Recently, it is increasingly said that the services of agencies in the field of travel industry are becoming less relevant. And after the bankruptcy of the world’s oldest company, Thomas Cook, the media predict the death of the entire industry. However, the talk is too exaggerated and the vip travel market continues to grow. We spoke with Olga Akatyeva, CEO of Global Group. Business Aviation & Concierge about the trends in tourism, as well as the most popular destinations for recreation.
About how to rest the richest and most famous, Olga knows firsthand. Her company is a leader in the luxury travel market. Private jets, islands, and the best hotels in the world are just some of the services her company offers. But most importantly, it is able to implement the most exotic requests. Expeditions to the Arctic and Kamchatka, yacht tours on the islands of Indonesia and Papua.
Have booking and airbnb websites affected the work of the agencies?
The possibility of self-booking hotels and villas did not affect the luxury market too much. First of all, in recent years, customers have increased requirements for the level of service. Everyone has also become more mindful and rational about spending. Now we offer up to 40% discount on the best hotels in Maldives and Seychelles, including concierge services. The agency has this opportunity thanks to many years of cooperation with hotels and villa owners. By booking the same places directly through websites, it is impossible to get the best prices. That's our main advantage. The attractiveness of ordering a tour from our company lies in the fact that we are able to organize full support: from renting an aircraft, obtaining the necessary visas, and exclusive private shopping in any boutique in the world. For example, we help our regular customers buy Birkin bags bypassing the waiting list. Now the VIP client requires from the agency not only assistance in selecting a hotel and booking, we actually perform the functions of a personal assistant for the duration of the trip. Even being thousands of kilometers away, we fulfill all requests and wishes around the clock. Many people mistakenly think that it is more profitable to “assemble” a trip from different suppliers: here I bought tickets, there the hotel booked, third – a cultural program ordered. It's just uncomfortable and not rational.
How have luxury audience preferences changed in recent years?
Instead of traditional destinations like Courchevel, Ibiza, Monaco, exclusive and unusual turnkey tours, health and spiritual practices, historical reviews with a guide, as well as visiting the largest world events began to be in great demand. I would note that the level of vip traveler culture has grown significantly. Now we are increasingly ordering private shows for our clients in the largest galleries and assisting in the purchase of art objects, whereas 8 years ago VIP tables in nightclubs were in great demand. Some of the most popular cultural events are Art Basel in Miami and Venice Biennale. For a couple of years we have been conducting gastronomic tours in Italy, France and Spain - the Basque country.
Which countries have lost relevance, and which have become in demand?
Sooner or later, everything becomes boring, in luxury tourism there is such a thing as a trend. Now it is less common to meet “our all” in Courchevel and on the Cote d’Azur. At least, such fun, holidays and a huge concentration of top businessmen in these places, as 7-10 years ago, will not be found. Instead of partying in Ibiza, travellers now visit detox clinics and spas in Asia. This year, I would like to highlight Morocco’s particular popularity, which was probably helped by the Dior show. In recent years, the popularity of healthy lifestyles could not but affect tourist preferences. Therefore, wellness tours and retreats are in maximum demand, as well as expedition tourism.
Bali has become the main winter resort of Russian celebrities. By the way, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were also recently noted there. The Maldives and Dubai are still in the top searches. I would also point to Latin America as a promising destination: Peru, Chile and Brazil. Many top businessmen and stars of class "A" have discovered retreat tours in the Amazon, where they recently flock for shamans, enlightenment and ayahuasca. Unique Experience: A magical ceremony led by experienced shamans and guides. Meditation, full immersion in the atmosphere of unity with oneself and nature. It really works!
Who dictates fashion in tourism? Bloggers? Influencers?
I can't say for sure. There are global trends, such as the course of healthy lifestyles and spiritual practices. I think the most banal example, but still the primary source is the film “Eat”. Pray. Love, I think it all started with him. The world has discovered the island of Bali, where all trendsetters and numerous investments have been drawn. And so far, it has not lost popularity, even gaining momentum. With the advent of Instagram, it has certainly become easier to track the popularity statistics of certain places. And also make predictions on requests. The Burning Man festival is the project that shot up thanks to influencers. Funny, but it's a fact. Recently, the demand for private jets is growing largely due to photos from Instagram. In fact, this service in our time is more affordable than it seems and it can afford not only the “list” of Forbes. Empty Leg, or “empty leg”, is in increasing demand. It means a flight without passengers from the home airport after a flight or, conversely, an approach to a passenger at another airport. To reduce the cost of such empty flights, operators put them on the market at a discount of 20 to 70% – this is what many business passengers like to use. In fact, the flight of companies or family can be cheaper business class than many people use, because it is much more convenient, and the advantages are obvious.
What are the most exotic requests you have encountered?
The peculiarity of my work is that it is difficult to surprise me with some unusual request. During my career, I have been in different situations: negative, curious and strange. I'm used to dealing with it without too much emotion. However, the main rule of any vip agent is strict confidentiality. We do not give information even to family members about where, when and with whom our customers vacationed. But there were a couple of times when we delivered flowers and gifts on a private plane. And it happened that we had to get our tourists from hot spots by plane in a matter of minutes. The life of a VIP agent is full of unpredictability.
Source: ok-magazine.ru
