Do you travel with an American Express card? Do you love to travel with points and miles instead of paying cash? Do you love to travel as a therapeutic and mental health reliever?


Welcome to the digital world of traveling where we are graced to listen to Lola Coker-Oni, owner of Cosmopolitan Empire.


Podcast Summary


This podcast interview features Lola Coker-Oni, a top-tier travel concierge, who discusses her career path and business, Cosmopolitan Empire.


She details her expertise in curating high-end, personalized travel experiences, particularly for multigenerational families, emphasizing safety and mental well-being.


Lola explains her tiered luxury travel packages, ranging from mid-luxury to ultra-luxury accommodations and experiences.


She also shares an anecdote about navigating cultural and religious sensitivities while traveling internationally, highlighting the importance of pre-trip research and client communication.


FAQ about this podcast episode


1. What is a travel concierge and how does it differ from a travel agent?


A travel concierge, unlike a traditional travel agent, focuses on creating highly personalized and curated travel experiences beyond simply booking flights and hotels. They act as a personal travel consultant, delving into the client's needs, preferences, and motivations for travel, and crafting bespoke itineraries with a strong emphasis on unique accommodations, cultural immersion, and mental well-being. This may involve building relationships with hotel owners and architects, booking private villas or islands, and creating itineraries around individual family members' needs and special interests. A travel concierge emphasizes the "why" of travel, focusing on the client's emotional and mental needs, while a travel agent primarily focuses on the "how" of travel. ?


2. How did Lola get started in the concierge and travel industry?


Lola began her career in customer service before transitioning into the hospitality industry. She worked in various hotel and restaurant roles, eventually becoming a concierge for a residential building. She recognized the demand for exclusive experiences and personalized services, which led her to work for American Express as a concierge for platinum and black card holders. Later, she became the first female chief concierge at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nigeria. After this she worked for a concierge company before starting her own, which evolved into a focus on high-end travel, understanding mental health as a key driver, and designing family travel, where she leverages her experience and connections to curate unique and personalized trips.


3. How does Lola define and categorize luxury when it comes to travel?


Lola breaks down luxury into several tiers: mid-luxury, luxury, premium luxury, and ultra-luxury. Mid-luxury refers to travelers who are willing to spend more on the experience and accommodations, while luxury caters to those staying at well-known brands. Premium luxury focuses on boutique hotels for a more customized experience, and ultra-luxury involves stays in private villas and islands and chartering private planes and yachts. Ultimately, Lola defines luxury as a state of mental well-being, focusing on understanding the client's individual needs and providing experiences that are rejuvenating and transformational.


4. How can people connect with Lola and her team for travel concierge services?


Lola’s company is Cosmopolitan Empire and clients can find her at www.cosmopolitanmpire.com. She is also on Facebook and Instagram @conciergecosmopolitanempire, and can be contacted by email at concierge@cosmopolitanmpire.com or by phone at 678-650-0084.


She is happy to schedule a free 30-minute consultation, particularly if you mention hearing about her through this episode.


Book a call with Cosmopolitan Empire here >




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