konottaa, Maldives. There is a boost for travel agents
selling the luxury market as the Maldives now has more tactical offers and incentive packages, such as offering more free nights. For 2012 we hope our budget will cover a better activity plan with new brand positioning, a new slogan and a logo for the destination. It will no longer be a beach and a cocktail destination; discovering and reaching the new segments will be our main target.”
SANJIKA PERERA director, UK & Ireland Sri Lanka Tourism “Tourism to Sri Lanka is
up 40 per cent year-on-year so far. Luxury boutique hotels opened up all over the island offering exclusivity and luxury with an authentic Sri Lankan touch. Shangri La, Six Senses, Anantara and Movenpick have made substantial investments in Sri Lanka – some properties will commence operations in
2012. Kalpitiya Peninsula and the East Coast are fast becoming tourism hot spots with luxury properties. Fams, online training and newsletters are ways we keep agents involved. We are planning a five-city UK Sri Lanka road show and consumer promotions in agency shop-fronts.”
From The Front Line PAUL LODGE
managing director La Joie de Vivre “The luxury market is
more buoyant this year. Although it is still price dominated, the top end of this sector is performing well. Mauritius, the Maldives and the Caribbean are still popular for winter sun. Elsewhere, demand for China, India, Botswana and Tanzania is strong. I’d recommend India to clients looking for the luxury extras.”
ANDREA LODDO Senior product manager Hayes and Jarvis “The luxury market is
selling quite well. People are aware that they can get better value for their money. Exclusive properties in the Far East are working really well for us. We’ve almost doubled the numbers with the Shangri-La group, mainly in Malaysia. It costs relatively little to upgrade from four- to five stars. Top-end safaris such as Governor’s Camp are outselling cheaper properties.”
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