Pineapple may be all about top class marketing, exceptional sales and the best in luxury hotel consultancy, but the pineapple is also internationally recognised as the symbol of hospitality and is often found at the entrance to fine properties.
Pineapple’s botanical name is Ananas comosus and Christopher Columbus was said to have discovered the fruit on the island of Guadeloupe in 1493. The sweet fruits were cultivated in 17th century hothouses. Only the very rich could afford them and monarchs such as Charles II, Catherine the Great and Louis XV were all known to enjoy them, which led to the pineapple becoming synonymous with opulence and high living. Middle-class party givers had to be content with renting the fruit for centrepiece table displays.
American sea captains gave the fruit a new twist during the era of New England’s great sailing ships by placing a pineapple outside their houses to signal to friends that they had returned home after a voyage. This led to stone pineapples being placed at the entrance of fine homes and luxury hotels.
Now in the 21st century, we know that leading hotel marketing initiatives and excellent hospitality sales all begin with Pineapple.
