Europe has long been the bread and butter for Trafalgar. But this year, the tour operator is expanding its global reach with new itineraries to Cuba for the first time ever. We sit down with Wolf Paunic, President of Trafalgar and CostSaver Canada to talk about how to maximize bookings to Europe, and why Cuba is hotter than ever.
1. Summer is the season for Europe travel. Tell us about your new incentive program and how agents can use it to maximize bookings.
The seasonality of travel from both the booking and travelling perspectives, is a thing of the past. Canadians plan their activities based on their overall lifestyle, rather than identifying a lifestyle with the season. And this notion goes both ways: some travellers book far ahead, knowing they will get the exact travel date they want to travel on, and they will get the best incentive to commit. While summer is the season for Europe travel, we found that space was scarce on our summer departures last year due to sheer popularity, and many travellers weren’t able to get what they were hoping for. This is where Trafalgar’s 2018 Preview program can play a huge role for agents looking to entice their clients to travel. Their clients can secure the desired departure date at the best possible price, about 10% less than 2017 price, by booking and depositing $200 per person by September 24th. Not only will this offer peace of mind for clients, but the retail travel consultant who utilizes our Preview program to their advantage will be a true rock-star in their clients eyes! At Trafalgar, we want to provide the best date and price, so our guest can enjoy the best experience on their own terms.
2. What would you say are the hot ticket-items in Europe this year? And why?
There are several hot-ticket items, in addition to the ‘Triple I’ countries (Iceland, Ireland, Italy). Iceland possesses a very unique landscape, culture and overall experience. It’s no surprise why this island nation has seen an increase in visitors, and has become more accessible and affordable within the past three years thanks to added flights departing from Canada. Ireland has been, and remains a favourite with Canadian travellers of all ages due to the simple fact that the Emerald Isle resonates with all human interaction levels: from pub culture and music, to landscape, food, golf and much more. Italy has always been a perennial item on everyone’s bucket lists. La Dolce Vita has been the most desirable lifestyle across generations. But I would also like to call attention to Spain – it is as layered and lifestyle authentic as Italy, with its distinctive Latin flair. There are also Russia and Scandinavia, two regions that are often associated with winter but have seen a huge increase in summer travel (especially among winter-weary Canadians) due in large part to their natural beauty and vast cultures.
3. Trafalgar has long been supportive of agents. What new agent incentives do you have?
In 2018 we are continuing our quest to deliver the best offering and service to our retail partners. The Trafalgar e-Learning Academy is expanding and getting excellent traction from agents across Canada. We will be launching several new and exciting tools and initiatives later this fall, during the launch of our 2018 Europe and Britain program. Stay tuned!
4. Trafalgar recently announced Cuba as a new destination. Why is now the right time to debut Cuba?
Cuba is a super-hot destination these days. Known to Canadians as an affordable beach destination, Cuba has a lot to offer as a lifestyle destination. It is one of the biggest and the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, with Havana the main port and the biggest city of Spanish Latin America. While many Canadians tend to flock to the island for its beach resorts during winter, Cuba also deserves profound exploration of its diverse regions and deeper exploration of its layers other than its resorts. Cuban music and dance, rich history, terrific food, and warm and friendly people, have inspired Trafalgar to deliver this hidden treasure to Canadian travellers seeking a more immersive experience rather than opting for the ubiquitous all-inclusive package. Our guests will be meeting authentic and creative Cuban people, which in my view, is really the biggest value of this unique guided journey!
5. How many Cuba itineraries will you offer? And which one would you suggest for first-time visitors?
We currently offer one and it’s a very inspiring and rich nine-day itinerary titled “From Cuban Cigars to American Cars”. What makes the Trafalgar experience in Cuba so unique is the deep exploration of the island through the eyes of unique local characters our guests will meet along the way. Clients will explore various regions of the island, their history that ranges from Santeria and Afro-Cuban beats, to quaint colonial towns and important sites of modern Cuban history and social development. Cuba’s layers are an explorer’s dream – with this itinerary we offer 12 unique Cultural Insights, delivered by amazing local people such as artists Pepe Gutierrez, Lorenzo Linares, Casanova family, Roadidi Cartaya, Lazaro Nieblas, and many others. Trafalgar’s unique Be My Guest experience is hosted in Havana, by Miguel Rojas and Yamila Lopes, where guests will have lunch with them at their beautiful rooftop garden with views of Old Havana. We visit contemporary Art gallery Miramar 601, and talk Cuban baseball; ride in antique American cars, and learn about famous Cuban cigar making. The best time to immerse oneself into Cuban culture is anytime – I suggest late spring and fall, although winter in Cuba is a nice break from Canadian climate!
