Founded by Ellidore, Launchpad will offer three Regent’s University London students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of a career in the luxury travel sector. 

The hybrid programme, which began on Monday (9 February) to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, will run until May and will see participants working across luxury travel and lifestyle advisory, luxury fashion and personal shopping sectors, as well as events, concierge and ticketing services.

“I feel very strongly that this industry isn’t known by the majority of university students,” said Ed Farrelly, chief travel and experiences officer at Ellidore. “It can be very difficult to get your foot in the door.”

Launchpad aims to break down that barrier, introducing interns to a sector that Farrelly believes can feel inaccessible to outsiders.

Luxury brand management students Svasti Kumble, Johanna Hahn and Oliver Shull will spend four hours a week at Ellidore’s London office and three hours working remotely. 

During the placement, they will learn everything from developing client avatars to compiling competitive analysis, as well as interviewing key stakeholders for a research project designed to leave them with a strong understanding of the industry.

‘Nothing is off the table’

Unlike more traditional internships, Launchpad has been structured to offer a realistic insight into working in luxury travel.

“From my experience, a lot of internships in this industry are quite reactive and ad hoc,” Farrelly said. “There isn’t necessarily a system or process in place. This will be very different. It’s not about free labour or just needing an extra pair of hands.”

Interns may also have the opportunity to travel during the placement, should it be deemed beneficial to their overall experience. “Nothing is off the table,” Farrelly said.

Networking opportunities are another key benefit. “In other industries serving ultra-high-net-worth clients, you could spend more than a decade just trying to get into a room with them,” he added.

Farrelly believes Launchpad will also appeal to students considering careers in finance or law, given the similar pressures and rewards associated with luxury travel management.

“This industry is intellectually stimulating, high-pressure and rewarding,” he said. “If you’re thinking of a career in the city, it’s certainly worth considering.”

He added that the upsides are hard to match. “We get paid to organise holidays and travel the world for a living,” Farrelly said. “There are very few careers that can offer that.”