We interviewed Catalin Buzatu, CEO & Founder of Excellence VIP Services, and Inna Kitsul, General Manager of the company, to discover the secrets of luxury tourism and define the future trends of the sector.
Catalin Buzatu became interested in tourism and luxury services after a career in tennis. The contacts he made at that time and his travels around the world led him to create one of the most prestigious companies in the sector, winner of The Best Luxury Concierge Service in Europe at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards.
Based in Barcelona and Miami, Excellence VIP Services offers unique and personalised experiences, including resort and hotel bookings, yacht and jet charter, premium concierge services and access to world-class private events. We spoke to them both to find out more about a growing industry.
Horse: How was Excellence VIP Services born?
Catalin Buzatu: It all started in 2010, after my career as a professional tennis player. I set up the company with a clear vision: to redefine holiday experiences worldwide and offer an exceptional and personalised service. The birth of Excellence VIP Services was the result of my passion for exploration and the desire to offer unforgettable experiences to travellers.
Restaurant located in an ice cave in Canada
Horse: Your project is based on offering personalised experiences and exceeding the client’s expectations. What should a luxury experience be like to be unforgettable?
B: It must combine several elements: personalisation, as it must be tailor-made; exclusivity, which is a hallmark of luxury; attention to detail, from service to product quality; hospitality and service, including courtesy and friendliness of the staff; sensory experiences, from gastronomy to music and design; emotional connection, with the destination or the activity; surprise and originality; wish fulfillment, with the aim of making what seemed unattainable a reality; privacy and comfort; and finally, security and peace of mind. In short, an unforgettable luxury experience has to be personalised, exclusive, detailed, and customer-centric.
The birth of Excellence VIP Services was the result of my passion for exploration and the desire to offer unforgettable experiences to travellers.
Interior of a private jet
Horse: What are the benefits of being a member of Excellence VIP Services?
B: When you become a member of Excellence VIP Services, you become part of a world of luxury dedicated to providing you with the most exclusive services. Benefits include access to unique and exclusive experiences, personalised advice and planning, priority booking, 24/7 concierge services, privacy and security, and access to elite networking and events. Other highlights include emergency support, gastronomic and cultural experiences and the memorisation of each client’s preferences.
Horse: What are your clients like, do they travel alone, in a group, as a couple?
Inna Kitsul: We work mainly with families who are looking for exceptional luxury experiences. They tend to have high expectations in terms of quality, service and attention to detail, seek the exclusive and unique, value privacy and security and want tailor-made itineraries. Many are seasoned travellers and are often interested in local culture, wanting to celebrate special occasions.
Verbier chalet in Switzerland for rent by the week
An unforgettable luxury experience has to be personalised, exclusive, detailed and customer-centric.
Horse: What do most of your clients do for a living?
K: There is a wide variety of professions. Mostly business people: successful entrepreneurs, others are finance professionals, senior executives and corporate leaders, and people working in the technology or healthcare industry. There are also artists, designers and writers, as well as influencers and celebrities, though fewer. In general they are avid travellers, who have a passion for travelling and exploring the world.
Horse: What are the most popular destinations among customers?
B: Travellers’ preferences may change over time and according to the moment. But in general, the most popular places include the Maldives or Hawaii; Greek islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and Corfu; parts of Italy such as Tuscany; African safari countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania; cities such as Dubai and countries such as New Zealand or Japan; as well as regions such as Patagonia.
Resort in Kenya where you have breakfast with giraffes by feeding and petting them.
Horse: What is the most difficult request you have ever been asked for?
B: Probably space travel and remote and private destinations, e.g. private islands, yachts on the high seas or luxury camps in the middle of the wilderness.
Stratospheric space travel experience where you see the earth from space
Renting a private island for your vacations
Also polar expeditions in the Arctic or Antarctica and extreme sports and adventures, such as mountain climbing, deep-sea diving and ski trips in extreme conditions. Unique and personalised experiences include celebrity encounters and personalised surprises.
Igloo experience in Finland
Horse: What is the most inspiring or surprising experience you have done?
B: We have several: from a safari in Africa to hiking the Inca trail to Machu Pichu in Peru. Also sailing the fjords of Norway, experiencing Japanese culture in Kyoto and visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Keep in mind that each trip is unique.
In general, our clients are avid travellers, who have a passion for travelling and exploring the world.
Horse: Let’s talk about access to elite events, what is the procedure to meet Beyonce, attend the Met Gala or get into a private party?
B: The procedure can vary depending on the nature of the event, the availability of the celebrities and the individual preferences of the client. There is a preliminary step of consultation and planning, checking availability and working on customising the itinerary and logistics. Thanks to the contacts of Excellence VIP Services, clients can benefit from premium tickets, preferential seating or exclusive access to VIP areas.
Being able to attend a movie premiere, the Met Gala or the red carpet, are some of the services offered to their clients.
Thanks to Excellence VIP Services’ contacts, clients can benefit from premium tickets, preferential seating or exclusive access to VIP areas.
Horse: Gastronomy is also a growing value, what are the trends in luxury gastronomic tourism and which restaurants or chefs are you most requested to meet?
I: We usually offer private experiences with Michelin-starred chefs who travel to our client’s home and on the other hand we organise unique experiences with gourmet products where the Brand ambassadors of the most exclusive brands are present; for example a whisky pairing with caviar tasting accompanied by the best cigars. We know the Brand Ambassadors of the world’s best brands of whisky, cognac, Iberian ham, cigars or caviar and we organise private events for our clients.
We know the brand ambassadors of the world’s best brands of whisky, cognac, Iberian ham, cigars or caviar and we organise private events for our clients.
Horse: What other future trends do you see in luxury tourism?
B: Technology will continue to play a key role, from data-driven personalisation to the incorporation of smart technology in travel security. Adventure tourism, which combines exciting experiences with high-quality services, will continue to gain popularity, as will less explored destinations and even space travel. Travellers will increasingly seek exclusivity, privacy and digital and virtual tourism experiences could gain momentum.
Private dinner with views of the pyramids in Cairo
The passion and sensitivity with which Catalin Buzatu and Inna Kitsul talk about their work and the great knowledge they have about the future trends of luxury tourism explain why this international company has managed to win the hearts of many intrepid luxury travellers. Whether it’s to discover what space is like, to experience a world-class cultural or sporting event first-hand, or to indulge in an unforgettable adventure, the company’s expertise and passion will guide us through a process that, as they guarantee, will make all our dreams come true.
