Europe rebounds for Insight amid best air offer ever
Pent up demand following a dip last year, coupled with “a very strong proposition” on rates and free flights have the stars aligned for Insight Vacations as travellers rebound back to Europe in 2017.
Insight Vacations’ Global CEO, John Boulding, in Sydney this morning told Travel Weekly the “mood has changed” regarding travel to Europe following months of geopolitical uncertainty, evidenced by an instant uptake in bookings for its new Europe 2017 programme, released just this past week.
“Our key message is our guests can travel with ease and confidence, and get great value. When you’re on your own, you’re on your own,” Boulding said, referring to the benefits of travelling in an escorted group capacity.
He added that with Insight Vacations’ relatively small group size of a maximum 40 passengers, they are somewhat more nimble to change hotels or plans should unfavourable conditions arise, using the recent Turkey incidents as an example.
“We deal with 800,000 people a year travelling to Europe. We’re there on the ground to take care of passengers 24/7.”
To further bolster sales, for first time Insight are offering fly-free packages on 16 days or more Europe 2017 tours, plus heavily discounted flights on those outside the parameters. Three out of its top five Europe and Britain 2017 bestselling tours meet the criteria, which coupled with a favourable sterling, are giving momentum to early bookings according to Boulding.
The new 2017 Europe programme nett land and air combined rates are lower year-on-year due to the currency fluctuations caused by Brexit, making for even more compelling reasons to book early, Boulding said, however stipulated they were not a “price led operator”.
Two new Scandinavian itineraries, as well as a 15-day tour of Warsaw and the Baltic States are also on offer in the new 2017 programme. A series of new Signature Experiences are also expected to set Insight apart from competitors, with guests provided exclusive access to various sights but also artisans, chefs, storytellers and local experts. For the first time in 2017, guests on a number of Premium Italian itineraries will enjoy a private after-hours dinner inside the Vatican Ethnological Museum.
Boulding also said a push to ensure key messaging differentiating its two various product offerings under the Insight umbrella, Premium journeys and Luxury Gold, was important to the success of the two identities to fuel further growth. While both offer luxury escorted tours, Gold guests are spoilt with Michelin fine dining options and enhanced private VIP experiences.
New this year is the expansion of its Luxury Gold to a worldwide portfolio featuring 15 new itineraries, nine new countries, two new continents and a voluntourism extension for the first time.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
-
Latest comments
Latest News
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com has announced its AI Trip Planner (Beta) is now available for travellers in Australia and New Zealand, the first markets to launch in Asia Pacific. Until now, AI Trip Planner was only available for US and UK travellers after it was launched in the Booking.com app in June last year. Built using Booking.com’s existing […]
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Well It’s so nice to hear of John Boulding’s positive news.
We had a recent situation with Insight being strung along for months with being advised that a non GD was “likely” to go after paying in full for a tour to Sicily telling us that Sicily is very popular etc only to have it cancelled and leaving us with a big hole in our pre-arranged tour bookings. This tour was the only option to fit in with our November time frame. It was only by a number of contacts to Insight by our agent and us direct that they finally fessed up and admitted it was not going to happen. They still attempted to get us to keep the booking “live” for an extra two weeks; talk about unconscionable conduct!!. We now find it is nearly impossible to find a replacement tour, with practically all suitable tours booked out. We are most unimpressed with this very poor customer service particularly when Insight had an interest free loan of our money for over six months and we did not even get an apology!!.