THE RIGHT CONCEPT
The right ideas
The right strategy
The right story
The right delivery
sustainable approach
WE EMPOWER LUXURY™
WE EMPOWER LUXURY™
Strategy/Linking
Development/Story
Content/ Communications
Media/Marketing
Sustainability
Content :
Production of outcome-focused high-impact content in a variety of formats, creating a narrative that defines the key features of a place, right from the start.
Communications:
A diverse range of dedicated talent, including editors, journalists, copywriters, specialist photographers, video producers, VR specialists, designers, and social media, influencer marketing and IT specialists, develop and execute ideas that earn attention and drive business impact.
Development :
Whether it be a regional project or a single hotel, from pre-purchase, through concept and design, owners and managers are assisted all the way to finished product and marketing by the world’s “crème de la crème” in all fields.
Story:
Conception and development of a powerful story-line for your destination or property, creating clear differentiation factors, enabling targeted, intelligent marketing.
Strategy :
Working from the bottom-line up, Almont Global works hand-in-hand with destination marketing organisations and hospitality players to achieve even the most ambitious goals.
Linkinng:
Connecting places and products, services and people, combining our team’s experienced thinking caps with the added wisdom and foresight of the industry’s best visionaries (our unique advisory board).
Sustainability:
We are entering a new era when sustainable travel is no longer an option; it’s essential to our future. It’s time to change the industry… and the world… for the better, to build back what has been destroyed, helping all the world’s travellers find increased levels of wellness, and assimilation with surrounding communities.
Media:
Almont Global’s unique in-house media sets the tone for the industry. Whether it be the Girlahead website or Mary Gostelow Girlahead podcast, or the “World Travel Essential” podcast, you’re always ahead of the game.
Marketing:
A national tourist board wants to penetrate a new market or sector. A developer is not sure whether to pursue a city hotel or a beach-side resort. Who would be the ideal brand or CEO, or F&B product for your hotel? How can you get global publicity for what you consider the world’s best tourist opportunity? Ask Almont Global…
What we do
We think big. We hate mediocrity. Seek breakthroughs.
Step off the path. Defy convention. See what others don’t. We give you the ideas you always wanted. We help you think for yourself.
Almont Global works worldwide in the field of development and marketing support for all players in the luxury tourism and lifestyle sectors, including (but not limited to) state and federal ministries, destination marketing organisations, hotel owners and operators, travel service providers and all peripheral luxury industries.
We only work with others who, like us, truly want to make the world a better place.
- Analysis of development prospects - including pre-feasibility, feasibility, concept and design
- Analysis of a client's current communication & marketing techniques
- Assistance in the creation of communication & marketing strategy
- Creation of customised assets (special reports and guides)
- Creation of webinars
- Writing of hard-hitting press releases or speeches
- Creation of media assets
- Texts and press releases
- Photos
- Videos
- Launch concepts
- Creation of story lines
- Creation of media campaigns
Mary Gostelow
Yuriy Horovyy
About us
Almont Global is a “one-stop-shop” development and mar-comm support in the luxury tourism and lifestyle sectors.
The company offers support to destination marketing organisations, hotel owners and operators, tourism organisations and peripheral luxury industries. Almont Global combines the assets of three top figures in the travel industry with a network of service providers that are without equal in the industry. The expertise of the three managing partners stretches well beyond a century.
Richard Barnes
Mary Gostelow
Yuriy Horovyy
is CEO of Almont Travel – a luxury and VIP travel management company that provides bespoke services to high-level business and leisure clients worldwide. His team organises exclusive tailor-made VIP travel to the world’s most exclusive hotels and exotic destinations thanks to the fact that Almont is a proud member of the exclusive Virtuoso network, giving unparalleled access and a wealth of resources. Almont Travel offers highly bespoke luxury services to highest-level business and leisure clients worldwide.
“For several years, in my talks with owners and senior executives of hospitality companies, destination marketing organisations and receptive agents, it has become increasingly evident that there is a need for knowledgeable unbiased high-end advice and support when it comes to development, marketing and communication. By bringing Richard Barnes and Mary Gostelow, along with an extraordinary Advisory Board, into this equation, Almont Global offers a combination of talents and contacts that I believe are without equal in the industry” – Yuriy Horovyy – founder and director.
is the face behind luxury travel’s annual “Nobel”, the Gostelow Award, from International Luxury Travel Market ILTM. Since 2016, this unique accolade has also been given to such icons as Matthew Upchurch, Chairman of Virtuoso, and Valerie Wilson, of the eponymous travel advisory. Mary Gostelow is global ambassador for ILTM. She is owner-editor of the monthly Gostelow Report global luxury hospitality market intelligence briefing. She has weekly columns in HOTELS online, and on LATTE, reaching Australasian luxury advisors, and, monthly, on Travel Market Report, predominantly for the USA luxury advisory sector.
With over four decades of professional excellence, Richard Barnes stands as a distinguished figure in media, particularly within the realms of travel and tourism. His career is adorned with accolades and significant positions, including his role as a professor at the prestigious Nice School of Journalism. As the former editor-in-chief for the principal dailies at the globe's largest trade fairs, Barnes has a rich history of shaping industry narratives. His expertise has been sought in strategic consultancy roles by various global destination marketing organisations and tourism ministries. Additionally, he is the celebrated author of “What’s News? A down-to-earth guide to applied journalism,” a seminal book in the field.
Richard Barnes
Yuriy Horovyy
Yuriy Horovyy is CEO of Almont Travel – a luxury and VIP travel management company that provides bespoke services to high-level business and leisure clients worldwide. His team organises exclusive tailor-made VIP travel to the world’s most exclusive hotels and exotic destinations thanks to the fact that Almont is a proud member of the exclusive Virtuoso network, giving unparalleled access and a wealth of resources.
Mary Gostelow
Mary Gostelow is the face behind luxury travel’s annual “Nobel”, the Gostelow Award, from International Luxury Travel Market ILTM. Since 2016, this unique accolade has also been given to such icons as Matthew Upchurch, Chairman of Virtuoso, and Valerie Wilson, of the eponymous travel advisory. Mary Gostelow is global ambassador for ILTM. She is owner-editor of the monthly Gostelow Report global luxury hospitality market intelligence briefing. She has weekly columns in HOTELS online, and on LATTE, reaching Australasian luxury advisors, and, monthly, on Travel Market Report, predominantly for the USA luxury advisory sector.
Richard Barnes
With over four decades of professional excellence, Richard Barnes stands as a distinguished figure in media, particularly within the realms of travel and tourism. His career is adorned with accolades and significant positions, including his role as a professor at the prestigious Nice School of Journalism. As the former editor-in-chief for the principal dailies at the globe's largest trade fairs, Barnes has a rich history of shaping industry narratives. His expertise has been sought in strategic consultancy roles by various global destination marketing organisations and tourism ministries. Additionally, he is the celebrated author of “What’s News? A down-to-earth guide to applied journalism,” a seminal book in the field.
Almont Global's strengths come not only from its three founders, but also from an extraordinary gathering of the world's most brilliant brains in diverse industry sectors:
Advisory Board
Costas Christ
Costas is no doubt the most prominent figure in the world when it comes to defining and promoting sustainable tourism and CSR. Founder and President of Beyond Green Travel, Costas has gained many titles: Ecotourism Pioneer, Sustainable Tourism Visionary, Award-Winning National Geographic Travel Writer - to name a few - and his life's work has helped shape the world of travel and tourism as we know it today.
Costas has served as a top advisor to CEOs, philanthropists, tourism ministers and heads of state, helping companies and countries achieve success based on a business model of doing well by doing good. He was honoured as an "Eco Warrior" together with Dr Jane Goodall, CNN founder Ted Turner, and oceanographer Sylvia Earle, and was also recognised as a "Tourism Visionary" by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards.
Costas has served as a top advisor to CEOs, philanthropists, tourism ministers and heads of state, helping companies and countries achieve success based on a business model of doing well by doing good. He was honoured as an "Eco Warrior" together with Dr Jane Goodall, CNN founder Ted Turner, and oceanographer Sylvia Earle, and was also recognised as a "Tourism Visionary" by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards.
Edie Rodriguez
Edie is a Member of the Board and a decisive leader with 35+ years’ experience in the global cruise, travel, hospitality, luxury and technology industries. She is recognized as an expert and thought leader in the luxury and travel sectors with a strong financial acumen and broad-based sales, marketing, including social and digital, distribution channels, and operations experience. Ms. Rodriguez sits on the board of Rand Corporation Center for Global Risk and Security (CGRS) and she is actively involved in the global travel industry where she has served on the Board of Directors of the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), and is currently on Robb Reports Private Aviation Board, Air France’s Advisory Board for French Tourism and is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Promotion Marketing Association.
Filip Boyen
Filip Boyen – an esteemed professional in the luxury service industry, now leverages his extensive experience to provide consultancy services to some of the world’s top brands. As the former CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, the only independent global association for luxury rating, Filip played a pivotal role in setting high standards for luxury properties worldwide. Forbes Travel Guide is renowned for its objective and professional undercover evaluations, ensuring that only the finest properties earn their prestigious rating. Filip's time at Forbes included overseeing quality assessments and frequent hotel visits, offering real-time feedback on service standards. Prior to his tenure at Forbes, Boyen helmed Small Luxury Hotels of the World, further cementing his expertise in luxury service culture. Filip is a firm believer that the essence of luxury service starts with people, emphasizing that culture is rooted in the attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs of individuals.
Susie Ellis
Susie is chairman and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), and heads up the organisation’s annual Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Tourism Congress. Recognised as one of the leading authorities on the multi-sector wellness industry, she is frequently cited in major global publications, from the New York Times to the Financial Times. Ellis is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne; a member of the Spa Advisory Board for the University of California, Irvine, Spa and Hospitality Management Program; and on the Aspen Brain Forum Board of Advisors.
Robert Appelbaum
Robert Appelbaum is a senior commercial attorney and dealmaker based in South Africa. He is a senior partner of one of Africa's premier law firms. Robert has 40 years of experience in the hotel, tourism, restaurant, and wine industry. He comes from food royalty in South Africa and co-owns Strandveld Vineyards and several restaurants. Robert was the Honorary Business Representative for the Middle East and Africa Group of IE Singapore, the Singapore Government body which was responsible for driving Singapore's external economy. Robert has served and continues to serve as an adviser to several governments in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Nick Pilbeam
Nick is the Founder and Managing Director of Reficere Consulting International, a boutique consultancy guiding key groups in the global travel eco-system such as destinations, tourist boards and convention bureaux to navigate the opportunities and dangers of the COVID recovery era. Nick was previously Managing Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world’s #1 travel and tourism event’s organiser, where he led the world’s largest and most sophisticated industry events such as ILTM, World Travel Market and IBTM in 25 countries on 5 continents with clients in over 200 countries. Nick brings a strong foundation of expertise in aviation and digital transformation from a 15-year leadership career at British Airways and International Airlines Group. Nick holds an MBA from Henley Business School complemented with executive education at Harvard Business School and China Europe International Business School.
Naim Maadad
Naim Maadad –Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality. Gates Hospitality is the owning company of well-known home-grown brands such as; Ultra Brasserie, the internationally acclaimed concept; Reform Social & Grill Dubai, Folly by Nick & Scott, as well as Publique, Dubai’s premier “Apres Ski chalet”, Bistro Des Arts, Six Senses Zighy Bay, Red Farm London at Covent Garden London, and Stokehouse at Trump International Golf Course, DAMAC Hills, Dubai. With over 39 years in the hospitality world across Australia, Asia, & the Middle East in various senior management roles, Naim has launched & operated some of the world’s best Hotels, Resorts, Spas & Lifestyle Food & Beverage Concepts.
Melinda Bush, C.H.A.
Melinda is President/Chief Executive – HRW Holdings/ Hospitality Resources Worldwide, LLC/Managing Director Panorama International Tour Pro. Melinda is one of the most renowned and respected experts on issues affecting the hotel, resort and tourism industries. As CEO of HRW Holdings/Hospitality Resources Worldwide LLC, Melinda and her colleagues assist hotels, resorts and suppliers in their market development and investment activities with a focus on the luxury marketplace. HRW’s alliance with Panorama International focuses on providing both development and investment services for destinations aimed at building their tourism infrastructure. Melinda is a founding investor in Thayer Venture Capital’s Funds I and II and serves on a number of public and private corporate boards. She is also chairman of a fund offering scholarships to young men and women desiring to enter the hospitality industry.
Fraser Hickox
Fraser Hickox – Executive Director of the exclusive conceptual:™group, serving as a Director of both the unique conceptual:hotels™, and specialist conceptual:™hospitality services where he is also a principal consultant. The former Group General Manager of Research and Technology for The Peninsula Hotels is a noted hospitality technology visionary, innovator and pioneer. Across 3 decades with The Peninsula Hotels, he has been behind the introduction of a number of hotel industry technology innovations since the mid-1980s – from the first hotel with a computer and internet access in every room, to sophisticated and intuitive bed-side panels, among various unique in-room technologies that complement rather than compete with the design and ambiance.
Filip Boyen
Filip Boyen, an esteemed professional in the luxury service industry, now leverages his extensive experience to provide consultancy services to some of the world’s top brands. As the former CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, the only independent global association for luxury rating, Filip played a pivotal role in setting high standards for luxury properties worldwide. Forbes Travel Guide is renowned for its objective and professional undercover evaluations, ensuring that only the finest properties earn their prestigious rating. Filip's time at Forbes included overseeing quality assessments and frequent hotel visits, offering real-time feedback on service standards. Prior to his tenure at Forbes, Boyen helmed Small Luxury Hotels of the World, further cementing his expertise in luxury service culture. Filip is a firm believer that the essence of luxury service starts with people, emphasizing that culture is rooted in the attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs of individuals.
Melinda Bush, C.H.A.
Melinda is President/Chief Executive – HRW Holdings/ Hospitality Resources Worldwide, LLC/Managing Director Panorama International Tour Pro. Melinda is one of the most renowned and respected experts on issues affecting the hotel, resort and tourism industries. As CEO of HRW Holdings/Hospitality Resources Worldwide LLC, Melinda and her colleagues assist hotels, resorts and suppliers in their market development and investment activities with a focus on the luxury marketplace. HRW’s alliance with Panorama International focuses on providing both development and investment services for destinations aimed at building their tourism infrastructure. Melinda is a founding investor in Thayer Venture Capital’s Funds I and II and serves on a number of public and private corporate boards. She is also chairman of a fund offering scholarships to young men and women desiring to enter the hospitality industry.
Costas Christ
Costas is no doubt the most prominent figure in the world when it comes to defining and promoting sustainable tourism and CSR. Founder and President of Beyond Green Travel, Costas has gained many titles: Ecotourism Pioneer, Sustainable Tourism Visionary, Award-Winning National Geographic Travel Writer – to name a few – and his life’s work has helped shape the world of travel and tourism as we know it today. Costas has served as a top advisor to CEOs, philanthropists, tourism ministers and heads of state, helping companies and countries achieve success based on a business model of doing well by doing good. He was honoured as an “Eco Warrior” together with Dr Jane Goodall, CNN founder Ted Turner, and oceanographer Sylvia Earle, and was also recognised as a “Tourism Visionary” by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards.
Susie Ellis
Susie is chairman and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), and heads up the organisation’s annual Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Tourism Congress. Recognised as one of the leading authorities on the multi-sector wellness industry, she is frequently cited in major global publications, from the New York Times to the Financial Times. Ellis is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne; a member of the Spa Advisory Board for the University of California, Irvine, Spa and Hospitality Management Program; and on the Aspen Brain Forum Board of Advisors.
Fraser Hickox
Executive Director of the exclusive conceptual:™group, serving as a Director of both the unique conceptual:hotels™, and specialist conceptual:™hospitality services where he is also a principal consultant. The former Group General Manager of Research and Technology for The Peninsula Hotels is a noted hospitality technology visionary, innovator and pioneer. Across 3 decades with The Peninsula Hotels, he has been behind the introduction of a number of hotel industry technology innovations since the mid-1980s – from the first hotel with a computer and internet access in every room, to sophisticated and intuitive bed-side panels, among various unique in-room technologies that complement rather than compete with the design and ambiance.
Naim Maadad
Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality. Gates Hospitality is the owning company of well-known home-grown brands such as; Ultra Brasserie, the internationally acclaimed concept; Reform Social & Grill Dubai, Folly by Nick & Scott, as well as Publique, Dubai’s premier “Apres Ski chalet”, Bistro Des Arts, Six Senses Zighy Bay, Red Farm London at Covent Garden London, and Stokehouse at Trump International Golf Course, DAMAC Hills, Dubai. With over 39 years in the hospitality world across Australia, Asia, & the Middle East in various senior management roles, Naim has launched & operated some of the world’s best Hotels, Resorts, Spas & Lifestyle Food & Beverage Concepts.
Nick Pilbeam
Nick is the Founder and Managing Director of Reficere Consulting International, a boutique consultancy guiding key groups in the global travel eco-system such as destinations, tourist boards and convention bureaux to navigate the opportunities and dangers of the COVID recovery era. Nick was previously Managing Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world’s #1 travel and tourism event’s organiser, where he led the world’s largest and most sophisticated industry events such as ILTM, World Travel Market and IBTM in 25 countries on 5 continents with clients in over 200 countries. Nick brings a strong foundation of expertise in aviation and digital transformation from a 15-year leadership career at British Airways and International Airlines Group. Nick holds an MBA from Henley Business School complemented with executive education at Harvard Business School and China Europe International Business School.
Edie Rodriguez
Edie is a Member of the Board and a decisive leader with 35+ years’ experience in the global cruise, travel, hospitality, luxury and technology industries. She is recognized as an expert and thought leader in the luxury and travel sectors with a strong financial acumen and broad-based sales, marketing, including social and digital, distribution channels, and operations experience. Ms. Rodriguez sits on the board of Rand Corporation Center for Global Risk and Security (CGRS) and she is actively involved in the global travel industry where she has served on the Board of Directors of the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), and is currently on Robb Reports Private Aviation Board, Air France’s Advisory Board for French Tourism and is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Promotion Marketing Association.
Robert Appelbaum
Robert Appelbaum is a senior commercial attorney and dealmaker based in South Africa. He is a senior partner of one of Africa's premier law firms. Robert has 40 years of experience in the hotel, tourism, restaurant, and wine industry. He comes from food royalty in South Africa and co-owns Strandveld Vineyards and several restaurants. Robert was the Honorary Business Representative for the Middle East and Africa Group of IE Singapore, the Singapore Government body which was responsible for driving Singapore's external economy. Robert has served and continues to serve as an adviser to several governments in Africa and Southeast Asia.
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