Mark Greedy is the CEO and co-founder of Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific, and is responsible for effective and rewarding marketing, distribution and administration of some 60 resorts as well as the development and maintenance of significantly successful global marketing programs and brands.

Mark entered the travel and tourism industry in 1972 as a management trainee with Trans Australia Airlines and his 30+ year career has included senior management, Director and CEO responsibilities in both Asia Pacific and global roles. The most significant travel industry companies include:

Amongst many notable achievements during his time at Singapore Airlines, Mark was a member of the small team which designed, introduced and developed the Priority Passengers Scheme (PPS) SIAs CRM strategy. Mark, with team, also developed and implemented the Asian Affair Holidays – SIA’s now global in house luxury tour operator programme and the highly successful Singapore Stopover Holidays (SSH) product.

Mark was the CEO of Asia’s then most significant operator, DMC Tour East, managing and supporting the travel, accommodation and touring of over 250,000 people per annum to 9 Asian countries. During Mark's time with Tour East he and the team were the first DMC to establish Joint Venture operations in Vietnam, Laos , Cambodia and to establish automated linkage of the over 600 Tour East staff . Tour East was recognized and awarded many times for their prowess as Asia’s finest event, incentive and conference planners and organisers. Mark also successfully managed the Tour East merged establishment of Singapore Sightseeing Tour East, asset and company sale to Qantas Holidays, Singapore Government and Jetset Travel International (of which he was also CEO) to Carlson Wagonlea.

At The Leading Hotels of the World, Mark worked upon the initiation and development of the Leaders Club CRM strategy. Also Mark also designed and promoted the a selection of highly successful tactical programmes including Leading Suites, Leading Offers and Leading Spas which eventually contributed to 35% of this company’s business.

Mark is also the Chief Executive of Sugarfoot - a marketing and communications consultation firm providing creative guidance, insight and execution of strategic marketing and sales promotions.

Mark has been a resident of Singapore since 1986, is married with two adult children. He has a broad range of sports and cultural interests and until recently, was an open grade rugby player.

L&S: Could you tell us a bit more about the concept behind Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific?
MG: Elite was founded on a simple principle – bring the best of Asian Luxury Resorts to the discerning traveller across the world. The site was created exclusively for those seeking out resorts with a difference, resorts that are inspirational, resorts that redefine what an enlightening experience should be – in short they will provide memories that last far beyond the trip home.

Our resorts range from private islands, trains, cruise ships, Himalayan Spa retreats, snow ski lodges, Ryokans, Fishing lodges, golf lodges, tented safari, beach retreats – now over 60 members from 13 countries from over 32 categories and styles. Elite also now features luxury resort residences for sale and luxury products and brands such as Diageo, M Jets and Himalaya Adventures.

Initially we did not intend to process reservations however now, after only 17 months, customer demand is that Elite and its resorts design premium quality products with value added inclusions. This we have done and these are called Elite Episodes while unique travel experiences titled Elite Experiences.

L&S: Elite is a very comprehensive site offering getaways to a large number of destinations. Who are your target clientele?
MG: Elites clientele are affluent, experienced, educated and therefore discerning connoisseurs of travel and comfortable and confident with themselves.

They are flexible, appreciative and mature enough that they may be comfortably accommodated one time in a two bedded pool villa with pool and ocean views- next a Himalayan Alps colonial Manor House and spa – a private island in a bure’ under a thatched roof – a veranda cabin upon a Antarctic Expedition cruise ship – or a luxury train across Rajasthan.

For a more analytical definition as above these travellers are;
- Frequent and experienced enough travellers to be discerning
- Of sufficient HNW to comfortably afford a per night cost of between US$1000 – 1,500 plus.
- Capably educated to search and define their expectations and demands
- Erudite in international cuisines

L&S: What criteria would a property have to meet to be featured on Elite?
MG: As stated Elite's definition of resort is unique in that we define a resort as the luxury lifestyle accommodation choice of a high end traveller.  Jim and I have worked for over 30 years mostly at the pinnacle of the luxury tourism in almost all segments, mostly with a particular focus upon the APAC region. We know the best and understand the sense of darshana ( see below ) that our “Friends of Elite “ are searching for.

We wish to find those hidden gems or “jewels” that for whatever reason have been wonderfully created but not well introduced to the connoisseur. I think we all know of these throughout our world in Malaysia, Philippines, Micronesia, Indonesia and Elite wants to introduce them to the travel world. They should come to Elite, the door is open.

L&S: Have there been changes in leisure travel trends and preferences lately? What are travellers seeking out these days?
MG: One of the primary shifts in travel trends has been for the upscale consumer to accept and utilise the transportation of low cost airlines and to well use the savings for the premium travel pleasures of accommodation, entertaining and touring. This is a interesting divergence.
Of course the high end consumers and their travel consultants ready use of the Internet for their travel transactions has seen significant and sustained growth.

The word “Experiences “ is somewhat overused today to broadly describe what a travel connoisseur is seeking. For Elite Resorts and our “Friends of Elite “ I like to use the Hindu word darshana which is used to describe the mysterious ecstasy generated in the presence of a holy or special place.
I believe Elites Luxury Leisure Travellers are those enabled to search for and regularly experience this darshana through their visits and stays in our special places.

L&S: Understandably it would be difficult for you to pick a favourite hotel out of the hundreds that you've visited. In saying that, are there any properties that do stand out for you?
MG: There are many throughout the world and for this interview I will be diplomatic and select outside our APAC regional.

Fondest memories without definition would include:
Post Ranch Inn Big Sur, California
Villa De Este’, Lake Como Italy
Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong
Pierre, New York
Taj, Palace Wing, Mumbai
Ritz, Paris
Le Grande Ecole, Paris

There are just too, too many but I will not be content until Elite has introduced all of the very best of Asia Pacific.

L&S: Seeing as how you're constantly travelling, how do you spend your vacation time?
MG: My destination of personal choice is Sunshine Beach, Queensland, Australia, where to rise early with my wife Joy to the sounds of the ocean and nature, for a surf and a walk on a almost empty beach and through a National Park followed a quick beachfront shower and a casual elegant lunch of fresh seafood and a crisp cold white wine at the Sails Restaurant, Noosa for maybe 7 days in a row is a darshana to which I am committed. Taxi home of course.

Website: www.eliteresortsofasiapacific.com