Alain Tholl de L'Enclos: A multi-faceted Belgian communicator

Eric Alauzen                            Thank you for this interview, Mr. Tholl de L'Enclos. You've been the press partner of our press relations agency, EA Pro Nantes, for many years and we're always happy to follow you in your many roles in different media, as an editor, producer, insider or presenter. Can you tell our blog readers a bit more about yourself? Knowing you, it seems to me that you've had several lives...

Alain Tholl de L'Enclos: A multi-faceted Belgian communicator

Alain Tholl de L'Enclos           Several lives, I don't know, but a lot of experience with the press, yes... In fact, my career has led me to work with several Belgian media. I'd mention RTBF and RTL Plug, for whom we produced and presented programs on fashion and trends, but not only that: we also covered lifestyle and took our viewers with us on a discovery of destinations, always magnificent and original in their lifestyle concepts. I have a very special memory of the RTL Plug program, Des Habits et Moi, where we worked together on several press trips to Tunisia. For a few months now, I've been contributing as an insider to Luxury Brussels, a lifestyle platform aimed at a high-end international clientele, and at the same time I've been contributing as a fashion and lifestyle consultant to three Belgian dailies: La Libre, DH et le Groupe L’Avenir. 

EA        But how do you manage all these time-consuming assignments?

ATE      It's all a question of organization and time management. For example, for the L'Avenir Group, in their magazine Deuxio, from next April I'm also going to have a page to interview leading Belgian personalities in all fields. So, I'm now in the process of contacting their press attachés to draw up my interview schedule for the rest of the year. Here too, you must get organized and plan.

EA        In Belgium, but I know that you are a discreet and modest person, your public relations portfolio is much envied. You know the whole Belgian jet set, the Gotha, and everyone knows you. How did you build up this portfolio? 

ATE      In fact, I'd answer quite simply, over time. Imagine that I've been working with the press and in other fields for over forty years. In other words, forty years of meetings, appointments and networking. I'm incredibly lucky to be able to rub shoulders with society at large, so this portfolio has grown naturally and humbly. Being open to others, sympathetic and empathetic, interested and curious, remains a must.

EA        Alain, you've told us that you make a lot of press trips. What is your most fabulous memory?

ATE I'll give you a quick answer, because these two adventures really made an impression on me: first, a press trip that took me to the Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius, a magnificent five-star hotel that literally blew me away with the quality of its service and staff. And the second was to Tunisia, to the Royal Thalassa Monastir, whose Thalasso Centre left an unforgettable impression on me, given the quality of its treatments, the concept, the incredible light and the great professionalism of its general manager, Corinne Palomba. Two extremely well-organized press trips where we were looked after in such an attentive and charming way...

Contance Prince Mauritius

EA        We have organized several press trips to Tunisia with you and the various media you work with. Why do you love this country so much?

ATE      I have a very special feeling about Tunisia... First, because I love the sun and Tunisia is for me a destination for all seasons, especially pleasant in the spring and autumn... It's also very close, just over two hours from Belgium, which makes for a quick and guaranteed change of scenery. Finally, the quality of its thalassotherapy. Tunisia is the second most popular thalassotherapy destination in the world, and I've always appreciated the tactile quality of its treatments and the beauty of its centers. In December, I went on a press trip to Djerba with your firm and I have to say that, despite my familiarity with the island, I was once again captivated by its magic and enchantment.

Royal Elyssa Thalasso & Spa, Monastir, Tunisia

EA        What do you like about Djerba?

ATE      A lot of things: the serenity that reigns here, the fact that you can have lunch outside in short sleeves in December, the increasingly advanced quality of the crafts, the pleasure of hunting for bargains and bargaining in the souks, the beauty of the golf course where I hit my first balls, the casino, which is unique in Tunisia, the good restaurants and, of course, the sense of hospitality of the Djerbiens. It's unique!

Royal Garden Palace, Djerba, Tunisia

EA        A more personal question: you work with several press relations agencies. What do you think a press attaché brings to the organization of your trips? Do you think they are indispensable?

ATE     I'll start at the end of your question if you don't mind. Yes, of course, they are essential. First, a press officer, whether male or female, must be available, professional and diplomatic, and these qualities are exactly what I need. There have been times when I couldn't write an article about a destination because the press attaché wasn't up to the task of suggesting adventures, experiences, off-the-track paths; in a word, creativity to make my article as interesting as possible for our readers! Secondly, he must know how to balance the content of this press trip, by giving me free rein to let my own creativity run wild, but also by suggesting excursions, visits and tours that will feed into the content of my article. Finally, there's nothing more pleasant than feeling looked after and pampered, so that I can concentrate on my writing and live my experiences and let others live them. Finally, I personally prefer single-media press trips, where I'm the only journalist invited. It gives me greater concentration and, above all, more freedom.

EA        As we enter 2025, what are your resolutions and plans?

ATE      Resolutions, no thank you, I prefer to talk about new adventures. I'm off to Mauritius in a few days' time where, as part of a private trip, I'd like to spend a day discovering a beautiful luxury hotel in Mauritius, which I'll be writing about in Luxury Brussels. Another press trip to Morocco is planned for mid-May. At the same time, I'm planning more press trips with a colleague in charge of video - I'll be handling the writing side - for Deuxio magazine, which I mentioned at the start of this interview.

EA        Last question, Alain. What advice would you give to a young journalist just starting out in his or her career?

ATE       I'd answer with one word: be full of curiosity about other cultures, other people and other worlds. Respect for the work of others is also very important. This quality, curiosity, will always allow the young journalist to see and discover, and therefore to experience new things and pass them on to his or her readers. Quite simply, it's about sharing...

EA        Thank you, Alain, for giving us your time, which we know is very precious to you, and enjoy your trip to Mauritius!

Interview conducted on 06/02/2025 by Eric ALAUZEN, EA Pro Nantes, with Alain Tholl de L'Enclos in Brussels.

EA Pro Nantes Relations Presse