Martin Strohbeck
Pleta De Mar suite
For Martin Strohbeck, great travel advice begins long before the booking — and usually on the ground. As the founder of Strohbeck Reisen, he has spent over three decades personally vetting the world’s finest hotels and destinations, crafting tailor-made journeys with a precise goal: to ensure his clients return from their travels saying only one word: “Perfect.”
Could you tell us a bit about the history and founding vision of Strohbeck Reisen? What inspired you to start this company?
Basically, I have simply turned my hobby into a profession. I’ve always enjoyed travelling, but instead of visiting churches and museums, I looked at nice hotels. As a young guy, I couldn’t afford to stay there, but I liked the ambience and a drink at the bar was always possible. There was no internet back then, so I started making my lists: best hotel, nicest bar, most beautiful beach…whatever you’re looking for on vacation. The lists were soon in great demand among my friends. That was actually the beginning of Strohbeck Reisen. The final straw was a dinner with my wife on our first trip together to Mauritius. That was in 1993, we were sitting on the terrace of the Hotel Le Saint Geran and got talking to a guest at the next table who was complaining about how badly his travel agent had advised him. “You can do much better than that,” he said. We thought so too. And decided to do it.
What sets Strohbeck Reisen apart from other travel agencies in terms of the services and experiences you offer?
I only offer what I know personally. That was my philosophy from the very beginning, and it is still very important to me today. Whether a hotel has two or three pools is less important than the ambience, the quality of the cuisine, the friendliness of the staff—these are things that you have to experience. It is also important to me that my team gets to know as much of our offer as possible. We provide very individual and personal advice. If we find that a particular destination is not suitable for a customer, then we say so and explain why. Our customers know and appreciate this openness. They trust us. And they recommend us to others. That’s super helpful and impossible to copy. Of course, these things are no coincidence, but show that we have worked hard and done a lot of things right
Round Hill Hotel & Villas
How does Strohbeck Reisen maintain its focus on high-quality, personalised travel experiences for clients, even as the industry evolves?
You have to keep the ball rolling: travel, look, check things out. To me, every new hotel that might interest my target group and every important change at our long-standing hotel partners is a welcome opportunity to pack my bags. I want to advise my customers first-hand; I’m a good friend on the ground, so to speak. As such, you really have to know your way around. Experience helps, of course. If you’ve been putting destinations and hotels through their paces for a quarter of a century like I have, you get a good feel for what’s really good and what just looks nice. I don’t think it’s that easy to fool me anymore.
What major shifts have you observed in the travel industry in recent years, particularly in response to global events like the pandemic?
Today’s customers are better informed, they do their own research on the Internet and have become more demanding. The fact that more and more is on offer is also raising expectations. It’s no longer enough for everything to be good; you need the icing on the cake. The willingness to spend money has also changed significantly. We thought the Maldives might have a problem after the pandemic because flights and hotels had become much more expensive, but they were almost sold out. On the other hand, destinations have changed very little. Although people are talking about alternatives, they are still booking the tried and tested—MaMaMa (Maldives, Mauritius, Mallorca) remain the bestsellers, at least among our customers.
Are there any travel trends or destinations you see gaining momentum in the next few years?
There are actually no more really new destinations; the world has been discovered. But some places that are suitable for an upgrade are changing and becoming more attractive to very spoiled travellers. Mallorca and Greece, in particular, would like to say goodbye to mass or cheap tourism. With the new hotels that opened in both destinations, this should at least be partially successful.
Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Tell us about some of your most exciting offers/trips on at the moment? What makes these particularly enticing?
I was recently in the Seychelles. A new Cheval Blanc has opened there, which impressed me deeply. It is located on the most beautiful beach on Mahé, if not the entire Seychelles, and is architecturally exceptional and incredibly beautiful in other ways, too. I believe that the Cheval Blanc Seychelles will have a similar effect on the region as the One&Only Reethi Rah did in the Maldives. Namely, it will open the door to a style-conscious, luxury-oriented audience.
How do you anticipate the preferences of luxury travellers evolving, and how is Strohbeck Reisen preparing to meet those changing needs?
Luxury travellers are looking for luxury brands: Four Seasons, One&Only, Rosewood, Ritz-Carlton and so on. When such brands discover a destination for themselves, everyone else quickly follows. And suddenly, the Greek Riviera is a top destination. Guests are also getting more and more demanding. They don’t want to stay in a hotel room; they want a villa. Privacy is essential; guests want plenty of space, large plots and seclusion. It almost goes without saying that the restaurants, spa and leisure facilities are top-notch. People are happy to spend a few euros more for a first-class overall package, and that’s exactly what I deliver. I don’t see any significant changes in the high-end travel market, and no reason to change anything in my concept.
Strohbeck Reisen specialises in creating bespoke travel experiences. Can you share an example of one of the most memorable or complex itineraries you’ve curated for a client?
We had some around-the-world trips that were very detailed in terms of restaurant, theatre, and museum reservations, etc. This is always very tricky, and fortunately, it worked out perfectly in the past 99% of the time.
Top: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest | Bottom: Bisate Lodge
How does your team approach crafting personalised trips that reflect the unique tastes and interests of your clients?
Just like me, my team knows many of our customers and their preferences. They also know many of our destinations. Having been with me for a while, they are well-versed in their roles. When in doubt, we discuss and advise each other. My team is small, and the distances within our office are short.
Are there any new projects or partnerships Strohbeck Reisen is working on that you’re particularly excited about?
I have just opened a new office in Vienna, in a prime location in the 1st district, to offer my many Austrian customers a little more proximity and the opportunity to receive personal advice from my experienced colleague Susanne Kühnel, who has been working in the travel industry for 30 years and has probably organised every conceivable type of vacation for her customers. She can draw on a wealth of experience, especially in the luxury segment. The combination of Strohbeck Reisen Stuttgart and the additional offerings of Strohbeck & Kühnel Reisen Austria GmbH in Vienna creates a luxury travel service that perfectly complements and enhances the existing strengths.
What has been your most unforgettable travel experience, and how has it influenced the way you design trips for your clients?
For me, the most spectacular trip I ever made was Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it’s very expensive as well. 1h at the Gorillas costs 1650 USD per person, so nothing should be going wrong. And that’s the way I try to arrange the trips of our clients, as if it’s their once-in-a-lifetime trip. If it’s Africa, the Maldives or the Seychelles, they should come back and say: “WOW! This was perfect!”
Pleta De Mar pool area
How do you ensure that Strohbeck Reisen stays at the forefront of innovation and client satisfaction in the ever-evolving travel landscape?
As I said: I travel, I check, I experience, I network. So does my team. That’s the only way we can tell a customer: this would definitely be something for you. Or not. You need to know whether there might be ants in the bathroom or if the air is unbearably humid. I also remain true to myself and my quality criteria. Service, for example. Someone like me has to be available around the clock and, if necessary, deal with any problem that arises quickly and flexibly. Reliability is also a high priority for me. What I promise my customers, I keep—even if it’s just a specially requested room. Generosity is very important. If something goes wrong, I sometimes pay for an upgrade out of my own pocket without making a big fuss about it. Customers are eternally grateful for this; they appreciate it. I am also loyal to my partners and don’t add every new hotel to my portfolio. That would not only dilute my programme but also diminish my standing with the hotels.
Where do you see Strohbeck Reisen in the next 5-10 years? What are your long-term goals?
I think our concept is good and will continue to work. I’ve been in the travel business for over 30 years now and am a real old hand. I have a good feel for the destinations I offer and also for the wishes of my customers. There is a lot of trust on all sides. If you travel with us, you can easily reach a destination that is not only incredibly beautiful, but also offers great hotels, a high service culture and almost absolute security. We take care of every detail and smooth out even the smallest ripple on the horizon. It’s the kind of all-round carefree package high-end travellers appreciate, and I believe we should stick to that.
As someone deeply involved in the travel industry, what is your favourite destination?
This is no secret—I love the Maldives. Those islands simply offer unbeatable vacation conditions. You arrive, take off your shoes and relax. It’s very quick, and the relaxation factor is high. Everything is beautiful, positive, carefree and sunny. There is no stress, no pressure to go on excursions, no cars, little time difference, good flight connections and perfect service. Nobody has to make any decisions, except perhaps which restaurant to eat in. The hotels are among the best in the world. There are not many places that offer such a concentration of superlatives—that’s why my customers love it, too. The Maldives are by far our best choice.
One&Only Reethi Rah Beach Villa with Pool
One&Only Reethi Rah Beach Club Restaurant
To find out more about Strohbeck Reisen and book your next trip, visit the links below…
Strohbeck Reisen
Laustraße 88
70597 Stuttgart
Germany
Web: strohbeck-reisen.de
Tel: +49-711-9334280
Email: info@strohbeck-reisen.de