Jetsetter Betters the Odds on Upscale Travel
Filed under: Journeys
There's a gap in the upscale travel market right now. The companies that plan these limited-access excursions aren't selling as much as they used to, and once-upon-a-time buyers still have a thirst for the experiences not available to the general public – but not at the prices they paid before the recession. A new website, Jetsetter, is planning to help luxury travel planners and buyers meet in the middle.
Jetsetter, now in beta, bills itself as a "flash-sale website" for the up-market. This Gilt Groupe enterprise is invitation-only. So, the opportunities provided are not subject to the mass competition of the entire travel market. Nonetheless, inventory is likely to move quickly, and the window within which to act is not wide. "International trip curators" roam the world to conduct primary research – including on-site visits. These experts, including veteran travel writers and industry experts, then compile their findings on Jetsetter's site, with editorial accounts and photographs used to help would-be travelers make informed decisions.
Members of the online community will receive e-mail alerts every evening announcing the coming sales. Once that e-mail goes out – at 8 PM – the clock starts to tick.
Destinations available through Jetsetter include The Cotton House on Mustique, Negresco in Nice, the Paws Up resort in Montana (an amazing space) and Encantado in New Mexico.



A tragedy (both real and symbolic) recently occurred in Bozeman Montana on March 5th. A natural gas explosion on Main Street destroyed about four businesses and rocked the lives of many people in this small American town. Although this incident was very real, the news could easily be read as a metaphor on the collapse of "Main Street" America and the close of small businesses during these hard economic times. Still, caring companies do exist vetted in the prolongment of independent American businesses. 



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