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Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific is celebrating its first successful year as the region’s premier internet showcase for sublime luxury resorts and travel experiences.
The unique concept (eliteresortsofasiapacific.com) has become a “popular hub for those searching for luxury resort accommodations chosen with excellent taste”, said Chief Executive and co-founder Mark Greedy.
“Our non-transactional, intelligent and creative marketing alliance of luxury resorts has rung a big bell for those who understand and appreciate quality marketing.”
Elite has so far grown to represent around 60 of the Asia-Pacific’s finest luxury resort and travel experiences in 13 countries – and over 30 destinations included, as well as leading cruise line and luxury train partners.
Ranging from Australia, Brunei and China to Fiji, Japan, Bali, The Cook Islands, The Maldives, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand, the exclusive collection extends from beach and island resorts to private villas, destination spas, country lodges and mountain retreats, ski lodges, game parks and Ryokans as well as a small ship, expedition voyager and luxury train.
The network includes such exclusive brands as Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree, Capella and Silversea Cruises.
Unlike familiar sales platforms, the one-of-a-kind portal sets itself apart as purely a website showcase, with only online links enabling direct bookings at the selected resorts showcased – comparable to a luxury travel and lifestyle magazine advert, but on display 365 days a year.
The concept has clearly “rung a big bell” with global audiences, said Mr Greedy, who formerly headed luxury marketing network The Leading Hotels of the World in Asia Pacific.
At the last count, Elite’s site experienced a significant and growing volume of unique page views by luxury travel consultants, consumers and the world’s media, for a total of 8,500 hours
Interestingly, for a non-transactional site, there were 2,760 ‘BOOK NOWS’ passed on to the reservation links.
For luxury lifestyle companies, Elite’s customized blend of global PR, advertising, direct mail, CRM, consumer and trade promotions is recognised as distinctively focused marketing support.
The portal not only showcases its collection, but incorporates evocative ‘Elite Experiences’ for the various destinations. As Mr Greedy explained: “These memories encourage potential guests to think: ‘Wow, I must go there!
Embracing the spirit of individuality and a “great escape” from normal adventures, these range from night diving near the Great Barrier Reef and horseback riding in Tibet to elephant polo and sunrise at the Taj Mahal in India, lunch on a ‘disappearing island’ in Thailand, Harley Davidson touring in Bali and flying by helicopter to the rim of a volcano in New Zealand.
The concept reflects what Mr Greedy and Elite’s co-founder Jim Smith, regard as a new trend – with travellers increasingly seeking holiday experiences.
“Travellers have become a bit cynical in that they no longer just want to hear about the pool, spa or iPod docking stations – they just assume those are there, “said Mr Smith the former VP American Express International Asia.
“They want to know about ‘memories creation’ – what type of magical experience will leave me a lasting memory far beyond the trip home. In short, the customer is much more focused on ‘talk value’ than ever before.”
In its second year, Elite aims to expand and diversify the luxury resort alliance.
Added Mr Greedy: “There are 27 countries in APAC and in almost all of these there are resort jewels that deserve to be introduced in a creative and quality way to the global audience.
“We will continue to be provocative in helping people think about experiences and locations they haven’t thought of before.”
Elite is also continuing to design and produce creative experiential travel products, packages and ‘Elite Episode’ special offers, with resorts offering the equivalent of ‘spending credit’ on wine or spa pampering, for example, equal to one room night for every three night stay.
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
