p17 lux seminar dec5 2/12/08 18:22 Page 17
ttglive.com
conference report news
ttgluxury Seminar • November 26 • InterContinental London Park Lane
Ecotourism ‘is affordable’
LUXURY travel agents will be able to sell second nature to some agents. They realise they expensive than mainstream tourism,” he added.
more ecotourism packages next year despite don’t have to rebrand just to sell sustainable “Holiday packages are designed to have
the downturn if they can explode the myth holidays,” said Harding. a maximum positive impact on the local
that such breaks are more expensive than “Too many people still don’t realise that environment, economy and culture. This does not
mainstream holidays. ecotourism is not just for hemp-wearing tree- make the experience more expensive.”
That was the view of Andrew Harding, founder huggers. It is an emerging area for the trade. Popular destinations in the sector are Kenya,
of sustainable travel company Nature & Kind. He “Yet some don’t promote it because they do Egypt, South Africa and Tanzania, with India and
said he believed green luxury travel had been not know how to. But there is a chance for agents Ecuador up and coming.
held back by a lack of knowledge in the industry. to show that real value for money can be found.” Harding said research by his company found
Misconceptions about the price of luxury Harding said the myth that sustainable that 90% of the British public believed they had
eco-tour packages had also stifled development tourism was expensive had not helped; he called a responsibility to be sustainable tourists.
in the sector, he added. it the “organic food” reputation.
“Ecotourism is not just a fashion. It is already “It is untrue to say ecotourism is any more ■ Sol Melia opens luxury property, p30
‘Luxury more than pampering’
LUXURY travellers no longer look for two weeks “There is no substitute for local knowledge
of pampering when they choose a holiday, when travelling. That is why our concierge serv-
according to a leading hotel executive. ice aims to bring local insight to each guests.”
William Morris, IHG’s senior vice-president of IHG also aims to create a luxury trade advisory
sales and marketing for Europe, the Middle East board in the UK, said Neelima Chopra, commercial
and Africa, said he believed wealthy Brits were vice-president of InterContinental Hotels and
more interested in “memorable experiences”. Resorts Europe.
IHG recently surveyed 18,000 consumers over
six months to identify their desires.
“A new ritual of luxury is evolving. People are And there’s more!
paying to do things rather than have things,” he For additional reports from the ttgluxury
Luxury leaders: ttgluxury’s Adam Coulter (left) with InterContinental said. “It’s not just about the pampering. People seminar, go to
ttglive.com/ttgluxuryseminar
Hotels Group’s Neelima Chopra and William Morris want life-enhancing experiences.
05.12.2008 17
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