WESTPORT, Conn. -- In response to a mushrooming family travel
market and a successful pilot program, Tauck Holdings introduced
its first new brand, a tour product called Tauck Bridges.
The product aims to bridge the gap between Tauck's traditional
senior clientele and the brand's target market, families with
children, including grandparents with grandchildren.
Itineraries were built to appeal to the 12- to 14-year-olds,
although children as young as age 3 are welcome.
Last year's pilot program, Tauck Family Favorites, had
designated departures for families but no child-specific
itineraries.
Nevertheless, the programs exceeded the sales projections set
before Sept. 11, according to a Tauck spokeswoman.
The Bridges portfolio features 12 itineraries, half in the U.S.,
the rest in Africa, Canada, Costa Rica and Europe.
Each of the U.S. itineraries visits at least one National Park
and includes activities and attractions that appeal to kids, such
as volcanoes in Hawaii and whales in Alaska.
The portfolio includes a safari in Kenya and Tanzania and a rain
forest expedition in Costa Rica.
A Canadian tour features heli-hiking (hiking from helicopter
landing points) in the Rockies. High points for Europe include
London, Paris and Provence.
"These are trips designed for families to be together," said
brand manager Jennifer Tombaugh, who said Tauck has learned that
families "really want to be together, to make memories together.
This isn't like Club Med where the parents go off and do one thing
and the kids another."
Departures begin in June and are initially limited to the summer
vacation months but might be expanded to winter or spring-break
periods.
Prices for a seven-night itinerary start below $2,000 per
person, double.
Discounts for children in triple or quad shares are not
finalized but might be as much as $1,000 per child, Tombaugh
said.
Brochures will be delivered to agents Sept. 20, and will go out
to consumers in late October.
The reservations number is (866) 636-6500. The Web site is www.tauckbridges.com.