Not everything bearing the “luxury” label delivers on its promise, but Australia-based DMC Touring Treasures is determined to ensure that everything it offers its global clients lives up to the highest of expectations..

Since 2003, this boutique company has specialised in curating high-end, fully customised travel experiences across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. But what truly sets them apart is their uncompromising standard of quality.

“There are some luxury lodges we’ll not sell,” Co-Founder Oliver Mercien-Ferol told LATTE at the recent Essence of Phuket show. “Just because it’s established doesn’t mean we’ll work with it.”

This no-nonsense approach to quality assurance is a hallmark of the Touring Treasures brand, which is why Mercien-Ferol doesn’t shy away from calling out when luxury misses the mark. “You spend so much money and then you have morning tea on the back of the car in a parking lot?”

It’s a level of scrutiny that stems from a genuine commitment to the company’s clients – many of whom are seasoned travellers with high expectations. “Our philosophy of no limits leads us to create a unique product that is fully tailor-made,” he said. “Of course, integrity is another element that is very important to us – if you do the right things – respect, kindness, those kinds of things.”

Their process isn’t just about selecting beautiful properties or Instagram-worthy views—it’s about ensuring the full experience holds up under pressure. “We check, we check, we check all the time,” he stressed. “We sell only what we are comfortable with.”

This standard of excellence means that not all luxury is treated equally. The company isn’t afraid to turn down properties or partners that don’t meet their expectations.

“Some do things very well. Some don’t,” he said. “So yes, we are very selective.”

This selectiveness has earned them a reputation among elite travellers, including royalty and high-net-worth families. And because of the nature of these clients, the logistics must also meet a luxury standard – which can often throw up challenges, particularly in a country as vast as Australia.

“Sometimes the connections are not easy,” Mercien-Ferol said. “But our clients have the means, so we tend to use private jets, helicopters—whatever is needed to deliver the experience right.”

What Touring Treasures ultimately offers is not just access, but trust. “We tell the agent, let us take care of your guests while you are sleeping,” they said. It’s this reliability, matched with their refusal to compromise, that makes their service exceptional. “It’s not about just putting together an itinerary—it’s about making sure every single detail is worthy of the client we’re serving.”