ANNOUNCEMENT: Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist 2021

Dear travelers,

It is an immense honor to share the exciting news that I have been named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Specialists for 2021. It is an accolade that I am especially proud of, since I have been reading Condé Nast Traveler for as long as I can remember, and have always looked up to the publication’s list of elite travel professionals they feature every year. I always dreamed of joining this prestigious group and today this dream has come true. Thank you, Condé Nast!

John A Skelton

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Expertise: Central and South America, Europe, North America, Cruises, Villas, Private Jets, Chartered Yachts
Specialty: Italy, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain
Categories: Wine, Food, Art, Adventure, Family Travel, Airline Assistance, Destination Celebrations, LGBTQ+ Trips, Over the Top Trips, Villas

What kind of traveler loves your trips?

Couples and families who are well-traveled and look to explore lesser-known destinations love my trips, as well as unique experiences and visiting places which are off the beaten path. Culinary and adventure travelers are prevalent, as well as those who would like to take a deep dive into the local culture where they are traveling.

The age demographic varies from couples in their 40s and 50s to multi-generational families and the occasional millennial traveler. All of my clients are passionate about learning something new when they travel, whether it is about the country’s history, art, music, cuisine, or local traditions.

What sets your offerings apart from those of other travel specialists?

Since I lived in Italy for more than 15 years, where I lectured at a university, I can offer insider knowledge that many advisors and companies cannot or do not provide their clients. I love to surprise my clients with unique experiences with locals, such as reserving the best table in the house at my favorite local eatery and have the owners and staff spoil them from start to finish.

I especially love to put together interesting itineraries where my clients can experience the destination as a local would. I put together a highly detailed set of travel documents for each client no matter how big or small their trip is and follow them along their journey from start to finish.

What is one of your all-time favorite experiences you’ve been able to pull off for guests?

There are so many, though I loved putting together a special trip to Brazil for two of my top clients. They are not keen on having too many pre-planned activities or excursions. In the past, they would only let me arrange their hotels and even were opposed to arranging transfers in advance.

For this particular trip, they allowed me to put together a more activity-packed itinerary and I collaborated with a local onsite to ensure everything was perfect. They were blown away by all of the unique experiences, the amazing guides they had and how everything was so seamless. I arranged a surprise picnic on a remote beach for them on one of their day-trip excursions, which they have raved about ever since.

I like to incorporate at least one surprise into each trip I plan. Now, whenever they travel, they insist on me throwing in at least one “Skelton Experience,” as they call these surprise experiences. Ever since Brazil, they have been sold on letting me throw in more pre-arranged excursions and have even let me set up their transfers each time. They now have me plan at least four or five trips every year (pre-COVID) and always trust me to design the perfect trip to match their interests. I have managed to convert many other clients to these types of trips, as well.

How do you see your role changing in a post-COVID world?

I believe more and more travelers are going to look at us for guidance in navigating travel in a post-COVID world. Since there is very confusing and overwhelming information online, I feel many people will turn to us to know where they can go, the restrictions they will face, what they need to do before they depart and how things will be when they get to their destination. As a result, this might also help drive more people to travel specialists to narrow down options for them even in a more general sense. They might have simply planned where to go on their own in the past and spent hours combing through websites to find the right hotel for them. In the future, I believe these same people will see the value in working with someone who is specialized in a particular part of the world or travel style.

Read the Article Here

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