ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΠΟΙΚΙΛΗΣ ΥΛΗΣ - ΕΔΡΑ: ΑΘΗΝΑ

Ει βούλει καλώς ακούειν, μάθε καλώς λέγειν, μαθών δε καλώς λέγειν, πειρώ καλώς πράττειν, και ούτω καρπώση το καλώς ακούειν. (Επίκτητος)

(Αν θέλεις να σε επαινούν, μάθε πρώτα να λες καλά λόγια, και αφού μάθεις να λες καλά λόγια, να κάνεις καλές πράξεις, και τότε θα ακούς καλά λόγια για εσένα).

Κυριακή 26 Οκτωβρίου 2014

ILTM AMERICAS 2014 DEFINES THE FUTURE FOR LATIN AMERICAN LUXURY TRAVEL



ILTM Americas 2014 took place at The Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico, the third edition of the luxury travel event dedicated to designers, agents and buyers of elite travel from across the Americas.  The event welcomes exhibitors representing the most luxurious products and destinations around the world to meet with 229 exclusively invited buyers from the Americas.
The ILTM Americas Opening Forum kicked-off with Mexican political analyst and journalist Javier Tello Diaz, who presented an overview of the pan-Americas economical and political situations, highlighting how the Latin American wealthy are both investing and spending their wealth.  He observed that Latin America is growing slowly but surely as a region and that Brazil and Mexico and would be the countries with the 3rd and 4th largest economies by 2050.
Innovation Strategist Antonio de la Rocha then took to the stage to share how the Millennial market is developing, offering advice on how the luxury travel audience present should adopt a Millennial business culture to appeal and communicate with these future clients.
Claus Sendlinger, Founder and CEO of Design Hotels identified a growing demographic group - the single traveller – in his presentation, outlining his insights into the Five Stages of Luxury.  He observed that Stage 1 is about Acquisition and Value - where luxury is used to demonstrate wealth and define social position; Stage 2 is about Discernment and Worth – where the customer invests in brands, products and services to articulate higher levels of taste; Stage 3 represents the unique values of Emotion and Experience; Stage 4 reflects Responsibility and Awareness - delivering products or services in a much more meaningful way, as today’s luxury customer builds genuine relationships with only the smartest and fittest of brands; and finally Stage 5 which delivers both the Intellectual and the Poetic.  Claus concluded A search for meaningful life-enhancing experiences has become the keystone of luxury.”
Mr Sendlinger – representing design-led, boutique hotels - then took part in a debate with Rob Cheng, Vice-President Marketing for The Peninsula Hotels – representing classic, heritage hotels, discussing ‘Classic v Design’, exploring the differences and similarities between these two apparently distinct hotel types, their markets and different approaches to engaging with their audiences.  Both agreed that often they share the same clients and there is a time and a place for these clients to enjoy both the contemporary and the classic hotel experience.  It became clear that it is the role of the travel advisor to interpret the client’s desires and select the right hotel and brand for each particular travel experience.  Mr Cheng also added “The challenge for the classic hotel is to remain true to design but move through The 5 Stages of Luxury, balancing functionality with design.”
Prior to the Opening Forum, Mario Jobbe, COO & Co-Founder of Brand Karma revealed eight top trends in luxury digital marketing, highlighted in the ILTM Americas exclusive report: ‘The Luxury Traveller & Social Media. In a seminar entitled ‘Contagious Content: How Luxury Brands Win in Digital’, Mr Jobbe then went on to host a panel debate which also featured leading digital storytellers Sarah Spagnolo, New Media Editor, Travel + Leisure US and Annie Fitzsimmons, Contributing Editor, National Geographic Traveler.
Alison Gilmore, Senior Exhibition Director, ILTM Portfolio comments: “We are delighted to be returning to ILTM Americas’ now established home of The Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya.  The event is a gateway of discovery for luxury travel professionals and a platform for some of the industry’s leaders to share their expertise for the benefit of our exclusive audience.”
ILTM Americas 2014 lasted at The Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico until Thursday 25 September.