" With more operators starting to enter the space, luxe culture tourism is ready for takeoff. Parthaa Kundo, who has recently launched India's first lifestyle vacation company, Esperienza, admits that he "may be taking a risk by entering this niche area", but he's clearly gunning for the first mover advantage. "In a few years, all the big players will have to come in. Currently, there is a limited demand for such holidays, so few operators are keen to enter the fray. However, as travellers evolve, so will travel businesses," he says. The once-in-a-lifetime itineraries offered by Esperienza include Harley Davidson tours across the US, igloo stays in Greenland, ghost-hunting in Ireland and a 22-day, around-the-world trip in a private jet".
( Published in India Today Magazine, Article written by Sushmita Choudhury - Date - 31march 2010 )

Viewing New Delhi from a hot air balloon or swimming with dolphins in South Africa,tourists seek the experience of a lifetime.

V Ayyappan and Kamini Mathai | TNN
Chennai: The sand and sun have been done to death.The Alps are humdrum.So where does the real fun lie In a ghost hunt in Ireland,apparently.Or in a MiG 29 in Russia,strapped in and ready to fly. Tired of having to jostle for space in a beach or taking the endless cruise,people have increasingly started to look for an opportunity to have a new experience while holidaying. Experiential vacations challenge,educate and involve you far more than a regular lying-on-your-backand-enjoying-the-scenery holiday.It is more vibrant,vigorous and satisfying.But,in India,this kind of travel is in its infancy, says Parthaa Kundo,CEO and founder,Esperienza,which offers luxury experiential vacations complete with private jets,gourmet cuisine and tailor-made itinerary. He says the trend started a year-and-a-half ago.With the demand rising,travel and tour companies have started hunting for locations to market as destinations of experience tourism.According to a tour operator,a couple even wanted to stay in the war-torn parts of Sri Lanka. Concierge services are also available now. Arvind Pandey, operations director,Concierge4India,says,Our job is to give clients whatever they want as long as it is legal. His company has had several unusual requests,which they have managed to fulfill.While some of them have been simpler,like an elephant stomping into a childs birthday party,others have been a tad more difficult,like viewing New Delhi from a hot air balloon,and yet others have been rather off-tangent but still doable like the qawwali night or Halloween party at Corbett National Park.Now,people do not get much time off,so more than a holiday they want a day they can remember.A day they can talk about for months after, adds Pandey. Kundo says he has a family of four,who wanted to take a 12-day luxury vacation to Australia.One of the many activities they experienced was shark diving,and going on the Australian Rally Car racing adventure in Sydney.The trip cost them about Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per day,but they enjoyed every bit of it.Another client went to Thailand.While the father and son did a quick,basic course on Muay Thai boxing taught by a professional trainer,the mother busied herself with learning the intricacies of Thai cooking with one of the top chefs, says Kundo. Meanwhile,Kundo is working overtime trying to put together a world trip for a couples 50th wedding anniversary.It was nothing out of the ordinary for him when they told him they wanted to visit all the seven wonders of the New World.It got tough when they said they wanted to pit-stop at the seven wonders of the Ancient World too.And even tougher when they said they also want private jets for some of the locations.But Ive got an unlimited budget,so that makes the logistics a little easier, says Kundo.
( Times Of India - Chennai Edition )