Meet Iris Domazet and Ognjen Sekulovic – Renowned Travel Experts and an owner of Adriatic Concierge
Welcome to another special feature as our Editor-in-Chief, Miodrag Spahic, sits down with Iris Domazet, a renowned travel expert, an owner and office director at Adriatic Concierge Croatia, and Ognjen Sekulović, office director for the Montenegro and Serbia region, operating from the Podgorica office. In this insightful conversation, they explore the latest travel trends in the captivating Adriatic region. From hidden gems to popular hotspots, join us as Iris and Ognjen share their expertise and offer a glimpse into the enchanting destinations waiting to be discovered. Stay tuned for an engaging discussion that will inspire your next adventure!
Q. The Collection Magazine: What are the top attractions or experiences that guests typically express interest in when visiting the Adriatic region?
A. Iris Domazet: It is all individually tailored, as each client approaches us with different wishes and preferences, which we always listen to carefully and ensure we create the best possible offer for them. Some clients wish to stay in a top-notch hotel and may choose One&Only Portonovi as they simply look for luxury, great service, and a well-known hotel brand. Other clients are more interested in exploring the culture of the region and ask to visit historical sites, such as Dubrovnik Old Town, Diocletian Palace in Split, Kotor Old Town and its splendid city walls, or Cetinje Monastery. Then there are those who are inspired by the colors of the Adriatic Sea, incredible underwater caves and rock formations, charming islands, and captivating hinterlands. Having worked on such diverse requests was a true eye-opener for those of us who sometimes take the beauty of our homes for granted.
Q. How frequently do guests request unique and personalized experiences, and are they generally willing to pay a premium for these tailored services?
A. Ognjen Sekulović: We provide only personalized experiences, based on the client’s input and wishes, and we make sure the program we create showcases the best the region has to offer at a pace that suits the client. Yes, guests understand that these tailored services cost more than any pre-arranged group tours, and they are willing to pay a premium to get excellent, personalized services and quality offers. We understand and know how to approach such guests and meet and exceed their expectations, which is why we keep growing as a well-respected company in this line of business.
Q. What specific services and amenities do high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) expect when they book with your agency? Could you provide examples of popular requests from this demographic?
A. High-net-worth individuals live a certain lifestyle. They expect a premium standard of services both back home and when they travel abroad. They trust us to be professional and do our best with the time and money they invest in these unique, individually tailored experiences.
Their requests really vary. For example, we currently cater to a well-known sportsman for whom we have booked a private, luxury villa and on a daily basis we schedule the use of a private sports hall and a gym, massage and therapy sessions, private yacht rentals, and so on.
Once, we had a VIP client who wished to play volleyball on a public, sand-covered volleyball court, but wasn’t happy with the sand granulation. Therefore, in less than 24 hours we had to obtain approval from the city to replace the sand, buy and arrange a delivery of a few tons of new sand from another town, dig out the existing one, and replace it, to have everything ready for the next day’s match.
Other requests include the rental of private yachts or private jets, food catering or celebrity chef cooking, arranging for private celebrations, firework displays, 1000-roses bouquets, and many more.
No request can surprise us anymore. We’re up to every task we’re given and we approach it creatively and professionally. Our only concern from time to time is whether we have enough time to arrange some specific service if it requires ordering items from abroad, but we unite our forces as a team and manage those as well, with a smile, energy, and optimism. Our only limitations are the client’s budget and their wishes.
Q. Could you please provide a detailed 10-day itinerary for US guests visiting Croatia and Montenegro, focusing on luxury experiences, unique cultural and historical attractions, and high-end accommodations?
A. High-net-worth clients will rarely tour the region when they’re on a 10-day vacation. They value their free time so much that they only wish to escape the business of daily life and overcrowded streets and attractions. They prefer to stay at a secluded, luxury villa, where they will relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, and then decide on a daily basis if they want to schedule a yacht tour or some other private excursion, and we’re there to make it happen.
Q. What are the main challenges your agency faces when operating in the Adriatic region? How do these challenges impact your ability to provide services to guests?
A. Our main challenge is the lack of some products requested by the clients, which we then have to order from abroad and that can be time-consuming. Another challenge is the attitude of local service providers, who are yet to learn to respect such guests’ time and money, and provide top-quality service for what they charge. High-net-worth clients are very well aware of what good service should look and feel like.
Q. Based on feedback from your US guests who have traveled to the Adriatic region, what aspects of their trips do they most frequently praise or enjoy? Conversely, what negative feedback or challenges have they reported, and how have you addressed these issues to improve future guest experiences?
A. US clients who have traveled to the Adriatic region are generally thrilled and amazed by the beauty of our cultural and historical sites, stunning nature, enchanting Adriatic Sea, and how safe they feel wherever they go. To them, our region is an area of pure, only partially discovered and explored beauty. We are still a more affordable destination than Italy or France for US guests. To date, we haven’t had any negative feedback from our clients and we will make sure that trend continues in the future.
CONTACT US!
- W:www.adriatic-concierge.com
- E:[email protected]
- T: +385 20 313 435
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