Top Deck now top notch
The days when a budget tour of Europe for young travellers meant long days in uncomfortable buses which often broke down – and nights spent in cheap hotels – are over, according to Lance Batty, director of global sales and strategy of Top Deck, the travel specialist for 18-36-year-olds.
Flight Centre’s Graham Turner helped to launch the operation in 1973 – then known as Argus Persicus Travel (it’s a type of Australian cattle tick) with a tour of Morocco which was advertised in an Earls Court pub and quickly filled.
Turner is still a small shareholder in the company whose biggest shareholder since 2004 is Australian Pacific Touring (APT).
Batty said Top Deck is now “a business class product for young travellersâ€.
Clients travel in mid-size groups, in luxury coaches and stay in good quality hotels, he says. In Europe, camping and hostel accommodation options are still offered along with hotels.
“Top Deck travellers 10 years ago were young first timers needing support but today they tend to be time-poor, cash-rich professionals who know what they want to see but want someone else to do all the hard work,†said Batty.
“More and more our customers are interested in art, history and culture so activity options such as the Russian ballet are in the mix.â€
Top Deck globally had its best year ever in 2010, although Batty says that selling into Europe was much easier than selling into Australia and New Zealand because of the strength of the Aussie and Kiwi dollars against the Euro.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps