FAQ: What it looks like working with me
I normally book all our holidays. What is the benefit of using a travel agent?
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I book everything for you! Hand over this from your to do list, and reap the benefits.
I spend all day talking to hotels, tour operators and researching locations so you do not have to. I can take your dream trip and turn it into reality from one simple conversation..
I work with families, small groups and couples on trips across Southeast Asia and beyond. Some clients come to me with a destination, a rough timeframe, and not much else. Others arrive with a detailed wishlist and need someone to make it a reality. Both are fine starting points, and I can then take it from there to actually make the holiday happen, with as much or little involvement that you would like.
What type of holiday do you plan?
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Southeast Asia is my home ground. I've travelled extensively across the region, I know which properties are worth the price and which have slipped, and I have strong relationships with local guides and operators who show you the places that don't make it onto the standard itinerary. If you're planning a family adventure or a small group trip in this part of the world, this is where I can add the most value.
I also plan trips further afield; Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Pacific, Europe and beyond. If you have somewhere in mind, it's worth a conversation. As part of Alchemist Travel, I also have an incredible network of contacts to work with, so even if I haven’t been to a hotel or destination myself, I have direct contact with someone else who has.
Step 1 : Let's talk I want to understand how you travel, what you're hoping to feel on this trip, your budget range (or at least hotels you have stayed in previously as actual budgets are so hard to pin down), and the kind of experiences that appeal to you. This conversation shapes everything that follows.
Step 2 : I put together ideas I'll come back to you with suggestions, from destinations, hotels, tour concepts, a rough shape for the itinerary.
Step 3 : We refine it together You tell me what's working and what isn't. I adjust. This back-and-forth is where the trip takes shape and becomes something genuinely tailored to you rather than a template with your name on it.
Step 4 : I handle everything Once we've landed on the right itinerary, I manage all the bookings, confirmations, and logistics. You receive a detailed trip document and the confidence that everything has been arranged properly.
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How do I get started?
I only want to book a hotel, and no tours. Does this cost me any extra?
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No! For direct hotel bookings, I can secure competitive rates and the hotel pays me the commission so no hidden fees. In fact Alchemist Travel has incredible partnerships with some of the world's leading hotel groups, including Four Seasons, Belmond, Aman, and Dorchester Collection. On a weekly basis I meet with sales directors and general managers from hotels from all over the world. This gives me an amazing insight to what each property can offer and to ensure each client is treated like a VIP.
What this means in practice: best available rates, priority upgrades where possible, early check-in, hotel credit, and the kind of attention that doesn't come from booking direct or through a comparison site. The same room, the same price, but a meaningfully better experience from the moment you arrive.
How does it work in terms of payment?
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Hotel bookings: If you're booking accommodation only, I'm paid via commission from the hotel. There is no additional cost to you, and you receive better rates and perks than if you had booked independently.
Bespoke itineraries: For full trip planning, including accommodation, guides, tours and transfers, then I work on a margin basis, securing industry rates on your behalf. My fee is built into the trip cost and covers the expertise, research and time involved in curating your itinerary properly.
In both cases, I'm incentivised to get this right. My business runs on referrals.