US-based luxury travel operator Tauck is going big with its small-group tours in 2023, adding 35 per cent more special land departures against pre-pandemic levels. Tauck will offer 75 small-group land journeys in total on worldwide itineraries.
Tauck’s small-group tours visit Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Most departures average 24 passengers with many African safaris featuring as few as 18 guests.
The company also launched a new 28-page Small Group Journeys e-brochure to support its expanded small-group land offering that highlights the benefits and itineraries available.
Tauck Managing Director Australia David Clark recently told Karryon that post-pandemic, Australians are more cautious about how they travel and prefer to book with an established brand.
He said Tauck’s range of land journeys, small ship cruises, river cruises, family adventures and small-group tours have been a hit in Australia.
“We’ve been finding that Australians really resonate with our unique product offering,” Mr Clark said.
Boutique ocean and river cruising
Tauck’s ‘small is big’ ethos extends beyond small-group land journeys to ocean cruises, European river cruises and even standard-group classic land tours.
The company partners with PONANT for its small-ship ocean cruises, employing the luxury French line’s new Explorer ships (capacity: 184 guests) on numerous itineraries.
On Europe’s rivers, Tauck’s newest ship, the ms Andorinha, carries just 84 guests – fewer than other riverboats in its fleet.
Launched in 2021, the ms Andorinha’s capacity is intentionally low to offer more suites, roomier public areas and a more intimate onboard ambience.
Tauck’s small-ship ocean cruises and river cruises feature sightseeing options that also reduce group size for a more interactive experience.
Even in ports where all guests enjoy the same sightseeing, Tauck divides them into smaller groups. The company also uses the same strategy with its land-based motor coach tours.
Tauck CEO Dan Mahar said the company’s focus on small-group experiences pre-dates the pandemic.
“The onset of COVID boosted the appeal of small group travel for very different reasons but even before the pandemic we’d been evolving our product lines to reflect our ‘small is big’ mantra.”
“Our guests understand and appreciate that they’re able to immerse themselves in the destination more interactively and authentically. They enjoy a more engaging and enriching experience when they travel in a smaller, more intimate group setting,” he said.
To find out more, visit tauck.com.au
