What is a Luxury Cocoon and Why do we call it so?
Everyone in COVID-Era of travel is talking about Travel Bubbles and Luxury Bubbles or Bubble Charters. I would prefer to call it a Luxury Cocoon.
Let me try and explain the concept. Discerning Travellers with a high desire to travel, and get out of their current isolation due to COVID-19, want an alternate for a safe, private holiday or getaway spanning for a few days, weeks or even months. The idea is to escape to a safe domestic or international haven, far away from everyday fears and chaos of getting infected with the virus, after being isolated and confined to their homes for months.
For them Travel is a necessary fuel to survive their urban lifestyles and nurture their brains. They can either wait for things to get normal, which will only happen once we have a vaccine. Before that it is a test of desire to travel VS individual appetite for risk.
The destinations are opening, and coming out of lockdowns, hospitality businesses are restarting and have already welcomed their first guests. But commercial flights and cruises are taking time, mainly due to Government regulations related to borders reopening, which might take some time.
Even if we have commercial flights starting, and cruises once again docking the global ports. Some will still feel uncomfortable to travel citing the level of exposure they might have to weather through to be able to undertake a safe holiday.
Their is also no denying to the fact that despite taking and implementing best in class and most stringent safety precautions by the travel and tourism industry stake holders, you cannot completely avoid the possibility of necessary exposure and numerous touch-points, which are essential for anyone to travel or get transported from Origin (your home door) to Destination B (your room at the resort).
This can include multiple airports, transit and immigration checks and clearances, medical screening, security checks, airport and hotel transfers, airplane aisles, exposure to staff and fellow travellers who are not part of your safety circle or cocoon (like your family).
So you either increase your risk appetite and go ahead with your next adventure, and continue to accept so called “new normal” and continue to live with the virus. Or you can decide to postpone any leisure travel till such time we defeat the virus, which is either through reaching herd immunity or a vaccine.
But I can offer a solution for those you have a strong desire to travel, but want to limit their exposure to bare minimum, lowest possible touch points during your travels to keep you safe. This ofcourse comes with utmost comfort, luxury and privacy of soughts.
From check-in and security to bathrooms and restaurants, there are as many as 700 touch-points when you make your way through a regular airport.
This rather astounding number reduces to only 20 interactions when flying private, so statistically, you’re in much better hands.
The solution is labeled Luxury Cocoon:
- Travel by your own Private Jet, with your own family and group. No strangers.
- Private Jet Travel also guarantees direct flights, eliminating need for any transit airports.
- Access to Private Terminals (both arrival and departure) at airports, VIP fast track through immigration, security, priority luggage, Access to VIP lounges,
- Seamless Private transfers to your final destination (Hotel, Resort, Villa, Estate, Retreat) by fastest and safest mode possible (limo, yacht, sea-plane, helicopter).
- Stay in an exclusive use Luxury Villa, Luxury Holiday Home, Private Island, Private Hotel, booked only for your family. Once again no strangers, except of-course the service staff.
- Island on Sea: How about your own Private Yacht or Boat, hired for exclusive use only for your family. Why travel with hundreds and thousands of co-passengers? and specially when Cruises will take sometime before they can get back to commercial sailings, with assurances to regain guest confidence on their safety and health measures.
- Sightseeing, Activities and Experiences without crowds. Private Guide services, exclusive openings arranged outside Public timings (to eliminate any exposure and touch-points with other visitors) for sites, museums, cathedrals, castles, palaces, and galleries.
- Most IMPORTANT, because when you travel anything can happen and when it does, you need to be prepared and well covered: A membership based insurance for Global medical and security advisory and evacuation services.
Privacy is the new luxury.
Private jet journeys, superyacht charters, private islands, exclusive-use homes and estates, and remote retreats – the return of luxury travel in the coming months is being driven by the desire to cocoon and reconnect with loved ones in spectacular locations, unhurried style and comfort.
Is above even possible? Who is offering above service?
Yes, it is possible, but it’s not cheap and one should be willing to spend far more (as compared to your Pre-COVID Luxury trip budgets) to be able to enjoy above privileges and safety measures to ensure travel in a Luxury Cocoon, and ensure Safe Havens.
Worldwide Travel by Private Jet:
Founded in 2004, VistaJet revolutionized private aviation by pioneering a new way to fly: giving customers access to a fleet of over 70 aircraft around the globe, while paying only for the hours they need. To date, VistaJet passengers have flown to over 1,900 airports in 96% of the world’s countries, making it the first and only global aviation company.
Worldwide Airport VIP Service:
Well’com Air was launched in 2011 and based in Paris. The company offers global VIP travel support services to upgrade the travel experience.
• Airport Meet & Greet / Meet & Assist
• VIP Terminal
• Airport Lounges
• Porter Service
• Limousines & Chauffeur
Worldwide Private Villas Rental Service:
My Private Villas is an exclusive collection of the highest quality luxury holiday villas, chalets, apartments and private islands, available to rent directly from their owners in the most iconic destinations worldwide.
Offering an unrivaled service, 24/7-support and superior quality and professionalism, they provide the greatest properties and experiences for their clients, with a focus on attention to detail and exceeding expectations.
Some of the services provided include:
• Butler
• 3 star Michelin chef
• Private Transfers
• Personal trainer (i.e. yoga and fitness)
• Spa treatments
• Private Trips and activities (i.e. horse riding, tennis, scuba diving, skiing, etc.)
• Wine tours
• Cooking classes
• Nanny and babysitting service
• Luxury yacht and car hire
Worldwide Luxury Private Home Stay Rentals:
Onefinestay is the leading luxury private rental brand that redefines hospitality for discerning travelers by offering individualised stays and services in carefully curated homes all around the world.
Supported by the world’s leading hotel operator, AccorHotels, they bring their renowned hospitality to the greatest destinations around the globe, from Paris and New York to Bali and St. Barts.
A taste of their services include:
– Additional maid service
– Butler
– Chauffeur transfers
– Pre-stocked fridge
– Private chef
– Bespoke private excursions
– Babysitting services
– Kids welcome pack upon arrival
They are also certified by We’re Good To Go’, which is the UK’s official industry standard mark to signal that their business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
Worldwide Private Yacht Charter:
With Ahoy Club, you can charter any yacht, anywhere, for the best possible price! Explore over 3,600 professionally crewed charter yachts.
Every charter is treated as its own and handled with bespoke care and service. Their global team of yacht charter experts are equipped with the knowledge and accessibility to pick the right yachts for you and design bespoke itineraries to suit every type of traveller.
Ahoy Club provides 24/7 access to professionally crewed yachts in every continent – motor yachts, day boats, sailing yachts and gullets with prices ranging from US$ 2,000 per day to US$ 2 million per week.
Worldwide Medical and Security Advisory and Evacuation Services:
Global Rescue has been a leader and pioneer in the travel services industry since their founding in 2004. They provide the finest integrated medical, security, travel risk and crisis management services available anywhere, delivered by their teams of critical care paramedics, physicians, nurses and military special operations veterans.
Their medical advisory and evacuation services include exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Department of Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare.
Their track record has made them the chosen provider to government agencies and some of the world’s largest companies, universities, and nonprofits.
Worldwide Services from a Private Travel Designer:
You can obviously try to arrange and book above listed services, which are part of the Luxury Cocoon using above supplier references.
But in case you want to make it easy, with industry best advise and coordination. You can get in touch with Delhi based, Boutique Travel Design company – Experiential Travel Journeys Pvt. Ltd. They collaborate as preferred partners with all of the above, and also members of World’s leading network of Luxury Travel Designers – Traveller Made.
Infact as a commitment to excellence in every aspect of your trip experience, especially when it comes to safety. They have partnered with Global Rescue’s Safe Travel program, and offers free membership to it’s medical and security advisory and evacuation services for any client booking a full trip Journey with them.
– Amit Kalsi, Private Travel Designer