Talking 2021 Luxury Travel Trends with Celebrity Broker Niko Contardi

Niko’s position within the luxury travel industry is certainly unique. Over six years, he’s grown his brand, EliteLyfe, from a high-mark concierge service in Los Angeles to encompass a complete range of luxury travel services for elite globetrotters.

Niko is the guy who makes billionaires’ dreams come true. Based out of Miami, EliteLyfe is a specialist travel brokerage for high-net-worth individuals. His enviable client book includes numerous famous names and his reputation is on the rise as the go-to guy for celebrity travelers...

I caught up with Niko to discuss the effects of Covid and the latest luxury travel trends for those at the peak of the industry.

Hi Niko. What changes have you seen in luxury travel due to the pandemic?

We’ve definitely seen more interest in secure, private, and remote accommodations. Luxury villas, estates, and private island inquiries are all up. People are getting creative too. We’ve seen an increased demand for yacht charters both here and internationally, and we’ve had more interest in mountain lodges than the average summer.

We’ve responded accordingly. We’ve broadened our portfolio to include some ultra-private estates, manors, and country houses. Just this week we started representing a French chateau that has its own golf course...

What trends did you see for those that did get away last year?

2020, for our clients, was about quality over quantity. With lockdown orders around the world, when it came to vacations, people made the most of the chance to get away. We saw more of our customers going the extra mile to perfect their dream vacations.

Yes, I’d say the quality of the average vacation rental booking we took in 2020 was much higher than normal. We did more in-villa private dining experiences and entertainment packages last year. There’s also been an increase in private jet activity across the industry, both in terms of charters and sales.

Has Covid caused a slow down in sales activity?

I’m actually busier than ever! Especially in terms of inquiries. These days, people want a trusted agent. They want someone who knows what’s what, who’s who, that everything is taken care of, and nothing is left to chance.

In terms of bookings, yeah, 2020 was quieter. We found that those that did get away often stayed for a lot longer though. Last year, some of our clients found nice safe places in paradise and based themselves there for a couple of months.

Finally, Niko, what does luxury travel mean for you?

For me, luxury is a term that’s used loosely, but those who work with elite clients know the difference between what’s marketing and what’s true luxury in terms of service standards, attention to detail, quality of finishes, facilities, and amenities.

You can only access this market based on trust and you can only gain trust by transparency. For me, luxury travel means getting it right. We make sure it’s right. 100%. Always. We vet all our properties and products. Our clients have high demands and it's our job to deliver.

For more information on EliteLyfe’s portfolio of luxury travel products or to collaborate with Niko, feel free to reach out at your convenience.

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