Welcome to the first of my regular columns with LATTE. I look forward over this time to sharing with you thoughts on the new era of travel we find ourselves in, current market and customer trends in the luxury space and insights to grow your luxury market.
Reflecting on my first five months as Managing Director with Abercrombie & Kent, I couldn’t feel prouder to help lead this incredible company into our next exciting chapter. While celebrating where we’ve come from in this our 60th year we remain focused on our philosophy ‘adventure by day, luxury by night’. I am enjoying sharing the exceptional world of A&K, knowing how enriching and rewarding our journeys, and the experiences our guests have on them, are.
In recent weeks we celebrated the opening of our new Saudi Arabia and Colombia DMC offices, taking A&K to 57 offices globally enabling us to truly specialise in delivering unique experiences in luxury travel across over 100 countries on all seven continents. The range of incredible experiences include private Tailor-Made Journeys, Small Group Journeys which operate with a minimum of only two guests, Wings Over the World travel on our privately chartered flights and Luxury Expedition Cruises.
As we observe the trends coming through, we’re noticing travellers are spending more time in a destination, getting to know a region on a deeper level. Bucket list destinations and experiences like Machu Pichu, an African Safari and the Taj Mahal are in high demand, as is North Africa and the Middle East…and Egypt is well and truly back! While new frontiers including the Arctic, West Africa, Madagascar, Ecuador, Colombia, and the Northwest Passage are enjoying time in the spotlight.
I was delighted this week to see one of our team enjoying the festivities in Bhutan, being one of the first arrivals into the country after 29 months. Another adventure to put on the list! These destinations reflect what we are seeing that travellers now want to be inspired but also comfortable.
Luxury has become mainstream and expected, having that peace of mind provided when travelling to far off places is more important than ever before.
Now more than ever before, it’s an exciting time to be in travel! We all know how fulfilling and enlightening travel can be. It’s our Ikigai. I don’t know about you, but I find it irresistible and inspiring. As someone that has been in the travel and tourism industry for over 30 years, and as a seasoned traveller myself, I am thrilled to see travel back and people out in the world, exploring and connecting once again.
“If the idea of a far-off place sets your pulse quickening, and that voice in your head says, ‘are you sure you want to do this?’ then the answer is always ‘With Abercrombie & Kent, without a doubt!’ “
Debra Fox
Managing Director for Tour Operations (outbound) Australia and New Zealand
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