LURA Listens

Four Seasons Retreats are a collection of luxurious and secluded properties set in some of the world's most beautiful destinations. Each retreat offers guests unparalleled serenity, privacy, and personalized service. The brand embodies the core values of Four Seasons, including exceptional quality, attention to detail, and a commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for guests. I was grateful to have a conversation with Vanessa Green Account Director, Worldwide Sales of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to learn more about these retreats and celebrate The Four Seasons Brand. This was an opportunity to recognize the iconic luxury brand's rich history, unique culture, and renowned service. From its founding in 1960 with the opening of its first hotel in Toronto, Canada, to its global expansion into more than 100 hotels and resorts across 47 countries, Four Seasons has remained dedicated to providing guests with the highest level of luxury and hospitality. Through its innovative programs, exceptional service, and commitment to sustainability, Four Seasons has become one of the world's most beloved and respected luxury brands.

Slovenia is a country famous for its beautiful landscapes, lakes, dramatic scenery, history, food & wine. Mary Steadman, Co Founder & Director of Partnerships of LURA Lifestyle connects with Mattej Valenčič & Matej Knific, Founding Partners of Luxury Slovenia DMC. They share how Slovenia is the perfect year-round luxury destination and they will inspire you to visit for the first time or rediscover feeling Slovenia.

There has been more of a trend for private luxury living when travelling. The Ultima Collection has a home for every reason and season with a portfolio of unique, luxury designed properties with services from hotels, residences, and villas to spas, and private clinics, across the hottest locations in Europe. From the sea, to the mountains, to the lake of Geneva, Ultima Collection offers all sorts of experiences for their guests. Gilles Repond, Director of Sales of the Ultima Collection recently met with Mary Steadman, Co Founder & Director of Partnerships of LURA Lifestyle. He shares his hospitality journey while also showcasing the growth of the Ultima Collection and celebrating their tagline “Where home Feels Like an Escape” through their values of authenticity, sustainability, and a personalised service which lies at the core of their identity.

The dream for OutThere magazine was to promote a more diverse media landscape and better representation in the luxury travel industry for the LGBTQ+ community travellers and for today’s widely intersectional diverse luxury audiences. Now more than ever it is important to showcase the choices of those still being under-represented in mainstream media and the stories of inclusive brands are looking to change the status quo. LURA Lifestyle’s Co-Founder & Director of Partnerships, Mary Steadman recently connected with Uwern Jong, Experientialist-in-Chief of OutThere magazine where he shares his journey in co-creating this publication, how it has evolved over the last couple of years and future customer trends. This is celebrated throughout the conversation with their brand pillars of Diversity, Discovery and Discernment in Travel.

With travel opportunities opening up, now is the time to discover or rediscover sensational Switzerland. Recently Co Founder & Director of Partnerships, Mary Steadman had the pleasure of sitting down with Sven Flory, Director of Sales & Marketing of Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort. Sven shares the developments of the incredible The Bürgenstock Selection - Katara Hospitality Switzerland AG, celebrates experiencing Switzerland and the importance of the travel industry. We all need Switzerland and this episode will inspire you to visit soon!

There is more than ever a focus on how tourism can be maintained long-term without harming natural and cultural environments. Recently Mary Steadman, Co- Founder and Director of Partnerships of LURA Lifestyle met with Isabella Moroni, Vice President, Leisure Sales Europe for Preferred Hotel & Resorts. Isabella shares the new developments within The Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio and Beyond Green, a new sustainable diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts and lodges. She explains the vision of the Beyond Green portfolio and how these hotels become members. This is an opportunity to virtually travel around the world in a sustainable way!

After a year of uncertainty and change, many businesses have pivoted their Sales, Marketing and PR plans. Recently Mary Steadman, Co- Founder and Director of Partnerships of LURA Lifestyle sat down with Tanya Rose, Founder & CEO of Mason Rose. Tanya shares her highlights of 2020, insights in the industry, current and future trends in the luxury space while also showcasing how Mason Rose has expanded their offering through collaborations.

With travel bands starting to lift and the days becoming brighter in Europe, Mary Steadman, Co Founder & Director of Partnerships of LURA Lifestyle connects with Elena Papanicolaou, Founder of Fly Me To The Moon, a Destination Management Company for Greece. Elena shares her story on moving into the luxury travel & lifestyle industry while also sharing her love and secrets about her homeland of Greece.

With the world going through a cultural reset, communities are continuing to grow and collaborate. In our latest episode of LURA Listens, Mary Steadman, Co Founder & Director of Partner Relations speaks with Simon Neggers, SVP Sales, Marketing & Communications of Oetker Collection. Simon shares his story on his luxury world, moving during the pandemic, leading some of the most iconic hotels in the world and how the Oetker Collection celebrates culture & community.

With the uncertainty in today’s world and a shift in how events are and will run in the luxury space, Mary Steadman, Co Founder and Director of Partnerships of LURA Lifestyle caught up with Micaela Giacobbe, Founder and Director of Connections. Micaela shares her journey on navigating the “new world” in the events space and how the Connections team pivoted their business. Micaela also shares her view on the current environment and her thoughts on future travel trends.