Brown + Hudson’s insider travel planning tips for private PAs

Tiger Private, our private recruitment division, recently welcomed Phillippe Brown, founder of luxury travel provider Brown + Hudson, to share his insights into the world of luxury travel. Over champagne and canapes at the Royal Institution, he shared the top eight destinations of 2018 and three top travel trends that could act as inspiration for private PAs planning their next trip. To make sure no-one missed out, we’ve collated our favourite bits, providing the perfect guide for anyone looking to organise a holiday in 2018.

Top Eight Destinations

Phillippe identified the following destinations for their growing popularity, each featuring exceptional accommodation options and potential for one-of-a-kind experiences.

1. Rwanda
2. Sweden
3. Belize
4. Israel
5. Bolivia
6. Cambodia
7. Nicaragua
8. Bhutan

Top Travel Trends

As providers of bespoke travel solutions, Phillippe and his team know a thing or two about what’s to come in the travel industry.

Forget the Destination

Personal fulfilment is now the ultimate luxury when it comes to travel, with experiences chosen for their vocational benefit. Therefore, when booking holidays, forget about the destination and focus more on your principal – what are their motivations for going away? What are they looking to experience? By focusing on the psychology of travelling, your principal will return with both a tan and a memorable experience.

Ask the Right Questions

It’s one thing to ask about dates and flight times, but creating an authentic travel experience goes beyond the logistical. Ask your principal how they want to feel at the end of their trip and work backwards, considering who they are travelling with and their needs. For example, if it’s a family vacation, what will keep the kids entertained? Are they looking to return with a sense of achievement or completely relaxed? The answers to these questions will allow you to create a holiday that’s truly one of a kind.

Be More Demanding

Many travel providers fall into the trap of offering a standard level of service. This may be high anyway, but there’s always room to do better. Challenge the status quo by asking for more – the only thing they can say is no! Whether it’s a personalised menu, meeting with a local specialist or a 10.5 duvet tog rating, there’s always potential to add value to your principal’s holiday by just asking.

Typical families only have 16 long holidays in their lifetime, so you need to respect their time. Consider what stories and legacies your principal wants to create and craft adventures based on their brief.

Watch the highlights video below:

Love organising travel? Read more about the art of travel planning here.

Author Tiger Contributor Tiger Recruitment Team