The Business of Travel – October Edition
Introduction:
Welcome to the October edition of The Business of Travel, where we highlight a month filled with inspiring travel trends, exciting events, and notable achievements across our teams. As we progress through autumn, October has showcased some of the most sought-after destinations and provided valuable opportunities for our teams to engage with partners, deepen their knowledge, and celebrate success. Let’s dive into the latest updates from Scott Dunn as we reflect on a remarkable month.
Trading News:
October proved to be an exceptional month for travel, with UK families taking full advantage of the half-term break. Mediterranean favourites such as Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, and Spain saw high visitor numbers from both the US and the UK, alongside long-haul destinations like Morocco, Mauritius, the Maldives, South Africa, the USA, and the UAE. During this period, our Explorers Kids Clubs worldwide embraced the Halloween spirit, delighting young guests with creative crafts and thrilling activities that added a fun touch to their daily actions.
Booking trends indicate that many guests are planning well ahead, with high interest in summer holidays, especially in Italy and families looking to travel to resorts featuring childcare at our Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Clubs, such as Pine Cliffs Resort in Portugal and COSTA NAVARINO in Greece. Winter ski trips and adventurous bookings for Finland and winter sun escapes are also gaining traction. The Maldives, Morocco, St. Lucia, and South Africa are popular choices for warm-weather breaks, while India and Costa Rica are attracting guests seeking unique, adventure-filled itineraries.
Marketing Highlights
Our Experiences of a Lifetime campaign was also honoured with a Silver Award at the 2024 Travel Weekly UK Magellan Awards, a recognition of excellence across the travel industry. We’re excited to be featured in the upcoming November 11 issue of Travel Weekly, reinforcing our commitment to creating unforgettable journeys.
We were also thrilled to announce our shortlisting for the Best Travel and Hospitality Marketing Campaign Award at the Dotties 2024, the annual awards recognising marketing excellence, hosted by Dotdigital. This nomination celebrates our team's creativity and impact, particularly acknowledging the hard work of Gemma Doyle, Vicky Bell, Annie Miller, Suzie Slemeck, and Kate Parrett.
People Updates:
October was filled with memorable events for our teams. We kicked off with a lively Buzz Night in London, sponsored by Regent Seven Seas Cruises —a fantastic opportunity to connect, celebrate, and take home some exciting raffle prizes. Our offices in San Diego and New York City embraced the Halloween spirit with a themed Buzz Night, which coincided perfectly with our Managing Director Ali Zacher’s visit. The evening featured snacks, decorations, and fun office games. Meanwhile, our Singapore team enjoyed their Buzz Night at COMO Metropolitan Orchard, where they gathered for drinks and team catch-ups. A special thank you to Ruby Garcia, Effandy Kumess, and Jacilyn Sim for organizing such a wonderful evening!
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK, our Mindspace office organised a building-wide bake sale. Congratulations to Vicky Bell, whose delicious courgette and lemon drizzle cake won the most votes!
Teams from our UK, US, and Singapore offices embarked on familiarisation trips to destinations including Greece, Thailand, Italy, Botswana, St. Lucia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, UAE, Portugal, Australia, Tanzania, China, Sri Lanka, and France. They returned with invaluable insights, ready to share with our guests and colleagues.
We also celebrated our Q1 All In Awards, recognising team members who embody our core values—In the Know, In the Detail, and Inspiring. Congratulations to Peter Moor, Callie Thompson, and Cherylle Sargent for their achievements. Special mentions go to Melinda Paun-Szekely, Megan Reichenbach, Hannah Scott, Eve Templeton, Adrienne Hodges, and Dyllan Hope. Well done to all!
The Scott Dunn Leadership Team gathered in the Algarve for strategic planning sessions, where we officially welcomed our new Global Managing Director, Alison Zacher. It was a memorable time to come together and envision our path forward.
PR Activity:
On Wednesday, October 9, Kirsty Edwards, Suzie Slemeck, represented Scott Dunn at the prestigious ASPIRE Luxury Magazine Awards at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester, where we were nominated for Inclusivity Initiative of the Year. Congratulations to VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings, the well-deserved winner of this category. It was inspiring to see Scott Dunn recognised among industry leaders dedicated to inclusivity—a value we proudly champion.
Our PR team also hosted successful press events in London and New York, unveiling our What's Hot for 2025 insights to influential travel journalists and industry voices. These gatherings allowed us to share upcoming travel trends while strengthening media relationships. Many thanks to Perowne International for their expert partnership in organising these events, and to our Scott Dunn team members for their passion and expertise.
Meanwhile, our team of Travel Specialists in Singapore—Geraleine Yap, Leonard Mok, Ying Ying Koo, Lucien Lau, Odele Seah, and Gwen Ho—were featured in Robb Report Singapore, where they recommended destinations and experiences for Autumn travel, ranging from Tuscany and Provence to Sri Lanka and South Africa. Read the article here for all the tips you need about where to go when in autumn.
Events:
October was an active month for Scott Dunn USA. On October 3, we hosted an exclusive four-course dinner at One White Street in New York City with Jo Bailes, CEO of Singita. Jo shared insights into Singita’s award-winning lodges and conservation efforts with 11 Scott Dunn guests and four of our team members—a wonderful evening to deepen our connection to Singita’s sustainable luxury philosophy.
In partnership with Citizen Femme and Indré Rockefeller, we hosted a private dinner at the legendary French bistro Le Veau d'Or, in support of The Circularity Project, Indré’s charity. Representing Scott Dunn Private, Casey Holt, Ciara Hurley Stewart and Jade Lynch attended and were joined by 15 inspiring women. The event focused on 'Positive Travel,' fostering conversations on the importance of mindful, impactful travel experiences.
Jade Lynch and Casey Holt connected with our Eden Roc partners over lunch, joined by Camille Francoual and Fabrice MOIZAN, discussing exciting updates to their offerings and our shared vision of excellence in luxury travel.
To celebrate our advertising partnership with the Financial Times and the 30th anniversary of HTSI, Scott Dunn attended a special breakfast event, with welcome remarks by Dorota Gwilliam, FT Weekend & HTSI Publisher. It was the perfect occasion to mark this milestone and our commitment to the luxury travel industry.
Conclusion:
As October comes to a close, we look back with pride on the connections strengthened, achievements celebrated, and the continued growth of our Scott Dunn community. With impactful events, recognitions, and insights shaping the future of luxury travel, we move forward with renewed enthusiasm for the months ahead. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success—it’s your passion and dedication that makes Scott Dunn a leader in luxury travel.