How Satopia is Editing the Script of the Luxury Travel Experience

Exploring the Magic of Cinematic Travel with Satopia

Satopia Travel curates cinematic travel experiences for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking a deeper connection with the world and themselves. These meticulously crafted journeys combine transformative experiences with unparalleled access, fostering meaningful connections, and igniting a sense of wonder. The unique take on transformative travel allows guests to rub shoulders with some of the world’s top chefs, most admired business leaders, and philanthropic powerhouses of our time.

Satopia’s Community includes a number of high-profile entrepreneurs and philanthropists, some of the world’s wealthiest families, and A-list celebrities – people who value their time, and those who care about leaving a positive impact. I sat down with the company founders Emma Ponsonby (EP), CEO and Ahmed Gouda (AG) Chief Creative Officer to talk to them about their growing success, their community of change-makers and the recent re-brand which looks like something straight out of the Disney playbook.

Satopia Founders: Ahmed Gouda & Emma Ponsonby

Q. Emma, Ahmed, for our readers at home, could you describe what it is like to be on a Satopia experience? How does it make your guests feel when on location?

EP. Being on a Satopia experience? Sometimes it feels like being in a Disney movie! Each experience is unique, offering different journeys influenced by our host’s journey in life, their challenges and successes, and what makes them come to life. It’s like travelling with newfound friends and that child-like feeling of discovering and doing things for the first time. Many of our guests also love that they can leave the planning for us and enjoy themselves, fully immersed in the experience from the start to end.

AG. Being on a Satopia Experience I would say feels like a mix of a surreal moment with a hint of a déjà vu. For the very reason that we also partner with many highly publicised master-chefs featured on the Netflix’s Chef’s Table successful series, such as Chef Massimo Bottura or Francis Mallmann, who host our guests in some of the original locations where the show was filmed. These moments feel exactly like being in an episode of Netflix. We are currently preparing for an experience with Asma Khan in India, in pursuit of a new Culinary Golden Triangle, tracing her journey, where we’ll host a dinner in the courtyard of her ancestral home, and recreate her iconic ‘Chef’s Table’ scene. Being on location

Q. Your clients seem to think of giving back as more of a necessity than an after-thought, how much has this growing trend influenced your experiences? How do you help facilitate this?

AG. Great question… Giving back is essentially woven into the fabric of all of our experiences. At Satopia, we’re about connecting people to local communities and organisations so they can learn from each other. We collaborate with various local partners, NGOs, and social enterprises in our destinations. During each experience, we champion the people behind these organisations and create moments for them to share what they do with the guests. For example, during a recent safari on our Kenya community experience, we take our guests to visit an Elephant Rescue Centre in northern Kenya, started by the local community to rescue and protect orphaned elephants found in the forest, to learn about how they care for them and reintroduce them back into the wild. In Italy, when we’re in Modena with Chef Massimo Bottura, we take the guests to a pasta making experience at “Il Tortellante” a social enterprise where young autistic individuals and local elders come together to make tortellini by hand, a craft that preserves culinary traditions while promoting inclusivity.

EP. These are some of the most valued moments during our experiences, ones that bring people together. That’s the power of these compelling experiences. It’s about learning opportunities and creating meaningful authentic connections through orchestrated moments to drive real change.

Q. You recently made a bold creative move. Could you share with us the inspiration behind your decision to portray travel experiences as movies within your brand strategy? And how do you think it will differentiate Satopia company from the others in the industry?

EP. This idea was an evolution of an intention from when we started Satopia. When we started crafting the first “Hosted Experiences” by Satopia, we studied movie storylines, arch plots and methodologies such as the peak-end rule. Guests frequently remark on how immersive the experiences feel, like stepping into a movie. We intended that, and it was designed to feel that way. It is the kind of movie that transports you to another time and place, where everything feels possible, relationships are formed through shared experiences and magical moments appear at just the right time!

AG. Creating a Satopia experience is a very creative process, and it is also incredibly strategic. We have a team of production experts who run things in a way that is similar to creating a movie production. It was fun to start presenting Satopia’s “cinematic travel experiences” for each experience with its own plot, theme, stars, and movie posters!

EP. How does this make Satopia different? There is an important focus in the luxury travel industry on responsible and transformational travel. We fully support this and believe that travel should bring about a rekindled love of life. When was the last time you experienced that exhilarating feeling of being alive? We combine this with making a considerate contribution to local communities where we travel. The last few years have brought about difficult times for many people. We aim to create experiences for our community to look forward to, to be empowered and to expand their view of what’s possible.

AG. And while we greatly appreciate that Satopia experiences are not accessible for everyone, we do have a very clear intention to serve successful leaders, visionaries and entrepreneurs, who are making a positive difference in the world. We’re here to support them in their pursuits and celebrate their successes.

Q. What aspects of film-making and cinema going experience do you think resonates with you and your community? Do you think of your productions as more blockbuster or indie films or a combination?

EP. There’s something special about the anticipation of going to the cinema, waiting to see a film you’ve been excited about. That’s the kind of nostalgic feeling we relate to when our guests look forward to a Satopia experience. And just like a world premiere or a glamorous red carpet event at Cannes, each of our experiences has that once-in-a-lifetime, magical emotion that comes from watching something on the big screen. It’s about capturing those emotions you get from a great movie – making you laugh until you cry and serving up all sorts of surprises in between.

AG. Each Satopia experience is distinctly unique and has its own identity. Some are blockbusters – think of joining Dominique Crenn in France with its royal theme. Others might feel more like an intimate indie film. And then there are those that are in a genre of their own, like joining Francis Mallmann on his tiny island in the middle of a mountain lake in Patagonia!

EP. Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, has influenced us more recently. He’s inspired how we shape Satopia and our creative strategy. At the heart of everything we do is integrity. It can be a challenging path at times, yet absolutely essential to execute our exquisite experiences in the world. Delivering excellence also demands a level of attention and intention that influences our ways of working and our partnerships. Whether large or intimate, each experience is a unique cinematic journey.

Q. It’s an interesting creative move. Can you walk us through the process of translating real travel experiences into cinematic narratives?

EP. Transforming real travel experiences into cinematic narratives is quite a meticulous and thoughtful process. It starts with carefully selecting our hosts, a process that can sometimes take years to ensure everyone is aligned. It’s essential for us to understand how travel has personally influenced our hosts to create a shared vision for each unique production.

AG. This usually starts with the team going location scouting to find the ideal  venues for each concept, and our experienced production team works closely with scenographers and set designers to bring the vision to life. The care and attention to detail that go into the day-by-day itinerary planning help us envision each day, leading up to a peak moment and an unforgettable finale—these are what we call Satopia Moments.

EP. We have to acknowledge our film crew. Our resident photographer and videographer are incredibly talented. We work with a creative team to create and capture these moments for our guests, who get a short feature film after their experience. It’s hard to explain the magic of these experiences in words, so these films become treasured memories.

Q. It’s clear to anyone who’s visited your website that you have mastered the ability to create these fantasy-like experiences that guests can literally step into. But these are not scripted events, and as we know there can be some big personalities who crave being centre stage. Can you talk to me a little about how you curate your guest lists for these productions to ensure each guest gets their ‘Satopia moment’ as you describe them.

EP. From the start, Satopia has attracted inspiring people to join our experiences. Our intention was always to create a community of global travellers who share similar values and appreciation for what makes the world a better place. Curating the perfect guest list is an art in itself. Our community isn’t about pretence, they are genuine people who show gratitude for their experiences in life.

AG. We take the time to understand each person, ensuring they’re matched with the right group and experience. This thoughtful curation is key to making sure everyone fits in well and enjoys their time together. We attract the right people who care about giving back when they travel and are interested in meeting new people.

EP. We understand group dynamics well, which is crucial to the way the experience unfolds. We limit our guest numbers to ensure a more intimate and meaningful experience where everyone can have their moment. It’s a blend of careful planning, a commitment to being of service and intuition, we make it work smoothly!

Q. Can you provide examples of specific travel experiences that have been particularly successful in capturing the essence of your brand strategy as cinematic stories?

AG. Certainly! Last year we hosted an experience with the absolutely wonderful and talented Chef Dominique Crenn in France. This was like a cinematic masterpiece coming to life. From the very first night, with a French gardens dinner in front of the 13th-century chateau, to a secret supper, cooking with fire in the forest, and dishes served in harmony with nature under the trees – it was pure magic! The highlight was the Versailles-themed ball with period costume, where fireworks lit up the sky, reflecting over the seven lakes surrounding the chateau. Later that night, we ended up with an impromptu 3 am carbonara in the kitchen with Chef Crenn. It all captured the essence of Satopia – the personal connections, the unexpected surprises, the history and culture, all wrapped in an intimate, exclusive setting. Everyone had so much fun.

EP. These experiences are crafted with attention to every detail, from the cutlery to the candles, to the colour of the flowers and the maps to leading guests through a secret passage in the forest. Each moment feels like a scene from a beautifully directed film that our team meticulously plans. It’s about creating not just a journey, but a story that unfolds in the most surprising and delightful ways.

Q. How do you measure the success and effectiveness of your brand strategy in terms of customer engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty?

EP. Measuring our success primarily revolves around guest satisfaction. We aim for 100% satisfaction from every experience and often achieve it. When we don’t hit that mark, the feedback we receive is invaluable. It helps us move quickly to implement any improvements for future experiences and take the learning from each and every production. It’s also about spontaneity and having fun, like the time in Modena when Massimo Bottura took off for a joyride with a guest in his Ferrari!

AG. The first hosted experience started in 2018 with a small, intimate trip by Francis Mallmann to Patagonia. We relied upon the expertise of Francis Mallmann, who is a master in crafting incredible experiences – we sent just four guests to his remote island without having been ourselves. They absolutely loved it. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that we’ve made better as the years progress. We have now hosted hundreds of guests in various breathtaking destinations around the world – we first explore ourselves to find the most incredible locations, hosts and properties to share with our community.

Q. Looking ahead, how do you envision your brand strategy evolving in the future to continue captivating luxury travellers through cinematic experiences?

EP. As we look to the future, our focus is on continuously exploring new, creative opportunities to take our guests on unforgettable cinematic journeys. We’re constantly scouting for charismatic hosts and unique destinations to create the magic blend that brings these cinematic moments to life.

AG. Our commitment is to continue bringing something new that sparks curiosity while making a positive contribution through the partners and foundations we collaborate with. The beauty of Satopia is its ever-evolving nature – who knows where we’ll go next, or what new story we’ll have to tell.

EP. We see Satopia not just as a collection of luxury travel experiences but as a platform for storytelling, creating profound connections, and celebrating the beauty and diversity of our world. Our aim is to keep pushing the boundaries of what a travel experience can be, ensuring each journey feels as captivating and transformative as a great film.

Q. You mentioned million dollar moments, can you elaborate on what a Satopia million dollar moment is?

EP. Absolutely! These are the highlights of our new Alchemist series. It’s all about creating experiences that not only mesmerise our guests but also make a significant impact. Each Alchemist experience is crafted to raise $1 million for the foundations they support. It’s our commitment to contributing to vital causes and championing those leading global change. Take our next Alchemist experience, for instance. It’s in partnership with the Clooney Foundation for Justice, where our guests will spend five days in Lake Como in Italy. The highlight? A private dinner with the founders Amal and George Clooney, alongside representatives from the Clooney Foundation for Justice who will be with the guest for the duration of their experience.

AG. We have more of these million-dollar moments lined up. They are available for both private groups and those who want to join other community members. It’s about coming together, learning about the work of these remarkable foundations, and being a part of something truly transformative.

Q. What role do you see technology playing in the future of your brand strategy, particularly in delivering exceptional experiences to your clientele?

EP. Looking forward, we’re excited about enhancing the Satopia technology offering, especially in the booking process and creating anticipation leading up to the guest’s experience. We want to create a seamless, engaging journey right from the moment a guest books their trip to being able to stay in touch with new friends after the experience ends.

AG. We’re also exploring a TV series to showcase the behind the senses of a Satopia Experience, and to tell the stories of our hosts. We would love to translate the magic of Satopia moments into a captivating on-screen series to inspire a wider audience.

Q. It’s been exciting to see all of the Satopia experiences come to life through your new real life movie concept, where can we find more about the Satopia movies?

AG. You can visit our website to find our cinematic movie trailers and more about all of our upcoming experiences.

We also have some beautiful content on our Social Media so please check our Instagram or Youtube channels for some inspiration about the Satopia Moments, but we try to not share too much to leave every possible opportunity for delightful surprises when the guests are on location.