Second edition a success for Crème de la Crème!
This Luxury Travel Show, created by Nicolas Zimmermann, also founder of Exclusively Yours, a commercial representation agency specializing in luxury travel, brought together in Paris, from October 12 to 15, 80 international exhibitors and 90 buyers specialized in Francophone luxury travel, in the elegant salons of the Shangri-La Paris palace.
With 5,440 business meetings and press encounters scheduled, the show asserted “ its role as the reference meeting point and privileged observatory of the major evolutions in the luxury travel sector ” according to a press release issued by Nicolas Zimmermann the day after Crème de la Crème.
With more than fifteen years of experience in high-end hospitality, notably with La Réserve Paris, Ascott and Shangri-La, Nicolas Zimmermann launched this selective gathering in 2025. Following the second edition, he sketches a reading of the changes at work in the world of luxury travel.
This Luxury Travel Show, created by Nicolas Zimmermann, also founder of Exclusively Yours, a commercial representation agency specializing in luxury travel, brought together in Paris, from October 12 to 15, 80 international exhibitors and 90 buyers specialized in Francophone luxury travel, in the elegant salons of the Shangri-La Paris palace.
With 5,440 business meetings and press encounters scheduled, the show asserted “ its role as the reference meeting point and privileged observatory of the major evolutions in the luxury travel sector ” according to a press release issued by Nicolas Zimmermann the day after Crème de la Crème.
With more than fifteen years of experience in high-end hospitality, notably with La Réserve Paris, Ascott and Shangri-La, Nicolas Zimmermann launched this selective gathering in 2025. Following the second edition, he sketches a reading of the changes at work in the world of luxury travel.
Even more exclusive journeys where travel planners break onto the scene
According to Nicolas Zimmermann, this second edition first highlighted the fact that “travel is becoming ever more exclusive,” with “budgets on the rise,” but also “a clientele whose expectations in terms of personalization and service keep refining themselves.”
For agencies and conciergeries, this evolution implies an ever more precise knowledge of destinations, the search for rare addresses and experiences, as well as support capable of going beyond initial requests. The expertise and quality of the partner network thus become increasingly decisive criteria.
Another novelty: long dominated by traditional agencies, luxury travel consulting now sees new profiles emerging. In France and Belgium alike, independent agents and independent travel planners occupy a growing role as new influencers among wealthy clientele.
Inspired by North American and British models, this approach allows advisers to develop their own clientele while benefiting from the support of a large agency or host structure.
A hallmark of this new generation: some professionals come from fashion, technology or finance and put their networks at the service of clients with very high purchasing power.
For agencies and conciergeries, this evolution implies an ever more precise knowledge of destinations, the search for rare addresses and experiences, as well as support capable of going beyond initial requests. The expertise and quality of the partner network thus become increasingly decisive criteria.
Another novelty: long dominated by traditional agencies, luxury travel consulting now sees new profiles emerging. In France and Belgium alike, independent agents and independent travel planners occupy a growing role as new influencers among wealthy clientele.
Inspired by North American and British models, this approach allows advisers to develop their own clientele while benefiting from the support of a large agency or host structure.
A hallmark of this new generation: some professionals come from fashion, technology or finance and put their networks at the service of clients with very high purchasing power.
A diversified field of activity
In his post-show press release, Nicolas Zimmermann points to other notable evolutions:
-The field of intervention for luxury travel professionals is expanding. Beyond private stays, specialized agencies and concierge services are increasingly sought to design incentive trips, orchestrate events, and accompany VIP guests of major luxury houses and companies, including technology firms. In France, proximity to luxury houses fosters this diversification, opening new commercial prospects for travel professionals
-Bookings are two-speed: on one side, departures organized in 48 hours (especially in Europe and the Mediterranean basin), and on the other, departures planned up to two years in advance for exploratory trips, expeditions and multi-generational stays spanning several weeks.
-Geopolitical upheavals (the ongoing war in Ukraine, tensions in the Gulf region) weigh on destination choices (the Indian Ocean has been among the affected markets since early March 2026), nevertheless early 2027 prospects remain encouraging for the French market, particularly for trips booked far in advance.
Finally, Nicolas Zimmermann notes a growing interest from international players in the Francophone clientele, now more sought after, whereas it has long been viewed as secondary in sales volume compared to the United States, the United Kingdom, Latin America, or the CIS countries.
“ Exhibitors notably highlight the travel culture, the level of education, and the high budgets of Francophone clientele, whose knowledge of destinations and service expectations they value ”, observes the founder of Crème de la crème, suggesting that this evolution echoes the very vocation of Crème de la crème.
The third edition of the Crème de la crème fair will be held in Paris from 11 to 14 October 2027.
Until then, Nicolas Zimmermann invites the luxury travel world to Mykonos, from May 10 to 12, 2027, for an event named this time “Crème de la Grèce”.
-The field of intervention for luxury travel professionals is expanding. Beyond private stays, specialized agencies and concierge services are increasingly sought to design incentive trips, orchestrate events, and accompany VIP guests of major luxury houses and companies, including technology firms. In France, proximity to luxury houses fosters this diversification, opening new commercial prospects for travel professionals
-Bookings are two-speed: on one side, departures organized in 48 hours (especially in Europe and the Mediterranean basin), and on the other, departures planned up to two years in advance for exploratory trips, expeditions and multi-generational stays spanning several weeks.
-Geopolitical upheavals (the ongoing war in Ukraine, tensions in the Gulf region) weigh on destination choices (the Indian Ocean has been among the affected markets since early March 2026), nevertheless early 2027 prospects remain encouraging for the French market, particularly for trips booked far in advance.
Finally, Nicolas Zimmermann notes a growing interest from international players in the Francophone clientele, now more sought after, whereas it has long been viewed as secondary in sales volume compared to the United States, the United Kingdom, Latin America, or the CIS countries.
“ Exhibitors notably highlight the travel culture, the level of education, and the high budgets of Francophone clientele, whose knowledge of destinations and service expectations they value ”, observes the founder of Crème de la crème, suggesting that this evolution echoes the very vocation of Crème de la crème.
The third edition of the Crème de la crème fair will be held in Paris from 11 to 14 October 2027.
Until then, Nicolas Zimmermann invites the luxury travel world to Mykonos, from May 10 to 12, 2027, for an event named this time “Crème de la Grèce”.
Published by Paula Boyer Journalist LuxuryTravelMaG – TourMaG.com See all articles by Paula Boyer
Add TourMaG to your Google News feed 
