Interview with David Lloyd

Who is your ideal clientele?

I am looking for clients who have done the superficial travel and are now hungry for depth and substance in their travel experience. Clients who realize there is more to this world than glitzy tourist hotels and “must go” destinations. I want clients who can be filled with wonder and thrilled by knowledge and discovery.

What specifics can you give about a few of the unique trips you’ve designed?

Some of the interesting adventures include clients repelling down Iguassu Falls and weightless astronaut training at Star City near Moscow. I’ve organized a private ballet recital with the St. Petersburg Ballet with one of my client’s granddaughters and then rented a palace to perform it in. I’ve had a client renew their vows with their children present in a Shinto marriage ceremony dressed in authentic Shinto wedding garb. The children were a part of the ceremony adorned in Samurai and geisha dress. For another client I organized a sunrise Bat Mitzvah on the eastern end of Masada with a 50 person Israeli orphan choir backing up the cantor. Later at night in the Sea of Galilee I had a photo montage set to music and projected on a water screen in the middle of the sea. The list goes on…

How are your clients changed by their experiences?

While in South Africa we had a family volunteer at an AIDS orphanage and serve lunch to the orphans as well as pass out school supplies and soccer balls. This made a big impact on the younger members of the family. In Iceland, we organized a dinner at the village built especially for their special needs population. The client was so moved they donated a whole new sound system to the village.

Why is giving back such an important and unique aspect of your company?

David Lloyd & Associates is constantly looking for areas of need in the country our clients travel to. Not only do we strive to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible, but we also use local ground operators to fulfill our programs. Many of our clients have requested to give back to the areas they have visited and in honoring their requests we have found local needs and addressed them. Things as simple as books, pencils, and sports equipment for local schools provide much needed support. Or even larger scale contributions such as financial assistance to build a new Well Baby Clinic and fresh water wells. The list is long and changes with each program, but we find we are able to leave an inspiring and positive impact.

How are you able to ensure the quality and safety for each experience?

To insure the optimum experience and establish security I coordinate a pre-trip to certain destinations. One of the reasons I pre-trip is to make sure there are no security risks and that the suppliers I use are safe and adhere to the highest industry standards. I will also hire undercover security personnel to insure the client’s safety.

What is at the heart of David Lloyd & Associates?

I am dedicated to tailoring each program to each member of the group. They must come away from my trips with something valuable. I would like to help my clients appreciate their world a little more.