Luxury Travel & Lifestyle Trends

Social media’s proliferation has helped to advance public relations and marketing practice. Yet, despite the long distance we’ve traveled in just a short time with social media, we still have much to learn about both its potential and its limitations. So whether you’re an experienced social media user or are just developing this as a part of your communication program, we call all benefit from recognizing some common myths surrounding social media.

Exclusionary and elusive experiences still appeal to consumers and remains at the top of what is appealing and sexy in the minds of consumers, despite the recession. They want to feel as if they are a part of a select elite group, even if it’s only a temporary illusion. The more privileged a consumer feels for having access to a product or service, the more the added level of mystique will sell. Here are some nifty examples of selling the mystique factor….

Do-it-yourself retailing - personalization to the max - is coming into its own. Following in the footsteps of companies we’ve already written about that lets consumers customize their own products (dresses, handbags, lingerie and duvets, Maps, LEGOs, even original shoe art) Sydney-based online shoe retailer Shoes of Prey is leading the design-your-own trend towards stylish, custom-made women’s shoes.

Travel marketers take note: A December 2009 MarketingSherpa survey indicates that deals aren’t the top motivation for social media engagement, but users also want deeper engagement - learning about new products, features or services. Sharing interesting content that users care about, alongside the deals and discounts they have come to expect, will keep users engaged and spur them to pass along your marketing messages.

Until now, being “green” has predominantly meant selling eco-friendly products or services. But this year’s tough economy presents a new opportunity for businesses to take environmental stewardship to a new level – by helping customers buy less stuff. But it has to be the “right stuff.”

Does a resort positioning itself as sensual and hip compliment marketing efforts appealing to families? The Fontainebleau Hotel thinks so and top executive, Howard Karawan, points to outstanding sales results over the last two months as the proof that it can be done. In the marketing world, that is no small feat.

As the luxury sector struggles to make gains (like everyone else), marketers are trying to put a positive spin on an unpopular topic – luxury. Quiet elegance is the mandate of the day and it’s a jungle out there trying to figure out how to market luxury tastefully. And who can argue when luxury is tied to a charitable cause?

Virgin Atlantic Airways, part of the Virgin empire of idiosyncratic British billionaire Richard Branson, has found success with this approach for years, reinforcing the fun experience on board its Virgin Atlantic flights. Moreover, Southwest Airlines is known for having a good time and being “original.” Have you seen the video clip of rapping flight attendant David Holmes doing his routine on Southwest Airlines?