Red Duck PR was recently established by Lenhard, who has a wealth of experience in the luxury travel industry. German-born, she worked for British Airways and a luxury German tour operator before moving to South Africa in 2009, where she launched Opulent Living Magazine, which soon established itself as the country’s leading high-end travel and lifestyle publication. After seven years, Lenhard decided to look at different shores.

Julian Hagger, chief sales & marketing Officer comments, “With this appointment, LUX* Resorts & Hotels aims at further penetrating the South African market. Having already collaborated with Barbara on the media scene, we are convinced that Red Duck PR has the talent, energy, and passion to bring LUX* in the lime light on the South African market. As one of the five most important markets for Mauritius, accounting for 101 954 arrivals last year, South Africa represents 9.9% of the destination’s market share.”

The Indian Ocean islands, and in particular Mauritius, have always been popular tropical beach holiday destinations for South Africans. Moreover, Reunion Island, so close and yet so different, also forms part of LUX* destination portfolio. Being only a four-hour flight from Johannesburg, coupled with its no visa requirement policy for South Africans, Reunion Island has also become an easy holiday add-on for them.

The resorts and hotels in the LUX* portfolio include LUX* Belle Mare, LUX* Le Morne, LUX* Grand Gaube in Mauri-tius; LUX* South Ari Atoll, Maldives; LUX* Saint Gilles, Reunion Island; and LUX* Tea Horse Road Lijiang and LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan, both in Yunnan Province in China.

Other properties managed by LUX* are the private paradise island of Ile des Deux Cocos, the hotels Tamassa in Bel Ombre and Merville Beach in Grand Bay, all in Mauritius, and Hôtel Le Récif in Reunion Island.

With multiple achievement awards, LUX* Resorts & Hotels helps people to celebrate life by delivering consistently on the promise of a different kind of Luxury; hospitality that is Lighter, Brighter. LUX* resorts in Mauritius and Reunion Island are celebrated for their beautiful beachfront locations, elegant interiors, culinary excellence, serene spas and thoughtful guest-focused features. With a range of options to suit every traveller – active or relaxing holidays for young and old – they are perfect for families, honeymooners and groups of friends seeking a welcome break from everyday life.

The company has also recently expanded into both the Middle and Far East, taking its unique brand identity to Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China and Vietnam, with a number of new hotels due to open in these countries in 2017 and 2018. It recently launched LUX* Tea Horse Road properties in Lijiang and Benzilan in China’s Yunnan Province, the start of a collection of six luxury boutique hotels along an exciting new circuit that will allow savvy travellers to discover the legends of the Ancient Tea Horse and Southern Silk Roads.

For more information, visit www.redduckpr.co.za.