Insight Vacations goes for wider spread in its 2012/2013 programme
A new seven-day itinerary allows for more time in Vienna (above)
ENCOURAGED by the swelling demand for Eastern Europe itineraries, premium tour operator Insight Vacations has added eight such products in the last two years, with one of its newest being the seven-day Vienna, Prague & Budapest featuring Christmas markets. Prague is now used as the starting point instead of Vienna to allow for a more leisurely pace.
Growth for Eastern Europe tours among Asian travellers has shot up between eight and 16 per cent this year, said Sheryl Lim, regional director, Asia, Insight Vacations. Over a four-year period (2008-2011), it averages out as a 25 per cent increase.
“Eastern Europe is really a hot destination for Asians. I attribute our growth to the expansion of tours to this region, especially over the last one year. We have also introduced places and routes less explored beyond common destinations,” she said.
Tours now cover countries such as Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Bulgaria.
“Our loyal customers are always coming back to us asking if we have more to offer. Thus, we have created unusual itineraries that will take them to new and interesting destinations that they would not have tried to cover on their own because of languge problems, the hassle of self-booking hotels and researching transport availability,” said Lim.
She pointed out that prices of Eastern Europe tours were also generally lower compared to Western Europe ones, due to the living standards and currencies in those countries. Prices of its 16 tours range from US$1,375 for the seven-day Vienna, Prague & Budapest to US$6,785 for the 17-day Grand Tour of Russia, Ukraine & Crimea.
However, Lim explained that these itineraries were still costlier than “cookie-cutter tours”, due to accommodation choices of at least four-star and above in central and scenic locations. Examples are Hilton Vienna and Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge. There are also more sightseeing and experience inclusions, such as a swim at a historic bath house in Budapest and a visit to a secret Soviet submarine base.
She said travel consultants could earn a 10 per cent commission on the tours, while a current early bird offer that shaves off US$210 per couple will run until August 26.
This article was first published in TTG Asia, July 27 – August 9, 2012 on page 6. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.
