Toronto-based G.A.P. Adventures, which sells adventure travel packages to all seven continents, is convinced of the strength of travel to Central and South America. The company introduced a series of programs to the region for 2008 and last year opened its first "concept store" in the U.S., to bring its product directly to consumers. Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of G.A.P. Adventures, spoke with Travel Weekly contributing editor Mark Chesnut about adventure travel, hot destinations in Latin America and the importance of travel agents.
Travel Weekly: How were bookings to Central and South America for 2007, and what are your predictions for 2008?
Poon Tip: Central and South America has long provided the most popular adventure destinations for our travelers. This is the region where we first began operating tours many years ago, and they remain the core regions of our business.
We enjoyed substantial growth once again throughout Latin America in 2007. In 2008, we're launching more than 150 new trips, including offers to northern Brazil, Cuba and Colombia. Our overland program has experienced solid growth in 2007, and we're excited about expanding this style of travel across South America.
TW: How important is Central and South America compared to other parts of the world that you sell?
Poon Tip: Over the years, we have enjoyed a reputation as specialists in Central and South America, so that region is of the utmost importance to us. This is where G.A.P. Adventures started and where the hearts of many of our employees and travelers lie. A great example is [that] when the earthquake hit Peru this past August, our travelers and staff immediately responded, raising more than $100,000 to support the families and regions hit the hardest by that tragedy.
TW: What are the biggest sellers for you in Central and South America?
Poon Tip: Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica are right at the top, although we've seen great growth in Brazil. Peru is No. 1 by far, as we offer more trips to Peru than any other country, and we send more travelers on the Inca trail than any other international tour operator. Machu Picchu is, of course, the biggest draw. The Galapagos Islands are [also] a big part of our business in the region, where we have a fleet of five ships offering yacht-based wildlife adventures.
TW: Where else have you expanded?
Poon Tip: Our new northern Brazil trip [visits] locales such as Fortaleza, Olinda and Jericoacoara. We've expanded our overland truck and camping trips in South America, as well, including an overland trip in Patagonia and a 52-day journey from Quito to Rio de Janeiro. For a shorter getaway, our Brazil tall-ship sailing trips have been hugely popular, especially with Americans and Canadians. We've added trips that sail between Rio and Salvador for 2008, after our original sailing adventure was named one of the Top 25 New Adventures for 2007 by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
TW: Last year, you opened the first G.A.P. Adventures concept store in the U.S., in New York, offering services similar to those at your stores in Canada. How is that strategy working?
Poon Tip: Our concept stores have been a great success. They have provided an extremely effective way to educate people on our philosophy and style of adventure travel. We hold frequent special events and presentations at our locations, and the concept stores allow us to get more involved in local events and the community.
TW: Where do travel agents fit in?
Poon Tip: Travel agents are vital to the success of G.A.P. Adventures. Many travelers rely on that face-to-face, local expertise, whether in Munich, Germany, or Omaha, Neb. We have worked hard to establish solid relationships with many great agencies ...and would not have been able to grow our business as successfully without the strong support of agents believing in, promoting and selling our product.
TW: How is travel to Central and South America changing in the 21st century?
Poon Tip: Travelers have evolved. The region is more accessible now than it used to be.
Costa Rica and Peru are, perhaps, two flagship examples of how countries can develop profitable, ecofriendly, sustainable tourism practices. With climate change and global warming on the minds of our travelers, people are looking for more than just an adventure; there is a sense of responsibility, as well. We've expanded our volunteer style of trips in recent years because of growing demand as well as our line of family trips. We're noticing more families want to go to places like the Galapagos Islands.
TW: Has the travel industry maximized the potential of the region?
Poon Tip: There is so much to still discover in Central and South America. Just five years ago, the third-largest waterfall in the world was discovered in northern Peru. (Named Gocta, it is roughly 2,500 feet high.) There have been improvements made to ease difficult border crossings, and safety or political problems are a thing of the past. When travelers feel safe, they'll be more open to exploring new countries.
Suriname and Guyana are two beautiful countries in South America where opportunities for travel are on the rise, as the necessary infrastructure to support tourism is put in place.
To contact reporter Mark Chesnut, send e-mail [email protected].