Wanida Tardivel

A feature story by Travel and hospitality on 25 December 2018. A uniquely distributed guide to the best hotels and tour companies around the world.

With extensive experience in marketing, public relations, business development and operations for five-star hotels, more than 20 years of experience in marketing luxury hotels and depth of operating knowledge in Thailand and Asia. Wanida was also instrumental in establishing business & leisure clubs including the Luxury Club, Thailand Professionals Club.

What is the inspiration behind Luxury Society Asia?

We started offline networking group named Thailand Professionals in 2001, aimed at promoting and strengthening business relationships among sophisticated and affluent professionals in Thailand and Asia, through our mutual interest in all things luxurious.

2012 we change the name of group to be Luxury Society Asia and launched web portal to be our communications tool.

Today, “Luxury Society Asia – Asia’s One Stop Luxury Business & Leisure Solutions” attracts professionals from diverse business backgrounds including the financial and banking sector, company owners, executives, senior management, celebrities, local influencers, journalists, and bloggers.

You focus on a lot on global high-end brands, but are there any Thai brands that our readers should keep an eye out for?

Thai designer brands ie fashion, jewelry and others.

Have you noticed any trends or changes in the luxury travel market? Especially considering the rise of digital media.

Yes, our clients and partners whether associated to luxury tourism, hospitality or consumer goods, for example, recognize the need and numerous opportunities to use digital to enhance their client’s relationship, drive business and build brand awareness and most importantly loyalty.

Moreover, Information is today available on a variety of devices and available to readers from everywhere. Prices, details, offers of luxury companies are made available easily and it takes only a few clicks to find data, get on chats, share, compare products before purchasing online.

Many of our clients are seeking for a compelling mobile presence, engage and influence with new consumers through targeted use of social media which is one of the most important platforms used by brands to create value. Recurrent messages and tailor-made campaigns are important to pass messages through and social media is a fantastic tool to target audiences.

For Luxury Travellers visiting Thailand, where would you recommend staying?

There are lots of choices for various destinations. My favorites are

Bangkok, Sukhothai Bangkok
Samui, Conrad
Phuket, Rosewood
Koh Kood, Soneva Kiri
Chiang Mai, Four Seasons
Chiang Rai, Four Seasons Tented Camp

What type of luxury tourism would you say is most popular? For example, family trips, romantic/wedding holidays, spa & wellness or is it something else entirely?

Actually all of them
European & US: Wellness
Asia: Romantic/wedding and family and wellness (beauty).

Thailand isn’t your only area of expertise, you also offer an insight into Singapore, Hong Kong & Vietnam. Of these three which is your favorite & why?

Singapore & Hongkong cause similar to Thailand/Bangkok, we do love similar things, fast pace, modern life with new technology, moving and happening all the time.

Finally, do you any exciting projects planned for Luxury Society Asia?

We will have new luxury business partners to join exposure, and enlarge our networking group included joint venture luxury events coming up in 2018/2019.