what they’ve built once a year. They bring their families to stay at the hotels where they work.They’re treated like VIPs by their colleagues,” Pfister explains. “It’s an experience that allows them to proudly share the place they’ve helped shape—something they could normally never afford. It creates that connection to the land.” CREATING AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS The environmental and social initiatives of the Cayuga Collection ultimately converge in the guest experience, creating something markedly different from conventional luxury. “The Cayuga Collection is not for everyone,” Pfister readily admits. “We attract a very special kind of guest, the kind who seeks to discover what truly matters, the kind who understands that true luxury isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.” These guests aren’t looking for the choreographed perfection found at many high-end resorts. “We’ve had guests move their reservations from ultra-luxury resorts to stay with us. Why? Because they said the other place was too perfect,” Pfister says.“Perfection can be sterile. Authenticity is alive.” The collection fosters genuine cultural exchange rather than staged performances. “We share our traditions, our music, and our culture with our guests, not as performers, but as people,” Pfister explains. Local partnerships enrich these experiences, from spice farm visits to folk dance performances by nearby school groups. “We don’t want our guests to be locked into our hotels like all-inclusive resorts,” Pfister says.“On the contrary, we want them to go out and experience and see what’s going on. We give them recommendations— we definitely want the local experience to be there.” This might mean taking guests to local farmers’ markets, arranging visits to indigenous mask painters, or recommending authentic local restaurants. The approach appeals to travelers increasingly seeking meaning and connection in their journeys, a trend that has accelerated since the pandemic prompted many to reconsider what they value in travel experiences. 46 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 03
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