IF ONE THING CAN BE SAID about the readers of Global Traveler, it is that they are a passionate bunch — passionate about travel, passionate about the industry, passionate about the publication. That enthusiasm was on full display in October 2016 when members of the Global Traveler Globility Board convened at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for a day of meetings and presentations focused on one of their favorite topics — premium travel.
In 2012 Global Traveler introduced its Globility Board, a group of well-traveled, vetted subscribers formed to serve as a conduit for information for both ourselves and for our clients — the travel industry providers these readers utilize on a regular basis. Our third Globility Board meeting brought our in-the-know members to the City of Angels, where United Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Global Traveler were able to showcase various products and receive the valuable feedback of the group.
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills proved the perfect host venue for the meetings, which kicked off with a welcome dinner at the hotel’s Le Jardin French outdoor patio and alfresco The Aviary, designed to host intimate dinners and receptions. With a combination of Hollywood glamour, European elegance and French sophistication, the property is known for executing first-rate events and meetings. The nine on-site meeting rooms offer natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, 14-foot-high ceilings and soundproof walls — all characteristics greatly appreciated by our group as we set up for a jam-packed day in the Santa Monica Room. For lunch we made great use of the upper pool lounge space, soaking up the midday California sunshine. Our group also enjoyed the endless comforts of the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills’ guestrooms and took time to savor other on-site amenities, including the state-of-the-art fitness center and Estérel Restaurant.
Maria Walter, managing director, product and brand strategy, United Airlines, took the Globility Board through the vision and entire process — from conception to implementation — of the airline’s new and improved business-class concept, Polaris, which subsequently debuted Dec. 1, 2016. Many of our Globility Board members are devoted to United Airlines, making the excitement in the room for the new product palpable.
The 12 product concepts behind Polaris — sleep, productivity, wellness, epicurean, modern luxury, entertainment, connectivity, added service, private access, global connections, rich comforts and traditional service — resonated with the assembled group. Questions abounded about service standards, when Polaris would reach United’s p.s. service, other product details and the process; but in the end it was clear the room was full of world travelers eager for their first flight on United Polaris.
Next up, a team from Saudi Arabian Airlines, led by Jessica Arias, account executive, greeted the group with dates and tea, a sneak preview of the tasty delights served on board the flagship carrier. The Saudia team took a different approach, first showing videos of the airline’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliner and first-class cabin before asking our Globility Board members a series of questions to deduce their rationale in planning and booking travel.
Questions included: Have you flown the Dreamliner? Most answered with a resounding “Yes!” with feedback ranging from, “I flew a discount carrier just to experience the aircraft,” to “I noticed absolutely nothing different when flying the Dreamliner.” They asked: Who books your travel? How do you decide which airline to fly? What travel websites do you regularly visit? Do you use mobile boarding passes? What airlines do a good job at marketing themselves? What do you look for in an airline ad? Do alliances hold value? The question and answer session sparked a lively discussion among the group and even included photographs from GT publisher and CEO Francis X. Gallagher’s personal trip to Saudi Arabia. The presentation heightened the awareness of the airline and its premium offerings among our group of intrepid travelers and led many to state they would consider the airline as a transit option for a future trip.
Finally, we at Global Traveler took advantage of the benefits of having our readers in one room, asking them for feedback as we offered a first look at the 2017 magazine redesign we launched last month. As we usher in 2017, those of us at Global Traveler join our Globility Board members on flights and trips around the world, putting into practice our definition of “globility”: the openness to learning and understanding cultural differences.
JOIN THE GLOBILITY BOARD
We are always looking for new candidates interested in joining the Globility Board. To become a member of the Globility Board, reach out to Francis X. Gallagher at [email protected]. Interested parties will need to complete an application and vetting process.
Read This Next
All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 18, 2024Noble House Hotels & Resorts Acquires Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux
Noble House Hotels & Resorts, the family-owned boutique hotel brand, welcomes Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux to its portfolio of unique properties. The previous owner and now co-owner of this award-winning property, Jeff Ippoliti, selected Noble House to co-own and manage the property, bringing the total number of North American luxury hotels, resorts and experiences for the brand to 24.
Sponsored Content
Revel in a European Summer with AmaWaterways
Pedal through sun-drenched vineyards, hike amidst blooming wildflowers and take a refreshing dip in your ship's sun-deck whirlpool. Indulge in the flavors of the region with delectable dishes featuring luscious Wachau Valley apricots and succulent Serbian plums. As night falls, watch as the cities along the rivers come alive, pulsating with an irresistible electric energy. The sun-soaked days and vibrant nights offer a compelling reason to embark on an AmaWaterways river cruise during the upcoming summer months.
Daily
Mar 18, 2024A New Six Senses Comes to the Caribbean This May
Designed to reflect the look and atmosphere of a Caribbean village, the new Six Senses La Sagesse on the Spice Island of Grenada will offer 56 pool suites with open-plan bedrooms, each with an outdoor terrace leading to a private plunge pool, when it opens this May. The property marks the first Six Senses resort in the Caribbean.
March 2024
Mar 18, 2024Women Hoteliers Share Their Stories of Accomplishment in Rising to the Top
The hospitality workforce is more than 50 percent female (according to the 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics), but the top tier remains very much male-dominated. The Penn State School of Hospitality Management’s 2023 Women in Hospitality research report finds that for every female chief officer, four men hold that title. Global Traveler had the privilege of speaking with several women in leadership roles to gain their insights and personal stories and to learn what it takes for a woman to reach a top position in hospitality today.
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Annual Travel Insurance?
One affordable plan can protect an entire year of trips: business or pleasure, short or long, domestic or international.
Daily
Mar 18, 2024Miami International Airport Reaches Unprecedented Heights in Passenger, Cargo Numbers
2023 marked a historic year for Miami International Airport. Recent reports show MIA achieved its highest-ever annual passenger total, seeing 52.3 million travelers in 2023, which marked a 3.2 percent increase over the previous year’s record. International travel surged 8.5 percent, with 23.2 million passengers. Domestic traffic was just slightly down, at 0.5 percent and 29.1 million.
Saint James Paris Welcomes New Chef
Daily
Mar 15, 2024March 2024
Mar 14, 2024San Antonio Preserves Its Past While Envisioning What Lies Ahead
The most historic city in Texas is refurbishing, renovating and reimagining heritage sites, old buildings and whole neighborhoods, bridging the centuries of this Lone Star treasure.
Sponsored Content
A New Perspective on Incentive Travel
Incentive travel has long been a way for organizations to drive sales and reward employees with opulent trips to exotic destinations. Today it encompasses even more.
Daily
Mar 14, 2024Coco Collection Introduces New Villa Designs and Features
Coco Collection debuts updated offerings at its two resorts in the Maldives, with remodeled villas at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and a new infinity pool at Coco Bodu Hithi.
ShareThis