TRAFALGAR has seen bookings by Asian travellers leap 25 per cent from 2011 to 2012, with Singapore contributing the biggest share.
Singaporeans accounted for 40 per cent of bookings from Asia, followed by Malaysia (25 per cent), the Philippines (25 per cent) and the rest of Asia (10 per cent).
Nicholas Lim, regional director of Trafalgar Tours, said: “I would like Asia to be in the top three contributing regions around the world in the next five years, and expect each of our general sales agents (GSAs) to grow by 25 per cent in their first year, as a small base to start.”
Trafalgar recently held a fam trip for its GSAs from Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, the Philippines and Thailand, as well as each country’s top travel consultants, taking them to Paris, Lyon, Nice and Milan.
Of Trafalgar’s travel products, Lim highlighted the company’s Be My Guest programme as having done especially well in Asia. Under the programme, travellers are invited into homes of local families, who cook for guests and engage them in conversation about local culture.
“Be My Guest stands well especially in Asia, where the traditional hospitality of inviting friends, as well as visitors, to one’s home is still highly valued,” said Lim.
