agents on tour - easter island


maybe even the Galapagos


s Sell the adventure - the sights plus quad biking or trekking


s Add to an itinerary as a perfect three- to fi ve-day destination


s Add it on to Santiago or Lima s Sell it as a stopover using the LANPASS and to those who have tried South America and want more!


s It will appeal to honeymooners wanting something a bit different or to the well-travelled wanting something new and adventurous


s The history and mystery are the strong selling points


“Easter Island has to be in the top fi ve places to visit in South America, it’s defi nitely up there with Machu Picchu and the Amazon.” Kim Sylvester - Reed & Mackay


“the volcanoes were amazing, seeing the mist coming in and out is very beautiful and offers something quite different to other polynesian islands. the moai statues and local culture are unique”


room report It’s not cheap but it is amazing! There


are only around 500 hotel rooms on the island so they can charge a premium price of at least $150 for a single per night, plus clients need to budget for about $50 pp per day for lunch and dinner. Most accommadation is three-star, hostels or camping. The exception is the Explora Hotel which opened a couple of years ago - it’s about $1000 per night! The agents stayed in the welcoming, family-run, 13-roomed Puka Vai Hotel (www. pukuvaihotel.com). Perhaps surprisingly, there was very good Wi Fi internet connection available in the hotel.


WoW factor


This is a piece of paradise that is unspoilt by tourism with a magical, mystical feel


the vibe Easter Island has a unique vibe. There


is a certain mystery to it and the culture and stories of the statues only adds to the mystical mood. The landscapes are lush and green and although tourism is the main industry, the overall feel is relaxed, unspoilt and beautiful. The remote position of the destination combined with the landscapes make it a perfect ‘adventure destination’. It certainly


hoW to sell The geographical location and


cost make this a once-in-a- lifetime holiday experience for most so stress the unique attractions and amazing experience of a trip. The island is compact but recommend the most hassle- free option for getting around which is an organised bus tour, priced from around $120 a day, or private tour from $150. (www.trekkingrapanui.cl). It is worth noting that taxis are relatively cheap, a 20-min ride would be around £10.


“This is a one-off place. Not many people even know where it is, they just


know about the moai statues. The ‘make people jealous’ factor would defi nitely come into play when selling this!” Lucy Haynes - Flight Centre


“I would now recommend Easter Island


over the more popular Pacifi c stops for a round- the-world itinerary too” Jonathan Insley - STA Travel


“even though it's a long way to go, it is well worth it. the culture and the history, combined with friendly and welcoming people make this a great destination”


feels far from the madding crowds. John described it as “a cross between Fiji and New Zealand” and Lucy thought it was “similar to Hawaii 30/40 years ago.” Kim said: “Easter Island reminded me of St Vincent 20 years ago. Absolutely no hustle and bustle, just pure


relaxation.” But perhaps


Sue summed it up best saying: “It is just so


untouched and


unspoilt. It’s a little hidden gem”. s


LAN in South America 7


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