In the realm of luxury travel, few names resonate as profoundly as Serandipians, formerly known as Traveller Made. This esteemed network unites the world’s premier travel designers, hoteliers, and destinations to craft bespoke experiences for discerning travellers. At the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, the significance of such alliances was exemplified through the insights of Latifa Regenbogen, a distinguished Middle East specialist and founder of Luxury Travel by Latifa.
Latifa Regenbogen is the founder and CEO of Luxury Travel by Latifa, a company renowned for crafting unique travel experiences that blend opulence with cultural authenticity. Her deep-rooted understanding of both Middle Eastern and European cultures enables her to curate journeys that resonate with a diverse clientele.
Reflecting on her decade-long association with Serandipians, Regenbogen remarked, “When you are a member, they open a lot of doors for connecting with luxury brands, yachts, hotels. They give you a lot of opportunity to catch the right people for your business.” This collaboration has been instrumental in her professional growth, especially following the establishment of her luxury travel enterprise in Doha three years ago.
The visionary behind Serandipians
Regenbogen holds Quentin Desurmont, the French visionary who founded Traveller Made, in high regard. She noted, “He is a pioneer in our industry and he is a very kind person. He understands the luxury segment to connect people… I’m so thankful that he created the Serandipians membership for us travel agents.” Desurmont’s decision to rebrand the network as Serandipians—a term inspired by ‘serendipity’ and the ancient name for Sri Lanka, Serendip—reflects his commitment to the art of joyful and unexpected discoveries in travel.
ILTM Cannes: A nexus for luxury travel
The ILTM in Cannes stands as a pivotal event for luxury travel professionals. Regenbogen shared her enthusiasm: “For me, ILTM is one of the best shows because I always connect with the right people… it’s the best luxury segment to connect with people over the world.” She also highlighted the serendipitous encounters that the event facilitates, such as meeting a French yacht broker—a valuable connection for her Middle Eastern clientele.
Discussing the burgeoning interest in Saudi Arabia as a luxury destination, Regenbogen observed, “It’s an amazing destination, but it’s a little bit frustrating to get the right person to work with… I hope that in the next three days (eds: at ILTM, Cannes), I get the right connections with the Saudi Tourism Authority or tourism board to go a little bit deeper as a destination for Saudi Arabia.” Her sentiments underscore the challenges and opportunities in promoting new luxury locales.
Born in Morocco and raised in Germany, Regenbogen embodies a rich cultural tapestry that enhances her professional endeavours. She elaborated, “I know the Arabic mentality, I’m Muslim, I know the religion. But another part is the Germans, how the Europeans love to travel, and encouraging them to go to Saudi Arabia… this is still a challenge.” This dual heritage positions her uniquely to bridge cultural divides and promote Middle Eastern destinations to a global audience.
The evolution of luxury travel
Reflecting on the shifts in the luxury travel market, Regenbogen noted, “After Covid… destinations have been trending in villas and yachts… I hope that I will have the same experience I had eight years ago to deal with luxury suppliers and buyers.” She emphasised that true luxury transcends budget constraints, focusing instead on delivering unparalleled experiences and emotions.
In essence, the collaboration between Serandipians and specialists like Latifa Regenbogen exemplifies the dynamic evolution of luxury travel. Through such partnerships, the industry continues to thrive, offering travellers unparalleled experiences that transcend traditional boundaries.
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