Avanti Destinations will accept groups of more than 16 travelers for the first time in its 37-year history. Executives told TravelPulse that the move is in response to frequent demands from travel professionals that Avanti work with them on larger groups; the operator sells only through travel agents.
Groups of between 16 and 100 will be able to book trips to any Avanti destination in Europe, Asia, or Central and South America. The first departures are slated for next spring.
Paul Barry, chairman, said the new product is a "natural evolution" for Avanti as the company grows rapidly in terms of traveler numbers. Until now, the operator has handled customized FIT's of under 16 - primarily family and friends traveling together.
The new department will construct custom itineraries for almost any type of group that agents book: sports teams, school/alumni groups, volunteer groups, groups wanting to see special events, performances, or specific types of sights, such as gardens, vineyards, architecture, religious sites, or other specialized interests.
Customized, multi-destination vacations for independent travelers have been the Portland (Ore,) wholesale tour operator's specialty since its founding in 1981. "The new (groups) department," said Barry, "is staffed by a team I've personally assembled with many years' experience handling custom group bookings. I expect the department will grow significantly in the next year."
The new groups team, which has its own office, has relationships with suppliers around the world who can handle the larger movements, according to Mark Grundy, COO. He said that booking larger groups takes a different skill set because of the logistics of transportation, lodging and other elements. For instance, smaller boutique hotels might not be viable and groups might not be able to travel on the same planes.
Like previous FIT customers, said Barry, the new market would comprise "self-selected" affinity groups - whether they be sports teams, garden clubs, book clubs or whatever. However, said Barry, Avanti will not be doing MICE (meetings, incentive, conventions and events) or weddings.
"All of our trips are like snowflakes - different from one another," said Barry, "and that will be the same with groups. "
Barry said that Avanti's advanced technology will enable the new market segment to work efficiently, explaining that the company is able to turn a quote around quickly, almost always in less than 24 hours.
John Hanratty, chief marketing officer, said the new groups department would open up that segment for many agents who were comfortable working with Avanti but have shied away from larger groups because of their complexities. "Instead of running away from large FIT movements," he said, "they can run toward them through us."
Another area of heightened focus for Avanti, said Barry, is home-based agents. He said the operator has been focused on that segment for the last three years and has made "significant inroads" in it. The company is plugged into all the major networks of home-based agents and aims to acquire new lists of those retailers through its regional sales directors, who also hold regular events for them. An Avanti Primer targeted at newer agents and agents new to the company is available on the agent section of the company's website, including embedded videos.
"We go out of the gate on this with absolute knowledge," said Barry. He said the company's call center, which he calls a "consultation center," is able to help agents every step of the way. They can get the support they need with a call, through email or they can do an entire trip on the website, though almost every booking includes at least one phone call.
And Avanti offers agents two options for compensation: a net quote they can mark up or a commissionable package.
"Our goal," concluded Barry, "is to make agents' lives easier. They just have to make one phone call and we take it from there."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
