WHY IT RATES: Survey results from travel agents show that travelers are increasingly interested in custom vacations. -Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Senior Writer
Increased demand for personalized travel has led G Adventures to launch a new range of custom travel solutions, called TailorMade. Starting today, 11 destinations are available for adventure travelers to book, with sample itineraries priced from $919 per person, air separate.
The 11 launch destinations for G Adventures' TailorMade debut are: Botswana, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador (including Galápagos), India, Laos, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and Zimbabwe, with two or three sample itineraries available for each country as inspiration for travelers who make a TailorMade request.
In December 2018, G Adventures surveyed more than 450 travel agents globally to gauge interests and trends. Eighty-four percent of them reported an increase in requests for tailor-made travel and private tours over the previous year. More specifically, 44 percent described it as being 'in high demand', while 40 percent said demand had increased in the past year.
Among U.S. travel agents, interest was even higher: 93 percent of the professionals who were surveyed reported seeing increased demand from their clients in private, customized travel over the past year. Of them, 59 percent described tailor-made travel as being in 'high demand.'
G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip explained the new offering as one designed to address a distinct gap in the market for tailor-made travel solutions in adventure travel, specifically in the affordable and mid-market price ranges.
"The flexibility of TailorMade means travelers can combine experiential travel with customization. While we've recognized an opportunity in the mid-range travel market, we'll also be able to cater to higher-end tastes in transport, meals and accommodation.
"Most importantly, when booking a TailorMade trip all travelers are still booking what G Adventures is best known for, which is socially responsible travel. Our 'G for Good' social enterprise projects are available as an option to visit in all 11 launch destinations, and when travelers use our recommended suppliers their money stays in the local economy," he said.
Jeff Russill, G Adventures' senior vice president of marketing and product, said the demand for customization is being seen across many industries, as consumers look to indulge in more one-of-a-kind experiences.
"G Adventures' new TailorMade trips tap into the current zeitgeist and the public's growing interest in being able to 'choose your own adventure', such as we've seen recently on the popular Netflix show, Black Mirror. Up until now, we have only been able to provide our private group adventure travelers with a duplicate of an existing G Adventures itinerary, departing on their chosen date. We're excited to innovate in this space to bring customized adventure and experiential travel to more people," said Russill.
G Adventures is in the process of expanding its sales team and assigning dedicated specialists who will work with travel agents and customers to design the ideal itinerary. Options will include bespoke transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, pace of travel and budget. Travelers can opt to select a sample itinerary and depart on their own date, amend a sample itinerary, or create a whole new itinerary with the help of their private travel consultant.
TailorMade tours are available for solo travelers or groups of nearly any size, and perfect for couples, families, friends, honeymooners, teams and affinity groups who enjoy G Adventures' style of travel, but want to create an itinerary that caters to their unique needs.
For more information or to inquire about booking a TailorMade tour, people are encouraged to consult their preferred travel agent, call 1-833-GOwithG (469-4844), or visit G Adventures dedicated website.
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