Intrepid unveils the long and the short of travel
MELBOURNE – Intrepid Travel’s just-released North America brochure has increased in size by 40 percent
The increased focus on North America is a result of the 22 percent growth Intrepid Travel has seen in its first year of operating trips to the region.
Intrepid Travel purchased North American tour specialist, Suntrek Tours in September 2008. It began selling North America small group adventures in the US, Canada and Alaska in January 2009.
“This is a real vindication that our decision to go into North America was the right decision. We’ve put the product through our global distribution channels and the market has responded well.
“The destination has seen sales growth of 22 percent as a result of this distribution and we are expecting another 25 percent to 30 percent this year,” said CEO and co-founder, Darrell Wade.
The majority of trips featured in the brochure depart from key gateway destinations, including Los Angeles, New York, Miami and San Francisco.
Intrepid’s 2010 brochures will also feature 36 Short Breaks, designed to help agents make the most of the growing trend towards taking shorter breaks, more often, that is being fuelled by low cost carriers offering cheap flights.
When developing this product range, Intrepid Travel conducted broad consultation with industry to identify the key characteristics they would like to see in a short break product.
Apart from itinerary and price, the two things that stood out were departure frequency and departure guarantees.
“For a short break product to work it needs to fit into FIT itinerary modules so having daily departures is essential.
“The second factor is again obvious – the trip must depart – so we are guaranteeing the departure of the trip once we have a client booking.
“Both of these items are expensive and risky for us – but we’ve found over the years that whenever the industry tells us something it pays to listen,” said Wade.
Intrepid Travel’s Short Breaks range from two to five days on average and will feature guaranteed daily departures.
Accommodation is in tourist class hotels. As with other Intrepid Travel trips, the emphasis in on real life experiences and local interaction.
Travellers can choose from 36 Short Breaks in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Morocco, Turkey, Kenya, South Africa, Peru and Ecuador.
Ian Jarrett
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