Laura Powell

Latest Stories

Luxury

Turning Abandoned Hamlets Into Luxury Destinations

Wineries and agriturismo accommodations have long drawn travelers to the Italian countryside. But a more recent development is bringing travelers to Italy's once-abandoned hamlets. Other countries are taking note.

Laura Powell, Skift | 4 years ago

Turning Abandoned Hamlets Into Luxury Destinations

Luxury

Italy Revives Abandoned Villages as Experiential Travel Destinations

While every destination tries to offer authenticity, few really deliver. But in Italy, scores of local passion projects are serving up the real deal — while helping rural areas make a comeback in a sustainable way.

Laura Powell, Skift | 4 years ago

Italy Revives Abandoned Villages as Experiential Travel Destinations

Luxury

China’s Massive Social Media Landscape Presents Challenges to Luxury Marketers

The Chinese luxury market is huge but not monolithic. That's why understanding the capabilities of the country's myriad social media apps — and knowing how to nuance messages within them — is key to connecting with this lucrative market.

Laura Powell, Skift | 4 years ago

China’s Massive Social Media Landscape Presents Challenges to Luxury Marketers

Luxury

Luxury Gets a Status Boost From Cold Temperatures

Travel marketers need to think outside the box. The icebox, that is. A new research study reports that temperature can impact consumer perceptions of luxury and status.

Laura Powell, Skift | 4 years ago

Luxury Gets a Status Boost From Cold Temperatures

Luxury

Cooler Temperatures Can Heighten Perception of Luxury

How consumers feel about luxury products may depend on how they feel. That is, whether they perceive something to be hot or cold.

Laura Powell, Skift | 4 years ago

Cooler Temperatures Can Heighten Perception of Luxury

Hotels

Luxury Travel Has to Make Sense of All 5 Senses

In the multisensory world of travel, it's surprising that it's taken so long for luxury operators to realize that appealing to all five senses is quite sensible.

Laura Powell, Skift | 4 years ago

Hotels

The Wide World of Luxury Alternative Accommodation Models

As more companies enter the luxury vacation rental business, the need to serve up a unique selling proposition becomes increasingly vital. But it's also key to stay true to that original mission point, even as a company grows.

Laura Powell, Skift | 4 years ago

The Wide World of Luxury Alternative Accommodation Models

Luxury

Why Luxury Travel Brands Don’t Make the A-List

When it comes to keeping up with the Joneses, luxury travel brands are falling behind. The value of brands from fashion, automotive, and financial services sectors is far stronger than those from hospitality and travel.

Laura Powell, Skift | 5 years ago

Why Luxury Travel Brands Don’t Make the A-List

Luxury

Luxury Brand Value Surges — But Lags in Hospitality Sector

Within the travel industry, brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons loom large. But according to a just-released study of brand valuation, in the real world, hospitality brand names don't carry as much weight as their high-end counterparts in other industry sectors. To address this, companies like Marriott and Hilton are focusing on establishing ironclad loyalty offerings.

Laura Powell, Skift | 5 years ago

Luxury Brand Value Surges — But Lags in Hospitality Sector

Luxury

Redesigning Luxury With Mother Nature in Mind

In a growing luxury wellness trend that's built to last, nature comes indoors in the form of living green walls, natural materials, and more at high-end hotels.

Laura Powell, Skift | 5 years ago

Redesigning Luxury With Mother Nature in Mind