Luxury Travel

Experience is passé. Today's top luxury marketers have moved on to a new way of looking at the customer journey. It's now about intention. High-end brands that can align their own intentions — beyond making a profit — with those of their customers have the potential to foster true-blue relationships.

Some luxury-focused leisure travel agencies are finding success in handling their clients' business travel needs. The bleisure trend, as well as the desire for CEOs to keep their lavish travel a secret from employees, is creating opportunities for these agencies.

Change is the norm in New York City’s highly competitive luxury hotel sector. But some iconic properties, like Mandarin Oriental, New York, have had remarkable staying power in the eyes of guests. We explore the keys to its success in this executive interview.

The best way for travelers to get the most out of their Inspirato Pass is to book early and often. That way shelling out $30,000 a year for the subscription will essentially pay for itself, given the number of high-end trips customers will wind up taking.

Luxury lifestyle brands are popping up all over the place. In order to distinguish themselves against more traditional competitors, the new kids on the block are taking great pains to integrate themselves into their neighborhoods. One strategy is inviting neighbors to play a role in grand openings.

Boutique brands are discovering that creating splashy grand openings is a way to build buzz while creating community connections. Expect more investment in these one-time celebrations.

As The Savoy's in-house carpenter, Sam Beer gets to "make things that people want to take pictures of." It's a big part of his job. Turns out, that's as fun for him as it is for the luxury hotel's guests.

At Skift New Luxury, we frequently write about cross-branding efforts between high-end brands. Hotels are especially well-positioned to provide a showcase for niche products and deepen the relationship with their guests in the process.

As brands struggle to break through with consumers, they need to consider introducing themselves within the environs of hotels. It's a means to create a new relationship in a contextual way. And hospitality brands have a huge opportunity to introduce tastemakers to up-and-coming products.

The co-chairman structure is an unusual one in business and rarely lasts for long. But given the friendship of the two occupants, maybe this one stands more chance of success.