Luxury travelers aren’t typical tourists wondering historic sights, listening to audio recordings and snacking at crowded cafes. The luxury travel segment has always done things differently. The tendency to book secluded, intimate and exclusive experiences has allowed this segment to fare better than the mainstream segments of travel in recent months. While everyone's travels have been affected one way or another by Covid-19, luxury travelers have continued to enjoy personalized, exquisite experiences this summer. Joann King, Cruise Planners franchise owner and travel advisor shares the latest on how to elevate travelers' experiences for a truly luxurious trip weather travelers are booking today or making bookings for the future. She shares how convenience, personalization, and seclusion are a recipe for success.
Convenience is Top Priority
This is one of the many reasons luxury travelers gravitate towards private chartered yachts and small ship cruises. Travelers can bask in the sun or lounge in a hot tub on route to their destination. There isn’t a need to pack and unpack as they get from one location to the other. They don’t need multiple modes of transportation or reservations at hotels. Travelers on yachts and small ship cruises enjoy their mode of transportation to a full extent. “Sometimes it is the journey not the destination that matters,” explains King. Crew and private staff aboard the vessel cater meals, provide childcare, and even grooming or spa services for travelers. With a higher staff to traveler ratio, travelers can relax and forget about laborious days on land.
Personalized Experiences are Preferable
Luxury travelers seek customized experiences, often impossible to book without the aid of a travel advisor. “Working with travelers to make their special occasions the most memorable, gives me a feeling of satisfaction that no other job has been able to give me,” says King. She recollects moments where she sent honeymooners bottles of their favorite wine or champagne, made reservations for a glacier picnic in New Zealand and gourmet lunch in the Peruvian mountains with a world-famous chef. While the requirements can become challenging, there is no better reward than knowing that clients are pleased and willing to provide referrals when you go the extra mile to make their vacation special. “My ability to orchestrate a personalized experience, even hundreds of miles away is a result of building a strong relationship with pre-vetted Cruise Planners’ supplier partners,” says King.
Seclusion is Food for the Soul
Travelers today are just as famished as luxury travelers to find secluded and crowd-free destinations to visit. While Covid-19 has thwarted many travel options, there are still options to gateway while socially distancing. The need to get away from the hustle and bustle of cities has become the latest trend in luxury travel as affluent communities migrate to the countryside, private islands and remote villas. Finding available summer vacation rental options is a full-time job without the additional preparations needed to ensure the house is livable. If travelers are considering a short-term summer rental or are planning a secluded winter lodging getaway, contact a travel advisor for peace of mind. Even if travelers opt for less secluded locations such as all-inclusive resorts or a cruise, travel advisors can make accommodations for some quiet time. “I’ve arranged for cruisers to have a private on deck dinner and glamping experience beneath the stars” shares King. In seclusion, travelers can regain mental clarity and super charge their soul with meditations, daily recreational swims, or simply take in panoramic views of nature.