LOS ANGELES – Luxury Link (luxurylink.com) – the leading luxury travel website – recently piloted its Luxury Link Social Experience program at Travaasa Austin in Texas, unveiling an innovative, 21^st century twist on the conventional travel industry familiarization (fam) trip.

From May 3-6, ten passionate travelers from across the U.S. converged upon this unique wellness resort for a tailored itinerary of fine dining, spa treatments and activities ranging from an equine encounter with beautiful quarter horses to a spirited chili cook-off.

Since travel is inherently a social activity, and with Austin an epicenter of technological innovation, five members of our group were asked to post real-time updates of the experience on five social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and the Luxury Lounge (Luxury Link’s dedicated online community).

Hashtag #LLSEAustin trended on Twitter and Instagram with support from Travaasa’s social media team, while Luxury Link’s live blog served as a real-time hub of all activity.  To incentivize reservations atTravaasa Austin by those following trip online, special promotional rates on all Luxury Link vacation experiences at the resort were offered from May 3-6.  Finally, a quintet of blogs from Luxury Link Social Experience travelers – recapping different aspects of the trip – are being posted over the next few weeks.

Based on the success of the Travaasa Austin event, Luxury Link is targeting two to four Social Experiences per year, with the next slated for late 2013.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Travaasa Austin, or a more ‘plugged-in’ group of travelers to embark on the first-ever Luxury Link Social Experience with us,” said Diane McDavitt, President and co-founder of Luxury Link.  “#LLSEAustin represents just one of the many new ways we are introducing our network of luxury travelers to our hotel partners, leveraging Luxury Link’s own social media reach – 250,000 fans and followers across all platforms – every step of the way.”

“As a new brand in a new niche of travel, all of us at Travaasa Experiential Resorts were excited to host the first Luxury Link Social Experience,” said Chris Manning, co-Founder and President of the Travaasa® Experiential Resorts.  “Travaasa’s five pillars of experiences: Adventure, Culinary, Culture, Fitness, and Spa & Wellness were a hit with the Luxury Link team and their guests, driving engagement on property and through social channels.  Luxury link is a powerful tool for discerning travelers looking for well-vetted options, and we love being a part of the network.”

By the numbers, the inaugural Luxury Link Social Experience delivered impressive results, and shattered the mold of what a fam trip is “supposed” to be:

• From May 3-6, Travaasa Austin’s showcase page on Luxury Link saw a 171% increase in visits from the previous four-day period
• Collectively, over 250,000 Facebook post impressions promoting the LLSE were served between Luxury Link’s brand page and one created by our Facebooking traveler – Min on Vacation – generating thousands of likes, comments and shares
• Over 550,000 Luxury Link Social Experience banner advertisements served across Luxury Link’s website and e-mails from May 3-6
• Live Blog: The Luxury Link Social Experience boasts nearly 3,000 page views and is the most-viewed entry among the 90+ Luxury Lounge travel blogs posted in 2013
• Multiple bookings at Travaasa Austin and one corporate event inquiry, with more expected

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About Luxury Link:
Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) is a luxury travel website offering value-added, immersive experiences at five-star accommodations around the world at insider prices. Luxury Link features luxury vacation experiences from nearly 1,200 luxury and five-star hotels in more than 60 countries. For 15 years, the trusted luxury hotel experts at Luxury Link have worked directly with the world’s top properties to create premium, hand-picked travel experiences that include extra surprises to make each trip even more memorable.  The company is privately owned and managed by e-commerce and online travel veterans, with offices in Los Angeles and New York.  To connect on social media: facebook.com/LuxuryLink and @LuxuryLink

]]> http://travelgroup.luxurylink.com/index.php/luxury-link-social-experience-debuts-with-unforgettable-weekend-at-travaasa-austin/feed 0 http://travelgroup.luxurylink.com/index.php/luxury-link-travel-group-appoints-scott-morrow-as-ceo http://travelgroup.luxurylink.com/index.php/luxury-link-travel-group-appoints-scott-morrow-as-ceo#comments Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:13:42 +0000 Luxury Link Travel Group Continue reading →]]> Experienced Executive has Proven Track Record of Growing Online Businesses

LOS ANGELES (November 8, 2012) – The Luxury Link Travel Group has appointed Scott Morrow as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Morrow began his tenure Oct. 29, overseeing the company’s three luxury travel websites: flagship brand Luxury Link, Family Getaway and Vacationist (in partnership with Travel + Leisure). He was appointed by the Luxury Link Travel Group Board of Directors.

Morrow brings a proven track record of growing and scaling online consumer businesses with highly-relevant experience in marketing and sales, business development, and product development, across media, lead-generation, and e-commerce business models.

“We are thrilled to bring Scott on to help build on Luxury Link’s 15-year legacy and cult-like customer base,” said Diane McDavitt, Luxury Link’s President and co-founder. “With Scott’s marketing and consumer expertise, we can bring Luxury Link’s curated selection of luxury properties at insider prices to even more customers.”

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to steward the Luxury Link Travel Group and maximize the incredible growth and potential of this uniquely-positioned leader in luxury travel,” Morrow said. “The ability to marry one’s professional and personal passions is rare. As an ardent traveler, I’m excited to elevate our brand awareness and expose our world-class travel partners to consumers around the globe

Most recently, Morrow served as co-Chief Executive Officer of Oversee.net, a portfolio of websites in the travel, consumer finance and retail sectors including flagship brands LowFares.com, AirportParking.com, CreditCards.com, and ShopWiki.com. Collectively, Oversee.net has a network of over 250 million monthly unique users while serving a broad set of advertisers and publishers.

Previously, as CEO and President of ThisNext from 2007-2010, he helped pioneer the social shopping space and orchestrated a financial turn-around of this venture-backed start-up. During a two-year run as Executive Vice President at Citysearch from 2006-2007 overseeing all facets of product, marketing, content and operations, Morrow helped the resource and review giant double its revenue. He also spent five years (2000-2005) at CNET Networks as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Download.com, the largest online distributor of trial software.

Morrow holds a BA in economics from the University of Tennessee, and earned his MBA in marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business. A native of East Tennessee, Morrow and his wife Kimberly reside in Los Angeles.

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About Luxury Link
Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) is a luxury travel website offering value-added, immersive experiences at five-star accommodations around the world at insider prices. Luxury Link features luxury vacation experiences from nearly 1,200 luxury and five-star hotels in more than 60 countries. For 15 years, the trusted luxury hotel experts at Luxury Link have worked directly with the world’s top properties to create premium, hand-picked travel experiences that include extra surprises to make each trip even more memorable. The company is privately owned and managed by e-commerce and online travel veterans, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. To follow: facebook.com/LuxuryLink and @LuxuryLink.

LOS ANGELES (May 17, 2012) – Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com), the leading luxury travel website, is launching a series of special travel auctions offering up to 65 percent off published rates, beginning May 17 through June 14, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Pack for a Purpose®, a nonprofit organization connecting travelers with communities in need.

As part of Luxury Link’s ongoing efforts to give back to communities around the world, Luxury Link will offer 10 “Auctions for a Purpose” per week for four weeks. Travelers can snag vacations to five-star properties around the world – including beach escapes in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia – while saving up to 65 percent off published rates. New auctions will be added each week.

A few “Auctions for a Purpose” being offered:

7 Nights in Belize at one of the World’s Top Eco-Lodges
Includes a cottage with private sun deck and veranda for two travelers for seven nights, breakfast daily, spa and tour credits, dinner for two on one evening and tax and service charges. Bidding starts at $1,801, which is 50 percent off retail value.

5 Nights in a Suite in the Dominican Republic
Includes five nights in a two-bedroom villa suite for four travelers with private terrace, champagne and truffles, breakfast and a three course dinner for four, plus taxes. Bidding starts at $1,365, which is 55 percent off the retail value.

5 Nights in a Penthouse in Phuket, Thailand
Includes five nights in a 4,400 square-foot multi-level penthouse, with a private infinity pool and sweeping ocean views from their expansive rooftop terrace. This package for two travelers also includes a welcome bottle of wine upon arrival, breakfast each morning and a 60-minute massage treatment for each guest. Bidding starts at $1, 232, which is 55 percent off the retail value.

As Pack for a Purpose’s only luxury travel partner, Luxury Link is working with the nonprofit to raise funds for the organization and grow their hotel partnerships. The mission of Pack for a Purpose is to encourage travelers to set aside a few non-essential items in their luggage and use the space instead for much needed medical, school or anti-poaching supplies. Pack for a Purpose identifies the specific items needed in each community and the hotels facilitate the donations, by delivering the supplies directly to the organization or arranging for the guest to visit the donation location.

“Pack for a Purpose aligns with Luxury Link’s core values and passion for travel. They have made it easy for any traveler to make a big impact on the lives of children in the destinations they visit. By simply leaving that extra pair of shoes at home and packing four deflated soccer balls or 400 pencils instead, you can make a meaningful contribution,” said Diane McDavitt, Luxury Link Travel Group’s president and co-founder.

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About Luxury Link
Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) is a luxury travel website offering value-added, immersive experiences at five-star accommodations around the world at insider prices. Luxury Link features luxury vacation experiences from nearly 1,200 luxury and five-star hotels in more than 60 countries. For 15 years, the trusted luxury hotel experts at Luxury Link have worked directly with the world’s top properties to create premium, hand-picked travel experiences that include extra surprises to make each trip even more memorable. The company is privately owned and managed by e-commerce and online travel veterans, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. To follow: facebook.com/LuxuryLink and @LuxuryLink.

About Pack for a Purpose
Pack for a Purpose® is a Raleigh, NC, based nonprofit that supports over 225 community-based programs in 37 countries. Travelers use their luggage to take school, medical and other supplies to the communities they visit. For more information about travel locations, lists of needed supplies and ways to get involved, visit www.packforapurpose.org. To follow please visit facebook.com/PackforaPurpose and @PackforaPurpose.

As the nonprofit’s only luxury travel partner, Luxury Link is working with its hotel partners in destinations from Africa to Asia and the Caribbean to South America to promote the program and encourage travelers to set aside a few non-essential items in their luggage and use the space for needed medical, school or anti-poaching supplies. The hotels facilitate the donations by delivering the supplies directly to the organization or arranging for the guest to visit the donation location.

“Leaving one pair of shoes at home lets you bring 150 pencils or four solar calculators,” said Pack for a Purpose founder, Rebecca Rothney. “Five pounds equals a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff and 500 band-aids; or five deflated soccer balls with an inflation device; or 400 pencils. Five pounds can make a big impact to a community.”

Beginning May 17, Luxury Link will launch a series of 40 special travel auctions with a portion of the proceeds donated to Pack for a Purpose. There will be 10 special travel auctions per week, two per weekday with each auction running five days. Travelers can snag vacations to five-star properties around the world while saving up to 65 percent off published rates. The promotion culminates with a sweepstakes in July.

“Anyone and everyone can do it. Taking much needed supplies to a destination makes travel even more meaningful,” said Diane McDavitt, Luxury Link Travel Group’s president and co-founder.

In 2002, Rothney visited Botswana with requested school supplies to donate to the local community. This sparked her idea for the nonprofit organization Pack for a Purpose which has now delivered more than 4,700 pounds of items worldwide.

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About Luxury Link
Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) is a luxury travel website offering value-added, immersive experiences at five-star accommodations around the world at insider prices. Luxury Link features luxury vacation experiences from nearly 1,200 luxury and five-star hotels in more than 60 countries. For 15 years, the trusted luxury hotel experts at Luxury Link have worked directly with the world’s top properties to create premium, hand-picked travel experiences that include extra surprises to make each trip even more memorable. The company is privately owned and managed by e-commerce and online travel veterans, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. To follow: facebook.com/LuxuryLink and @LuxuryLink.

About Pack for a Purpose
Pack for a Purpose® is a Raleigh, NC, based nonprofit that supports over 225 community-based programs in 37 countries. Travelers use their luggage to take school, medical and other supplies to the communities they visit. For more information about travel locations, lists of needed supplies and ways to get involved, visit www.packforapurpose.org. To follow please visit facebook.com/PackforaPurpose and @PackforaPurpose.

Website redesign celebrates 15 years of offering luxury vacation experiences at the world’s best hotels

Celebrating its 15^th anniversary, leading luxury vacation website Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) unveils a newly designed website accompanied by an alternative browsing  function, the “Inspire Me” button. The restyled website features more than 250 new luxury hotels and resorts with enhanced functionality, clean aesthetics and additional photography. The site also includes an improved luxury travel community, the “Luxury Lounge” to support travelers planning for and sharing memories of their luxury vacations.

For years, travelers have turned to Luxury Link to find inspiration and research properties at amazing destinations. The new “Inspire Me” feature captures the essence of that inspiration by highlighting the world’s top-rated hotels and resorts at destinations a traveler may have never before considered. It is a browsing option for travelers who are looking for ideas and guidance while dreaming about where they might travel to next. The “Inspire Me” function provides recommendations by Luxury Link’s travel experts for thousands of world-class properties at destinations ranging from Montana to the Maldives and Boston to Bali.

“For the past 15 years, inspiring travelers with amazing hotels and incredible prices has been the mission of Luxury Link,” said Luxury Link President, Diane McDavitt. “The new design and functional upgrades to our website embody a true luxury travel experience – from our hand-picked collection of hotels, resorts, villas and cruises to the luxury extras we include in each vacation. Each step of the way, we are committed to travelers getting more for their money while enjoying a truly extraordinary experience from start to finish.”

Luxury Link has added new functionality to its online community forum, the largest and most active community of luxury travelers on the web. The “Luxury Lounge” is a forum where travelers can discuss everything from destinations to hotels while sharing ideas, opinions and answering questions. The Luxury Lounge features enhanced forum functionality and social sharing capabilities. Travelers can keep a running travelogue of their adventures and escapes through personal blogs and photo galleries.

Luxury Link features vacations at more than 1,200 luxury properties in 60 countries from independent hotel partners, boutique hotels, luxury villas at prices up to 65% off.  The site also offers vacations at luxury resort collections including Dorchester Collection, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Orient-Express Hotels & Resorts, Auberge Resorts, Destination Hotels & Resorts, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Preferred Hotel Group.

About Luxury Link
Founded in 1997, Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) is a leading luxury travel website offering value-added, unique travel experiences at five-star accommodations around the world, at exclusively low prices, up to 65 percent off best-available rates. Luxury Link has established relationships with more than 1,200 luxury and five-star properties around the world. The vacation experiences created by Luxury Link encompass sought-after destinations like Kenya or Bora Bora and luxury properties ranging from boutique spa hotels to expansive luxury resorts with special included extras like spa treatments, champagne in the guest’s room, daily breakfast, resort credits or others.

Website redesign celebrates 15 years of offering luxury vacation experiences at the world’s best hotels

Celebrating its 15^th anniversary, leading luxury vacation website Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) unveils a newly designed website accompanied by an alternative browsing  function, the “Inspire Me” button. The restyled website features more than 250 new luxury hotels and resorts with enhanced functionality, clean aesthetics and additional photography. The site also includes an improved luxury travel community, the “Luxury Lounge” to support travelers planning for and sharing memories of their luxury vacations.

For years, travelers have turned to Luxury Link to find inspiration and research properties at amazing destinations. The new “Inspire Me” feature captures the essence of that inspiration by highlighting the world’s top-rated hotels and resorts at destinations a traveler may have never before considered. It is a browsing option for travelers who are looking for ideas and guidance while dreaming about where they might travel to next. The “Inspire Me” function provides recommendations by Luxury Link’s travel experts for thousands of world-class properties at destinations ranging from Montana to the Maldives and Boston to Bali.

“For the past 15 years, inspiring travelers with amazing hotels and incredible prices has been the mission of Luxury Link,” said Luxury Link President, Diane McDavitt. “The new design and functional upgrades to our website embody a true luxury travel experience – from our hand-picked collection of hotels, resorts, villas and cruises to the luxury extras we include in each vacation. Each step of the way, we are committed to travelers getting more for their money while enjoying a truly extraordinary experience from start to finish.”

Luxury Link has added new functionality to its online community forum, the largest and most active community of luxury travelers on the web. The “Luxury Lounge” is a forum where travelers can discuss everything from destinations to hotels while sharing ideas, opinions and answering questions. The Luxury Lounge features enhanced forum functionality and social sharing capabilities. Travelers can keep a running travelogue of their adventures and escapes through personal blogs and photo galleries.

Luxury Link features vacations at more than 1,200 luxury properties in 60 countries from independent hotel partners, boutique hotels, luxury villas at prices up to 65% off.  The site also offers vacations at luxury resort collections including Dorchester Collection, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Orient-Express Hotels & Resorts, Auberge Resorts, Destination Hotels & Resorts, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Preferred Hotel Group.

About Luxury Link
Founded in 1997, Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) is a leading luxury travel website offering value-added, unique travel experiences at five-star accommodations around the world, at exclusively low prices, up to 65 percent off best-available rates. Luxury Link has established relationships with more than 1,200 luxury and five-star properties around the world. The vacation experiences created by Luxury Link encompass sought-after destinations like Kenya or Bora Bora and luxury properties ranging from boutique spa hotels to expansive luxury resorts with special included extras like spa treatments, champagne in the guest’s room, daily breakfast, resort credits or others.