ASIA TOURS


Optimise clients’ time and money Noemi Espinosa, senior product executive, Regent Holidays “One trend we’re seeing is that people want a balance between guidance and independence. They


like having a guide to provide context at key sites, but they also appreciate free time to explore on their own. For entry-level budgets, the key is access and smart itinerary design; these clients can still have meaningful experiences through well-chosen tours and central hotels. Even modest budgets can include cooking classes, market visits or street-food tours.”


Enjoy Japan’s quieter side Tyler Palma, product director, Inside Travel “Japan has always been huge for Inside Travel and seemingly everyone wants to experience it.


Traditionally, InsideJapan’s springtime tours have always sold out way in advance due to the popularity of cherry blossom season, but these days, autumn tours for Japan also do. There is also a new Summer Elegance tour, launched to embrace seasonal cultural experiences such as festivals and food.”


Upsell an extension


Phil Shipman, UK & Ireland sales director, Cosmos Tours “For value-focused travellers, escorted tours offer a structured way to see major highlights efficiently,


while clients with more to spend can enhance their trip with a couple of pre or post-tour nights for added flexibility. Higher-spend travellers often appreciate extending their stay further. Japan has been the standout performer, with Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun bookings up 154% year-on-year.”


Focus on value and variety Hayley Morris, head of trade and partnerships, Newmarket Holidays “Focus on the value that escorted touring offers in Asia – having


knowledgeable local guides and a structured itinerary removes much of the complexity of travelling across multiple destinations. It also helps to highlight the immersive cultural experiences included in tours, from cuisine and heritage sites to unique activities that travellers might struggle to organise independently. For 2027, we’re expanding options that combine well-loved highlights with less-explored regions. Our new Tour Plus enhancements also have the option to extend the holiday experience in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.”


travelweekly.co.uk 2 APRIL 2026 33 ` We’ve seen a 41%


increase in passengers booked onto our


Uzbekistan trips by


travel agents between January and March


2026, compared to the same period last year


Bukhara, Uzbekistan


Book early at busy times Mark Henderson, head of specialist product, Incredible Journeys “Booking behaviour shows more travel is being booked for the current year,


particularly Q2 and Q3, reflecting shorter lead times. With that in mind, early planning is still important for peak seasonal periods such as major festivals and natural events. For those with limited time, a single-country highlights tour is ideal as these itineraries capture the essence of a destination and often spark the desire to return for a deeper, more immersive visit in the future.”


Highlight the range Abbey Cousins, business development manager, Jules Verne “Asia currently represents 38% of all revenue from our trade customers


travelling in 2026. Highlight the diversity of cultures, landscapes and experiences, from a jungle safari in search of endangered Bengal tigers in India to an adventure through Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities. Uzbekistan has been selling particularly well for us; we have seen a 41% increase in passengers booked onto our trips by travel agents between January and March 2026, compared to the same period last year.”


Include a cruise


Lloyd Morris, strategic account manager, Riviera Travel “We are seeing more interest in our Grand Tours, which offer customers the opportunity to stay longer for a more


immersive holiday. One example is the enhanced Best of Japan itinerary, where we’ve taken the original 13-day tour and added four days to venture off the beaten path. We are also seeing more demand for the Mekong River – so much so we are building our first ship outside Europe.”


Newmarket Holidays group at the Taj Mahal, India


PICTURES: Shutterstock/Summit Art Creations, Kadagan; Unsplash/chen zy; Charlotte Cumming


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