We met Siobhan Chretien through a mutual friend and just minutes into our first glasses of wine, she was recounting the anecdotes and memories and must-sees from what is an envious passport of professional and personal travels across the world. Siobhan has gained global notoriety within the travel, luxury and tourism categories frequently called on to speak or consult with a variety of clients — from well known brands to local travel + tourism councils.
She established her tourism and marketing expertise over a decade helming Destination Canada, the country's tourism marketing organization. In addition to running her new consulting practice, she documents the best in global food, beverage and cultural trends — all sourced from her extensive travels — on her SipTips blog and Instagram (a selection of her travels above).
We got selfish and wanted to dig deeper into her tips, travels and worldview, and she graciously agreed to the Indwell Interview. Check out Siobhan's consulting company Me Marketing for more.
If you could spend a week anywhere on earth, where would you go? Why? I would spend a week the Normandy region of France. I am of French decent, my fathers’ family originates from the region. I am captivated by its rich viking history, tranquil landscape, timbered housing, battlefields and castles. And of course the food and wine! As well, Canadians played an important role in the Battle of Normandy (D-Day) in World War II. We need to appreciate our history more. I value this knowledge when I travel.
What’s one spot (restaurant, bar, shop, etc.) that’s a MUST visit while in Normandy? Indulge your inner princess and have dinner at the castle Le-Mont-St-Michel island commune. Surrounded by a moat, what is not to love! To take glass of champagne and eat some Marennes-Oléron oysters, what could be better?! So romantic and fun.
What is one brand that best reflects your personality? Why? I love the classics of Chanel. Who can’t love anything that Coco Chanel and her wit, charm and beauty influenced? I love femininity. Elegance and grace is something you cannot re-create. It exists. Chanel is this for me, it’s sophisticated but its roots come from a clever being that had edge and enjoyed a great life.
I want a unique dinner in your home city of Vancouver, where do I go? Vancouver is nestled on an island, against the sea, surrounded by mountains, in a rain forest, so it is purely distinct and unique! I would suggest the bar/restaurant Lift to a first time visitor. The food and drink can be enjoyed as you sit outside next to the fire suspended over the water. It’s intimate: kayaks, cruise ships, sea planes will pass by as you relax looking at the city of glass, Stanley park and the mountains.
What are one or two big trends you’re seeing in the travel/tourism industry? The “unhotel” would be one. By this I don’t mean Air BnB-type platforms. They are great. But for hotels that still strive to serve the hotel customer, that customer experience is totally changing. A great example is the hotel 21C in Louisville. The hotel concept was built around an art gallery experience. Furthermore, established hotel rules are being broken. No checkins, less stuffy service, free amenities, bikes, communal work spaces, personal stylists, etc. Simply put, lifestyle matters. When traveling, one's lifestyle preferences and rituals should not have to change.
What does it mean to have city/local pride today? I would simply consider this to mean that you are compelled to share. If you feel this love of your location intrinsically, but also act on it, that is pride. With millennials, there is a huge cultural movement toward celebrating the best of one’s city and life. Who wants to be bored or feel left out? Who wants a dull life? Technology makes us all advocates and media unto ourselves. I don’t know anyone that does not in some way use this to share their pride.
Finally, we wanted to know what few essentials Siobhan can't travel without:
- A wine bottle opener. Al fresco everywhere is best! I always head right to a market or grocery store for cultural insights. It’s like opening the refrigerator into someones home. Then I go eat my local finds and the wine to drink is a must. With your own opener, you can have a picnic everywhere!
- My moleskin and my pencil. I provide trip design for clients and my journeys are my road maps. My Moleskin is like my diary of the decade. I keep each one I fill with my finds on a bookshelf for future reference.
- Bumble & Bumble Beach Hair spray. I already have big beach hair so I keep fresh with this mist that has an amazing scent and keeps me fly-away free!
- My iPhone music. I don’t watch TV on flights. I find long flights are the best time to think, work, read, write, and simply relax. My playlists vary as on every trip you always learn of a new genre, artist or influence. Music is magic for the mind.
- My travel wrap from American Apparel. It can be worn about 10 different ways. From acting as a cozy blanket to a unique crossed wrapped sexy cross top, it’s amazingly versatile. I am not a fan of the “ I just came from the gym” look on planes and feel people should still feel comfortable but in style, when traveling. This gives you just that.