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SOLO NO MORE? Travellers are returning to group tours

The early 2010s trend of snubbing tour operators in favour of researching & creating an 'individual' itinerary is passing, according to Insight Vacations.

The early 2010s trend of snubbing tour operators in favour of researching & creating an ‘individual’ itinerary is passing, according to Insight Vacations.

In a Q&A with KARRYON, Chief Executive Ulla Hefel Böhler said she’s seeing more holidaymakers booking guided holidays and believes it’s a result of changing behaviour and attitudes towards traditional operators.

She explained that people who’d attempted to ‘go at it alone’ have gained an appreciation for the time-saving benefits of a guided holiday as well as its affordability and attention to detail.

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Image: Chandler Chen/Unsplash

Ullla also believes the changing perception of tour operators has emerged out of a remodelling of the sector from “boring old coach tours” to “fantastic, unique experiences”.

“Slowly the consumer is realising that tours are so different from what they use to be. It’s not old coaches and bad hotels, it’s an immersive holiday.”

Ulla Hefel Böhler, Insight Vacations Chief Executive

Sustainable travel is also playing a role in the return to guided holidays as consumers aren’t fully aware of how to locate environmentally-friendly hoteliers and on-the-ground activities.

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“People want to travel with a company that cares,” Ulla said. “They want to put their money towards an operator that gives back and support the local communities.”

As a leader in sustainable travel, Insight Vacations has catered to the growing passion for socially responsible vacations since 2008 when it introduced ‘Country Road’ itineraries, which are designed to combat overtourism by taking travellers to less explored destinations.

The brand also eliminated single-use plastic from its offices on 1 July 2018 and is the midst of a five-year plan to remove all avoidable single-use plastic from its on-the-ground operations.

More recently, Insight Vacations enhanced its Jordan itineraries with a visit to the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative, a foundation providing financial assistance to women living in rural areas.

 

Are you seeing a shift in attitude towards tour operators?