SH 4-6 Apr 17 9/4/09 17:02 Page 45
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short-haul knowledge
Rail trips
owski
iedr
O
/Rainer K
German NT
Itineraries in Germany are selling well for Ffestiniog Travel
and – though their investments may be
under pressure – they are not worrying
about losing their jobs,” he explains.
“Some agents have totally switched on to
the opportunities, selling to people who
might otherwise buy a cruise or upmarket
coach tour.
“It’s a convivial experience, but so much
more civilised than a coach tour. You can
stroll around the train while you travel,
e! read a book in comfort and, of course,
Explor enjoy the views.”
Lakes and mountains itineraries are among Rail Select and Treyn Holidays’ best-sellers The operator’s commission rates are 10%
for Treyn Holidays and Rail Select, and
Get the inside
7.5% for the premium core brand, in which
most tours cost more than £1,000.
Best-sellers include the Swiss and Austrian
Alps, and the Italian lakes.
The first leg of most European itineraries
track on rail
is on Eurostar to Paris or Brussels. Among
the exceptions are tours of Scandinavia, such
as the Arctic Circle Express.
Another long-established operator is
Ffestiniog Travel, an offshoot of a Welsh
Agents now have more opportunity to sell rail holidays
heritage railway. The operator’s See the
World by Rail brochure includes 17 holidays
and unpackaged rail travel, and to respond to growing throughout Europe, from France to Romania.
demand to “go green”. Dave Richardson reports
It works closely with Aito Specialist
Agents, which it offers 10% commission
rather than its standard 7%.
RAIL PACKAGES. known to agents as former boss of Cresta General manager Gina Warren says:
Agents can play a major part in switching the Holidays – has now diversified. “Tailor-made Swiss holidays and escorted
public on to rail holidays, according to spe- This follows a major increase in capacity, tours in France, Romania and eastern
cialist Great Rail Journeys, which has started with sales up from 19,000 passengers in Germany are selling well.
selling through the trade for the first time. 2005 to 34,000 last year. “Ffestiniog tends to help the
Other operators are also increasing The operator has launched a trade with more difficult,
their focus, with Explore! launching its Treyn Holidays brochure, which specialist rail itineraries that you
first dedicated Rail Journeys brochure for features standard-class travel can’t find on the internet.”
2009-10. and tourist-class hotels, and a Rail Explore’s first rail brochure
Although many long-haul operators offer Select programme for independent features 25 tours. Eight are in
itineraries by train, Great Rail Journeys has travellers. Europe, with other options
by far the biggest range in Europe, as well as Kimber says the operator’s target including the Trans-Siberian
a worldwide programme. audience is the same as that of
eat Rail Journeys
Gr Railway and itineraries from
For 25 years, the operator sold direct only, many agents. GoldenPass Line train from Lucerne London to Marrakech, in
but managing director Steve Kimber – well “They are comfortable retirees to Interlaken is a popular option Morocco, and Aqaba, in Jordan.
17.04.2009 45
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