Next Level Travel Planning
Essentially Kempinski
Live Local
As travellers, our expectations are higher than ever. We demand transformative experiences that help us tap into the spirit of a destination. We crave the chance to connect with local people and make a positive impact on the places we visit. We want to learn, but also give back.
It’s no surprise then that people are increasingly turning to Luxury Travel Advisors (LTAs) to help plan their once-in-a-lifetime journey into lands unknown. LTAs live and breathe travel. They have a little black book of trusted contacts, encyclopaedic knowledge of the world and first-hand experience of countless hot-ticket destinations.
To find out more about these travel connoisseurs, luxury travel writer and editor, Joe Mortimer, sat down with Kemi Wells, Founder and President of Vancouver-based Wells Luxury Travel, which she established in 2021 to cater to growing high-net-worth demand for bespoke travel planning.
The benefits of using a Luxury Travel Advisor
Discerning travellers have much to gain by investing in the services of a Luxury Travel Advisor, from bespoke end-to-end planning and considerable time savings to peace of mind and a bouquet of hidden benefits. In an era when our expectations for transformative travel experiences are higher than ever and time is an increasingly scarce commodity, a private travel designer is money very well spent.
Journey planners for the ultra-wealthy, LTAs are a must-have for discerning jetsetters.
Private transfers are just one of the many details that LTAs can arrange.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR?
Kemi Wells: Working with a professional LTA means your trip is going to be even better. By turning to a LTA you can:
– Save time
– Feel reassured
– Get extra value and special perks
– Enjoy a seamless travel experience
– Plan for the future
LTAs have access to the best tips, such as elevating your wellness experience to the luxury of a VIP treatment room at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.
HOW DO YOU HELP GUESTS SAVE TIME?
Kemi: Crafting an amazing trip with many different elements takes a lot of time. And time is money. We've all been down that rabbit hole of thinking it will take two minutes to book a trip, but it actually takes much longer because there's so many different things to consider. You can save time by having an expert do it for you.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY GIVING REASSURANCE?
Kemi: Travelling in style is a huge investment. Why wouldn’t you work with an expert who can enhance your trip? LTAs are your advocate from start to finish. Not only do we work with reputable partners around the world, but we also experience a lot of hotels and destinations first hand. If I haven’t been somewhere, I have a whole network of incredible LTAs in the community, some of whom will have first-hand experience of the destination. We all support each other and share knowledge.
HOW DO YOU ADD VALUE?
Kemi: We have access to special promotions that are not available online, like three-for-two night offers. Then there is the value of LTA-only benefits such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, resort credit and so on. There is also the value of my knowledge. When I travel for a hotel site inspection, I see every room type and understand which rooms connect, the difference between the Ocean View and Oceanfront, for example, or how far rooms are from the elevator, which is useful if I have clients with mobility issues. We have a much deeper knowledge than people realise.
If dining by the beach is your idea of paradise, a trip to Kempinski Seychelles Resort could be on an LTAs list of recommendations.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY MAKING THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE SEAMLESS?
Kemi: Being experts at crafting custom journeys, we know the little tips and tricks that clients don’t always know about, like VIP airport access. A lot of clients might not realise that you can get greeted at the door of the aircraft and taken to a private customs terminal to avoid dealing with the masses at the airport.
CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE LTA BOOKING JOURNEY?
Kemi: I offer a complimentary 30-minute virtual consultation for all new clients, during which I'll ask them about their favourite holiday and their best travel memories. What hotels do they love? Do they prefer boutique hotels, historic properties or contemporary resorts? What are their hobbies? Do they love culinary experiences? If they want to move forward, we request the necessary profile information and send them our initial upfront retainer. Then I'll go away and work on the trip from start to finish. Since it’s a collaborative process, I will check in with the client regularly to ensure I am on the right track.
A snowy sleigh ride through St Moritz is a dream that could come true.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD PEOPLE BE BOOKING THEIR TRAVEL?
Kemi: My average booking window is three to six months ahead. If you want the best suites, the best access and the best guides, you have to book in advance. This could mean a full 12 months or more for certain destinations. Some clients don’t realise that, given how busy hotels are now, they should also be booking quite far in advance for top restaurant spots or a spa appointment.
DO YOUR CLIENTS BOOK ONE-OFF TRIPS OR DO THEY TEND TO LOOK AHEAD?
Kemi: My agency provides a long-term travel mapping service, whereby I help visualise travel plans for the next five years. People are so busy these days that suddenly you realise it’s two months from your 50th birthday or your 25th wedding anniversary and you haven't made any plans. I help them plan ahead around their dream destinations and think about what kind of budget they could put aside. It helps to see it more holistically and clients are absolutely loving that.
Our iconic brand ambassador, the Lady in Red, will ensure that any special requests are carefully actioned.
With insider knowledge of the hotel, from proximity of the lifts to the views from each floor, LTAs have unrivalled insight into every destination.
The best tables fill up quickly, but an LTA can help you to plan in advance.
LTAs take pride in delving into the intricacies of local culture to offer the best tips to their clients.
WHAT OTHER RECENT TRAVEL TRENDS HAVE YOU NOTICED?
Kemi: People are trying to travel a bit slower and go for longer, which connects well to my ethos around sustainable travel. Rather than the traditional 10-day trip to Europe visiting four different cities, people want to dive deeper into one region or country. With that, they are splurging more on experiences and investing in private guides. We’re also seeing lots of multi-generation travel and more people travelling with friends. People are spending more on better suites and business class air travel, because life is short. If you have the money, why not spend it on incredible memories?
Kemi Wells is the Founder and President of Vancouver-based Wells Luxury Travel.
Feeling inspired?
Embark on a transformative journey of wellness and wonder while staying at two magnificent Kempinski hotels in Bangkok and Bali, with Kemi’s tips on how to combine unforgettable cultural experiences and nourishing treatments that revitalise body and mind.
Special perks for guests of Wells Luxury Travel or other select agencies in Kempinski Club 1897 include complimentary breakfast, priority room upgrades and US $50 or $100 resort credit. Terms and conditions apply.
Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok – A discrete sanctuary on the edge of leafy Lumphini Park, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is an urban oasis. Check in for three nights of rejuvenation and find yourself transported to another world. Cleanse your body and mind with a full-day jetlag recovery and wellbeing experience before taking a private guided foodie tour of the city and visiting the ancient temples.
The Apurva Kempinski Bali – A majestic open-air theatre on the clifftops of Nusa Dua, The Apurva Kempinski Bali welcomes guests to a haven of laid-back luxury. Check in for five nights of indulgence in one of the beautifully appointed rooms, suites and private villas that capture the richness of the Indonesian archipelago. Visit traditional fishing villages, local boutiques and a turtle conservation centre before watching the sun sink into the ocean from a clifftop temple. When it’s time to relax, find bliss with wellness treatments at Apurva Spa.
