Escorted tours come in all shapes and sizes, finds Katie McGonagle Size matters 42 • travelweekly.co.uk — 8 November 2012 DESTINATIONS — ESCORTED TOURS I s bigger really better, or do the best things come in small packages? When it comes to guided tours, group size can radically alter the emphasis of a trip, so it’s vital to suss out your clients’ top priorities. Do they want to be one of a handful of like-minded travellers, forging lifelong friendships as they go? Or would they prefer to meet a range of characters and enjoy the camaraderie of a larger group? We asked a handful of operators how their numbers stack up, with a look at how this affects the activities they include. l SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED Flexibility is key for small group tours; try getting 40-odd people to jump on a few rickshaws or creep up-close to animals in the wild, and it soon becomes clear why smaller groups have an advantage in enjoying unique, local experiences. Lisa Fisher, programme manager at Rainbow Tours, where group sizes range from six to 12, says: “When it comes to a tour involving wildlife, the smaller the group, the better. A small group ensures the guide can be heard easily and doesn’t have to make any unnecessary noise, which could disturb wildlife. They can enjoy fabulous wildlife-viewing opportunities as it’s easy to keep everyone together and focused – and they can change their route or plans to fit.” Journeys of Distinction limits groups to 25. This means it can use boutique hotels such as the Inkaterra Machu Picchu, featured on its Peru in Style itinerary, and include activities such as chatting face-to-face with Maori elders in Wairakei, New Zealand, or hands- on winemaking in Mendoza. Similarly, G Adventures makes use of local transport, homestays and authentic restaurants thanks to typical groups of 10-12. Getting to know your fellow travellers is the priority for Intrepid, where the average size is just 10. Sales director Daniel Pawlyn says: “We believe travelling with a small group creates a better experience TOP TIP Earn a £50 Love2shop voucher for every Journeys of Distinction booking made before November 30 jod.uk.com ▲
Transcript
Escorted tours come in all shapes and
sizes, finds Katie McGonagle
Size matters
42 • travelweekly.co.uk — 8 November 2012
DESTINATIONS — ESCORTED TOURS
Is bigger really better, or do the best things come in small
packages?When it comes to guided tours,
group size can radically alter the emphasis of a trip, so it’s vital to suss out your clients’ top priorities. Do they want to be one of a handful of like-minded travellers, forging lifelong friendships as they go? Or would they prefer to meet a range of characters and enjoy the camaraderie of a larger group?
We asked a handful of operators how their numbers stack up, with a look at how this affects the activities they include.
l SMALL BUT
PE RFECTLY FORM E D
Flexibility is key for small group tours; try getting 40-odd people to jump on a few rickshaws or creep up-close to animals in the wild, and it soon becomes clear why smaller groups have an advantage in enjoying unique, local experiences.
Lisa Fisher, programme manager at Rainbow Tours, where group sizes range from six to 12, says: “When it comes to a tour involving wildlife, the smaller the group, the better. A small group ensures the guide can be heard easily and doesn’t have to make any unnecessary noise, which could disturb wildlife. They can enjoy fabulous wildlife-viewing opportunities as it’s easy to keep everyone together and focused – and they can change their route or plans to fit.”
Journeys of Distinction limits groups to 25. This means it can use boutique hotels such as the Inkaterra Machu Picchu, featured on its Peru in Style itinerary, and include activities such as chatting face-to-face with Maori elders in Wairakei, New Zealand, or hands-on winemaking in Mendoza.
Similarly, G Adventures makes use of local transport, homestays and authentic restaurants thanks to typical groups of 10-12.
Getting to know your fellow travellers is the priority for Intrepid, where the average size is just 10. Sales director Daniel Pawlyn says: “We believe travelling with a small group creates a better experience
TOP TIP Earn a £50
Love2shop voucher
for every Journeys of
Distinction booking made before
November 30 jod.uk.com
▲
8 November 2012 — travelweekly.co.uk • 4544 • travelweekly.co.uk — 8 November 2012
DESTINATIONS — ESCORTED TOURS
for passengers; there’s a close-knit group of like-minded people to travel with and it means the group can be more flexible and enjoy more authentic, local experiences without overwhelming their destination. It also makes interaction with locals more likely.”
Asia is certainly a favourite for small group tours; Wendy Wu Tours has no more than 28 guests, Cosmos Tours & Cruises limits groups to 12 for destinations such as Vietnam and China, while TransIndus has 12-16 on tours of the subcontinent.
Small-group options are on the rise, with operators introducing them alongside regular ranges. Trafalgar, for example, carries up to 48 on its European tours, but new itineraries for Japan, China and Vietnam have just 20-26, and South Africa a maximum of 12. Collette Worldwide is also adding to its Explorations range, where groups get no bigger than 28, with a nine-day Inspiring Iceland
tour (from £2,099), and 15-day Exploring South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls (from £4,249).
l BIG I S BEAUTI FUL
What if I get stuck with people I don’t like? It’s one of the most common questions, so overcome that fear by suggesting clients opt for a larger group where they are bound to find a few kindred spirits.
Great Rail Journeys and sister brand Treyn favour around 40 for European destinations to ensure a good group dynamic, mix of personalities, and more competitive rates for rail travel and hotel accommodation.
Titan’s average group size is 36 to 40, even operating double or triple departures on some of its cruises and chartered river ships. Agency sales manager Edwina Coppock says: “The larger the group, the greater the economies of scale, meaning lower prices for customers. Generally speaking, Titan can manage small or large
groups in excursions; if a group is too large, we can break it down to ensure all clients get the best experience.”
Better buying power is also key in securing a wider range of experiences for
ASK AN EXPERT
Paul Melinis, sales director,
One Stop Touring Shop
“The benefit of a larger group is not only having more buying
power – allowing us to offer more competitive prices to the
customer – but also meeting a wider variety of people. Our guests come from all over the
English-speaking world and with a larger group often comes a
more convivial atmosphere and broader range of customers.
In smaller groups, guests have a more intimate experience – access to guides and tour
directors is more personal, and more time can be spent doing
hands-on activities such as cookery classes or wine-tastings.”
EscortED tours NEWs
Dragoman has introduced 50 trips in its 2013-14 brochure including Burma, Ladakh, Bhutan and, in South America, Rio to Cusco via the new Trans-Amazonian highway.dragoman.com
Solos has expanded its activity breaks across Europe, and added a Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Breakaway and a gulet cruise in Turkey. solosholidays.co.uk
Diamond Rail Holidays’ new trips for 2013 include The Jacobite Steam Train through Scotland from £699 and the 10-day Scandinavian Highlights, including a cruise through the Norwegian fjords, from £2,095. sellingrailholidays.com
Maximise chances of spotting the aurora borealis with Regent Holidays’ escorted Northern Lights Explorer Tour, which includes six expeditions in Iceland’s most remote regions. regent-holidays.co.uk
Exodus has launched its 2013-14 Walking & Trekking brochure, with 25 new itineraries including its first foray into Oman and eight European breaks for beginners. exodus.co.uk
clients; Trafalgar, for example, offers exclusive access to the top of Berlin’s TV Tower before it even opens to the public. Cosmos Tours & Cruises, meanwhile, has groups of up to 49 for the US and 40 for Europe, where the destinations are more geared to larger groups. TW
