The news comes as the latest move for the VIP travel agency, which made headlines in 2024 after urging other luxury agents to introduce fees. 

Operating from offices in the UK, Italy, the USA, and the UAE, Minerva Private Travel provides discreet travel and lifestyle management services to private individuals, families, and corporate clients all over the world. 

In his new role, Steven Phillips will work alongside Minerva Private Travel founder Amanda Teale to oversee and strengthen its client portfolio across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 

Phillips brings more than 35 years of luxury hospitality experience to the trade role, having held senior leadership positions across the Maldives, Mauritius, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Throughout his career, he has led the development, pre-opening, and operation of more than ten luxury resorts worldwide, working closely with owners, investors, and private clients. 

Most recently, he served as General Manager of Finolhu Baa Atoll in the Maldives whilst leading the development and pre-opening of Here Baa Atoll, an ultra-luxury private island concept.

His background also includes senior leadership roles at JOALI Maldives and JOALI Being, as well as leading Gili Lankanfushi during its rise to global recognition as one of the world's most celebrated luxury hotels.

“In an industry where many businesses focus on transactions, Minerva has built something far more valuable – a business founded on trust, discretion and long-term relationships,” he said. “I am excited to be joining Amanda and the team and look forward to supporting our clients across the EMEA region.”
 

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“For more than 25 years, Minerva has grown through reputation, trust and personal recommendation. Our clients place enormous faith in us, often entrusting us with some of the most important moments in their personal and professional lives,” said Teale. 

“Steven understands exactly what that responsibility means. His experience at the very highest levels of hospitality, combined with his understanding of clients' expectations and the importance of building lasting relationships, makes him a natural fit for Minerva.”

Based in Surrey, Minerva Private Travel has flown below the radar since its 1999 launch. The firm does minimal PR or advertising, operating strictly via word-of-mouth referrals. 

Bookings typically range from £50,000 to £100,000, with its highest ever standing at a record-breaking £750,000 private island holiday in the Maldives. Teale's team also routinely fulfil high-end requests, from cordoning off the Belvedere Terrace in Villa Cimbrone on the Amalfi Coast for a proposal, to securing £250,000 of box tickets for the Oasis reunion tour.

In September 2024, Teale made a rare public statement to call for major changes across the luxury travel trade. The veteran advisor believes that the profession has been “diluted” by a rise in untrained agents who lack traditional trade skills, such as booking complex flights or operating a Global Distribution System (GDS).

“The biggest problem we have right now is that we’ve opened the floodgates to non-professionals,” said Teale. “It’s diluting the industry.”

To protect industry standards, Teale urged the trade to adopt two major shifts: mandatory qualifications and professional fees. She believes the sector needs an external regulatory body to separate amateurs from professionals. "To be a lawyer you have to pass the bar. The travel agent name is wrong, we’re professional travel advisors,” she said. 

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