Afar

Introducing the 2024 Afar Travel Vanguard honorees! First launched in 2016, the Afar Travel Vanguard celebrates organizations that are doing exceptional things to make travel a force for good in the world. This year, we received more than 100 nominations from travel professionals and organizations around the world. Narrowing down the list was no easy task, but our judging committee eventually decided on nine deserving organizations that work across all seven continents.  Congratulations to the following organizations for their accomplishments! Abercrombie & Kent USA Philanthropy Destination Canada  Paul Gauguin Cruises Quark Expeditions  Sandals Resorts International Foundation  Switzerland Tourism  Tourism Cares Visit Lauderdale  Visit Myrtle Beach Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eUNUdkMx #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #TravelDeeper

Join Afar and Discover Puerto Rico in New York City to celebrate the holidays the Boricua Way! On this Friday, December 20, stop by 787 Coffee’s West 30th Street location for live music, a chance to win a free trip to Puerto Rico, and a limited-time Coquito Hot Chocolate. It’s free for the first 100 guests at the West 30th location on Friday and available for purchase this weekend at all 787 locations in New York City. 🗓️: Friday, December 20, 2024 ⏰: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.  📍: 787 Coffee; 251 West 30th Street New York, NY, 10001 #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #TravelDeeper #PuertoRico

We were in Cannes last week for ILTM meeting with partners in the luxury travel and hospitality industries. We had the pleasure of hosting Hyatt’s VP Global Brand Leader Crystal Vinisse Thomas, Hilton’s Senior VP of Luxury Brands Dino Michael, and IHG Hotels & Resorts' Senior Vice President of Luxury Lifestyle and Premium Brands Jane Mackie for Afar’s Executive Roundtable moderated by Afar VP and Editor in Chief Julia Cosgrove and Senior Deputy Editor Jennifer Flowers. On the topic of the hotel’s impact on travelers and local communities, the panelists shared: "We've been in an experience economy for over a decade. People want experiences over product. They want experiences that will change them more than experiences that are just on the surface of something they can post on Instagram. How will I gain a different perspective on my place in the world? How do you as a hospitality company enable that in the destination I'm in?" —Crystal Vinisse Thomas "We build economy, number one. We're providing income, security, stability. We're fortunate that we come from large organizations that have strong ethical practices. We work with owners generally who are from that area and they have an overriding obligation to do right by the community." —Dino Michael "We create economies. We train people. Our general managers are the heroes. They make it happen." —Jane Mackie Look out for Afar’s coverage coming out of ILTM Cannes across our digital and audio channels: what’s next in luxury travel, the trends that will shape 2025, and more. Photo credit: David Christopher Photography UK #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #ILTMCannes #ILTM

It was a pleasure to partner with MMGY Global for an evening of canapés, aperitifs, and conversation, set against the beautiful backdrop of Cannes during ILTM. The exclusive gathering brought together Afar’s esteemed editors and co-founders to meet with MMGY Global’s brand partners across luxury travel. Thank you to MMGY Global, Maïté (My-Tay) Conway Ross, and Lucie Wesley for your continued partnership! Check out a few highlights from the evening. Photo credit: Manon Gautier #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #MMGY #MMGYGlobal #ILTMCannes2024 #ILTM

The Afar team had a great time at our cocktail reception during ILTM Cannes. We had the opportunity to reconnect with our partners, meet new friends, and exchange insights around what’s next in luxury travel. Check out a few photos of the evening! Photo credit: Manon Gautier #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #TravelDeeper #ILTM2024 #ILTM #Cannes

Human travel advisors aren’t going anywhere, says Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso Travel (the invite-only travel advisor network), speaking at ILTM. And he has proof: There was a 76% increase in the number of people seeking out a Virtuoso advisor this year. One of the reasons? Younger travelers. As he says: “The millennials have brought us back the simplest definition of luxury, which is: Of course I can do it myself. I don’t want to. And I don’t have to." #ILTMCannes2024

Afar is on the ground at ILTM Cannes meeting with industry thought leaders to discuss luxury travel and where it is headed. On the topic of small-ship cruises, Samuel Chamberlain of PONANT shared, “[A small-ship cruise] is prime for meeting and engaging with like-minded individuals, building community, and experiencing a destination.” Have you traveled on a small-ship cruise? How did it impact your experience? Let us know in the comments. Look out for Afar’s coverage coming out of ILTM Cannes across our digital and audio channels: what’s next in luxury travel, the trends that will shape 2025, and more. Photo credit: Manon Gautier #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #ILTMCannes2024 #ILTM

Afar is in Cannes for ILTM, meeting with thought leaders from across the industry. We were honored to host Ultima Collection CEO Petar Krstic and Langham Hospitality Group CEO Bob van den Oord for Afar’s Hotel CEO Roundtable moderated by Julia Cosgrove and Jennifer Flowers. When Julia Cosgrove asked how affluent millennials are changing luxury travel, Bob van den Oord said, “I think everyone wants to belong to something, and particularly the young—they have a real urge to belong to something…that they aspire to, that they can really identify themselves with…I think there's opportunity there.” How do you think affluent millennials are changing luxury travel? Share your thoughts! #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #TravelDeeper #ILTMCannes2024 #ILTM

We are excited to share that Afar won five top awards in the 2024 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, including Best Travel Magazine! In addition, Afar won Gold Awards for Best Instagram Storytelling and Best Foreign Travel Story, and Bronze Awards for Culinary-Related Story and Still Photography in a Travel Story. Congratulations and thanks to our incredible team: Julia Cosgrove, Sarika Bansal, Maili Holiman, Michelle Heimerman, Katherine LaGrave and so many others on staff and freelancers who contribute to the magazine; Tiana Attride for her Instagram Storytelling win, Sarah Thankam Matthews for her travel story, Naomi Tomky for her culinary story, and Julia Nimke for her photography. Bravo to all of the other winners and entrants. We are inspired by the work of so many talented people in travel journalism. Let’s all keep striving for excellence to inspire travelers to explore the world in a manner that enriches their lives, enhances their destinations, and is sensitive to the effects on the planet. #AfarMag #LuxuryTravel #TravelDeeper