Insight eyes new destinations

Insight eyes new destinations
By admin


Insight Vacations will continue to add product within its core operating regions while expansion into other destinations has not been ruled out.

Managing director Joost Timmer said the operator "is always looking at new destinations" but declined to elaborate.

He agreed that China would be an obvious addition but said "nothing is set in concrete". Establishing its Indian program, which launched last year, was the priority,Timmer said.

"The emphasis has to be on building India as destination and the outer lying areas. The program is doing well, we have significantly added to it this year so we'll aim to build momentum," he told Travel Today. "We see growth opportunities in India."

Insight added stand alone mini tours to Sri Lanka and Nepal in 2013 "following customer feedback". After initially attracting a high repeat rate from Insight customers the 2013 program is attracting a new client base, Timmer said.

Elsewhere, Timmer said it will expand its core operating regions with Spain and Portugal a likely focus.

"There are some other destinations we are looking at but nothing we can share at this stage," he added. "Special interest and custom tours will also continue to be a focus. For our agency partners it helps them differentiate the competitive space.

"They are one-off tours but with multiple departures. It's now a sizeable part of our business."

Timmer also flagged the need to work with the cruising sector, adding that increasing numbers of customers are combining a cruise with a coach tour.

Meanwhile, sales for its European winter program are around 20% up on last year. Timmer flagged the rise in 35 to 49-year-olds travelling in winter as "great to see".

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