Recognized by Luxury Lifestyle Awards as Best Luxury Travel Concierge in the Caribbean, NCG Experience has redefined the landscape of bespoke travel services through its attention to detail, global reach, and intuitive understanding of client desires. In this exclusive conversation, Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, sits down with CEO Antonella D’Angelo to discuss the company’s philosophy, the evolution of high-end concierge travel, and what true luxury means in a fast-changing world.
Alexander Chetchikov: Congratulations on NCG Experience’s recognition as Best Luxury Travel Concierge in the Caribbean. What does this award mean to you and your team, and how does it reflect your vision of luxury in today’s rapidly evolving global travel landscape?
Antonella D’Angelo: This award is deeply meaningful to both me and my team. Personally, it represents years of dedication to a craft I’m truly passionate about, creating extraordinary experiences that go beyond expectations. Every journey we design carries a piece of our heart, and to be recognized for that work is incredibly humbling.
This award is a reflection of their exceptional commitment and attention to detail. We answer calls at all hours, we remember a guest’s preferences from visits ago, we turn challenges into seamless solutions. This recognition belongs to my team as much as it does to me—it’s a testament to the culture of excellence we’ve built together.
But more than anything, this award reminds us why we do what we do. Behind every itinerary is a celebration, a milestone, a dream someone trusted us to bring to life. Knowing that our work has created lasting memories for our clients, and that this has been recognized at such a prestigious level, inspires us to keep raising the bar. It’s not just an achievement—it’s a responsibility to continue delivering the level of service that earned us this honor.
AC: The modern client expects personalization and authenticity. How does NCG Experience ensure each experience feels uniquely tailored to individual preferences?
AD: Luxury travel today is defined by *time, authenticity and access*. Modern luxury travelers value their time and authentic experiences like private access to archaeological sites after hours, dining in a chef’s home rather than their restaurant, or meaningful interactions with local artisans. It’s about penetrating beyond the tourist veneer.
True luxury now means ‘fully bespoke services’ that adapt to your preferences before you articulate them. Our team remember you despise feather pillows, itineraries that flex around your energy levels, experiences curated to your specific interests rather than a generic “luxury” template. Perhaps the ultimate modern luxury is freedom from crowds and schedules. Private islands, exclusive-use villas, or simply the ability to linger without rushing. Luxury is increasingly measured in tranquility and autonomy rather than thread counts.
NCG travelers often seek meaning alongside comfort. They want their travel to contribute positively — whether through conservation efforts, supporting local economies directly, or cultural preservation. Luxury with a clear conscience. Wellness as truly restorative experiences. Whether that’s a silent retreat, adventure that pushes boundaries, or simply digital detox in spectacular surroundings.
AC: You operate in some of the world’s most exclusive destinations. How does your team maintain a consistent level of excellence across regions like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean?
AD: NCG understands its clients beyond basic preferences. This means going deeper than “beach or mountains” to uncover traveling style, pace preferences, cultural curiosities, dietary nuances, even how they like to start their mornings. We build exclusive relationships and cultivate deep connections with local fixers, cultural insiders, and communities who can open doors that don’t appear in any catalog. NCG is flexible in the DNA. True personalization requires the infrastructure to pivot. This means relationships that allow last-minute changes, team members empowered to make decisions in real-time, and itineraries designed with intentional breathing room. We remember everything, so we build detailed client profiles that evolve across trips, ensuring preferences discovered on one journey inform the next.
AC: The luxury sector often reflects broader lifestyle trends. What new directions or demands are you noticing among your clientele in 2025?
AD: Well, this requires a sophisticated operational framework. NCG successful model combines deep local knowledge with non-negotiable quality benchmarks. We hire and partner with people who are native to or deeply embedded in each region, while maintaining centralized training on brand philosophy, communication protocols, and service expectations. Rather than trying to control everything directly, we build a curated ecosystem of trusted partners in each destination. Lots of site inspections and ongoing performance reviews. The key is having multiple vetted options so you’re never held hostage by a single supplier. We are always looking for people who can physically oversee logistics, troubleshoot in real-time, and verify that the villa actually matches the photos.
We keep records on client preferences, vendor performance data and fast problem solving. When a client mentions a shellfish allergy in the Caribbean, that needs to be flagged automatically for their Mediterranean trip!
Quality control never missed — Post trip debriefs with both clients and on-ground teams. Cultural intelligence — we understand that consistent service quality doesn’t mean identical execution—it means equally exceptional experiences delivered through culturally appropriate methods.
AC: As CEO, what are some of the biggest challenges you face in maintaining the highest standards in luxury travel concierge services?
AD: Certainly, a multi-week vacation immersing into cultural residencies where our clients learn traditional crafts from master artisans and access that cannot be bought (private tours of closed archaeological sites, for example).
Our UHNW clientele are gravitating toward pieces with provenance, craft, and story rather than logo-driven status symbols. This manifests as bespoke commissions from emerging artisans, restored vintage pieces, or investments in preserving traditional craftsmanship.
There’s an intense focus on health span rather than just wealth span. This goes far beyond standard concierge medicine into experimental longevity protocols, personalized supplement regimens based on continuous biomarker monitoring, and creating environments optimized for wellbeing (circadian lighting systems, air quality management, biophilic design).
Multigenerational families are creating sophisticated structures for passing down values, opportunities, and networks. This includes curated education experiences, mentorship networks, and documented family histories that go beyond financial planning. Also, now it’s about funding breakthrough carbon capture technology, rewilding estates, or ensuring supply chains actually restore ecosystems.
AC: How has the digital era, from social media to instant booking platforms, influenced the way NCG Experience connects with clients and partners?
AD: The challenge isn’t just meeting expectations but anticipating desires clients haven’t yet articulated themselves. Our team is genuinely curious cultural observers, not just skilled logistics coordinators. Our clientele expect total privacy, yet delivering extraordinary experiences often requires bringing multiple third parties into the loop – local fixers, security details, specialized guides. Each additional person is a potential vulnerability. Managing information flow while still executing flawlessly is a constant tightrope walk. Also, they want “authentic” experiences, but their presence often changes the very nature of what they’re experiencing NCG key differentiation has become the depth of relationships. The ability to secure room upgrades, restaurant reservations at fully booked venues, or behind-the-scenes experiences that can’t be purchased online.
AC: Looking ahead, where do you envision NCG Experience in the next five years? Are there new markets or experiences you’re excited to explore?
AD: I see several compelling directions for NCG Experience. We will expand in emerging and underexplored markets. Secondary cities in Europe like Lyon over Paris, and regional Italy beyond the usual suspects. Ultra-wealthy travelers are seeking authentic experiences away from overtourism. We should consider Saudi Arabia that is investing billions in luxury tourism development, from NEOM to AlUla.
However – we want to stay focused on the Caribbean where a big piece of our heart is. Expanding here and focusing on existing and new island developments to make even more ultra-luxury experiences. We will expand our offer in wellness retreats focused on longevity and biohacking.
Developing estates, properties and experiences that actively improve destinations rather than just minimizing impact.
Thank you, Antonella, for sharing your insights and giving us an inside look into the artistry behind luxury concierge travel.
To explore more about NCG Experience and its bespoke services, visit https://ncgexp.com/.
