Collette’s Dan Sullivan: “Travel is the greatest educator”

In this industry, companies are constantly having to evolve to keep up with technology, sustainable travel, and the ever-changing needs of travellers.

To find out more about how companies are continually adapting to these changing needs, we spoke to one of the oldest tour companies around.

Specifically, the oldest and most experienced tour operator in North America.

This year, Collette is celebrating it’s centennial. That’s 100 years of operating, people! Which means they have to know something about travellers, right?

One man at Collette who knows a whole lot is Dan Sullivan, the president and CEO.

When Sullivan took the helm in 1990, Collette only had 60 tours. Since then, they’ve opened a UK office (in 1998) and an Australian office (in 2015) – and now have 166 tours to 56 countries. But who’s counting?

According to Sullivan, the secret to the company’s continued success is their relationships with trade partners and clients, which are “paramount”.

“Hospitality and quality customer service are the American way, and these are values which have been deeply embedded in Collette and its staff over the past hundred years,” he said.

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In addition to those values, Collette also has a long and proud history of philanthropy and responsible travel – which has only grown stronger in recent years as it becomes more popular with modern travellers.

“We have always been committed to making a real difference and contribution to the communities we operate in,” Sullivan said.

That extends from the Collette Cares program and its range of Impact Tours to the Collette Foundation and its philanthropic ventures.

“The Collette Foundation aims to assist children from communities around the world, focusing on providing them with basic needs such as hunger and education,” Sullivan said.

“Recently, the foundation celebrated its tenth anniversary by purchasing materials, soil, and seeds for a greenhouse in Pampallacta, the village in Peru where the spirit of Collette’s philanthropy began.

“The greenhouse is now assisting in the growth of vital produce for over 200 children and their families.”

Collette’s Impact Tours have also been a massive hit with travellers – after the success of its 2017 inaugural Impact Tour to South Africa, they announced two new itineraries in February, to South Africa and Costa Rica.

“Our Impact tours to South Africa and Costa Rica offer the chance for travellers to connect with diverse cultures and give back to the communities they visit,” Sullivan said.

“Impact Tours offer the best of both worlds – the chance to experience the must-see sights and explore the beauty of each destination, and opportunities to volunteer and work alongside locals towards sustainable change.

“Travel is the greatest educator!”

Many of Collette’s other tours are also more immersive than ever before, with the chance to meet locals and have authentic travel experiences – just one of the elements of Collette than Sullivan said is suited to Aussie travellers.

“The products we offer are very suited to the needs of Australian travellers and we are extremely grateful for the strong partnerships we are forging here,” he said.

“Collette plans to expand new and existing partnerships with agents in Australia whilst continuing to offer unique product experiences to our customers.”

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Collette Dan Sullivan Impact Tours The Collette Foundation