THIS year’s International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) will welcome founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Isadore Sharp, who will take part in a live interview on stage during the renowned ILTM Ultratravel Forum on December 5. The Ultratravel Forum launches ILTM 2011 – the annual, elite ‘invitation-only’ event for the world of luxury travel, taking place from December 5 to 8 in Cannes.
This year, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts celebrates its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels and residences in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 84 properties in 35 countries, and more than 40 projects under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding.
Sharp commented: “The reason for our success is no secret. It comes down to one single principle that transcends time and geography, religion and culture. It’s the golden rule – the simple idea that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.”
Graham Boynton, group travel editor of the UK’s Telegraph Media Group will conduct the interview with Sharp, eliciting his views on how and why Four Seasons has been successful for such a long period of time and recognising that Four Seasons has never relied on a reputation for luxury. Boynton will also question Four Seasons’ commitment to its future customers and specifically the brand’s commitment to support sustainability by planting 10 million trees.
The forum will also reveal updated research on the future of luxury travel, leading on from the findings of ILTM’s global research project ‘The Future of Luxury Travel – A Global Trends Report’, which was first delivered at ILTM Asia in June 2011.
The forum takes place on December 5, from 5 to 7 pm at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes.