The names are almost similar – The Travel Corporation and Travel Corporation Asia – but they are different. Can you introduce Travel Corporation Asia please?
Our parent company The Travel Corporation (TTC) is now 104 years old (established in 1920), and represents multiple brands, one of them being Travel Corporation Asia (TCA). TCA has been operating in Asia since 1988, and is a DMC first and foremost, a ‘white label’ group tour operator that caters to the Asian market.

TCA curates and operates white label group coach tours to Europe and the UK based on what travel agencies want and their standards. Our teams have the flexibility and breadth to package budget to deluxe tours, however the majority of our programmes is in the mid- to premium level category, aligning with TCA’s brand pillars of quality, expertise, value, and trust.

Our clients are major travel agencies in main markets such as Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan, with business also from Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. TCA represents all of Asia.

TCA is built specifically for the Asian Market. Unique among the other TTC touring brands is that most of its tours are led by local tour managers in local language, which is important and comforting to our agent partners’ guests. So, for a tour out of Vietnam, a Vietnamese tour manager will take the group while a tour out of Hong Kong will have a Cantonese-speaking tour manager. While English-speaking tours can be provided, these only account for a very small percentage of TCA’s business.

Programmes include a mix of Asian and local cuisine, shopping opportunities, local experiences, and other things that Asian travellers are interested in doing while on holiday.

Furthermore, TCA is its own ground handler/DMC. Our hub based in London contracts directly for all of Europe and the UK, offering a one-stop shop for all group touring needs.

We have strategically placed and invested in an experienced operations team in London to work closely with European suppliers, providing our Asian clients 24/7 support in real time when they are travelling with us. This team is made out of people of Asian descent and who speak the local language.

Additionally, TCA’s sales teams work in-region and have been with the company for many years. They are highly experienced and hold close relations with our agent partners and understand the market and its requirements.

Is there enough awareness of TCA?
TCA has always flown under the radar. The business has been built over the years by strong partnerships and word-of-mouth, which is a testament to our brilliant teams and service offering. Our strength in customer service has helped the brand to grow without any form of marketing.

It is wonderful to have the opportunity to take the brand to the next level, bringing TCA from behind the scenes into the forefront as we further engage with the trade and spread brand awareness.

What synergies does TCA share with TTC?
TCA leverages and hugely benefits from utilising the buying power of TTC’s group of brands – there are 40 of them globally!

As you can imagine, the scale of TTC’s contracting network is vast, which includes hotels, restaurants, venues, as well as a premium transportation fleet. By tapping into this network for TCA, travel agents can be assured that brand standards are adhered to and a quality product is guaranteed.

The TTC ethos – Our Passion, Our Purpose and Our People – also run through the veins of TCA.

Having been in business since 1988, you must have seen how group tours have evolved through the years. What changes are most outstanding?
One of the main changes has been with technology. Technology has enabled travellers to research a lot more into their travel aspirations and make educated choices. From which hotels they will be staying at, where meals will be taken, what sights are included, and so on, travellers will look into specific locations and standards, and read reviews.

Hence, the travel industry must be a lot more transparent with details. Product design and delivery have become a collaborative process with our agent partners, ensuring that we not only deliver on but also exceed guest expectations. This is a great change.

Automation and digitisation have also freed up staff from attending to repetitive functions that could be handled more efficiently.

What is TCA’s team make-up in Asia?
TCA has designated offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and China. We have broad reach and are placed in regions to provide a premium service to our agent partners.

The Hong Kong office also manages and supports Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia – even the UK, the US and Canada because there are travel agents there with customers who like to tour Europe and the UK on tours developed for the Asian market.

There are country managers in all these areas, and they are led by Mae Cheah, who is also managing director of TTC Tour Brands in Asia.

TCA has recently resumed services in the China market, which has been very well-received, and we are currently further building up the team in Taiwan.

One of our main priorities post-pandemic has been rebuilding great teams and ensuring we have the right foundations and structure to support our fast-moving growth.

Which Asian sources markets are top for TCA?
TCA had a record year in 2023. The top performing markets were Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand, with Vietnam close behind.

TCA’s traditional number one source market is Hong Kong. We are seeing a sharp incline in the trajectory this year, so we are forecasting much better results. There is still a delta compared to pre-pandemic performance, and we are not expecting a full recovery in 2024. This is attributed to multiple factors such as the economy, price increases, demand for shorthaul trips, and airline limitations for groups.

Which Asian markets could have done a lot better?
Our business out of markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia traditionally had a lower price point, so they are struggling to get back to where they were. The cost of Europe in general went up significantly between 2022 and 2024, and some markets are still adjusting to that shift. In 2023, tourism to Europe exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and that lifted prices. There was strong demand for Europe, particularly out of the US. These results were without the recovery of the Asian market.

It is extra hard for the Malaysian outbound market due to the weak ringgit. How can TCA make Europe still affordable for these travellers?
One of the key things is the duration – shorter tours are more affordable. Another is the location of the hotels and the standard, and keeping the inclusions to a minimum to offer guests flexibility to choose what they do and how much they wish to spend.

There are many ways TCA can pivot and flex because it does not sell off-the-shelf tours. We can put together whatever the agent partner wants to do. So, even if the agent partner typically sells premium but needs to cater to the current market condition, TCA can adjust packages to suit a more cost-conscious traveller.

What TCA will not do is sacrifice quality by cutting corners or offering a lower standard in customer service. We will always provide value for what is spent.

Is there stronger interest in cheaper parts of Europe?
Prague, Budapest, Croatia and Slovenia (the central to eastern Europe locations) are a little bit cheaper than, say, Paris and Rome, but are all still so beautiful and unique. So, we’re quite excited seeing a large spike in demand for these destinations in 2024.

Several recent consumer spend surveys point to a growing willingness among consumers to splurge on entertainment and live performances. Do you see this having an impact on tour itineraries?
Our inclusions are dictated by the requirements of our trade partners. We have an array of entertainment and cultural performances that are true to the destination, such as cultural performances ­– flamenco shows in Spain, highland dances in Ireland, and artisan workshops like glass-blowing in Venice and weaving in Perugia. These are the things that TCA excels in and where its programmes add value to the traveller experience.

While a TCA tour will not include tickets to a Taylor Swift concert, it could enable groups to pair the concert with a bespoke Europe add-on to make the most of their European trip.

Are there certain travel trends that TCA is watching closely for potential impact on operations?
Sustainability is one. The TreadRight Foundation is an important part of TTC (it is a not-for-profit philanthropic mission created in 2008 by the company). With TreadRight and its mission to Make Travel Matter, all TTC tour brands have developed a vast array of meaningful destination experiences which TCA can tap into.

Examples of such experiences include discovering the history of Italian hand-weaving through a private demonstration and learning how the traveller’s visit has an impact on the traditional art; discovering habitat conservation in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia; and learning about the dangers facing turtles in Sri Lanka.

TTC takes the perspective that the travel industry depends on a thriving planet, with happy healthy communities and safeguarded wildlife. It is a privilege to be able to visit and take our guests to see the wonders that the world offers. So, it is our responsibility to leave each place better, so that the next generation of travellers can enjoy the amazing sights to come.

There are talks that revenge travel will lose steam in 2024 – what do you make of that?
In an era of wanderlust, travel is still very much here to stay. Tourism is resilient; there is an enduring desire to travel.

Travel demand remains strong, with TTC brands forecasting solid growth in 2024. TCA is currently 25 per cent up year-on-year. There is still significant room for outbound recovery across Asia. The reopening of several source markets, such as China, is accelerating in 2024.

Europe is the most popular tourist destination on the planet, enticing over 700 million visitors each year. It has incredible diversity of cultures, stunning scenery, and world-renowned cities. You cannot put a price on these experiences, connections and memories that will last a lifetime. So, TCA will continue to lead and innovate in both quality of service and transformative travel experiences by creating truly unique and memorable moments rooted in the destination.