EXCLUSIVE Q Magazine. What do the wealthy want? Georgiana Tamaga, the architect of luxury experiences

The founder of the travel‑concierge agency TRIPTAILOR has built a niche business grounded in strong relationships, word‑of‑mouth referrals, and a deep understanding of the desires of premium‑segment clients.

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Born in Bucharest and educated in hospitality at the prestigious Les Roches Global Hospitality Education in Marbella, Georgiana discovered early on her passion for the world of luxury, travel, and cultural experiences.

At just 23, she founded TRIPTAILOR, a concierge agency specializing in fully personalized travel.

“The idea came quite naturally. It all started with the business plan I created during my final year of my master’s program in hotel management. While working on that project, I noticed something interesting in the travel market: many people were traveling without a clear purpose and often not out of a genuine passion for discovery, but simply because they needed a break. I realized the issue wasn’t a lack of desire to explore—it was a lack of time. People didn’t have the time to research destinations, experiences, or cultures in order to build a memorable trip. Most of the time, they just wanted a vacation to relax. That’s where the idea came from: to create a concept that offered people not just a holiday, but a thoughtfully designed travel experience that connected them to the destination and its culture.”

From its very first year, the company achieved remarkable results, with a turnover of around €800,000. Steady growth pushed the business to roughly €5 million annually.

Unusually for the industry, the company invested nothing in traditional advertising, growing almost entirely through recommendations and a reputation built over time.

“The first experience I created for clients was a trip to Singapore, built around culture and culinary discovery. The program included a chef’s table at a renowned restaurant, where guests could explore local gastronomy in an authentic, personal way.

The experience continued with a night safari, where the lighting system had been designed by a specialist to allow visitors to observe animals in their natural environment without the animals perceiving the light as artificial. It was crafted to mimic the natural glow of the moon, offering a discreet and respectful encounter with nature.

For Romania in 2011, this was quite an unusual concept. Travel built around authentic, personalized, cultural experiences wasn’t yet common on the market, which made the idea stand out,” Georgiana Tamaga tells Q Magazine.

BY HER SIDE

From the very beginning, she received strong support from her parents, who believed in her idea and found her business plan convincing. The initial investment was modest; she needed only the essentials to get started: a website, an office, and two laptops. The starting capital was around €50,000, which she used for equipment, the agency that handled the website and branding, and the office rent.

Another person who stood by her from day one was Laura, the partner with whom she built the business. Their story is rather unusual in the business world. After only six months of working together in a hotel in Bucharest—and with very little entrepreneurial experience—they decided to embark on this venture together. Georgiana was 23, while Laura was 26.

“From the very first days, I felt she was someone I could trust completely: she has a strong work ethic, firm principles—what she likes to call old‑fashioned principles, the kind you find in Dumas’ novels—she’s resourceful and incredibly loyal. Today, after 15 years, I can say that my intuition was absolutely right,” says Georgiana Tamaga.

Beyond business, Georgiana Tamaga is passionate about art, culture, and gastronomy, believing that the true way to discover a destination is through its cultural experiences. She has been invited twice to the presentations of the Balmain fashion house in Paris, attending its private events and acting as a brand ambassador.

Equally important were the clients who placed their trust in her from 2011 right through to today. They grew together, and their tastes and expectations matured in parallel. Over time, that trust became deeply rooted and very strong, creating for both partners a profound sense of responsibility towards their clients.

Over the years, other sources of support appeared as well. In recent years, Șerban joined as a third partner—fully committed and deeply involved. It is not easy to find people who genuinely believe in a business and invest the same energy, and his presence has been a major gain for the team.

Her first office was opposite Romanian Television, in a beautiful building she rented for four years—“a generous, open, airy and bright space,” “a place that inspired us greatly in the early years.”

“That’s where we experimented with new ideas, tested concepts, and sometimes discovered what didn’t work. It’s also where we hired our first employees—and had our first professional goodbyes—held our first business meetings, and made our first difficult decisions, the kind every entrepreneur must learn to handle. Looking back, it was an intense period, full of challenges but also full of enthusiasm. Hard and beautiful at the same time, as all beginnings are.”

Even then, she had a clear vision of the direction she wanted the business to take, but she knew that to build something solid, she needed experienced people around her. That’s why one of her first decisions was to bring in professionals who could work efficiently from day one. She started with two travel agents and a manager who coordinated operations and supported the team.

“Together, we built the foundations of the company: working procedures, relationships with suppliers, the first meetings with potential clients. It was an intense period because we were starting without deep industry experience. That’s precisely why I chose to surround myself with people I could learn from. Looking back, those early years were a true school of entrepreneurship for me. I observed, listened, and learnt as much as I could from those around me. I believe one of the most important leadership lessons is having the humility to recognise what you don’t yet know and the intelligence to build a team that helps you grow,” says Georgiana Tamaga.

ON THE WINGS OF THE WORLD

One of the most significant moments in her professional journey was when TRIPTAILOR began to gain international recognition. It was then that she realised a business built on attention to detail and personalised experiences could transcend the limits of a local market.

“In 2014, we were working with a PR agency in Brussels, which recommended us to the European Commission for organising a mental‑health event in Bucharest. We were selected thanks to our competitive offer and our proven ability to deliver professionally and in line with expectations. That experience strengthened our credibility in managing complex projects and international collaborations.

In 2018, I entered the film industry after being recommended to coordinate travel for the actor Donald Sutherland. The choice was based on my previous experience with the same producer on other film projects, as well as my ability to work under pressure, with precision, discretion and dedication—essential criteria when dealing with VIP clients.”

“Our name began circulating within Hollywood circles, and when people in the industry started wanting to work with us, I understood that the vision behind the brand was beginning to be validated globally,” Georgiana Tamaga told Q Magazine.

“Anyone offering travel services can be considered competition. However, the real differentiator lies in our supplier base, our networks of contacts, and the concierge services we build and cultivate specifically for our clients’ needs. We are constantly searching — we are not satisfied with what is already known. Whenever a new venue opens or an emerging trend appears, we are among the first to discover it, which allows us to offer exclusive experiences before they become mainstream.”

Any business built around premium services is, at its core, built on relationships. For her, the people who mattered most were the partners and collaborators with whom she developed strong, trust‑based relationships over time.

“They are the ones who allow us to turn every holiday into a personalised experience, thought through down to the smallest detail. At the same time, the clients who appreciate us and recommend us further have played an essential role in the company’s growth. Genuine recommendations often become the most valuable capital a brand can have. A good example is the appreciation we received from director Tim Burton, who has recommended us every time he’s been asked who handles his holidays.”

After more than 15 years in the industry, one of the most important lessons she has learnt is that every human connection can become an opportunity at some point.

For this reason, she has consistently invested in networking and in building a strong, reliable network of relationships. In a business built on trust and reputation, the people you meet along the way can become partners, clients, or even ambassadors for your brand.

In 2018, she was contacted by clients who owned a film studio in Romania, asking her to coordinate the travel department for an international project. The experience was both highly challenging and deeply engaging, and her success in managing every detail—from accommodation bookings and transport logistics to support teams and personal comfort—led to continuous recommendations within the industry.

A defining moment was her collaboration with Tim Burton, who spent nine months in Romania. She coordinated absolutely everything related to his travel and personal logistics, including bringing his dog from the UK and handling other special requirements. After that experience, she became his personal travel agent, and since then he refuses to travel without her coordination, regardless of who contacts him. Lady Gaga’s team, who worked with him, also chose to collaborate with Georgiana Tamaga for their travel arrangements—an indication of the level of trust she builds with each client.

“This approach—rooted in professionalism, attention to detail and direct recommendations—has allowed me to work with numerous high‑profile clients in the international film and entertainment industry, turning travel coordination into a service of excellence for public figures.”

DIFFICULT MOMENTS

When I ask her to recall the difficult moments from her journey from Nothing to Something, Georgiana Tamaga says she has to dig deep, because “both the body and the mind tend to forget negative moments quickly.”

“One of the hardest periods was the COVID‑19 pandemic, when almost everything came to a halt. Not only did the business stop generating revenue, but I had to use our reserves to pay my employees’ salaries in full for a while. The responsibility I felt towards the team, the daily uncertainty, and the dramatic changes within the industry left a profound mark on the way we worked and on the type of tourism we were able to deliver.”

After the pandemic, they shifted to a remote‑working model and focused on the travel segment dedicated to film productions. It proved to be both a saving grace and a liberating step: they gained flexibility, freed themselves from the physical constraints of an office, and opened an entirely new path.

“I’ve never felt alone. I have a family who supports me and continues to believe in my dream, and a wonderful team who are always by my side when I need them. Still, I admit that at times I feel overwhelmed. The weekly travel for site inspections, meetings or events can be tiring, but I’ve never felt defeated. I have a saying: we don’t have problems, we have situations—and every situation has a solution. I’m a positive person who always looks for a way forward and who doesn’t accept ‘it can’t be done’ as an answer.”

Another extremely challenging moment was the cancellation of a private flight, which disrupted the client’s entire itinerary. In that situation, she had to manage several fronts at once: negotiating with the broker to recover the full cost, speaking with the hotel to minimise losses, and maintaining constant communication with the client to provide updates and reassurance.

“Despite the delay and the loss of one night’s accommodation, we managed to recover everything that could be recovered, and in the end the client told me he would never travel with anyone else but us.”

For her, this is the ultimate reward of her work: “The ability to handle extremely stressful situations and to offer clients confidence and results, even in the most difficult circumstances. That is what motivates me to keep going, always with the same dedication.”

WHAT THE WEALTHY WANT

Today’s luxury consumer is defined, above all, by a lack of time. This is an educated, sophisticated client who understands the value of expertise and prefers to rely on a specialist to optimise their free time.

“I believe the greatest luxury of our time is no longer the destination or the exclusivity of an experience, but time itself—more precisely, how you choose to spend it. The role of a luxury‑travel specialist is to transform a client’s free time into a memorable experience, perfectly tailored to their lifestyle and expectations. At TRIPTAILOR, our strategy is centred entirely on the client experience. Our annual investments go into loyalty: surprise upgrades, personalised services, and constant checks of the properties we recommend. The team carries out weekly site inspections at hotels and destinations to guarantee the premium standards of every experience,” explains Georgiana Tamaga.

The agency’s services go far beyond traditional travel planning. TRIPTAILOR creates bespoke itineraries, offers access to exclusive events, and organises rare, one‑of‑a‑kind experiences. A key element of these services is personalised private aviation, adapted to the client or the occasion. From specially designed in‑flight menus and curated wine selections to the atmosphere on board, every detail is crafted to turn the journey itself into an experience.

Working with top clients from the film and entertainment industries has taught Georgiana a great deal about professionalism and mutual respect.

The place she always returns to with pleasure is the Ritz Paris: “There, I feel as though I’m stepping into a world of history, where elegance and refinement are present in every detail, and the level of service is truly exceptional. It’s a place where time seems to slow down and the experience becomes unforgettable.”

“These clients are incredibly human: they understand human limits, they recognise extra effort, and they give clear, constructive feedback—whether positive or negative. What they value most is attention to detail and the ability to learn from experience so that mistakes are never repeated.

Communication is extremely direct and open; they share all their needs from the start and do not accept repeated questions. To meet their expectations, you must be highly organised, with every detail of the trip arranged by day and hour, knowing exactly who is involved and being available when needed. Although they respect work–life balance, they expect notifications to be on and attention to detail to be absolute.”

Some client requests have been truly spectacular. Among the most memorable was organising a marriage proposal inside the famous Musée d’Orsay in Paris, which was closed exclusively for that moment. The experience ended with a private dinner on the museum terrace—a setting that blended art, romance and exclusivity.

Another unforgettable gesture was for a client staying in the iconic Chanel Suite at the Ritz Paris. He fell in love with a particular blanket in the room—a model no longer in production. Through Georgiana’s relationships and determination, two identical blankets were sourced from the hotel and gifted to him as a Christmas surprise, perfectly reflecting TRIPTAILOR’s philosophy: no detail is ever too small when it comes to the client experience.

Among the exclusive experiences organised by the company is access to a private island in Santorini—one of the most expensive services they have provided to date.

Another rare moment was an exclusive whisky tasting in Scotland, held at a hotel favoured by the British royal family. Clients had the chance to taste an exceptionally rare whisky from a bottle dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria.

Just 29 ml of this whisky is valued at around £10,000, and access to such a tasting is reserved for a very limited number of guests.

TRIPTAILOR collaborates with renowned concierge agents worldwide and has special partnerships with luxury hotels, offering clients access to experiences and events that are otherwise extremely difficult to obtain.

In TRIPTAILOR’s world, luxury is not defined solely by exclusive destinations, but by access to rare, unrepeatable experiences. And Georgiana Tamaga’s success shows that the true value in premium hospitality lies in the ability to turn every wish into reality.

ANYTHING

I ask her whether she could organise a tennis match with Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer. Or a private Shakira concert for a party. Or a dinner with Barack Obama. What are the limits—or what limits her?

“At TRIPTAILOR, we can organise absolutely any experience, as long as the client has the necessary budget. We have all the resources and connections to reach anywhere, but such experiences come at a corresponding cost. So far, we’ve coordinated exclusive events ranging from attendance at the Oscars to the Met Gala, and even Leonardo DiCaprio’s birthday celebration. Every project is designed to deliver an exceptional level of service, tailored to the needs and expectations of our international clients.”

They can meet any request, but they focus on experiences that are truly memorable. For example, they arrange access to Paris and Milan Fashion Week shows, film premieres and red‑carpet events, exclusive visits to designers’ archives, and many other unique experiences that open the doors to the elite worlds of art, fashion and entertainment.

In 2026, TRIPTAILOR will open its first office in Milan. It already has a base in Bratislava, dedicated to film projects developed there, and today the company serves clients from all over the world.

Georgiana believes that Romanian consumers will be fully ready for luxury services once they understand that the value of an experience goes beyond its cost—and that a professional’s time and expertise are essential. When an investment genuinely enhances daily life, rather than simply being a price paid, the market becomes mature and open to premium services.

Without hesitation, she says Romania is indeed a suitable market for personalised concierge services.

“This type of service is a business model with clear added value, but the main challenge is educating the market to understand what we truly offer. At first glance, a city break may seem simple, but behind every experience lies a complex process of coordination and personalisation, based on expertise, premium supplier networks and operational know‑how. We manage every detail: optimised transfers, coordination with hoteliers for room preparation, personalised surprises, carefully selected reservations and recommendations—all designed to remove friction and deliver a seamless, stress‑free experience. This requires time, resources and relationships that clients simply cannot access or manage on their own.”

From a strategic perspective, their competitive advantage lies in the combination of an extensive supplier network, meticulous expertise, and the ability to anticipate client needs before they arise.

“In the premium segment, this is measurable: when the market begins to see the investment as a source of valuable time, relaxation and memorable experiences, the value of the service becomes obvious—and our differentiator becomes difficult to replicate. Essentially, what we offer is not just a holiday, but a lifestyle and time‑management product, where every element is optimised for efficiency, experience and loyalty. This is the future of personalised, experiential tourism in the premium segment.”

There have been cases where they closed an entire museum—and the client cancelled at the last moment.

“Our pricing policy never penalises clients or compromises our services. We always present several options: non‑refundable, partially refundable or fully refundable. Clients know from the start what the consequences of a cancellation are. In practice, most choose the refundable option, even if it is more expensive, because it gives them the security of recovering their investment if plans change.”

They do not often work with eccentric Romanian clients, though there are a few who organise spectacular trips—such as flying business class to Paris for lunch and returning the same day.

International clients, however, have rarer and more refined eccentricities: for example, upon arrival, sending the driver and housekeeper ahead with the luggage so that clothes are already arranged in the dressing room, or travelling with the child’s violin teacher to avoid disrupting their routine. Everything is designed to ensure maximum comfort and a seamless experience.

TRIPTAILOR does not charge additional commissions. Their strong relationships with partners allow them to receive commissions from suppliers, enabling them to offer highly competitive rates to clients. For transparency, the average commission is around 10% of the package value, with no hidden costs.

They can be found at www.trip-tailor.com.