As the Asia Pacific region continues to be the growth engine for luxury travel, a new comprehensive report from the Luxury Group by Marriott International has identified new expectations and travel preferences among high-net-worth (HNW) travelers in Asia Pacific. Across the region, 68% are planning to spend more on travel over the next 12 months – 89% among Indians - with 74% planning to travel within Asia Pacific and 88% prioritizing gastronomy as the reason to travel. One in four of all holidays planned (25%) are celebrations. Three distinct new groups of luxury traveler have emerged – the ‘Venture Travelist’ who seeks business opportunities when traveling, ‘Experience Connoisseur’ Millennials who are traveling for enrichment and ‘Timeless Adventurer’, over 65s who are building their own itineraries and exploring places before they become popular.
I spent $38,000 to take my toy poodle on a private jet to Japan. I want to plan a trip for my other dogs next.
30.06.2024 - 13:17 / insider.com
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Gladys Tsoi, a 29-year-old dog owner and investment banker based in Hong Kong. This essay has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider verified Tsoi's receipts.
In April, I treated my toy poodle, Hershey, to a luxurious vacation in Japan. We traveled there together on a private jet.
It was the second time we'd traveled to Japan together in four months. The first flight, from our home base in Hong Kong, was on a commercial airline and cost me $10,100. The second trip came with a significantly higher price tag of $38,000. Despite the hefty expenses, I have no regrets about splurging on my furry companion.
Years of saving while working full-time at an investment bank have given me the capacity to comfortably spend this much on vacation. I also earn additional income with my pet influencer Instagram account, where I occasionally get paid for partnerships and brand collaborations.
In 2021, I came across a Facebook post about a toy poodle that had been subjected to abusive breeders and needed a new home. I wanted her to have a better life, so I initiated a trial adoption. After one week, we made it official, marking the beginning of Hershey's journey from a neglected past to a life filled with love and adventure.
At the time, Hershey was two and a half years old, and I already had two other dogs: Milo, a 9-year-old mutt, and Malibu, a 1-year-old labradoodle.
I'm 29 and have been dreaming about traveling abroad with my dogs for years. I decided that this was the year to do it.
My family and I chose Hershey, among my trio of dogs, due to her exceptional temperament. I had full confidence she'd cope with the plane rides and adapt to the new environment.
Planning these journeys took about a year, from securing a reliable pet travel agent and managing import-export paperwork to multiple vet check-ups and extra vaccinations to meet Japan's stringent medical standards for pets. Securing flights with pet-friendly seating and accommodations added to the stress. But it was all worth it in the end.
I chose Japan for its pet-friendly culture. Finding accommodation, dining options and parks open to dogs was easy. Pets are even allowed on public transport if they're in a carrier.
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And as a big fan of Japanese pet products, the destination was an ideal fit.
Our first trip to Japan included two other poodle friends, while our second trip in April 2024 was a family affair with my parents and brother.
The first was an epic road trip covering over 1,200 miles, spanning seven prefectures and including stops in Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakuba, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Izu.
We flew to Tokyo on Korean Air, transiting in Seoul, and returned via Japan
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