Wholesaler Travel Impressions is introducing two new
destinations for 2018 -- Colombia and Iceland -- as part of a larger product
expansion.
"Breadth of product is a crucial factor when it comes
to helping [travel agents] succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace,"
said Scott Wiseman, president of Travel Impressions.
Thus, Travel Impressions has added Colombia to its product
portfolio for 2018, with a focus on FIT itineraries in the coastal resort town
of Cartagena. The Colombia program includes the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara
Cartagena, as well as two Karisma properties -- Allure Chocolat Hotel by
Karisma and Allure Bon Bon Hotel by Karisma. The company expects to offer
approximately a dozen hotels when the Colombia product is bookable at the end
of October.
Additionally, Travel Impressions has partnered with
Icelandair Group's destination management company to offer a combination of FIT
and escorted tour options in Iceland, with the escorted tours ranging from
between four and nine days.
"Travel between the U.S. and Iceland increased by more
than 70% from 2015 to 2016, while the destination is expected to receive more
than 2 million visitors in 2017 overall," stated Wiseman about the closest
European destination to the U.S.
Travel Impressions is also offering an independent,
partially guided five-day tour called "Game of Thrones -- Iceland: Beyond
the Wall." It will include visiting the "Ice Wall," "North
of the Wall," and other recognizable scenes from Game of Thrones. Local
guide Jon Thor Benediktsson, who also served as a guide for the crew during the
series' third season, will share insights.
As part of its product expansion, Travel Impressions has
enhanced its Switzerland offering with new FIT itineraries and the addition of
four cities: Basel, Lugano, St. Moritz and Zermatt. The company has also added
a two-night Basel pre- or post-cruise extension.