Inspiring Journeys’ Hans Belle shares his top selling tips for domestic travel
Inspiring Journeys have just launched a range of immersive new trips for 2019/20!
Travel Weekly tagged along to the launch event, which took place at the ultra swanky 12 Micron in Barangaroo where we were treated to performances from Rosie Belvie and Jeff Rhua from Tamaki Maori Village and Manuel Pamkal from Top Didj Experience.
We caught up with managing director for Inspiring Journeys and AAT Kings, Hans Belle, to find out more about the new trips and get some juicy domestic selling tips.
Belle told us the new journeys expand upon the small-group tours company’s existing “banquet portfolio” so clients can experience more of Australia.
Clients can explore Kakadu’s ancient gorges, spectacular wetlands and wildlife before flying to the awe-inspiring Red Centre and experiencing iconic Uluru and the mystical domes of Kata Tjuta.
“Relaxation-seekers can indulge in the beach culture and lifestyle of Southern Queensland’s coast on the new 8 Day The Uncharted Coast at the luxurious Spicers Hidden Vale before travelling to the internationally renowned coastal towns of Byron Bay and Noosa,” said Belle.
“And from the award-winning vineyards of surfing mecca Margaret River to the endearing native quokkas on Rottnest Island and the laid-back, historic cities of Perth and Fremantle – guests will have no shortage of activities to choose from in Western Australia on the new 7 Day A Journey to the West.”
According to Belle, one of the many benefits of sending your clients on a small-group journey is the sustainability factor.
“When you travel in a small group, you minimise the environmental impact caused by independent travel,” he said.
“We place conservation and sustainability at the heart of every trip, and partner with accommodation providers that take responsible tourism seriously.”
Belle commended travel agents on their continued support and said Inspiring Journeys has a very strong relationship with their agent partners.
“With their continued support, we were able to introduce four new trips in Australia and look forward to continuing the growth and innovation of the brand, with the support from our agent partners.”
Belle also gave us a handy list of tips for agents to follow when it comes to selling domestic travel:
Explore the NT while still relatively active: Focus on the active component of The Northern Territory, which requires a small degree of fitness.
Showcase the cost benefits: A packaged domestic trip, includes, hotel, meals, petrol, car hire, baggage fees, safety of not driving and experiences.
Focus on the unique experiences domestic travel can offer: Not all travellers are aware of the unique experiences that are available in their own backyard.
Australia has a range of experiences that are authentic and off the beaten track, including swimming Gunlom Falls, embarking on a two Day Wakalina walk, experiencing eco glamping on Rottnest Island and discovering the magic of an Uluru and Kata Tjuta sunrise.
For those clients who are unable to take more than a week off work, domestic journeys are the perfect getaway. Avoiding those long haul flights, with journeys from 5 – 22 days.
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