About Us

Where Independent Luxury Finds Its Audience … and Extraordinary Journeys Begin

Luxury travel is, at its heart, a collection of moments: quiet, stirring, and deeply personal. Passages of Distinction exists to champion the people and places that create those moments. We serve as the bridge between the world’s most discerning travel advisors and the independently owned hotels, villas, resorts, and destination specialists who embody the art of true hospitality.

Representation for the Luxury Travel Community

Our work is grounded in relationships – longstanding, trusted, and built over decades within the luxury travel world. As one of North America’s leading boutique representation firms, we help independent hospitality partners articulate their story with clarity and purpose, ensuring it reaches the advisors who shape the journeys of today’s sophisticated traveler.

Strategic Visibility for Hotels, Villas & DMCs

We believe visibility is most powerful when it’s personal. Through curated events, immersive trainings, thoughtful sales outreach, and advisor‑focused storytelling, we introduce our partners to the agencies and consortia where their presence matters most. Every connection is intentional; every introduction is designed to spark discovery.

A Trusted Partner for Advisors and Hospitality Leaders

Travel advisors turn to Passages of Distinction’s global portfolio of hotels, villas, and DMCs for partners who understand that true luxury is defined by meaningful, emotionally resonant experiences. Hospitality leaders worldwide rely on us to connect with advisors who craft journeys that are personal, purposeful, and unforgettable. At Passages of Distinction, human connection is at the heart of luxury, and it is through these intentional relationships that extraordinary travel is shaped and shared across the globe.

To learn more about our services, download our Become a Partner Guide or reach out to our team directly by emailing: info@passagesofdistinction.com

North American Sales & Marketing Team

Passages of Distinction is a collective of seasoned hospitality strategists, storytellers, and relationship builders. We share a traveler‑first mindset and a belief that luxury is defined not by excess, but by intention. Our work is guided by a deep respect for travel advisors and a shared commitment to the transformative power of exceptional journeys.

SARI FREEMAN
CEO & Chief Marketing Strategist

Sari Freeman is a recognized leader in luxury hospitality sales and marketing, bringing a fresh, globally attuned perspective to representing independent properties and destinations. As Owner and Chief Sales & Marketing Strategist of Passages of Distinction, she is known for capturing a hotel or destination’s essence and shaping it into stories that inspire top advisors.

Her background spans international destination marketing and senior sales roles with the Rafael Hotel Group and Aman Resorts, giving her a refined understanding of exceptional hospitality and the travelers who seek it. Today, she champions boutique hotels, villas, resorts, and DMCs worldwide, ensuring their stories reach the advisors who influence the industry’s most meaningful journeys.

My Why: Elevating independent luxury with vision, voice, and the connections that move travelers.

Read more about Sari Freeman on Tale A Guest!

LISA AZOULAY
Director of Events & Industry Relations

Lisa Azoulay approaches her role as Director of Events & Industry Relations at Passages of Distinction with equal parts strategy and sincerity. Through thoughtful action plans, multi-city roadshows, targeted sales missions, and immersive FAM journeys, she designs experiences that deepen advisor relationships and spotlight the distinct character of each hotel and DMC in the collection.

With a foundation in luxury hotel sales, Lisa understands what resonates with the travel advisors, aligning every initiative with long-term growth while ensuring each interaction feels personal. A natural connector, she transforms well-planned engagement into enduring partnerships.

My Why:
Elevating connections through strategic experiences and trusted industry relationships.

DAWN NOWACKI
Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Dawn Nowacki brings a calm, solutions‑driven presence to Passages of Distinction. As Executive Assistant & Office Manager, she keeps daily operations running smoothly so the team and the partners they represent can focus on what they do best.

With a background in business administration and years supporting senior leadership, Dawn blends precision with warmth. She manages essential workflows, supports advisor and partner needs, and maintains the thoughtful structure that upholds the company’s high standard of service.

Reliable, collaborative, and quietly indispensable, she is the steady anchor behind the scenes, ensuring every detail reflects the care and quality at the heart of Passages of Distinction.

My Why: The steady hand ensuring every detail supports exceptional hospitality.

GENEVIEVE GRAY
Sales & Marketing Manager

Genevieve Gray brings a globally attuned perspective to her role as Sales & Marketing Manager at Passages of Distinction. Representing an international portfolio of independent hotels and destination specialists, she serves as a strategic bridge between world-class hospitality partners and the travel advisors who curate today’s most meaningful journeys.

With a background in communications and luxury travel sales, Genevieve translates each partner’s identity, service philosophy, and sense of place into compelling narratives that resonate across markets. Through purposeful outreach, market visits, and tailored presentations, she ensures every hotel and DMC she represents is positioned not simply as a stay, but as an experience worthy of the advisor’s trust.

Collaborative and intuitive, she cultivates lasting partnerships on both sides of the relationship, aligning global brands with the advisors who bring them to life for discerning travelers.

My Why:
Connecting global hospitality vision with trusted advisor relationships.

" Passages of Distinction is a prestigious company representing some of the most unique hotels in the world. Our agents know that Sari and her team will help in any way they can to make sure our clients have a memorable visit at any of their properties. "


-Martin Rapp, Senior Vice-President of Leisure Sales, USA, Altour
" Through the years, I have worked with US Sales and Marketing Representation Companies of all calibers, I can unequivocally say that Passages of Distinction sets the bar for excellence. Fischer Travel’s trust is absolute when it comes to them providing incomparable vetting and guidance for our clients. "


-Stacy, Fischer-Rosenthal, President, Fischer Travel
" Sari is one of the most dedicated and passionate influencers in the luxury travel industry with deep connections and committed followers who look to her for guidance in placing their clients at the world’s greatest privately managed hotels and resorts. "


-Jack Ezon, Founder & Managing Partner, EMBARK Beyond
" I have worked with Sari Freeman for 20 years, and Passages of Distinction is by far one of the best representation companies in the business. Sari has curated the best luxury independent hotels around the world as well as destination management companies that go above and beyond to make me look like a star to my clients. "


-Eric Hrubant, CIRE Travel