Interview Words of Pros : Valentine Jean-Richard, Managing Director of Parfums du Monde, shares her vision of a more experiential, more conscious and more human journey.
For several years, Valentine Jean-Richard has been involved in the evolution of production at Parfums du Monde. Now Managing Director, she continues to develop the tour operator while exploring new forms of experiences with Namaste Voyages, a collection of trips combining cultural discovery, well-being and personal development.
In a context where travelers' expectations are evolving towards more meaning, pace and impact, she shares her reading of the transformations in the sector: rise of experiential tourism, search for reconnection, responsibility of actors and new travel formats.
For InfosTourisme, she looks back on her career, her vision of tailor-made travel and the major trends shaping the future of travel by 2026.
Summary
A profound evolution in tailor-made travel
After several years at the helm of Parfums du Monde and the creation of Namaste Voyages, what is your perspective on the evolution of tailor-made travel and wellness tourism?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
Tailor-made travel has changed status. We've moved from a "logistical" luxury to an "experiential" luxury. Today, tailor-made travel is no longer simply about adapting an itinerary: it's about deeply understanding the traveler's emotional, cultural, and personal expectations.
Wellness tourism is part of this evolution. It is no longer seen as a break or a niche product, but as a real way to travel differently: more conscious, slower, more aligned with oneself and with the territories visited.
The experience of travel as a common thread
The link between emotion, culture, and well-being is central to your creations. How do you translate this philosophy into your travels and your partnerships?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
We design our trips as living experiences.
In concrete terms, this involves: authentic local encounters, respectful paces (fewer kilometers, more time), and partners chosen as much for their values as for their expertise.
With our partners, we work in a spirit of co-creation. These are genuine long-term relationships, based on trust, transparency, and the desire to offer something that makes sense for both the traveler and the region.
Travelers in search of meaning
What major changes have you observed in travelers' expectations since the crisis, particularly in terms of direction, pace and impact?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
Travellers want to understand why they leave, not just where they go.
In the expectations you mention:
The meaning: to travel to learn, to meet people, to reconnect, to open oneself up
The rhythm: slow down, breathe, step outside of logic, see for the sake of seeing
The impact: knowing that their trip is useful for them, for others, or at the very least respectful.
There is also a very strong desire for reassurance: transparency, expertise, and human support. In my opinion, the role of the travel agent is central.
Sustainability: a concrete and progressive endeavor
Sustainable tourism and brand responsibility have become major issues. How do you concretely integrate them into your roadmap for 2026?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
It's not easy to integrate sustainability when offering long-haul group travel, it has to be said. We try to combine concrete actions to ensure an immediate impact. This involves selecting our local partners based on both the quality of their work and their commitments, choosing eco-friendly accommodations whenever possible, and educating travelers before and during their trip.
As soon as a destination allows it and the wishes of travelers are aligned, we offer the possibility of contributing directly to the quality of life of the inhabitants, for example: contributing to the equipping of an orphanage in Vietnam in the Ha Long province, offering a wildebeest in Madagascar to allow families to gain autonomy, providing school supplies whenever we can…
We prefer to do less, but better. And above all, to remain honest about what we are doing and what we are not yet doing.
When travel becomes a transformative experience
Namaste Voyages offers experiences at the crossroads of travel and personal development. What lessons have you learned from this approach?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
The main lesson is that travel can be a real catalyst for transformation (provided it is well supervised).
Travelers often return with more than just a memory: an awareness, a new energy, sometimes even life decisions.
This requires us to be very responsible in how we design these experiences. Personal development is not a marketing ploy; it is a commitment that involves a rigorous selection of speakers.
Reconciling growth and brand consistency
How do you manage to reconcile growth and brand consistency between Parfums du Monde and Namaste Voyages?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
Parfums du Monde and Namaste Voyages have distinct DNAs, but the same requirement: the quality of the customer experience and respect for travel.
We are not seeking growth at any cost. We prefer controlled growth, consistent with our values, our teams, and our partners. Every new project must have meaning.
Tailor-made travel trends to 2026
In your opinion, what will be the major trends in tailor-made travel by 2026?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
I see several trends in our requests, but be aware that not all of them are necessarily feasible; there is always a correlation between desire, time, and budget that comes into play.
From my perspective, I'm seeing a demand for less obvious but more meaningful destinations (Easter Island, the lesser-known Caribbean like Saint Martin/Antigua, the Faroe Islands). There's also an increasing variety in formats, blending culture, nature, introspection, and relaxation—what we now call "retreats." There's a growing expectation for a more personalized traveler/organizer relationship.
The role of B2B media in a changing sector
What role do you see for specialized B2B media such as InfosTourisme.com in supporting professionals in the sector?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
They play a key role.
In a rapidly changing sector, specialized B2B media offer a way to step back, analyze trends, and stimulate thought. Interactive formats, market research, and industry-specific content are valuable tools, provided they remain practical and grounded in real-world experience.
Advice for future travel entrepreneurs
Finally, what advice would you give to a young entrepreneur who wants to start a tailor-made travel business?
Valentine Jean-Richard:
Not wanting to do everything all at once.
First, you need to know why you're creating a brand, what makes it unique, and accept that credibility is built over time. Positioning and added value are key. And above all: remain humble in the face of local communities, partners, and travelers.
