A New Start for Abercrombie & Kent

Luxury Travel News

The Skift New Luxury column is our weekly column focused on the business of selling luxury travel, the people and companies creating and selling experiences, emerging trends, and the changing consumer habits around the sector.

"I wake up every day thinking I'm just starting," Geoffrey Kent, founder, chairman, and CEO of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, said to me during an interview earlier this week.

It's certainly an interesting approach from a man who has been involved in the travel business since launching the tour operator way back in 1962.

Today, however, it makes a little more sense, given the news that he has bought back the business from its previous owner along with his friend Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, who recently sold a majority stake in Silversea Cruises to Royal Caribbean.

The pair have big plans to expand Abercrombie & Kent and you can find out more in the story below.

For feedback or news tips, reach out via email at pw@skift.com or tweet me @paddywhyte.

— Patrick Whyte, Europe Editor

6 Looks at Luxury

Former Silversea Owner Leads Takeover of Abercrombie & Kent: Mixing business with friendship can be a risky thing, but it sounds like the prospective new owners of Abercrombie & Kent share the same views on luxury travel.

How a Little-Known Californian Surf Town Hopes to Win Over Luxury Tourists: Upon hearing the names Laguna Niguel and Newport Beach, do you start itching to experience the luxe life in Southern California? Probably so. On the other hand, unless you are from Orange County, the name Dana Point conjures ... well, not much. But a recently formed DMO is looking to put Dana Point on the OC's luxury travel map.

Swiss Resort Crans-Montana Wants Out of Ski Pass Amid Overtourism Concerns: Switzerland's network of cable cars and ski lifts makes it a haven for hikers and skiers in summer and winter. Without a pass, it is prohibitively expensive, totally spoils the fun. But while a pass is needed, so are solutions if the offer causes overcrowding.

United Will Add More First-Class Seats to Regional Services: Competition at the luxury end of the regional market certainly seems to be hotting up. Getting hold of Bombardier's new CRJ550 aircraft gives United something to shout about.

How to Make Improving the Guest Experience a Joyful Task: Meeting guest experience requirements is too often a series of boring checklists. But improving the end-to-end experience can be a joyful, creative project that involves everyone from the general manager to the most junior staff. Here’s a way to think about it.

Boeing Backs Aerion in Effort to Revive Supersonic Jets: We applaud innovation. We just wish the airline industry worked as hard at reducing carbon emissions as it does at providing services to the wealthy. Aerion isn't the only company aiming to revive supersonic flight, but Boeing's backing will give it an edge.

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