BUYER INTERVIEW
John Oberacker Eden For Your World
Q: WHAT IGNITED YOUR PASSION FOR TRAVEL? From young ages, both my business partner and I were intrigued by different cultures and destinations. We understood that travel is the greatest education one could attain. It is important to push your own limits and experience things outside your ‘comfort zone’. However, those who are able to experience luxury travel are lucky enough to appreciate the best of both worlds.
Q: WHICH DESTINATIONS DO YOU FORECAST TO BECOME POPULAR AMONG YOUR CLIENTS? Ironically, I am writing this from the Dubrovnik airport in Croatia. I strongly believe Croatia will continue to grow in popularity. There are still many undiscovered and underappreciated areas that offer so much to the luxury traveller. For a small country it has such a variety of culture, cuisine, architectural interest and natural wonders. From cultural experience to adventure, there is something for everyone. Colombia is another destination that is becoming quite popular. History, culture, great cuisine and warm hospitality are all coming together to make this destination one to watch. With amazing colonial cities such as Cartagena and beautiful pristine isolated beaches such as Tyrona National Park, Colombia offers a wide variety that appeals to everyone.
Q: WHAT ARE THE KEY TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN THE LUXURY TRAVEL INDUSTRY? People are looking for more out of their experience. With the state of the world economy, people are looking for value and expect more for their time and money. Clients have now done their research and tend to be price shopping and using flash sale sites. Clients seem to understand the value of my expertise, my first-hand knowledge of a destination, along with the invaluable connections I make with suppliers at events like ILTM more than ever before.
People are looking for ‘experiences’ not just a nice hotel or a fancy tour. They want to be ‘wowed’, going home with memories that last a lifetime. Sharing the travel experience with extended family or a group of friends has also become very popular.
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Q: HOW IMPORTANT ARE LUXURY TRAVEL TRENDS SUCH AS GASTRONOMY, AUTHENTIC AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES? Again, our clients are definitely looking for something different and something special. Volunteer tourism has become especially popular as the client looks for a way to give back. There is also a trend towards ecotourism, looking for a way to minimise their carbon footprint and reduce their impact. Gastronomy continues to be a big part of the travel ‘experience’. Whether this is a cooking class led by a Michelin star chef, or a small home cooked meal in an ‘off the beaten path’ village, there is no better way to taste, smell, and learn about a culture. Whilst in Hoi An, Vietnam, we stumbled across a small tucked away restaurant owned by Mrs Lee. The homemade specialties she made, unique to the region, made for one of the best meals we have had anywhere in the world. Years later we still talk about it and dream of her amazing wontons.
Q: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS YOUR TOP SPOT FOR R&R? From the amazing water, great food and some of the world’s best resorts located on isolated atolls, I cannot think of a better place to sit on a beach and do nothing.
Q: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AT ILTM AMERICAS? I am looking forward to meeting new suppliers from around the world that offer unique experiences I can bring back home to my clients, and seeing old friends and learning more about the Riviera Maya.
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