D/R DIGEST June 2022
News + Musings from Team D/R
01/ New Property Openings
The all-new Sandals Royal Curaçao
Mighty Moab - Featuring 150 multi-bedroom suites, The Moab Resort opened its doors this month at the crux of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Set along the pristine Colorado River basin, the new resort is backed by the iconic red rock landscape and sits less than 5 miles away from Arches National Park. Thoughtfully designed to complement the colors and textures of its local surroundings, the WorldMark by Wyndham affiliate property features a glass entryway and an infinity pool that overlooks the basin, allowing the natural beauty of the area to take center stage.
Bon Bini, Curaçao - Sandals Royal Curaçao opened its doors this month; Sandals Resorts’ newest property and first venture into the island of Curaçao. Situated on 44 acres within the exclusive Santa Barbara private estate just 15 miles from the airport, Sandals Royal Curaçao offers 351-luxurious rooms and suites, including new seaside and poolside bungalows equipped with butler service & convertible MINI Coopers complimentary for guests to drive while exploring the island. Sandals Royal Curaçao also offers the brand’s first-ever off-site dining program, Island Inclusive, which expands its all-inclusive dining options to eight partner restaurants around the destination.
02/ News You Can Use
Making an Impact & Measurable Sustainability Targets: The Travel Corporation (TTC) released its first official Impact Report detailing the progress of its 41 award-winning brands as they advance the How We Tread Right (HWTR) 5-year sustainability strategy to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. From mitigating food waste, to moving towards renewable energy, focusing on supporting local communities and branching into developing regions, Trafalgar, Contiki, Luxury Gold, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations and Uniworld have continuously worked to forge a path in responsible travel to protect people, planet and wildlife. The strategy addresses the climate crisis through the brands Climate Action Plan, to committing to enhanced diversity, equality and inclusion through the launch of the brands DEI Strategy, specific progress against their goals.
Introducing the Hiking Concierge with a former National Parks Ranger : To give travelers their best national parks adventure ever this year, WorldMark by Wyndham teamed up with America's Park Ranger, Ash Nudd, a national parks expert, former park ranger, and mother of two, to offer travelers a dedicated hiking concierge to create their most seamless and off the beaten path hiking experience for all levels, interests and preferences. You can read more about the hiking concierge program here and Ash is available for interviews for any hiking or national parks stories.
Get Your Own Royal Butler by Swapping Homes in London this Summer: In honor of the Platinum Jubilee, award-winning home swapping platform Love Home Swap is treating American members who arrange a home swap in London to their very own professional butler during their travels to live like a royal themselves with their new promotion – think: afternoon tea, ironing, unpacking assistance, welcome appetizers, clotted cream and finger sandwiches, and more.
From Ocean-to-Fork In Ketchikan, Alaska: Holland America Line, which recently celebrated 75 years of Alaskan cruising, is honoring the native communities through which it sails by debuting a new Savor My Catch program, bringing "catch-to-table" cuisine to travelers this summer. Guests can embark on an intimate fishing expedition in Ketchikan to catch wild Alaskan salmon with local fishermen and bring it back to the ship for an unforgettable experience. This is an extension of the brand’s port-to-table experience, where world-class guest chefs will guide travelers through culinary traditions of a particular destination through live cooking demonstrations, shore excursions and fine dining events that illuminate the culture through cuisine.
03/ Something to Pitch About
National Parks After Dark are ‘Lit’: WorldMark by Wyndham's apartment-style suites have seen a 20 percent increase in bookings compared to last year at locations near national parks, with a particular interest in 'national parks after dark,' which is trending up 200%+ on Google searches over the past quarter.
Will Travel for Natural Phenomena: Beaches, spas and museums aren’t the only driver of travel, almost two thirds of travelers say they would travel to get a better glimpse of a meteor shower or other natural phenomena according to a recent survey by Travel + Leisure Co.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Ask our experts.
bAYRAM ANNAKOV, CEo of app in the air
With reports of airport chaos front and center at the moment, with over 5,000 flights in the US being canceled this week, App In The Air’s founder Bayram Annakov is the perfect leader to speak to this. App in the Air is the perfect travel tool to help fliers get organized, hack the airport and spend as little time as possible in line.
Renu Hanegreefs-Snehi, Senior Vice President of Global Brands at Travel + Leisure Co.
With travel prices soaring, 67 percent of Americans have considered joining a travel subscription club to save money, according to a recent survey by Travel + Leisure Co. Snehi can talk about the latest travel industry trends and implications of rising fares on the future of travel.
shannon guihan, chief sustainability officer + head of treadright at the travel corporation
The United Nations celebrated World Oceans Day and World Environment Day this month, but the planet should always be top of mind. Guihan can speak to sustainability news and how travel brands can adapt their operations and make attainable goals to mitigate climate change on the heels of the industry leader’s first Impact Report
ON THE D/R DOWN LOW
We’ve done a lot of growing this year. From welcoming new clients, new team members and moving up the ladder, D/R is celebrating:
New Clients: Holland America Line and Market New Haven
New team members: Alexa Pope, Account Coordinator and Kayla Ibe, Senior Account Executive
Promotions: Devyn Barker, Senior Vice President; Kristin Sluyk, Account Director; Lindsay Stein, Account Director; Courtney Young, Senior Account Executive and Melannie Arolick, Senior Account Executive
SAY HELLO
For more information on any of the above topics, please reach out to social@deckerroyal.com or check out our full client list below.
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