Alison Scott is the Commercial Director for Elegant Resorts. Â She has been at Elegant for just over a year and prior to that was Head of Product at ITC in Chester. Her background has always been in travel. She started in travel after she left University, as a Rep overseas, and has stayed in the industry ever since. Working mainly in Product and Ops for luxury tour operators, including 7 years with Simply Travel in London.
What is it that you do exactly?
No day is the same. My responsibilities at ER are to manage the Product, Aviation and Marketing side of the business. Anything supplier facing. I am also responsible for looking at our Commercial reporting and we are constantly working ahead and planning to ensure business levels going forward. There are always day to day issues/problems and opportunities to deal with that can take over and need to be dealt with. In todays challenging market, nothing is more important than reacting to changes in demand and being flexible with marketing planning and product offering.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Everything! But Product has always been my specialty and I love looking forward and working with the Product managers on new growth and destinations. I also love being able to work with the other Directors and Senior Managers at ER to directly influence the future of the business … we have a great deal of input into strategic planning and being in charge of your own destiny is very empowering.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
I have stayed in so many wonderful places but most recently:
Vancouver – Canada. I just felt very at home in the city. Loved the atmosphere and it is a very interesting place, plus you can go up into the mountains, and be skiing in 2 hours. Stunning scenery.
Rio – Brazil. Just a really edgy city, with a great vibe. So much to see and do and the first place I have been handgliding (and first and last!). Rio is a must do for any traveller, a fabulous experience.
Anguilla – Caribbean. I loved the laid back atmosphere of the Island and everyone was so friendly. Some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
Sushi at the beach restaurant at Le Prince Maurice in Mauritius. I love sushi and I love the beach… it was an ideal combination.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
At Elegant Resorts we are very discreet about our celebrity clients. However did recently attend the 10th anniversary party for the Burj Al Arab in London which was hosted by Bruce Forsyth… my Mum was very jealous!
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
I have never been to Australia or New Zealand or any of the islands in that part of the world – so they are on my to do list. Also would love to go to Madagascar – looks and sounds stunning and unspoilt.
Thank you, Alison. Â Madagascar is on my wishlist also… one day, perhaps!
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Our latest interview is with Suzanne Aaronson, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Suzanne’s Files, a leading quality lifestyle resource. Suzanne’s Files provides expert picks on under-the-radar getaways, hidden gems, wow services, truly unique gifts, lifetime experiences, and niche experts around the world.
What is it that you do exactly?
Everyday is different – that’s for sure! Throughout everyday there is a mix of our insiders, people I meet, things I read that help keep me and our team well informed about special finds all over the world. My days are mixed with business meetings and “checking things out” time. The mix is perfect for me!
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Everyone I know, almost everyone I meet is interested in Suzanne’s Files – super flattering. People are so curious how they can tap the ever-growing site; the way it can help them navigate through the noise out there- the clutter. The time-saving benefits they get from the e-Newsletters; the insight and personal voice is like a friend would tell you!
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
Little Kulala Lodge, Namibia: an intimate desert retreat on a private Namibian wilderness reserve. It felt like Fred Flintstone’s house meets chic stylish. A real wow when you can sleep under the stars on your rooftop.
St. Regis in Singapore: imagine the most well serviced and most eclectically designed city hotel – now multiply by 2!
Cap Estel, Eze, Cote D’Azur, France: exactly what the Med should be. Surrounded by the sparkling sea, provided with great sporty activities on property.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
Hmmm… that’s a fun question! So, I’d have to say when I was 16 years old, out to dinner in New York at a great Indian restaurant and I saw Bill Cosby (whom I grew up watching of course and adored). I walked over to him and said hi and asked if I could have a hug. He hugged me tight!
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
I like to keep celebrities’ anonymity as there are quite a few that tap me for my suggestions of wonderful experiences to have, places to visit and go… I’ll share one non-work related story which is that years ago Christy Turlington entered the same elevator I was in in NYC. She turned to me and complimented my jacket – which I had designed myself from an old military jacket I bought in a Washington DC thrift store. I felt very stylish to say the least…
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
No question – these places: Atacama Desert in Chile, Mozambique, Madagascar, Wild Fitness bootcamp in Kenya, Croatian Coast, Tokyo….and I’d like to learn how to video document to better share my perceptions and finds via the web.
Thank you, Suzanne, for a great interview. And apologies on me having to be chased to get it published… it’s been a busy time here at A Luxury Travel Blog!
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At last – some relief from the ubiquitous doom and gloom surrounding the luxury travel industry in the current economic climate. While the press doom-mongers focus on specialist operators shrinking or going out of business, two independently owned luxury tour operators have joined forces, with Original Travel acquiring Tim Best Travel yesterday (5th February 2009). Advantages for current and future clients include an extremely wide portfolio of destinations and accompanying staff expertise; from music festivals in Mali or wildlife-spotting in Madagascar to husky-dog sledding in Swedish Lapland or exclusive tented camping in Oman’s Empty Quarter desert, all on a bespoke basis.
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This is post eleven of twelve in our daily look at the best islands in the world to visit, when to visit them and where to stay (where individual recommendations are made). For November, the following are recommended:
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This is post eight of twelve in our daily look at the best islands in the world to visit, when to visit them and where to stay (where individual recommendations are made). For August, the following are recommended:
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A year of island hopping: JanuaryA year of island hopping: SeptemberA year of island hopping
Opened in December 2000, Anjajavy l’Hôtel is so remote that it enjoys its own timezone! Located in an inaccessible fishing village on a peninsula on the western coast of Madagascar 120 kms north of Majunga, Anjajavy is a true paradise in an exceptional location. It is set in a private reserve of baobab trees, deciduous forest
and mangrove inhabited by an abundance of birds and lemurs. The hotel re-opens today after being closed for the month of February.
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