Skift Travel News Blog

Accor said on Thursday it would appoint Gilda Perez-Alvarado as CEO of Orient Express, its luxury hotel brand, effective January 1.

Just last month, Perez-Alvarado became the chief strategy officer for the Paris-based hotel giant group, a role she’ll retain. Previously, she was global CEO of the hotel brokerage firm JLL Hotels & Hospitality. 

Accor added that Omer Acar would, on January 1, become the CEO of Fairmont while remaining CEO of Raffles as well.

Acar replaces Mark Willis, who will become an advisor to Sébastien Bazin, the group’s chairman and CEO. Skift profiled Fairmont’s luxury hotel strategy earlier this year.

Acar spoke on-stage at Skift Global Forum in New York in September about Raffles’ evolution.

Six Senses Southern Dunes, the Red Sea has officially opened in Saudi Arabia.

The Foster + Partners designed resort features 36 guest rooms and 40 pool villas that have been strategically placed to embrace the expansive views of the surrounding Arabian Desert.

According to Six Senses, the architecture and landscaping of the resort has been designed to ‘reflect the harmonious coexistence between Nabataean cultural roots and contemporary amenities,’ with the interiors reflecting the ‘tones and textures of the sandy dunes and soft furnishings drawing from the rich colors and patterns of traditional Bedouin tribal dress.’

Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea also aims to be the first LEED Platinum resort in Saudi Arabia, through a number of initiatives including electricity produced at a dedicated solar farm, a plastic-free policy, and chef’s garden for growing produce.

“Everything we’re doing here reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and cultural preservation, while also pushing the boundaries of adventure and wellness. This part of the world holds much intrigue for visitors and immense potential for regenerative tourism. We aim to showcase the unique beauty and cultural richness of this region, while promoting sustainable tourism practices that contribute to economic growth and heritage conservation,” said Fredrik Blomqvist, general manager of Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea in a press release.

One&Only has made its debut in Greece with the opening of One&Only Aesthesis, the first of the brand’s two new European locations to open.

Situated within a 21-hectare beach and forest reserve that overlooks the Aegan Sea, the resort has been built to ‘redefine the concept of al fresco living,’ and pays homage to mid-century design by using architectural elements that utilize local marble, native timbers and woven leather details, according to a release from the group.

The resort features a collection of rooms, bungalows, suites and villas that have been built to make the most of the outdoor living spaces on offer, which includes a number of pools, gardens, and even outdoor showers and fireplaces.

One&Only Aesthesis also features the first Guerlain Spa to open Greece, thanks to a partnership with the French beauty house, alongside a number of food & beverage offerings – including two from MICHELIN-star chefs.

“The opening of One&Only Aesthesis marks an important milestone and a significant achievement for Kerzner International as we continue our strategic expansion into Europe and key markets around the world,” says Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer, Kerzner International. 

“Our exceptional one-off collection of ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts and Private Homes exist hand-in-hand with the natural landscape, the sustainable use of resources, and a positive impact on local communities – pillars that are embedded in One&Only Aesthesis. Together with Grivalia Hospitality, we are excited to be the driving force behind the renaissance of Glyfada and the Athenian Riviera.”

See Phillipe Zuber speak on-stage at the Skift Global Forum East in Dubai on December 14.

Commercial space company Axiom Space has announced an unconventional partnership with Italian fashion house Prada, that will see the two companies join forces to design the spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis III mission. 

The 2025 mission marks two significant milestones, as not only will it be the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972, but it will also mark the first time a female astronaut will step foot on the Moon.

According to a release from Axiom Space, engineers at Prada will work alongside their team on the design process for the spacesuits to develop ‘solutions for materials and design features to protect against the unique challenge of space and the lunar environment’. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Prada on the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit,” said Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space. 

“Prada’s technical expertise with raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and innovative design concepts will bring advanced technologies instrumental in ensuring not only the comfort of astronauts on the lunar surface, but also the much-needed human factors considerations absent from legacy spacesuits.”

As luxury brand partnerships become commonplace across the travel industry, the question now is: will private travelers soon be donning Prada spacesuits for commercial space journeys?

The high-end, experiential travel show Pure Life Experience, meant to take place in Marrakesh from 10 to 13 September, has been canceled.

The organizers of the annual event, now in its 14th year, issued a statement confirming its cancelation following the devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Morocco on Friday, 8 September, which killed more than 2,000 people and left thousands more injured.

Serge Dive, CEO and founder of This Is Beyond, the events company behind the Pure travel show, said the team had assessed safety conditions before deciding the best way forward in light of the natural disaster.

“My intent is to respect all of your decisions while doing what is right for those affected in Morocco, our own community, and the fabric of the local tourism,” said Dive as he expressed concern about the inappropriateness of planned events amid the devastation and emotional toll. The earthquake took place 50 miles from the city of Marrakesh in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco and is said to be the biggest to hit Morocco since 1960.

Beks Ndlovu, the founder of African Bush Camps, a bespoke Africa-based safari company, posted he was in the city for the four-day trade fair, which had 525 registered exhibitors to attend this year’s event.

“I truly believe that we have a unique opportunity for those who are already in Marrakech to strengthen our bond, reflect on the current event, and to be a real force for good for the Moroccan community,” Dive said.

See the complete statement below.

The Marriott-controlled ultra-luxury superyacht brand The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection would like to raise as much as $400 million to add two superyachts to its current three, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

The operator is backed by investors such as Oaktree Capital Management. Its first ship, the 298-guest Evrima, set sail in October 2022, with the Ilma debuting this year and a third vessel, Luminara, in the works for 2025.

Fares start around $3,100 per person per night for sailings starting at four-night itineraries in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, and elsewhere. Onboard dining venues include Michelin-starred chefs. (See Bloomberg’s review of the Evrima for more.)

Puente Romano Beach Resort in Marbella, Spain has teamed up with Italian luxury fashion brand Fendi to transform its Chiringuito Beach Club into the ‘Fendi for Puente Romano Beach Club’.

The beach club, which is adorned with Bali beds, beach chairs, cabanas, cushions and textiles in the signature colors and patterns of the fashion house, is now open daily until September 2023.

Alongside the beach club, the resort is also hosting a pop-up Fendi store which will present key items from the Maison’s new collection. 

This is yet another example of the growing trend of luxury fashion houses joining forces with resorts for summer collaborations, as previously highlighted with the collaboration between Palazzo Avino and Valentino.

At Skift, we are looking to unearth the most creative and forward-thinking innovations in travel through our Skift Ideas Franchise, which includes the Skift IDEA Awards, Skift Editorial Hub and the Skift Ideas Podcast.

You can listen and subscribe to the Skift Ideas Podcast through your favorite podcast app here.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. and Nobu Hotel Atlanta have partnered on a new Porsche inspired guest experience.

Located just north of Porsche’s U.S. headquarters, the Hotel and the luxury car manufacturer have collaborated on the Porsche Experience, which includes a stay in one of two newly designed rooms featuring Porsche-inspired art and decor alongside exclusive memorabilia.

Additionally, the hotel has introduced a Porsche themed conference room for guests looking to host business meetings during their stay, and for those looking to explore the city, there is the opportunity use one of the property’s all-electric Porsche Taycan house cars.

Take a look at the recently released promo video below, featuring Chef Nobu:

“At the heart of every Nobu Hotels’ collaboration is a desire to thoughtfully curate compelling experiences that enhance our guest journey,” said Rachael Palumbo, VP global hotel branding at Nobu Hospitality.

“With 75 years’ worth of brand excellence to its name, Porsche’s reputation as an automotive legend complements our global vision of delivering the highest level of luxury hospitality at an intimate level.”

At Skift, we are looking to unearth the most creative and forward-thinking innovations in travel through our Skift Ideas Franchise, which includes the Skift IDEA Awards, Skift Editorial Hub and the Skift Ideas Podcast.

You can listen and subscribe to the Skift Ideas Podcast through your favorite podcast app here.

This summer, Palazzo Avino – a 12th century villa turned five star hotel – has partnered with Maison Valentino on a ‘Summer Beach Takeover’. 

The collaboration will see the renowned fashion house transform the Hotels’ Clubhouse by the Sea, bringing a collection of custom furniture and soft furnishings to the premises. The grounds will be adorned with a range of items including, deckchairs, sun loungers, and beach umbrellas, all featuring Valentino’s iconic shade of red.

Valentino is also set to extend its presence to the boutique located within the property’s grounds on the Amalfi Coast, offering guests a curated selection of Valentino’s latest offerings from the Escape 2023 collection.  

“Growing up in an Italian family when talking about fashion, Valentino was the brand, was the designer, and is linked to Italian history so deeply, and I could not think of a better partner to align our hotel with,” said Mariella Avino, managing director & owner at Palazzo Avino.

The Palazzo Avino x Valentino partnership is the latest in a wave of luxury collaborations between major fashion brands and luxury hotels, proving that the luxury travel market is as lucrative as ever.

At Skift, we are looking to unearth the most creative and forward-thinking innovations in travel through our Skift Ideas Franchise, which includes the Skift IDEA Awards, Skift Editorial Hub and the Skift Ideas Podcast.

You can listen and subscribe to the Skift Ideas Podcast through your favorite podcast app here.

Hospitality brand onefinestay will bring bespoke theatrical performances to their guests in the US and UK thanks to a new partnership with London-based private theater group, Revels in Hand.

From a performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to an original piece created for a special occasion, this new offering will enable guests to turn their rentals into their own personal theaters with first-hand access to West End actors, writers and directors.

The performances are available to book through onefinestay’s concierge in the US and UK initially, adding to their existing offering which already includes private chefs, cocktail waiters, event tableware and more via its website.

“We aim to bring unparalleled, tailored experiences to guests in the most exquisite settings, so offering our homes as the immersive setting for Revels in Hand’s bespoke performances was an exciting fit,” says Michele Bayens, director of concierge services at onefinestay. 

Many hotels have experimented with immersive entertainment on property, though few hospitality or short-term rental brands have offered experiential performances as a service.

At the Skift IDEA Awards, we are looking for the projects that are defining the future of guest experience, including day tours, activities, and one of a kind experiences.

If you have an exciting initiative to share, we want to hear about it. Head to the Skift IDEA Awards today and start your submission.