NASHVILLE -- Panelists spoke here in glowing terms of the future of
group packaged travel, but they also warned that tour operators
must be flexible and imaginative if they are to take advantage of
opportunities.
Speaking at the recent National Tour Association annual
conference, operators gave examples of ways in which they were
meeting demand. Usually, it meant making a change or adding a new
twist to a long-established, traditional tour.
They spoke about the aging baby-boomer market and the demand for
shorter, more active and more educational programs.
"What is ahead is absolutely fantastic," said Robert Brennan,
president and chief executive officer of Brennan Tours and outgoing
NTA president.
However, he added, in opening the discussion, "operators today
must be flexible and quick on their feet."
"I don't see a decline. I see phenomenal opportunities," said
Suzanne Slavitter, vice president of Lakewood, Calif.-based Sports
Empire.
She described motorcoaches today as "land yachts costing
$400,000-plus -- a beautiful way to see North America."
However, she added, "we have to package differently. I see
growing demand for weekend packages. People today want to have fun,
be entertained and be educated."
This means, she said, including such activities as helicopter
tours, horseback riding, mountain biking or just relaxing by a
pool.
Sports Empire, mainly an FIT operator, has been expanding from
sports into packaging special events, such as Mardi Gras.
Laurie Lincoln, of Los Angeles-based Main Street Tours, said her
tours are shorter than they were when the company began 15 years
ago. "People are more savvy today. They want more active vacations.
They want to do things on their own, but they also want a
structured vacation," she said.
"They're also intergenerational. You see children traveling with
grandparents."
Lincoln said her company has packaged Yellowstone in winter as
well as the summer. "We're getting repeat people. By taking a
product and twisting it, we are able to sell it," she said.
Brennan agreed. "You flip to rail trip of Canada in winter, and
you'd be amazed at the results."
Phil Otterson, vice president, product operations for Tauck
Tours, said that in the 1960s Tauck had a 21-day tour of the
western U.S.
That, he said, compares with the length of Australia tours
today, whereas the western U.S. itineraries have evolved into
shorter tours. Tauck, he said, has built a series of one-week
domestic tours from what were 14- and 21-day tours.
Otterson also described how traditional tours of the "It's
Tuesday, so it must be Belgium" variety can be changed.
He cited visits to the Sistine Chapel and Westminster Abbey as
examples. "You see motorcoaches there, lots of people in the old
motorcoach mode," he said.
"By giving our customers headsets, history comes alive, there is
a hush around you, and by giving these tours a twist we've
personalized them."
On the future of travel agents and the distribution system,
Otterson said, "I don't think you'll ever reach the point when
buying a package is like buying a book on Amazon.com. There are
wonderful opportunities out there."
He said 95% of Tauck's business comes through agents,
commissions are paid on air and Tauck has no plans for a booking
engine on its Web site.
Brennan predicted an end of airline commissions, but added,
"There are opportunities. I really see it as an exciting time.
People still will want to talk to somebody." He said 99% of the
company's business comes through agents.