In this episode of Luxury Voices, we introduce Dorji Dhradhul, the Director General of the Department of Tourism for the Royal Government of Bhutan. Passionate about his country's distinctive tourism policy and the development philosophy of Gross National Happiness, he was closely involved in the development of the new national brand "Bhutan Believe”. Dorji has been closely involved in taking forward Bhutan’s tourism during the challenging times of COVID 19. He was awarded the Best Professional ...
Dec 20, 2023•39 min•Ep. 62
In today's episode of Luxury Voices, we have the privilege to welcome Arnaud Zannier, the founder of Zannier hotels. From the outset, Zannier Hotels has been an extension of Arnaud's profound passions and personal values. With a vision to infuse hotel experiences with a more understated luxury, Arnaud introduced his unique style of "mastered simplicity" to the industry, debuting with the opening of Le Chalet in Megève in 2011, then a resort in Cambodia, two in Namibia, followed by Vietnam. Arnau...
Nov 29, 2023•50 min•Ep. 61
In this episode of Luxury Voices, we welcome Alice Tourbier-Cathiard. Alice was raised amid the vineyards of Bordeaux's Château Smith Haut Lafitte. In 1999, Alice, accompanied by her husband Jérôme, founded Les Sources de Caudalie in Martillac near Bordeaux, and in 2020, Les Sources de Cheverny in the Loire Valley was opened. These are not mere hotels, they have achieved the highest classification of “Palace” and they are an ode to the 'Art de Vivre', a quintessential French lifestyle. At Les So...
Nov 08, 2023•41 min•Ep. 60
Charm Deer, founded in Shanghai in 2012, provides exclusive customized travel services to Chinese high-net-worth private clients who travel in China and overseas. In 2018 Charm Deer launched its Charm Deer travel APP where Chinese clients can book luxury hotels around the world and in 2020 Charm Deer created APP Hotelux to service the Asian travellers. Fast forward to 2023, Charm Deer has nearly 1,000,000 clients and members and its APP became China's leading high-end travel booking platform. Be...
Oct 18, 2023•39 min•Ep. 59
In this episode of Luxury Voices, we are honored to welcome Catherine Oden, a dedicated ambassador for France's tourism industry for nearly four decades. Catherine's illustrious career at Atout France has been a remarkable journey marked by passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment. Throughout her tenure, she has ventured across the globe, serving in various pivotal roles, from the United States to Japan, Singapore to India, and now Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Her extensive 30-ye...
Sep 27, 2023•56 min•Ep. 58
Our Luxury Voice today is André Cheminade, General Manager of Hôtel des Horlogers in Brassus, located in the Valley de Joux in Switzerland’s renowned region of luxury watchmaking. André is Franco-Argentinian, a real polyglot who has held positions in far flung places like Argentinian Patagonia, multiple locations in Spain, Russia and he has now settled in Switzerland a few years. Now at the helm of the newly opened Hôtel des Horlogers, a project by Luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet. Hôtel des Ho...
Jul 13, 2022•43 min•Ep. 57
Our LUXURY VOICE today is María Llinares, Tourism Councilor for Tourspain. Maria developed almost her entire professional career in the public and institutional communication sector. After working in the organization of the international news coverage of the President of the Spanish Government in the Secretary of State for Communication, she worked for five years in China and five in Russia, as head of communication for the Embassy of Spain. In September 2020 Maria returned to Beijing as Tourism...
May 11, 2022•41 min•Ep. 56
In this episode, we welcome two LUXURY VOICES, Patrick Ohtani and Acme Wu, respectively Board Director and Marketing Director of Niseko Tourism. Formed in 2007 The Niseko Promotion Board is responsible for promoting the destination as an international, four-season destination with the goal of increasing overnight visitation. In our winter destinations series and following the recent Beijing Winter Olympics, we discuss with key skiing destinations in the four corners of the globe to understand th...
Mar 23, 2022•27 min•Ep. 55
Our LUXURY VOICE today is Francesco Corte Colò. Francesco is a Representative of the Tourism Board of Cortina d’Ampezzo, he is in charge for new markets including Greater China. The tourism promotion office defines Cortina’s tourism strategy and enhances its visibility to specific target audiences by cooperating with both media and trade partner. It’s an exciting time for Cortina D’Ampezzo as they will be hosting the next Winter Olympics in 2026. Francesco was raised in Cortina and learned to lo...
Mar 09, 2022•43 min•Ep. 54
As Regional Chief Executive, Asia Pacific of Richemont, Alain is responsible for overseeing and cultivating the presence and development of some of the world's most coveted luxury brands. Alain has a wealth of experience in business development and international finance, gained through a series of top positions at various multinational corporations across Europe, Africa and the Far East. More significantly, his specialty throughout his career has been in distributing lifestyle products to mature...
Feb 09, 2022•41 min•Ep. 53
Our LUXURY VOICE today is Arvind Bundhun. Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) since June 2018, Arvind Bundhun has been actively engaged in promoting Mauritius as a tourist destination in all key markets worldwide. An active believer in partnership working, his focus is to improve the visibility of the destination’s brand through extensive marketing and promotional campaigns. Holder of a Masters’ Degree in Hotel Management and having an international exposure, Arvind Bund...
Jan 26, 2022•37 min•Ep. 52
Our LUXURY VOICE today is Minister Najib Balala, EGH. Minister Balala was re-appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Tourism & Wildlife by the President of the Republic of Kenya in 2017, having served as a Cabinet Secretary for various Ministries. Minister Balala is also the Chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for Africa, a position he served earlier in 2011. He was also voted Best Tourism Minister in Africa in 2009 by Africa Investor (AI). Minister Balala...
Jan 19, 2022•34 min•Ep. 51
Today’s Luxury Voice is Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). TAT promotes its country’s tourism with a clear vision for world-class excellence in the promotion of modern tourism marketing. Siripakorn has been with TAT for over 30 years and has been based at TAT offices in Thailand, Hong Kong and London. As Thailand borders reopen to international travel after over 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, TAT is committed to bringin...
Jan 12, 2022•48 min•Ep. 50
Today’s LUXURY VOICE is Raffaele Solferino. General Manager, Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives. Raffaele is an accomplished and highly effective hotel General Manager with a wealth of experience in luxury hotels and resorts around the world. Raffaele is from Italy and his passion to explore has led him to work in multiples countries spanning Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He now calls the Maldives home. Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives is a luxurious one-island-one-resort destination featuring a...
Dec 01, 2021•31 min•Ep. 49
Our LUXURY VOICE today is Susanne Andersson, the CEO of Visit Sweden. She has worked all her life in the hospitality business and is a much-appreciated entrepreneur. For several years she has also been involved in various national businesses in hospitality and employer organisations in Sweden. Visit Sweden is Sweden’s National Tourism Organisation governmentally owned and official marketing company of the tourist destination Sweden. Susanne has been stirring the organisation through the challeng...
Nov 24, 2021•32 min•Ep. 48
Our LUXURY VOICE today is Gary Rosen, Chief Executive Officer, Accor Greater China. He has been responsible for Greater China for more than fifteen years and is known for his expertise in strategy formulation and creative revenue generation, combined with a passion for innovation and transformation. Prior to joining Accor as Chairman and Chief Operating Officer for Accor Greater China in September 2018, Gary was Chief Operating Officer of The Bicestor Village Shopping Collection, a chain of the ...
Nov 17, 2021•43 min•Ep. 47
As the Managing Director of the nation’s global tourism marketing agency since 2019, and the first female leader of the organization, Phillipa Harrison is responsible for driving Tourism Australia’s strategies to create a sustainable demand for Australia’s tourism experiences internationally; and working with the tourism industry to achieve its tourism strategy goals. At her start with Tourism Australia, Phillipa has overseen Tourism Australia’s network of international offices spanning 12 count...
Nov 03, 2021•40 min•Ep. 46
Our Luxury Voice today is Travis Qian. Travis is based in Shanghai today, he started his career with VisitBritain in 2003 becoming its Country Manager of China in 2008. Now, as Head of China and Northeast Asia, he leads a regional team across a wide range of B2B and B2C activities designed to promote Britain as the No.1 destination in Europe. In 2019, China became the 2nd most valuable inbound market for the UK. Travis and I discuss his almost two decades in China, how important it is to not sta...
Oct 27, 2021•46 min•Ep. 45
Our Luxury Voice in this episode is Cristiano Varotti, Chief Representative of ENIT – Italian National Tourist Board in China. He heads ENIT’s newly established Shanghai Office. Cristiano has been living in China for almost a decade, in Changsha first and now Shanghai. He was previously the Representative of Italy's Marche Regional Government, a consultant for both Italian and Chinese enterprises and correspondent for Hunan Province for the General Consulate of Italy in Guangzhou and the Represe...
Oct 20, 2021•43 min•Ep. 44
Our Luxury Voice in this episode is Brent Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Fiji. Brent was most recently the Executive Director of Marketing for the South Australian Tourism Commission. He brings over 16 years of experience in tourism and digital marketing, advertising, branding, communications, campaign, and executive strategy to Fiji’s National Tourism Office. Tourism Fiji is the destination marketing organizational arm of the Fijian Government agency responsible for marketing Fiji as ...
Oct 13, 2021•32 min•Ep. 43
Our Luxury Voice on this episode is Ori Kafri. Founded by Ori Kafri and his father Jonathan Kafri, J.K. Place, is famous for its unparalleled focus on guest experience. This unique collection of Italian luxury boutique hotels has three locations in Capri, Rome and Paris. Launched in 2008, J.K. Place made its grand debut in a historic structure just off Florence’s Piazza Santa Maria Novella in 2003 with just 20 stylish rooms and a residential vibe that is rare to come by in the standardized world...
Aug 04, 2021•55 min•Ep. 42
Our guest today is Nicky Fitzgerald. Nicky is regarded as somewhat of a maverick in the industry. Renowned for creating some of the world’s finest safari lodges, Nicky and her late husband Steve saved their best for last. After delighting travellers for over 30 years, building and operating over 50 luxury lodges across Africa and India for &Beyond, the beauty of Angama Mara’s location drew them out of retirement. Angama, meaning “suspended in mid-air” in Swahili, is a remarkable owner-run sa...
Jul 28, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 41
Our Luxury Voice today, is Guy Bertaud. With nearly thirty years dedicated to luxury hotels, Guy Bertaud has an international experience and an undeniable sense of service. Guy has held positions at Hotel Plaza Athénée, The Vendome in Lebanon, Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo and also Intercontinental Hotel Group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts before joining Maisons Pariente as Group Managing Director based in Paris. Guy has forged a reputation for exigency, he has coordinated numerous projects, fr...
Jul 21, 2021•58 min•Ep. 40
Today we have a very special guest on LUXURY VOICES, Mary Gostelow, the GRANDE DAME of luxury travel and lifestyle worldwide. Mary is continuously travelling the world, — when there isn't a pandemic happening — she is on the road 300 days a year to find and share fascinating lifestyle features. Mary is owner-editor of the unique and universally revered bible of the hotel industry, the monthly Gostelow Report market intelligence. She also runs Girlahead.com, an online travelogue. She hosts Mary G...
Jul 14, 2021•34 min•Ep. 39
With an extensive knowledge of managing international businesses, Mathieu joined the Piaget team in April 2011 as the Area Manager for Japan, Asia Pacific, India, Middle East and Africa. After four years of excellent work at Piaget, he was entrusted the role as Managing Director in Japan. In February 2018 he became the new Managing Director for Piaget China. Since 1874, Piaget has been crafting luxury watches and luxury jewelry treasures by blending a jeweler’s refinement with its watchmaking so...
Jul 07, 2021•38 min•Ep. 38
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa is located amid the Swiss mountains of the Bernese Highlands, overlooking the Jungfrau. Whether guests come for a healthy weekend, family holiday or to explore the region, they will be entranced by the peerless ambience of this Grand Hotel. Peter, originally from Lucerne, is a well-established luxury hotelier and comes from a family of hoteliers. During his illustrious career Peter has served several years as a board member of Luzern Tourismus, he was the ...
Jun 30, 2021•35 min•Ep. 37
Simon Neggers, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Communications oversees the global strategy for Oetker Collection, an exclusive portfolio of Masterpiece Hotels and Estates. Simon has over 15 years of experience in luxury hotel communications and brand marketing, previously serving as Global Vice President of Communications and Portfolio Marketing for the Luxury Brands Group at Marriott International. Oetker Collection comprises one of the most exclusive portfolios of luxury hotels i...
Jun 23, 2021•42 min•Ep. 36
Tom Marchant is an entrepreneur known for launching some of the fastest growing, award-winning brands in the luxury travel and lifestyle sector. He is owner and co-founder of The Black Tomato Group. Known for handcrafting inspiring, immersive, and deeply personal itineraries for clients, since launching in 2005, Black Tomato has grown to become one of the world’s most celebrated luxury travel and lifestyle brands, with accolades including being named ‘The World’s Hottest Luxury Travel Company’. ...
Jun 16, 2021•58 min•Ep. 35
Our LUXURY VOICE joining us today is Thomas Chatfield, CEO of Camber Aviation Management. Tom may be known in the corporate aviation industry as a steadfast expert in aircraft completions and refurbishment management, but his true calling is a professional traveler. He is on a continuous journey for the past 35 years, which gives him immense authority and experience that he incorporates into his day-to-day work. From his early age, Tom wanted to explore aviation. From avionics engineering to air...
Mar 24, 2021•46 min•Ep. 34
Fabien Gastinel started his career with Accor Hotels in the United States and since then, he has worked with luxury hotels such as Waldorf Astoria Cairo and Beijing, The Ritz-Carlton Singapore and The Oberoi Dubai. Fabien has a strong food & beverage background and a great experience in Michelin starred restaurants openings in Singapore, China and France. Expert of the hospitality industry for over twenty years, Fabien opened The Oberoi, Marrakech last year and the hotel has been receiving v...
Mar 17, 2021•26 min•Ep. 33
