It’s also down to an ever-increasing
desire for adventure travel that goes beyond the beach. That means the more unusual tours are doing especially well, according to Michelle Laverick, head of marketing at Collette. “Our off-the-beaten-track tours that still have a luxury feel have experienced the greatest growth over the past few years,” she says. “But customers don’t want to stay in a hostel or three-star accommodation. They have arrived at the time of their life when creature comforts are important.” Journey Latin America has reported a similar trend, with the popularity of camping in regions such as Patagonia decreasing as clients seek out more luxurious alternatives. Canada is proving a strong performer
ASK THE EXPERT
Steve Spivak, vice-president of global sales, Tauck “Be prepared to justify the higher price that luxury tours carry. Many travellers do
head-to-head price comparisons of tours from different operators to the same destination, and a luxury tour is always going to carry a higher price. Point to the inclusions, and calculate the added costs clients will have to pick up on a lower-priced tour with less
included. Look into the quality of the hotels, and point out how and where the luxury itinerary has accommodation in the heart of desirable cities, rather than an hour outside town. And remind clients that vacations are a time to splurge a bit!”
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travelweekly.co.uk 15 June 2017
in terms of destinations, with Insight Vacations reporting the Majesty of the Rockies tour among Luxury Gold’s best-sellers. Travel 2 cites South Africa and Peru, while APT highlights Alaska, New Zealand and Asia.
◗ LUXURY MEETS ADVENTURE It’s little wonder these far-flung destinations are doing so well in the sector; luxury tours mean epic adventures without the need to slum it. Take Abercrombie & Kent’s Kilimanjaro trek, which features
Off-the-beaten-track tours that still have a luxury feel have experienced the greatest growth over the past few years
customised tents (the largest on the mountain) for added comfort and private toilets available exclusively to the operator’s guests. Kuoni’s Kenya in Style tour takes luxury safaris to a new level with stays at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp, where the ‘tents’ resemble full-on houses with four-poster beds, glass windows and wooden front doors – all surrounded by elegant gardens filled with acacia trees. For more boutique-style hotels,
Back-Roads Touring checks guests on its Italian Indulgence trip into the Hotel Villa La Palagina, a historic house in the Chianti countryside that was home to 19th-century prime minister Bettino Ricasoli. Collette, meanwhile, offers a stay in a glass igloo on its Northern Lights of Finland tour, which is new for 2018, throwing it in with other extras such as the chance to lead a dog-sledding team.
◗ ADDED EXTRAS These extra-special experiences give luxury tours an edge, so emphasise them to help sway customers with doubts. APT features a range of Signature Experiences that promise VIP access – from meeting a Mountie in Banff (on its Rockies Explorer and Alaska Cruise) to a tasting experience in Ho Chi Minh City designed by celebrity chef Luke Nguyen (on its Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights trip).
Cinque Terre, Italy
PICTURES: ROCKY MOUNTAINEER; BACK-ROADS TOURING
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