Karryon catches up with Tauck’s Managing Director, Australia David Clark to find out what’s happening ahead of the renowned US company’s 100th anniversary next year.
David Clark has worked in the cruise and travel business for more than 20 years and has been with Tauck for nearly five of them. For those who aren’t (yet) familiar with the highly acclaimed American escorted travel company, it has been owned by the same family since it was founded by Arthur Tauck Snr in 1925.
During that time, it has won more than 250 prestigious awards but until quite recently, Tauck wasn’t that well known in Australasia. Clark and his small “but mighty” team of six are working hard to change that and judging by the recent uptake of Tauck’s high-end, all-inclusive river cruises, the word is getting out.
Two national account managers, Helen Eve and Jerry Pilgrim, look after travel agency and advisor partnerships in NSW, the ACT and WA (Helen) and Queensland and Victoria (Jerry) and a dedicated team of three handle reservations.
“We receive incredible support from America,” said Clark. “It is a brilliant company to work for – after all, it’s been 99 years in the making. The Tauck family has very strong ethics and morals and do business properly.
“The company has a long-term commitment to the Australian market and agency partners. We know where we would like to be in 2030, 2035; you’ll see us at a lot of upcoming conferences and events as we head towards the centenary next year.”
Can you tell us a bit more about Tauck?
The company specialises in escorted small-group land tours everywhere from Africa to Latin America, luxury expedition voyages in the polar regions, small-ship ocean cruises and high-end river cruises in Europe.
We enjoy an incredible repeat rate – once guests experience one aspect of Tauck travel and fall in love with it, they are highly likely to book another.
We’re finding that Australians who have discovered Tauck’s river cruises are increasingly either booking another one or looking at, for example, a Tauck North America land tour.
The main reason for the repeat rate is that everything is so well organised – every component of a trip is extremely well-researched so there is consistency across the different travel styles.
Seasoned travellers also frequently mention “value”. It doesn’t matter how well off they are; they are very discerning and expect (and appreciate) all the extras that are always included.
I have met guests who have taken 27 trips with Tauck and they know that when we put our fares into the market, we don’t increase or decrease them. That creates a huge bridge of trust with our clients and our advisors.
What’s special about Tauck river cruises?
We have nine ships operating in Europe that accommodate about 105 guests per ship, fewer than many European river ships, and 84 on Andorinha, which was custom-built for Portugal’s Douro River.
Three Tauck Directors accompany every sailing and they provide incredible service and practical support, onboard and ashore. They are highly educated, speak several languages and have in-depth knowledge of the culture, history and landmarks of every destination we visit. They are also very sociable and great company!
Expert local guides join the Directors for shore excursions and because we only have small groups, guests enjoy an exceptionally high level of personal attention. And of course, guests can go off and do their own thing – your Director can point you in the direction of a small bar or restaurant that only locals know about.
There’s always a Tauck Director or guide on hand to greet guests at the airport and take them to their hotel or the ship when they arrive – one of our pillars is “leave your worries at home”.
That’s also why our fares are truly all-inclusive. Once you have paid, there are no incidental charges to worry about. Everything is taken care of.
Could you give us an example of the insider tours that Tauck is famous for, and how it was developed?
There are so many – dinners and concerts in private chateaux and castles, exclusive early-morning access to Monet’s gardens at Giverny, meeting local cooks, artisans, brewers and winemakers in their own workshops or homes – it’s hard to pick just one and they are developed through local connections and friendships.
One of my all-time favourites is an evening at the 18th-century Palais Pallavicini in Vienna. It is owned by the Pallavicini family, which goes back several centuries. About 25 or 30 years ago, our CEO Dan Maher met Prince Eduardo through business and proposed bringing small groups of guests to visit the palace.
At that time, the palace was not open to visitors but over the years the relationship deepened – and now Tauck guests on Danube River itineraries have the opportunity to enjoy an absolutely magical evening of music and fine dining at this superb establishment.
What are the most popular river cruise itineraries you’re selling in 2024 and 2025?
The demand for Douro cruises from Australian guests has been massive – we could have filled two or three ships there this year. Our new Three Rivers cruise, on the Danube, Main and Rhine is selling very well, and France is hugely popular.
Multi-gen families, particularly parents in their 30s and 40s, are discovering the marvellous Tauck Bridges program which is specifically designed for families, on select river cruises and land tours.
In 2025 we are introducing two new small-ship ocean cruises in Europe. The 14-day Romantic Capitals: Paris to Prague is a fabulous new river itinerary and we are also doubling capacity on the Seine as Esprit returns to France.
Are there any special events planned for Tauck’s 100th anniversary in 2025?
A major event is being planned for about 800 company members, their families and friends and key partners in Florence next February.
A hundred years is a great milestone, but the Tauck family is already looking ahead to 2035 and beyond.
Do you have a personal favourite destination or river cruise itinerary?
I could happily go on a Danube cruise every year and never get tired of it. Last year a Director suggested I take a tour to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, rather than Salzburg where I’d been before.
It was a revelation! Like a fairytale town. Everyone who went on that tour raved about it back on the ship. There’s always something new to discover.
Advisor alert: Sell Three, Sail Free
Until 31 July 2024, travel advisors who make three new bookings on any of Tauck’s 2024 European river cruises will earn one complimentary cabin on a Tauck river cruise departing in 2025.
For more information, visit tauck.com.au
