Cannes do: ILTM conference off to a flying start

An audience of more than 1,000 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès were informed and inspired by speakers including consultant editor at The Economist John Andrews and founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Isadore Sharp – as well as co-founder of The Future Laboratory Chris Sanderson and LS:N Global editor James Wallman.

Andrews spoke about the events to look forward to in the coming year, including elections in the US, Russia and France, and the 100th birthday of North Korea’s late ‘Dear Leader’ Kim Il-sung.

Sharp, who was presented with an ILTM Lifetime Achievement award, spoke of what inspired him when he founded Four Seasons. Referring to how he had been treated in luxury hotels in Europe, he said: ‘[Four Seasons] was about not judging people, but welcoming them.’

Based on insights from the Travel & Hospitality Futures report 2012, Wallman and Sanderson showed how luxury travel brands should consider and connect with tomorrow’s luxury travellers.

‘The New Luxurians don’t want to fly and flop any more,’ said Sanderson. ‘Instead they want to find and seek.’

For more on the New Luxurians, for insights from industry experts such as general manager at The Corinthia Hotel Matthew Dixon and editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure magazine Nancy Novogrod, and to find out about the most important trends in travel and hospitality, read our Travel & Hospitality Futures report 2012, available soon.