Singapore-based travel specialist SoulTrips has teamed up with Europamundo Vacations to create over 600 flexible travel itineraries, allowing travellers to choose where they want to start and stop on their tour.
Alongside promoting established European and Latin American destinations, the partnership will introduce tailor-made itineraries catering to the unique preferences and interests of travellers from Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
The flex-scape itineraries make it easier for moving across multiple cities, and Europamundo coach tours prices do not include flight booking. Without a fixed flight departure, anyone seeking to extend their holiday after they finish their trip can request assistance for additional nights to be added, or switch midway to hop onto another Europamundo tour.
With coach tours operating every week, travellers can also take a pause during the tour and continue with the next departure group afterwards for a small additional fee.
In addition, a private transfer is included to take them from the airport to the hotel where their trip starts.
Itineraries include Madrid, Seville, and Cordoba; Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona; Marrakesh, Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Casablanca in Morocco; capitals like Vienna, Budapest and Prague; Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland; as well as exploration of destinations like Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Mexico, and more.
SoulTrips director Joni Herison shared: “The flex-scapes itineraries are great for travellers who want to be in control of their travel plans and enjoy the convenience and value of group travel. Clients can choose from curated flex-scapes or Trip Styles for a holiday without the hassle of having to plan for their trip. These options will also appeal to those travelling overseas to visit relatives or have a business conference to attend and want to squeeze in a bleisure trip.”
SoulTrips was conceived in 2021 by Bhutan specialist Druk Asia as a new brand to deliver “new ways to travel” in a post-lockdown world. The firm works with travel agencies around the world to curate the holidays for the modern independent traveller who wants to design their itineraries according to their specific needs.
The group had its official launch in January. Why now?
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) reaffirmed its commitment towards sustainable tourism development initiatives in the Philippines, particularly in the development and promotion of the country’s dive tourism.
The DoT’s Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) 2024 was held on February 23 to 25, offering expansive networking prospects for dive decision-makers, communities, and individuals through value-added components, including the Dive Travel Exchange business-to-business meetings, Dive Conference, and Dive Exhibit featuring the country’s best dive offerings.
Post-PHIDEX fam tours for international dive operators and invited media were also organised by the DoT.
Tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted that dive tourism in 2023 contributed more than 73 billion pesos (US$1.3 billion) to the country’s economy, almost twice the 37 billion pesos revenue generated from the industry in 2022.
She also delivered president Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr’s message citing the private sector’s pivotal role in the government’s sustainable tourism development initiatives to ensure that “the Philippines remains a premier destination for diving enthusiasts and professionals from around the globe”. Marcos added that through “strategic investments in infrastructure and sustainable tourism initiatives, the government will continue to elevate our country’s standing as a hotspot of biodiversity and underwater adventure”.
In addition to organising the PHIDEX, the DoT introduced various dive festivals and programmes in several regions across the country, including the successful Philippine Tourism Dive Dialogue that debuted last September 2023 in Cebu.
“We have also expanded our dive tourism offerings to emerging and lesser-known destinations, bringing our total to approximately 120 dive destinations across the Philippines today,” Frasco added.
To prioritise a safe and enjoyable experience for divers, the DoT through its Dive Committee and infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, has committed to providing additional hyperbaric chambers in strategic locations across the country, including Boracay Island, Camiguin, Daanbantayan in Cebu, Dumaguete, and Puerto Galera.
The DoT has also signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Asian Conservation Foundation, Blue Alliance Philippines, and Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute to foster a public-private approach in protecting the environment and promoting the country’s economic growth through tourism. The MoA covers areas of collaboration between the DoT and the NGOs, including the development of programmes for environmental sustainability, as well as conducting joint activities for marine environmental protection and conservation, supporting and participating in the parties’ promotional events and marketing activities, and designating a focal person or specific office to handle smooth coordination on all matters arising from the agreement.