LVMH’s Belmond Expands Luxury Train Offerings Ahead Of Rival Accor

04.12.2023 - 22:11 / forbes.com / Hiram Bingham / Louis Vuitton / Dom Pérignon / Jean Imbert / Bernard Arnault

LVMH luxury travel company Belmond is expanding its presence on the rails from Scotland to Singapore and South America with more lavish accommodations, top chefs and new itineraries ahead of rival Accor’s launch of a competing product in 2024. The moves are designed to take advantage of well-heeled travelers' desires for unique experiences, according to Belmond executives speaking to the media during the International Luxury Travel Mart.

The conference, being held this week in Cannes, France, at the venue of the eponymous film festival, attracts over 2,100 travel advisors from more than 80 countries. Some 330 brands, including hotel companies, cruise lines, tourist boards, destination marketing companies and luxury railroads are exhibiting.

For Belmond, the growth continues with the investment and expansion of the brand since being acquired by the French luxury goods conglomerate for $3.2 billion in 2018.

Controlled by Bernard Arnault, who is ranked second behind Elon Musk on the Forbes Billionaires List with a net worth of $187 billion, the group includes Louis Vuitton, Dior, Bvlgari, Tiffany, Hublot, Loro Piana, Dom Perignon and other well-known luxury houses.

Last week, Belmond announced the restart of the Eastern & Oriental Express, which was suspended at the outset of the pandemic. It is due to restart in February with new itineraries and "restyled" carriages departing from Singapore.

During today's press conference, executives revealed the appointment of Chef André Chiang as the train's new chef. Earlier this year, he was named one of the 15 most influential chefs for the next decade by Elite Traveler Magazine.

Nearly 7,000 miles to the north and west, Belmond is adding a pair of Grand Suites to The Royal Scotsman. Designed by Paris-based Tristan Auer, whose credits include Benetti superyacht Motopanfilo, The Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel, and The Hôtel De Crillon's pastry shop, guests will receive complimentary treatments in the train's Dior Spa, which debuted in April.

Beginning in May, the British Pullman launches what's being billed as The Carriage Club Dinners, "a series of immersive evening journeys combining decadent dining, fine wines and entertainment."

Skipping to South America, the Hiram Bingham and Andean Explorer have named Peruvian-born Jorge Muñoz, who earned a Michelin star during his tenure at Patka in Barcelona, as Executive Chef.

Back to its roots, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is adding a new route between Paris and Portofino. The journey ends with a stay at the Splendido; however, for guests, the train's chef, Jean Imbert, will host a gala dinner.

A second Paris to Istanbul roundtrip itinerary is being added for the first time next year, and after its first Paris to