FREEVIDEOPHOTOAGENCY / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM gravitating towards the more expansive accommodations in Inspirato ’ s portfolio , some as large as five to eight bedrooms , and many with features and amenities that can cater to guests of all ages , such as pools , outdoor living spaces , game rooms and easy access to golf courses and other outdoor activities ,” says Handler .
Other travelers are embarking on family travel with a vengeance . One of Fischer- Rosenthal ’ s clients has already completed a trip to France as well as a mother-daughter trip they planned for Mother ’ s Day — just two of many trips she ’ s already scheduled this year .
“ We ’ re planning for people that didn ’ t get to celebrate last year . Every single month , now , we have something on the books for her ,” says Fischer-Rosenthal , referring to her jet-setting client . “ People are making up for lost time , which is great .”
Branciforte also coordinated one family ’ s six-month trip around the world — with kids and a full staff in tow . The trip started in Europe , where they rented a London flat for most of the summer and took short trips around the continent . Next , the family went to New Zealand , Southeast Asia , Japan , India , the Maldives , and , finally , ended their pilgrimage in Los Angeles .
“ They decided to take their children out of school , but they traveled with teachers , as well as a butler and tennis instructor .” Branciforte and her four-person team made sure every place they stayed had age-appropriate classrooms , decorated and outfitted with supplies . “ I was the main contact with the clients . It was six months of continuous conversation ,” says Branciforte . “ At the end of the trip , we felt really accomplished .”
Travel advisors who want to benefit from the family-focused trend should keep track of clients ’ birthdays and other key dates , so they can reach out to them well in advance to help them plan the ultimate trip .
“ We ’ re reaching out to clients sometimes a month , six months or a year in advance , for milestone birthdays and anniversaries ,” says Branciforte . This attention to detail not only helps advisors deepen their relationships with existing clients , but also the opportunity to serve the next generation .
“ I think the most gratifying thing for us is to see this next generation . Our clients ’ children are now calling upon us because they have that trust , they know us ,” Fischer- Rosenthal says , noting that many younger clients have their own capital through start-up sales . “ That ’ s kind of creating a whole new element of clients as people start to age out and maybe not travel as much .”
SERVICE REMAINS KEY Perhaps the ultimate luxury is not having to deal with the details of putting together a pandemic-era trip , facilitating what some researchers have termed , “ moments of luxury … a brief and temporary hedonic escape from the worries of everyday life .”
“ Affluent consumers are searching for a high level of service and the certainty that everything will go as planned , especially in a world of variable travel restrictions and vaccination requirements ,” says Handler .
The informal company motto at Fischer Travel is , “ Luxury is the absence of worry ,” says Branciforte . “ We worry because we don ’ t want our clients to worry . We want them to feel like they are just sort of floating
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