Travel concierge for the rich dishes on $10M trips, private jets and mansion vacation rentals
They’re keeping wheels up with the Joneses.
Luxury travel concierges have revealed how the rich spend millions on their vacations from traveling on private jets and staying in 18-bedroom mansions to requesting diamonds.
A majority (90%) of Americans have a domestic vacation on the calendar, expecting to spend an average of $1,163 per trip, according to Empower research. But money-flushed millionaires — including the 350,000 who live in New York City — wouldn’t bat an eye at spending as much in just one day at the beach.
Travel concierge Deborah Duquesne, who manages an app called Hummingbird Executive, shared that she once booked a $10 million trip.
The group traveled to 11 countries on private jet and yacht charters, stayed in mansions and was hosted by various staff for six months.
“This no-expense-spared six-month trip included a spectacular 18-bedroom mansion in the south of France and one of the most coveted mountain chalets in Courchevel,” she told the Daily Mail.
“Giving them the ultimate VIP experience, I ensured that both properties were fully staffed with armed security, live-in staff, a private chef, a celebrity personal trainer, and lessons from a gold medalist tennis instructor.”
The majority of travelers (57%) are most willing to splurge on dining and restaurants during their vacation, while 47% would splurge on experiences and 41% would spend more on lodging — but big spenders are willing to shell out some extra cash for unique experiences.
Duquesne divulged that she was recently asked to acquire a rare green diamond by a Middle Eastern businessman who wanted to add it to a tiara for his daughter’s 11th birthday celebration.
Fielding wild requests is just part of the job for travel agents who work with the rich and the famous.
Rob DelliBovi, of RDB Hospitality, revealed some of the more specific requests he’s received in his time.
A common request that DelliBovi receives is for certain types of bottled water.
“Everybody has their type of bottle of water, which is really funny,” DelliBovi told CNN. “To me, there’s no difference between all the bottles of water, but what do I know?”
Guests are also very specific about temperature — having preferences for everything from the feel of their room to the bath water.
Some clients have even more specialized requirements when they travel.
For example, one former client used to request that a “medium-sized dog” be ready and wagging their tale in every hotel room he rented.
Another client “doesn’t like to pack clothing” and asks “for new underwear and socks and shirts and everything” to be waiting for them at each destination.
“Millionaires view traveling as more than just a way to unwind — they also see it as an opportunity to create lasting memories and embrace a lavish lifestyle,” Giacomo Piva, a travel industry analyst and co-founder of Radical Storage, told Yahoo!
That’s why luxury travel agents work to tailor “a specific trip to the exact likes and needs of the client where all they would do is pack their bags the rest would then be taken care of by us,” Duquesne said.
