Upmarket Travelling

Planning a luxury holiday, browsing the brochures, researching the myriad enticing destinations, selecting that exclusive hotel, villa or self-catering accommodation are all part of the pleasure of booking a special holiday either in Britain or abroad.

Then, there’s the feel-good factor; the sense of greater expectation and, dare we admit it, the smug satisfaction of revealing your indulgent plans to friends, family and foe.

These are the factors that are hard to quantify in monetary terms. In other words where upmarket travelling is concerned, clients are purchasing more than the mere tangible components of a high-end holiday deal.

Shifting Aspirations

The rich are getting richer and a larger segment of the population is now enjoying greater disposable income than ever before. Similarly, the desire for quality travel and leisure experiences is growing, in tandem.

Today’s sophisticated travellers seek more than mere luxury surroundings in traditional exotic locations. They aspire rather to new and authentic experiences, new destinations and unique bespoke itineraries. Clients at the luxury end of the tourist market also expect a high degree of privacy, as well as quality accommodation in stunning, individual settings.

Customer Demands

Today’s clients are looking for far more than a bog-standard holiday package; they expect, even demand, something extra from their Upmarket Travelling choice.

Several surveys into customer expectations have revealed that customers’ top concerns when negotiating a high-end holiday deal include:

 assurance that their choice will offer a more personal experience than is the norm with mass tourist packages;
 no travelling at inconvenient times, no herding at collection points, no group schedule mentality, no delays where onward transport is involved, no compromise on the quality of accommodation arrangements on arrival;
 clients who have just stepped off long-haul flights expect to be pampered, with plenty of local information and assistance on-hand;
 service throughout must be unobtrusive, flexible and friendly, yet offer personal, one-to-one attention to detail at all times.

Price Perceptions

Misconceptions about the prohibitive price of luxury travel abound. The facts, however, suggest otherwise. ‘Once in a lifetime’ upmarket travelling and bargain deals are no contradiction in terms. In fact, the two can go hand in hand. Some of the best deals available are often found in the luxury holiday category, particularly to prestigious sun, sea and sand destinations.

The bottom line is that big budget clients are usually price-savvy and are generally prepared to drive a mean five star bargain!