PHOTO: Industry legend Horst Schulze, CEO of Capella Hotels & Resorts (left), was honored as the 2015 Ultimate Hotelier by Island Destinations CEO Maurice Bonham-Carter (right).
Island Destinations, the boutique luxury wholesaler that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, held its annual gala on Oct. 16 at New York's St. Regis Hotel to unveil its 2015 Travelers Collection of luxury hotels and resorts. The event kicked off a 14-city tour for luxury travel professionals in key cities in the U.S. and Canada, including Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston presented by ID Travel Group.
Island Destinations, which works only through travel professionals, has added Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives to its portfolio. The property is part of the luxury brand LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which was also welcomed as a travel partner. Cheval Blanc Randheli and Cheval Blanc Saint-Barth Isle de France are on the front and back covers of Island Destinations' brochure, which features 125 of the world's finest hotels, resorts and villas.
Top general managers and hoteliers from as far as the Seychelles, Mexico and St. Barths attended Island Destinations' gala. President and CEO Maurice Bonham-Carter said what makes Island Destinations work is partnerships. "I believe our company is unique because we have a very clear, unbending philosophy of excellence," he said. "The essence of my vision is true partnership. You can make a dollar. You can lose a dollar here or there, but what makes the business successful is long-term relationships."
Beyond the introduction of 2015 Travelers Collection brochure, Chief Operating Officer Laurie Palumbo introduced and hosted an annual award ceremony honoring top properties and travel professionals selected by company executives. "The awards are just another way of recognizing and thanking our partner properties and dedicated agents," Palumbo said.
Resorts honored included Grand Velas Rivera Maya (top family resort), Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort (top spa), Nayara Springs (top service), Grace Bay Resorts (top culinary innovation), Cheval Blanc Saint-Barth Isle de France (top address), Fregate Island Private (top experience) and NIZUC Resort & Spa (top partner).
Island Destinations also gave out a President's Award for Ultimate Style & Sophistication to Cheval Blanc Randheli. It also named industry legend Horst Schulze, chairman and CEO of Capella Hotels & Resorts, as winner of its 2015 Ultimate Hotelier Award. "He's out there in the trenches," Bonham-Carter said. "He's out there managing his hotel. He's out there giving the message to every single employee on what excellence and luxury means."
Schulze's Capella Pedregal in Los Cabos is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Odile. He also commented on his longtime partnership with Bonham-Carter, who had reached out to offer support following the storm. "The first call I got was honestly from you, Maurice," Schulze said. "That underlines really what we say sometimes that we're partners. Sometimes we say it and sometimes we don't mean it. But…I really felt it that day."
Island Destinations will round out its 30th anniversary with the end of its six months of luxury 30-day challenge. Travel agents have until Oct. 31 to submit new bookings for any ID or IDX fall exclusive offer using promo code #HAPPYANNIVERSARY to enter for the grand prize, a palm tree diamond pendant. The winner of the grand prize will be announced Nov. 3.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
