Solus — issue 4

ISSUE FOUR

BRILLIANT BANGKOK INFOCUS: INTREPID COACH VS CRUISE HOW TO SELL: SOLO TRAVEL

WHY THE THAI CAPITAL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BACKPACKER HAVEN

ALL

E X C LUS I V E

TM

THE WORLD’S BEST IS NOW EVEN BETTER

INTRODUCING THE NEW CRYSTAL®.

THE WORLD’S BEST IS NOW EVEN BETTER.

QUINTESSENTIAL CROSSING

Crystal – voted World’s Best more times than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history – offer not only the best value for money for the discerning solo traveller, but also the best experiences too. Guests can enjoy the opportunity to join lectures, wine tastings, cookery demonstrations, trivia and Pilates to name a few on offer, and all as and when they wish. It’s their choice when they want to socialise and meet new friends, or when they want to find a quiet corner and curl up with a good book. With a myriad of choices from dining to entertainment and everything else in between, sailing solo, on their own terms, has never been this good.

Crystal Serenity | Voyage OCY181110-11

For copies of our dedicated Solo Traveller mini brochure, please call 020 7399 7602

Lisbon to Ft Lauderdale 10 November 2018 | 11 nights

Itinerery: Lisbon, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean (7 days), St. Thomas/Charlotte Amalie, Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean (2 days), Ft Lauderdale.

Solo Cruise Only Fares

Deluxe Stateroom (C3 Grade) from £3,274 per person Verandah Stateroom (B3 Grade) from £4,720 per person

CRYSTAL CRUISES VOTED WORLD’S BEST MORE THAN ANY OTHER CRUISE LINE, HOTEL OR RESORT IN HISTORY

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING PLEASE CALL:

020 7399 7601

www.crystalcruises.co.uk

ABTA No.V8548

Fares are per person, cruise only in UK sterling based on solo occupancy and include port, security and handling charges, which vary by departure. All fares, offers and itineraries are subject to change and availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Fares may fluctuate and should be used as a guide only. Prices may go up or down. You should contact us on 0207 399 7601 before booking, or visit our website www.crystalcruises.co.uk. The fares are available to new bookings only and are only available to UK & Eire residents. Restrictions apply. See crystalcruises.co.uk for complete terms and conditions of all offers. (c) 2018 Crystal Cruises, Inc., Ships' registry: The Bahamas.©2018 Crystal Cruises, LLC. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas.

Issue four | Check-in

WELCOME

Wake up to the importance of solos

Cover image credit: Alexandre Chambon

Welcome to the fourth edition of Solus, from the team behind Cruise Adviser.

Travel companies are waking up to the growing importance of solo travellers to the future of their businesses. The stigma that once existed for those travelling alone – sad, lonely singletons – has been replaced. Solo travellers are now much-admired independents.

That’s not to say that travel agents aren’t going to play a huge role in this market. Mark Beattie, a personal travel specialist at Off Broadway Travel, explains (p16) that their bookings have steadily climbed on the back of solo travellers. It’s all about how you tailor your approach – solos are going to need more reassurance and so will want to ask more questions. Be obliging to them. Give them good recommendations and you will have a customer for life.

In this issue we also hear about solo travel from someone who has been there and done it. John Crook travelled to Thailand with Cosmos as a solo traveller and recounts his experience on p21.

Thailand is also the subject of this issue’s cover feature; with 35 million tourists heading to the Land of Smiles, Gary Buchanan explains why it is such a welcoming place for those travelling solo (p30). Elsewhere, we also take a closer look at Intrepid Travel’s new adventure cruise product (p40); drill down into how to sell solo travel (p42); and count down the 10 things that every solo traveller should know (p26).

As ever, please email us your thoughts on this issue, and let us know about your own adventures when travelling alone. We always love reading them. Happy selling!

THIS MONTH WHAT WE LEARNT P13

A GROWING NUMBER OF BRITS LOVE COSTA RICA More than 76,000 travelled to the South American country last year P30

BANGKOK IS A MARKET-LOVER’S PARADISE Chatuchak Market is mammoth, hosting 15,000 different stalls P42

GIRONA IS AN UP AND COMING DESTINATION An ancient city in Catalonia, Girona is just 99km from Barcelona

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Solus

Issue four Check-In News 10 Intrepid reveal solo growth, G Adventures expands tours and some exciting news from the publisher of Solus magazine…

Comment 16 Off Broadway Travel’s Mark Beattie explains how the human touch is essential to win over – and keep – solo travellers

Explore 10 things solo travellers should know 26 Jane Archer’s tried-and-tested advice helps agents to put would-be travellers’ fears to rest Golden wonder: Bangkok 30 Gary Buchanan on why the Thai capital Bangkok deserves to be more than a stop for backpackers Coach Vs Cruise 36 Jane Archer helps agents to throw some light on the choice between land or ocean holidays Infocus: Intrepid Travel 40 Wendy Smith on the operator’s new adventure cruising programme How to Sell: Solo Travel

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COMMENT

Going the extra mile Off Broadway Travel’s Mark Beattie explains how the human touch is essential to win over solo travellers Independent travel is a growing sector of the market and one that we are active in pursuing. There are many reasons to do so.

In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of solo travellers approaching us looking for suggestions on where they can go on holiday, and what companies would be a safe bet to ensure they are looked after from start to finish.

A lot of these enquiries are from widows or widowers who were used to travelling several times a year with their partner.

They may have been used a certain level of luxury on these trips. Despite the unfortunate nature of their position they have often been left with a substantial amount of money, allowing them to continue living the life they were used to before their partner passed away.

These solo travellers often put more emphasis on the trip itself and how well they will be looked after than they do on the budget. The question of cost, although still important, is secondary to ensuring

Image credit: Dan Calderwood

Experience 21 One inspired traveller shares his account of holidaying solo

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17

Oceans difference

of

For solo travellers, the choice between a coach tour or a cruise isn’t as simple as it might seem. Jane Archer helps agents to throw some light on the decision

42

Depart Directory 46 Games & competitions

48

Final word

50

Solus is brought to you

by Waterfront Publishing

Head of sales Simon Leeming simon@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 9337 Sales executive Bryan Johnson bryan@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 9338

Publisher Sam Ballard sam@waterfront-publishing.com Publisher Anthony Pearce anthony@waterfront-publishing.com

Art director Jensen Brianson Designer Matthew Coles Sub-editors Nathaniel Cramp, Tom Hensby

Waterfront Publishing, Arch 462, Kingsland Viaduct, 83 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3AY info@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 9360 Solus is published twice a year by Waterfront Publishing Limited (registered number: 08707515).

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited Solus is printed by Wyndeham Grange

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SOLO TRAVELLERS 2018-19 B R O C H U R E AVAI L AB L E N OW

Featuring: • 19 small group tours designed exclusively for solo travellers • 8 new tours including Iceland, Morocco, Portugal and Rome • No single supplements

To order your copies visit trade-gate.co.uk, or visit coxandkingsagents.com for more information

5035

NEWS

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Do you have a story for us? Email info@waterfront-publishing.com

INTREPID

“No matter what age or gender, a lot more people are going solo” Michael Edwards, chief growth officer for Australian tour operator Intrepid Travel, reports a 24 per cent increase in solo bookings in 2017 Intrepid saw a 24 per cent increase in solo bookings in 2017, bolstering a 40 per cent increase in its solo programme over the past five years. The Australian adventure travel company expanded its solo tour programme last year to include the likes of Bali, India, Peru and Vietnam.

The success of Intrepid’s new departures has led to an extended programme for 2018. The solo tours include the same activities as a standard departure, but

are available only to solo passengers. Each group is restricted to 12 people.

The nine-day Bali tour, includes walking tours of Ubud, a hike up Mount Batur and a 3am morning walk to see the sunrise above the valley. Meanwhile, an eightday India tour includes visits to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, giving solo adventurers the chance to see the country’s famous Golden Triangle.

Michael Edwards, Intrepid’s chief growth officer, said:

“People are opting less for the fly and flop holiday as they choose to take an adventure and seek authentic, local experiences and doing this alone means that travellers are more likely to follow their own rhythm, doing the things the way they want to.

“Travellers are drawn to the adventure and freedom of taking an independent trip so, no matter what age, gender or budget we are seeing a lot more people choosing to go solo.”

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G ADVENTURES

New tours to Borneo, Jordan and Ecuador The small tour specialist adds to its partnership with National Geographic Journeys with new solo tours

G Adventures, the small tour specialist, is to introduce solo tours to destinations including Borneo, Jordan and Ecuador in the coming months.

In April the company will be adding to its partnership with National Geographic Journeys by introducing a 12-day Kuching to Koto Kinabalu tour in Borneo during which solo travellers will be able to visit the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre and visit the country’s orungutans.

The partnership with National Geographic Journeys gives G Adventures customers access to exclusive experiences.

In Borneo, solos on the tour will get a tour of Kubah National Park, which is unavailable on

other tours. The Best of Borneo is priced at £2,699.

Another new National Geographic Journeys tour to launch this year is the Mongolia programme, which begins in June. The solo group will be able to visit a Buddhist monastery exclusively. The 14day tour is priced from £3,299.

Other new tours include a 10-day Botswana & Zimbabwe safari (from £3,699) and an eight-day trip of Ecuador that is priced from £579. A 15-day tour of Jordan and Israel, priced at £2,199, includes a night ride through the desert and camping in a Bedouin camp.

See gadventures.co.uk for more details

KUONI New brand to package holidays online Kuoni is to launch a new brand this summer aimed at offering an easier approach to packaging holidays online.

Derek Jones, chief executive DER Touristik UK, said: “We have a name, we have a plan, it will be happening in the next four to five months.”

The new brand will be the first Kuoni has launched in a decade and would be “an online first proposition”.

“We believe there is a space beyond the fixed itinerary and the full tailor-made. We believe we can deliver something into that space that doesn’t exist,” he added.

RIVIERA New 16-day China tour introduced Riviera Travel has introduced a new 16-day tour of China as it increases its solo programme.

The Grand Tour of China with Yangtze Cruise includes the Great Wall, Terracotta Army and the Forbidden City. The tour also includes visits to Chengdu Panda Research Base and the Longshen Rice Terraces. Clients will enjoy a five-star cruise along the Yangtze. Prices start from £3,339 including flights, trains, Peking Duck banquet on your first evening, tour manager and a room to yourself.

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DESTINATION

Rise in UK visitors to Costa Rica The South American country has seen a steep rise in tourists since direct flights introduced in 2016 Costa Rica saw a 6.7 per cent rise in the number of British tourists in 2017, taking the total number to 76,173, according to the country’s tourist board.

The numbers take the UK above Germany (70,960) and

France (69,803). It maintains Britain’s position as the number one European source market.

British Airways first started flying direct to Costa Rica in 2016, between Gatwick and San Jose.

Rob Wilson, UK representative of the Costa Rica Tourism Board, said: “We are pleased to see the continued growth of visitors from the UK to Costa Rica, helped greatly by the BA route.”

TRAFALGAR

COSMOS

TRAVELTEK

Solo supplements waived New tours in the US, for 2018 guided holidays Australia and China

Improvements to agent booking platforms

Guided holiday operator Trafalgar has announced it is waiving single supplements on many of its holidays in 2018.

The offer includes itineraries to Italy (Northern Italy including Cinque Terre; Italy Bellissimo; Rome and Tuscan Highlights) and Turkey (Best of Turkey; Turkey Highlights).

The tours include coach transportation, handpicked hotels, several meals, must-see sightseeing, including VIP entry to many sights, and an expert Travel Director. Visit trafalgar. com for more details.

Traveltek is planning to roll out enhancements to its dynamic packaging solution. According to the company, the tool is to undergo “game-changing” improvements to its agent booking platforms.

Peter Whittle, global sales director, said: “Our dynamic packaging solutions are world leading, but it’s time to take them to the next level and trade feedback to date has been loud and clear – agents want technology that’s easy to use and understand and to make bookings in fewer clicks.”

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Cosmos is to introduce a number of new tours for its clients in 2018 including historic trains of Colorado, Wines of Australia & New Zealand and Hidden China.

The company will also be adding a Best of Balkans tour that goes through Eastern Europe, visiting destinations including Transylvania, famous for its depiction as the home of Dracula, and Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Other tours include Malaysia, Newfoundland & Labrador and Tennessee.

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ABTA MAGAZINE

Waterfront to publish Abta mag Cruise Adviser and Solus publisher wins contract for industry body’s bi-monthly magazine

Waterfront, the publisher of Solus and Cruise Adviser, has been awarded the contract for Abta Magazine, and its associated publications.

The new magazine portfolio will provide Abta members, partners and the wider travel industry with high-quality publications featuring industry insights, news from Abta and sector and destination features.

Launching in May, the new Abta Magazine will be a bi-monthly publication in a new size and format, distributed to around 20,000 Abta members and industry contacts. As well as offering industry insights and sector and destination features, there will be new sections for readers’

letters plus competitions. Abta Magazine will also be available online, bolstered by breaking news, more reactive comment pieces and longer-form insights.

Waterfront will also produce a number of other products as part of the publishing package, including an annual Abta Handbook plus targeted special publications and supplements.

Victoria Bacon, director of brand and communications, Abta said: “We’re really excited about the opportunities this new partnership with Waterfront Publishing provides.

They have a proven track record of delivering publications of outstanding quality with highly relevant and engaging content.”

Email info@abtamag.com.

INTREPID New tours for single parent families Intrepid Travel has launched a series of tours for solo parents after noticing that 16 per cent of its family bookings were for single-parent families.

“You only need to look at family holiday packages widely advertised by the travel industry to see they cater for two parents and two children,” Dyan McKie, brand manager for family trips at Intrepid Travel, and a single mum herself, explained. “In many ways this assumption is archaic and doesn’t reflect today’s families. The travel industry caters for so many niche groups but solo parents have been ignored for too long.”

TUI Andrew Flintham announced as new MD Andrew Flintham, the former commercial director of Tui UK, is to become the company’s new managing director – after previously being announced as the incoming boss of arch rivals Thomas Cook back in October.

The move follows the resignation of Nick Longman – after 20 years at the company – last month. Flintham had been at Tui for more than 10 years, holding a number of positions including commercial director, mainstream planning director, aviation planning director and planning and trading director.

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Explore

GLOBE

Issue One

December 2016

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

PREVIEW EDITION

DECEMBER 2016

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

F E AT U R E S | R O O M SERV ICE MENU | SHO RE EXCUR SIO NS

ISSUE ONE

FEBRUARY 2016

CRUISE ADVISER

EX-UK 2016

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

WATERMARK

ADVENTURE 2016

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST HOLIDAYS IN THE WORLD

EX-UK GUIDE 2016–2017

ADVENTURE 2016

WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO

RIVER GUIDE

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

Solus

I SS U E 0 N E

HURTIGRUTEN

HOW TO SELL

Sam Ballard sails the Mississippi on a musicthemed tour from New Orleans to Memphis

Gary Buchanan takes in two of expedition cruise’s great destinations: Antarctica and the Galápagos

A brief history of the Norwegian shipping company that has been sailing the fjords since 1893

Our unique walkthrough guide featuring 14 fantastic adventure cruises

P30

P24

P 36

P40

thevillagepost Amazing Grace Introducing Tauck’s new ship on the mighty Rhine

Turning the tide An in-depth look at MSC Cruises’ forthcoming Seaside

Issue two

A world of luxury We consider the benefits of all-inclusive river cruising

O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K

CA-7

CRUISE ADVISER

WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS

FIRE & ICE

thetravelvillage

APRIL 2016

LUXURY 2016

ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS

EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

thecruisevillage

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE & MORE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

CA-10

FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY

AMERICAN QUEEN

Eastern promises Sailing Asia’s majestic Mekong with APT Touring

thevillagepost American Queen A music-themed tour of the Deep South on the mighty Mississippi

Fire and ice Explore the Galápagos and Antarctica with our handy guide

Issue three

Capital concerns Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest with Scenic on the Danube

COPENHAGEN WITH CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

EXTENSIVE EX-UK DEPARTURE LISTINGS

EUROSTAR RIVER CRUISE SPECIAL

INTERVIEW: P&O’ CRUISES' PAUL LUDLOW

–

–

–

–

SECRETS OF THE DOURO Explore the wonders of Porto with our new itinerary for 2017

MEET THE FLEET Introducing a trio of new ships: Emerald Radiance, Liberté and Destiny

RAISE A GLASS Enjoy the world’s finest wines during our new cruise on the Rhône

WHICH RIVER ARE YOU? Find out which Emerald Waterways cruise best suits your personality

EMERALD EXPLORER

All around the world These epic cruises and flights will take you across the globe

Win!

vouchers

FAMILY

Planning a holiday with the kids? We reveal the secrets to travelling in style

P 30

P15

WHY TRAVELLERS OF ALL AGES ARE HEADING OUT ALONE

WINE COUNTRY WITH UNIWORLD

INFOCUS: EMERALD WATERWAYS

UNUSUAL RIVERS SPECIAL

UNIQUE HOW TO SELL GUIDE

issue 3

SEABOURN

Sam Ballard takes a closer look at the history of Carnival’s exquisite ultra-luxury brand

P8

issue 2

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Jeannine Williamson speaks to Edie Rodriguez about the cruise line’s lightspeed developments

P22

THE GREAT BEYOND CA-8

CA-9

SCENIC

From Passau to Budapest, Anthony Pearce takes in the wonders of the beautiful Danube

thevillagepost

in

thevillagepost

LUXURY GUIDE 2016

£100

A new trade magazine from the team at cruise adviser

CRUISE ADVISER

ISSUE TWO

TITLE

Issue two | Section Name

Issue three

Page 1

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O L O T R AV E L

DECEMBER 2016 / JANUARY 2017

FEBRUARY 2017

MARCH 2017

PREVIEW GUIDE 2016

Where next for cruise?

PREVIEW GUIDE 2016

The new ships, destinations and innovations arriving in 2017

FJORD FIESTA

FROM THE TEAM

CA-6

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER APRIL 2017

SOLUS

AT

INDIAN SUMMER WE EXPLAIN WHY THE COUNTRY IS BACK ON THE MAP FOR SOLOS

Norway with Cruise & Maritime Voyages

INSIDE

KRISTIN KARST, GILES HAWKE, EDIE RODRIGUEZ, ANDY HARMER

Win!

AND MORE SHARE THEIR PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

A CMV CRUISE for two on

PLUS

2017 EX-UK DEPARTURES OPINION: SVEN LINDBLAD THE RHINE WITH RIVIERA IN FOCUS: P&O CRUISES

Columbus

HAVANA CLUB

FIRST LOOK: SEABOURN ENCORE GREECE DESTINATION FOCUS FAMILY CRUISE SPECIAL WIN! A NIGHT ON MSC MERAVIGLIA IN LE HAVRE

Cuba with Star Clippers

1

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

MAY 2017

JUNE 2017

JULY / AUGUST 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017

ROMAN

Win!

HOLIDAY

A TITAN CRUISE See page 54

Princess Cruises in the Mediterranean

NEW TO CRUISE SPECIAL

MAY 2017

APRIL 2017

HOW TO FIND FIRST-TIME GUESTS

GREEK ODYSSEY

THE

FRENCH

CONNECTION

Jeannine Williamson joins Viking Sky in Rhodes

CMV’S NEW FLAGSHIP

WE JOIN COLUMBUS IN TILBURY

MERAVIGLIA LAUNCHES

MSC’S EXPANSION CONTINUES

Jeannine Williamson joins Uniworld in Paris

ENDS OF THE EARTH

ADVENTURE ON THE DOURO

THE 5 MOST INNOVATIVE ROOMS AT SEA

By Gary Buchanan PLUS:

Daniel Allen travels along the Mekong with Scenic

By Adam Coulter

HOW TO SELL RIVER CRUISE

PLUS OCEAN MEDALLION: GAME-CHANGING TECH

ABTA ON BREXIT

THE GREAT SHORE EXCURSION DEBATE

WOMEN IN CRUISE SPECIAL

JO RZYMOWSKA ON CELEBRITY EDGE HOW TO MAKE A £100,000 BOOKING THE INDUSTRY’S MOST LUXURIOUS SHIPS

VIETNAM

By Gilly Pickup

SILVER MUSE: FIRST LOOK

Adam Coulter explores Chile’s rugged wilderness

GOOD MORNING

THE JOYS OF MINI-CRUISE

By Katherine Lawrey

GILES HAWKE ON THE COSMOS RELAUNCH

PLUS LUXURY BARGE HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE THE 10 BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS INTERVIEW: VIKING FOUNDER TORSTEIN HAGEN

PLUS SAGA IN SCANDINAVIA TITAN ON THE RHINE WIN A UNIWORLD CRUISE

CA-15

CA-14

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

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THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

OCTOBER 2017

NOVEMBER 2017

DECEMBER 2017

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

CRUISE ADVISER

F EAT URES | R O O M S ERV IC E M ENU | S H O RE EXC UR S IO NS

ISSUE TWO

GLOBE

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

YO U R O N B OA R D M AGA Z I N E

WIN!

AN iPAD WITH FRED OLSEN! p59

MARCH 2018

JA N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 01 8

GLOBE

SA I LI N G I NTO A N E W

SELECTION

Exploring the Galápagos Islands – the land that time forgot

PICTURE

PERFECT

How cruise lines can capture millennials – the selfie generation

PLUS TOP 10: SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS PLAN A CRUISE MONTH PREVIEW AMSTERDAM DESTINATION FOCUS

PLUS HOW TO SELL: PRE AND POST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CARNIVAL’S ARNOLD DONALD INTRODUCING MARELLA CRUISES

GOLDEN AGE OF CRUISE

The new launches, innovations and destinations to look forward to in 2018 PLUS VIKING RIVER CRUISES ON THE DANUBE HOW TO SELL: YOUR FIRST CRUISE PORTS OF CALL: SYDNEY

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

PARADISE FOUND We return to the Caribbean with P&O Cruises and find it very much open for business after last year’s hurricanes

EMPIRE OF THE SUN A TRIP DOWN MEXICO WAY 02

PLUS HOW TO SELL: EX-UK PORTS OF CALL: COPENHAGEN WAVE: SPECIAL OFFERS ROUND-UP

Jeannine Williamson joins CroisiEurope in the heart of Prague, before exploring the lesser-known Elbe en route to Berlin PLUS 10 OF THE BEST WILDLIFE CRUISES EXCLUSIVE RITZ-CARLTON INTERVIEW CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES IN AMSTERDAM

WATERFRONT CREATES BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINES FOR THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY. Email info@waterfront-publishing.com to find out more, or call 020 3865 9360.

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COMMENT

Going the extra mile Off Broadway Travel’s Mark Beattie explains how the human touch is essential to win over solo travellers

Image credit: Dan Calderwood

Independent travel is a growing sector of the market and one that we are active in pursuing. There are many reasons to do so.

In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of solo travellers approaching us looking for suggestions on where they can go on holiday, and what companies would be a safe bet to ensure they are looked after from start to finish.

A lot of these enquiries are from widows or widowers who were used to travelling several times a year with their partner.

They may have been used a certain level of luxury on these trips. Despite the unfortunate nature of their position they have often been left with a substantial amount of money, allowing them to continue living the life they were used to before their partner passed away.

These solo travellers often put more emphasis on the trip itself and how well they will be looked after than they do on the budget. The question of cost, although still important, is secondary to ensuring

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Image credit: Chandler Chen

Issue four | Check-in

that they will be looked after while they are away.

A good example of the kind of thing they expect is the VIP transfer service offered by Titan Travel, who collect clients from their home and drop them back to their front door after their trip. This provides clients with a feeling of security and reduces stress levels, because they don’t have to worry about getting to the airport to start their holiday.

Solo travellers are often older and may be apprehensive about travelling alone: the thought of meeting new people is a scary one for them. Group tours or packages designed for solo travellers give them a level of comfort, knowing that they will be with other like‑minded individuals who may also have lost a partner. These trips are a fantastic way for solo travellers to make friends, build new relationships and continue to enjoy their holidays as they previously did.

They key things to remember when selling to solo travellers is that they’re still human.

A lot of people shy away from talking about previous holidays with their partner, or what happened to their partner,

but if you talk to them like a human being, and empathise with their situation, they can become one of the easiest group of clients to deal with. They will have plenty of questions, which is understandable, but if you have patience, and go the extra mile to make sure they’re happy with their choices, they will quite often return year after year, because trust is much more important to them than saving £100 on their holiday by booking online.

A lot of solo travellers will often start with a holiday closer to home, either a short break in the UK or something in Europe, but as they go on more holidays they can become some of your most adventurous and outgoing clients.

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Issue four |Promotion

Pack your trunk for Sri Lanka See the elephants and forget about any stress with Saga From door-to-door transfers to comprehensive travel insurance, there’s a reason why a holiday with Saga is the trip of a lifetime, every time.

Take the 13-night Sri Lankan adventure, one of Saga’s most popular tours for solo passengers. Their VIP service will pick your client up at home, take them to the airport (with flights included) and make sure they are greeted in Sri Lanka by a Saga representative.

Knowing that the logistics are taken care of is such a weight off your client’s mind – they can concentrate on enjoying one of the most enthralling countries in the world.

The key to Saga’s success is its generous nature, and they go above and beyond. In Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, they take guests on a guided tour of the city to help them get to

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know the thriving metropolis where they’ll find ancient temples and skyscrapers. From Colombo they will head north to Habarana, where guests stay in the evocatively named Cinnamon Lodge, which is an organic farm; and then they are whisked off to Kandy – a city that sits on a plateau, surrounded by mountains and tea plantations. When you think of Sri Lanka, in all its lush, green glory, this is it.

However, the highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka is the chance to see the country’s elephants.

With Saga, there are trips to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Yala National Park, where hundreds of the animals roam across almost 1,000 square km of parkland. It’s an unbelievable experience and one that your clients will never forget.

Saga is the perfect option for

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those travelling solo. They’re highly experienced in looking after your clients – whether they want to meet other solo travellers or would rather just do their own thing. They know that every traveller is different.

Thought you couldn’t buy peace of mind? Think again.

To book, call FREE on 0800 074 8021 or visit saga.co.uk/agents The following is included in the Sri Lankan Adventure: • 12 nights in hotels and one in flight • 12 breakfasts, six lunches and 12 dinners • VIP door-to-door transfers • Optional travel insurance • Return flights and transfers • Saga tour manager • Welcome drink reception • Selected excursions, including Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

FEATURES

Founded in 2014, cruise adviser, the sister publication of Solus, brings together the most insightful commentary, news and analysis for those selling cruise holidays

You can find us at cruise-adviser.com (compatible with smartphone and tablet), on Twitter (@cruiseadviser) and Facebook

Printed ten times a year, cruise adviser is aimed at front-line British travel agents and other sellers of cruises

Sign up for our monthly update for the chance to win prizes when selling cruises by emailing info@cruise-adviser.com

Going it alone EXPERIENCE

One traveller shares his account of holidaying solo

John Crook 64, County Durham As a solo traveller, I prefer to do escorted tours, as everything is taken care of and I would rather tour with a group because meeting other travellers is part of the experience. It gives me peace of mind and means that I can enjoy a holiday more because I know that the logistics are taken care of. I don’t have to constantly worry about getting from one place to another and haggling with taxi drivers.

I love Asia – everything over there fascinated me. The culture is so vibrant, the people are incredibly friendly and the food SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

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is like nowhere else on Earth. It really is a unique destination.

I booked with Cosmos for their 15-day Thailand Experience, which included visits to ancient sites such as Chiang Mai and the abandoned town of Sukhothai. We also got the chance to see the famous River Kwai bridge and visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungle. A lot of bucket‑list experiences.

The places we visited were fantastic. Everything was so wellorganised. In just two weeks, we covered quite a distance over the whole country – including the Golden Triangle, where

Issue four | Check-in Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. All of the hotels were of a high standard, as were the arrangements. While this is expected, it is always a relief to know that a company is able to handle everything.

Our guide, Duke, was very informative and always asking if we were okay, or needed anything. The driver was also very good in helping to ensure the tour went smoothly and to schedule. Nothing was too much trouble for the tour director or driver that guided us around.

I felt looked-after for my entire time in Asia, which is a huge thing for anyone travelling on their own.

There were so many highlights that it is difficult to pick out just one. I particularly enjoyed the rickshaw ride to the night market in Bangkok. The trip to the bridge over the River Kwai – built by Allied prisoners of war during World War Two, thousands of whom died during its construction – was something that will stay with me forever, as well as the day we went to the elephant sanctuary.

I’ve done several escorted tours as a solo traveller before and it is vital that you do your homework prior to booking.

Unfortunately, a lot of travel companies do not seem to be sympathetic to solo travellers, and can charge almost as much for a single traveller as they would for a couple. I booked my Thailand tour with Cosmos because the single supplement was set at a reasonable cost, and I was thoroughly satisfied with the holiday.

The next holiday I am booked on is a Caribbean cruise next

Clockwise from above: the bridge on the River Kwai; an asiatic elephant; buddhist monks; a rickshaw; Chiang Mai; Lumphini Park, Bangkok; a statue at the Grand Palace, Bangkok

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Issue four | Check-in Christmas. However, after spending 15 days with Cosmos I am now really tempted by the company’s tour to Malaysia and Borneo which it introduced this year.

This was my first holiday with Cosmos and the time I had with them was nothing short of amazing. Everything from the pick-up to the airport to my returning home three weeks later, went smoothly and without any problems. The tour director, the hotels, the itinerary and the driver were all perfect.

Cosmos’ 15-day Thailand Experience: £1,626pp including home pick-up (within 50 miles), flights from London Gatwick, services of a tour director, accommodation, selected meals, all airport taxes and transfers

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Escorted tours exclusively for solo travellers This collection is built on a selection of tried, tested and loved itineraries and are now available for those travelling on their own. An airport meet and greet service and welcome dinners are added to ensure our solo travellers’ needs are perfectly met.

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Issue four | Explore

10 THINGS

How to beat the fear factor

Despite its growing popularity, travelling alone can be daunting. Jane Archer’s tried-and-tested advice helps agents to put would-be travellers’ fears to rest 1. The last resort Unless you are writing a book, checking into a hotel alone can be soul‑destroying. Other guests come and go, making it hard to form a connection.

Opt instead for a cruise or coach tour as everyone will be in the same boat – or vehicle – for the duration of the holiday.

2. Prop up the bar I’m not suggesting that solo

travellers become alcoholics, but it’s a good place to strike up conversations as guests come up to order their drinks. As often as not, someone will invite you to join them. If they don’t, you can get all the local gossip from the barman.

3. Inclusive is best Holidays that include drinks in the price might be more expensive but if you are travelling alone, it’s much

easier to mix and mingle with strangers if you don’t have to worry about who is buying the next round.

4. Put yourself out there In the nicest way possible of course. Joining activities such as book clubs, aerobics or yoga classes is a good way to meet people and you’ll all have something in common – even if it is only discovering how unfit you are!

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Issue four | Explore

5. Size does matter…

The small ocean and river cruise ships are ideal for solo travellers as you see the same people every day. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and over-50s specialist Saga Cruises hold get-togethers for singles at the start of the holiday to help break the ice.

exclusively for those sailing alone and come with access to a lounge where singles can meet up.

“It’s more fun to be a social butterfly and flit between tables so you meet new folk”

7. Bunk up with a stranger This may sound a bit off the wall, but it is a good way for both parties to avoid paying a single supplement. If you can’t find a willing friend before you set off, G Adventures pairs same-sex single travellers in twin accommodation. The tour operator Explore does the same on singles‑only holidays.

6. ...except when it doesn’t Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships are big but solo-friendly as drinks are included in the fare and the studio cabins on Norwegian Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape and Bliss are

8. Musical chairs A set seating plan at mealtimes takes the worry out of who to sit with but it can be dull being stuck with the same people every day. It’s more fun to be a social butterfly and flit between tables so you meet new folk.

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9. Pack a book A tad old‑fashioned it’s true, but at a buffet a book can be indispensable. Leave it at the table to save your place and let the waiters know you haven’t left. A mobile phone or handbag left lying around will not go down so well with your travel insurance company!

10. Follow your passion A special-interest holiday is a great way to meet folk with similar likes. Think of what appeals and there’ll be a holiday to suit. To get you started, how about cycling in Cuba with Explore, wine-tasting on the Rhine with AmaWaterways, tuning into Mozart and Strauss on the Danube with Tauck and roaming through ancient history with Voyages to Antiquity.

Issue four | Promotion

®

All-inclusive luxury in the Caribbean The BodyHoliday resort on the island of Saint Lucia is focused on health and wellness – and welcomes solo travellers BodyHoliday on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is a unique all-inclusive resort focused on health and wellness.

This five-star resort proudly promotes health and wellbeing and charges no single supplement on 29 rooms year-round. Your clients will receive personalised service, a daily complimentary spa treatment, enjoy a diverse selection of appetising food and premium branded drinks, stay in first-class accommodation

and enjoy a magnificent beach.

BodyHoliday has a fantastic reputation for welcoming guests travelling solo, it is no wonder that there are so many loyal repeat guests who return year after year.

Complimentary spa

For each full day of your clients’ stay, they receive a complimentary 50-minute spa treatment in the award-winning wellness centre. The choice of 12-inclusive treatments range

from a soothing aloe yoghurt body wrap to a hydrating and protecting Thalgo oxygen facial through to the a Saint Lucian Sizzler full-body massage.

Activities and relaxation

BodyHoliday includes everything from archery to yoga, spinning, Zumba, tai chi and everything in between.

Guests can learn a new skill with group tuition included in tennis, golf, water sports (including motorised) and

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scuba. A new soft adventure programme has been recently launched which takes guests trekking through rivers, walking in the rainforest, hiking to view scenic island vistas and up the mountains that Saint Lucia is famous for.

Guests are encouraged to do as much or as little as they like, so there will be no-one disturbing your clients to summon them to beach volleyball or sailing, they are welcome to dip in and out and set their own agenda. If they want to simply chill in a beach cabana reading their Kindle, sipping a cocktail and enjoying a chocolate brownie then that is wellness, too.

Food and drink

Dining at BodyHoliday is varied and enjoyable. Smoothies or speciality coffee are available at the beachfront Deli, freshlybaked pizzas can be enjoyed on the sand and tasting menus sampled with wine-pairing can be enjoyed. You can be sure that

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your clients will have a fabulous meal that is well-cooked and made with fresh ingredients.

The five superb restaurants offer both à la carte options and relaxed buffet-style cuisine.

Your clients should try the new garden-to-table experience at I-Tal or the award-wining Asian-fusion restaurant, Tao.

Comfortable rooms

There are 29 Standard Garden View Rooms at BodyHoliday which carry no single supplement year round. These rooms are furnished with king sized beds, hardwood furniture and decorated with turquoise accents, which fit the property’s Sleep-Well Design concept. As well as complimentary wi-fi and air conditioning, each room has noise cancellation walls and built-in Bluetooth sound systems. All rooms are equipped with coffee making facilities and REN spa amenities and the nightly tea and biscuit delivery service is something to look forward to before bed.

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Social solos

Guests tell BodyHoliday that they return for their solo holidays because of the way they are treated, the feeling of security and the gregarious and social nature of the resort.

Whether you have clients travelling alone, with a friend or as part of a larger group, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes. BodyHoliday designs hosted group activities that range from cocktail and dinner parties to sunset cruises.

Each evening there is a hosted table which solo travellers are welcome to join, so they do not need to fear dining alone.

BodyHoliday is a community resort where guests meet fellow like-minded solo travellers.

Offer your clients an amazing solo holiday at BodyHoliday which promises “give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind”.

For more information, call 020 3096 1695 or visit thebodyholiday.com

Golden wonder

From the serenity of its royal temples to the opulence of its hotels and the bustle of its floating markets, Gary Buchanan explains why the Thai capital Bangkok deserves to be more than a stop for backpackers

Issue four | Explore In former times Bangkok was known as the “Venice of the East”: up until the Second World War the only way for visitors to reach it was by boat, sailing up the winding Chao Phraya – the “River of Kings”. This waterway is to Bangkok as the Thames was to London: still a working river, full of barges laden with teak, sampans and an increasing number of dinner‑cruise vessels decked out in neon lights.

Today, Thailand is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world – in 2017 a record 35 million visitors flocked to the country. This success could well be down to the nickname conjured up by marketing folk a couple of decades ago – “Land of Smiles” – printed across shelves of brochures with a beaming Thai girl surrounded by colourful orchids. The current tagline, “Amazing Thailand”, has been created by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to emphasise the country’s vibrancy and contrasts as well as the unrivalled hospitality it offers.

Thailand is certainly a land of contradictions – monks

and microchips; purity and poverty; glistening temples and glitzy malls. But if anything encapsulates the serenity that underlies everyday life it’s sawasdee, the greeting offered by the Thais as they bow slightly, with palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion.

For years Thailand has been an essential stop for backpackers and gap-year travellers. With its embarrassment of cultural riches, Bangkok is now very much on the radar for more mature travellers, who still appreciate the edginess that makes visitors to the city feel alive.

JustYou have been taking independent travellers to destinations all over the world for more than 10 years. Alastair Campbell, the firm’s managing director, says: “Bangkok is perfect for single travellers, it is a fascinating destination and travelling with a company such as ours means that you can share the experience with like‑minded solo tourists who are all on the trip to explore this wonderful city and country. We

include fantastic excursions to the must-see sites and there are optional excursions, offering the flexibility to choose.”

Unlike its neighbours Cambodia and Myanmar, Siam, as Thailand was officially known until 1939, was never colonised by a European power. In many ways this explains the country’s idiosyncratic charm: it offers an authentic flavour of the Orient that few other destinations can equal. Bangkok – or Krung Thep to use the Thai form – was established as the nation’s capital in 1767 after the fall of Ayutthaya, an ancient city fifty miles to the north.

In a country where nicknames abound it is little wonder Bangkok is also known as the “City of Angels”. With eight million inhabitants, it sometimes feels like the world capital of the traffic jam, but you can beat the congestion by exploring the city on foot or hopping on the fast and efficient BTS Skytrain whose tracks run above the city streets.

Stealing the scene on a bend of the Chao Phraya is the Grand Palace, home to the Kings of Siam since 1782. This vast complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai kingdom and is the country’s most sacred site.

There’s no disputing that the palace is at its Instagram-ready best when the purple twilight is flecked with gold leaf and the air is filled with the heady aroma of incense. Visitors arriving by boat during the day enjoy tantalising glimpses as they approach the palace. It’s worth joining one of the free guided tours to Wat Phra Kaew, a temple within the same complex which contains the greatly revered Emerald Buddha SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

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Issue four | Explore

Clockwise from below: Wat Phra Keuw; a saleswoman at the Thonburi Klongs floating market; some young buddhist monks; the Authors’ Lounge at the Oriental

dating from the 14th century and protected by a nine-tiered bejewelled canopy.

Near by is Wat Pho – the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, a statue so big that to walk the 46 metres from its head to toe is the only way to appreciate its scale. Rising on the western bank of the Chao Phraya is the spectacular 19th century Temple of Dawn – Wat Arun –whose main tower is covered with impressive mosaics made from shards of Chinese porcelain.

The “River of Kings” is also a highway to more secular attractions. An exhilarating ride aboard a longtail boat to the Thonburi Klongs, a labyrinth of narrow canals, reveals another face of Bangkok. Skyscrapers give way to old wooden townhouses on stilts over the murky water.

Here there’s the chance to discover a simpler way of life along waterways where children swim, men fish and old ladies sell scarlet and green chilli peppers from small wooden boats.

Brave souls can also climb aboard a tuk-tuk for a nighttime exploration of the city.

Travelling in convoy with fellow revellers these open-sided, threewheeled rickshaws powered by a moped engine hurtle past shops emblazoned with garish lights, stalls with spicy aromas billowing from their pans, loud bars and boisterous crowds of SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

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Issue four | Explore the Bangkok streets. Travelling in convoy they offer a unique glimpse of the city in safety and companionship.

There isn’t a traveller alive who can leave Thailand without at least one souvenir. The list is endless – silk, wood carvings, leather goods and lacquerware.

Thai tailors can fit you for a hand-finished suit or dress at a bargain price, ready to pick up in little more than a day.

Countless markets and shopping malls abound, but none come close to the experience of Chatuchak Market, a mammoth bazaar with about 15,000 different stalls open on weekends from 9am to 6pm. You can be the proud owner of fancy but fake Louis Vuitton luggage or look cool in a pair of natty but knock-off Ray-Bans.

Thai cuisine is renowned the world over and where better to sample it than at awardwinning restaurants such as Issaya Siamese Club, Nang Gin Kui or Sala Rim Naam. Sky bars have become hip in Bangkok and offer superb vistas of this frenetic city – head to Zoom on the 40th floor of the Anantara Sathorn Hotel, Cloud 47 on the roof of the United Center, or the Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower.

Graceful service is in the DNA of the Thai people and with smart hotels at bargain prices, the argument for a visit is a compelling one. One legend in hospitality which is frequently voted best hotel in the world is the Oriental. Built for traders in 1876, it became a favourite of visiting celebrities from Noël Coward to Marlon Brando. It enjoys a superb location on the

Take a tuk-tuk, below, or the Skytrain, above right, to reach Wat Arun, right, or enjoy the view at one of the city’s many sky bars, below right

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Chao Phraya and is the city’s undisputed grande dame.

For the hotel’s 140th anniversary a radical makeover restored the heart of the property to its original splendour. The Grand Royal Suite occupies the entire first floor of the renowned Authors’ Wing. If the price – 500,000 baht a night, about £11,300 – seems a bit much, the new Garden Suites, which boast floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bustling river and exotic gardens, are almost equally enchanting, at a nightly rate of about £1,000.

The Authors’ Lounge, with its white wickerwork and palms, has also been restored to its late 19th century vibe. This perennial favourite for afternoon tea has been extended, the space flowing seamlessly through to the hotel’s riverside terrace and gardens via four salons named after famous authors who were guests of the hotel.

A recent Abta report says travellers aged over 65 are more likely to travel alone with the key driver being travelling to a new destination. Few oriental havens fit the bill better than the Thai capital. Bangkok is a jewel in the crown for solo travellers, intriguing yet deceptive, and, unlike most cities, visitors don’t absorb it, it absorbs them.

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Oceans of difference For solo travellers, the choice between a coach tour or a cruise isn’t as simple as it might seem. Jane Archer helps agents to throw some light on the decision

A coach tour is just the land‑based equivalent of a cruise, right? Well, no: both are about touring but that is where the similarities start and end.

Understanding their different selling points is vital if you want to match your clients to the right type of holiday.

Relaxing at sea For passengers on an ocean cruise, the ship is part of the attraction. They can board, unpack once and then relax as their floating hotel takes them from port to port. Ocean

liners accommodate anything from a few hundred passengers to several thousand and have swimming pools, restaurants, bars and theatres, live bands, lectures and more to keep folk entertained while the ship sails from one destination to another.

Most cruising is done in the evening and overnight, and many itineraries include at least one sea day, which gives passengers time to enjoy the ship’s facilities.

A week’s cruise in the Western Mediterranean might tick off Barcelona, Nice and Rome or customers can fly to Asia and cruise around Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo and Singapore in one ten-day holiday.

River-cruise vessels are smaller than ocean-going ships, averaging 150 passengers. A lot of cruising is done at night but there is a view by day, highlights being spots such as the Rhine Gorge in Germany and Austria’s Wachau Valley along the Danube.

A coach with a view A coach holiday is a very different experience. For one thing, coaches only hold about 50 passengers so you get to know everyone. There is always a view and those concerned about seasickness need not worry (the same applies to a river cruise).

Coaches can take you to landlocked places that cruise ships can’t reach: Siberia in Russia, Las Vegas in the US and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia. A recent escorted tour around India’s Golden Triangle took me from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Jaipur to visit the Amber Fortress. It was an incredible journey you could not make on a ship.

While cruise itineraries generally hop between countries, coach tours often focus on one state or region – ten days in Eastern Canada with Tauck, for SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

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instance, or 11 days in Italy with Trafalgar Tours.

On the downside, you have to stay seated during the journey other than to use the facilities and do tend to end up living out of a suitcase as you travel between hotels. However, modern vehicles have more legroom – Leger Holidays’ Silver Service coaches even have a small rear lounge where passengers can gather to chat.

Most tour companies have also stopped cramming itineraries with a different city each day. Titan Travel’s Essence of Japan tour, for instance, spends three nights in Tokyo and two in Hiroshima, Kyoto and the hill town of Takayama, with multiple departures between September this year and April next year.

Insight Vacations offer easy‑pace tours that cut down on travel time: ten days in Budapest,Vienna and Prague; eight days in St Petersburg and Moscow; or ten days in Rome, Florence and Venice with optional trips to Pompeii SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

What about age?

Cruise and coach holidays attract older people who want to travel but are content to let someone else do all the organising, but both also have a substantial and growing following among young people.

And why not? Many cruise ships have trendy restaurants and sushi bars to appeal to hipsters and there is even a new river cruise brand, U

by Uniworld, exclusively for millennials aged 21 to 45. It launches on the Seine, Rhine and Danube this month.

U is a sister company to Contiki, a well-established coach holiday company for the 18-35s that offers highenergy trips and camping tours with “road crew” in place of tour managers.

For older customers who may struggle to get around, the company Mobility at Sea rents specialist equipment to make their cruise more comfortable.

It has partnerships with many large operators such as Saga, Princess and Cunard.

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Do they charge single supplements?

Most cruise and coach companies charge a single supplement but amounts vary enormously and a few have no-supplement offers now and then. Voyages to Antiquity and Cruise & Maritime Voyages are among the best ocean cruise lines for singles as they charge lone travellers just 25 per cent extra.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships have studio cabins for solo travellers that are individually costed rather weighed down with a supplement.

River cruise lines AmaWaterways and Tauck have waived single supplements on lower-deck cabins on all European cruises this year, and reduced the charge on higher-grade rooms on selected departures across the year.

More than half of all Contiki clients are solo travellers. Instead of charging them a supplement, it pairs same-sex individuals in twin rooms. Trafalgar has dedicated solo departures with no supplement.

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INFOCUS

Intrepid Travel Wendy Smith tells Solus about how the tour operator’s new adventure cruising programme is offering an exciting alternative to the traditional cruise holiday “It’s ideal for solo travellers,” says Wendy Smith, product manager for adventure cruising at Intrepid Travel, of the company’s new ocean-bound programme. With no single supplement for those willing to share with a fellow traveller of their gender, it’s no surprise that 60 per cent of those on board are solo travellers, a statistic consistent across the company’s offerings (there’s the option to pay for a room by yourself).

Smith says the product, launched last year, is most

likely to attract past Intrepid customers who are looking for something new, and those who like the idea of travelling by ship – but not on the more mainstream cruise lines. She says that although the product is “definitely not mainstream”, adventure cruising doesn’t mean roughing it on board and spending every day on intense, trek-heavy tours.

“It’s not specifically active,” says Smith. “People can do as much or as little as they want.

If guests want to, they can

just spend the day on the ship relaxing. We’ve tried to make the itineraries have a good mix of free time and enjoying the sights and places along the way.

It’s not scarily adventurous.”

Found in 1988 by two Australians, Darrell Wade and Geoff ‘Manch’ Manchester, who still own the company, Intrepid has grown from humble beginnings. At one time it was a division of PEAK Adventure Travel Group, a joint venture between Intrepid Group and Tui

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Group, but separated in 2015.

Now, it is one of the world’s most recognisable touring brands, sending more than 100,000 travellers on holiday each year and employing more than 1,000 staff worldwide (not all with beards, Intrepid jokes on its website, recognising its hipster reputation). As its name and tagline (‘the world’s best adventure travel company’) suggest, the company specialises in off-the-beaten-track destinations, offering holidays to countries across the globe, from Armenia to Zimbabwe, Antarctica to Uzbekistan.

But Intrepid is more about immersion that expedition, and that’s true of its cruise programme, too. Chartering yachts by Variety, the Greekowned cruise line, and vessels from a small Croatian company for its Dalmatian coast voyages, Intrepid looks at commonly visited destinations in new ways.

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“Last year, we started with just a single ship in Croatia, and just seven departures,” says Smith.

“That went really well, which gave us the confidence to ramp things up this year. We now have Greece, Iceland, Spain and Portugal and, at the end of the year, we’ll start operating in Asia – Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia,” she says.

The intention is eventually build its own ships, Smith says, but for now the charters are working well. “The product revolves around the destination,” she says. “The ships are lovely, comfortable platforms to use for exploration.

The idea is to go to places that big ships can’t go, even if that’s getting right in port in a big city or getting into out-of-the-way places that don’t necessarily see a lot of tourism.”

Intrepid’s largest chartered vessel carries 50 guests, the smallest just 31. Symphony

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of the Seas these ships are not. “We don’t have casinos and shows,” says Smith.

“Entertainment is a Scrabble board and your fellow travellers.” She adds that guests “want an experience beyond what is offered on the ship”.

Smith highlights the original product in Croatia. “We start in Split and finish in Dubrovnik – both of those places are on a real high when it comes to tourism, but we also go up river to a little place called Opuzen, that gets no body. And they’re always so happy to see us, we get such a lovely welcome.

“When I was there, there was a local band playing in town square and we got to have a party with the entire town.

That’s the sort of atmosphere these out-of-the-way places can offer. It’s about taking guests to places they probably wouldn’t make it to if they travelled without us.”

H OW TO S ELL

SOLO TRAVEL How, as a travel agent, do you cater for the singles market? From the experts we speak to, we learnt that it’s all about making customers feel at ease. They want to know that they won’t be alone, or forced to join in with activities when they don’t want to. They want to know they’re not being ripped off with single supplements and that their tour guides or cruise directors are knowledgeable, happy to help and used to looking after single customers. People are going it alone in record numbers, so we’ve created Solus and this guide as a starting place. From a few simple questions, we’ve provided nine amazing options to cover a large part of the solo travel market. We’ve divided this guide into UK & Ireland, European and worldwide holidays, with active, relaxing and cultural options for each.

Where would you like to go?

UK & Ireland p43

Europe p44 42

Worldwide p45

UK & Ireland Many operators offer travellers the chance to visit exotic, far-flung places as part of their solo offerings, but you shouldn’t discount the UK and Ireland, either.

‘Staycations’ can provide better value for money than many holidays abroad and, for those who are apprehensive about travelling alone, they make a lot of sense.

We’ve picked three options based on active, cultural and relaxing holidays. The two ship-based options demonstrate cruise’s increased recognition of the solo traveller.

What sort of holiday do you want?

Active

Cultural

Relaxing

Who? Explore Where? England When? July 2018 How long? Three nights How much? £355

Who? Voyages to Antiquity Where? British Isles When? June 2018 How long? Six nights How much? £798 for an inside cabin

Who? Saga Where? British Isles When? June 2018 How long? Five nights How much? From £1,740 for an outside cabin

Voyages to Antiquity is the thinking person’s cruise line with guest speakers sharing their expertise of destinations both the day before and during excursions. This cruise may depart from Bordeaux, but takes guests back to the UK with stops at Falmouth Dartmouth.

In our opinion, there’s no more relaxing way to holiday than by cruise – and Saga, the over 50s line, is great for solo travellers.

This short Edinburgh Fringe at Sea cruise is a great taster for those wanting to dip their toes in the cruise – or solo travel – waters.

Departing from Dover, there is also a call at Newcastle.

This tour, perfect for solos, allows bike-loving guests to cycle across the breadth of England, from Whitehaven on the Irish Sea to Tynemouth on the North Sea. It takes in the Lake District, Eden Valley and the rugged North Pennines. Bikes, meals and accommodation are all included in the price.

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Europe

We’ve picked three holidays – one active, one cultural and one relaxing – each on the continent, and each perfect for solo travellers. From the cafés of Paris to the beautiful beaches on the Balkans, this is a region that offers it all: food, culture, history and adventure. Just because you’re travelling alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy all that and more…

What sort of holiday do you want?

Active

Cultural

Relaxing

Who? Intrepid Where? Croatia When? September 2018 How long? Seven nights How much? £1,060

Who? Solos Where? Girona When? October 2018 How long? Three nights How much? £725

Who? Riviera Travel Where? Danube When? November 2018 How long? Seven nights How much? £1,899

Bike, hike and kayak across this beautiful part of the world with Intrepid, a company that welcomes thousands of solo travellers a year. The highlight must be kayaking in the Adriatic, following the coast to the fishing hamlet of Vinjerac.

The tour starts in Zadar and ends in Starigrad Paklenica.

This ancient city in Catalonia lies on the River Onyar, 99km northeast of Barcelona.The city is rich in culture: wander through the fascinating Jewish Quarter and take in Romanesque and gothic architecture and medieval walls on this tour with Solos.

This off-season cruise on the Danube is one two Riviera Travel is running exclusively for solo passengers (the other being on the Rhone in November), and takes in the likes of Melk, Vienna and Budapest. River cruise has been more proactive than ocean cruise when it comes to welcoming solo guests.

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Worldwide

When customers embrace solo travel they suddenly realise they no longer have another person’s preferences to worry about. Always wanted to go to the Amazon?

Then go – there’s no reason not to. Once customers take that leap, the world really is their oyster. Small group specialists in particular offer an incredible way to enjoy adventure travel that isn’t too daunting. Here are just three amazing options that caught our eye, one active, one cultural and one relaxing.

What sort of holiday do you want?

Active

Cultural

Relaxing

Who? Contiki Where? West Coast When? July 2018 How long? 14 nights How much? £1,629

Who? G Adventures Where? Equador When? April 2018 How long? Six nights How much? £407

Who? JustYou Where? Australia When? February 2019 How long? 25 nights How much? £7,999

Contiki is squarely aimed millennials and this Wild Western tour is one of its ‘high energy’ itineraries for travellers who don’t like to sit still. LA, San Diego, Vegas, Yosemite, the Mojave desert and the Grand Canyon are all included in this actionpacked fortnight. Contiki says the American tour is for the “brave and free”.

The incredible Amazonian jungle expedition with G Adventures promises you will be “living locally”.

On this trip it means that a Quichua family will host guests in their village for the four nights, where they’ll learn about medicinal plants and experience a shaman ceremony.

This, as the price suggests, is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for a solo traveller who has always wanted to explore Australia. It includes a visit to Kakadu National Park, an unforgettable journey on The Ghan train and a cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. Stretching almost to a month, there’s plenty of time to relax.

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DIRECTORY Info need an update? Email info@waterfront-publishing.com A

AAT Kings Heather Colbourn, senior sales manager 07824 486 544 heather.colbourn@aatkings. co.uk

A-Rosa Lucia Rowe, head of sales, UK and Ireland 07842 026 013 l.rowe@a-rosa.de

Abercrombie & Kent Rachel Healy, trade sales manager 01242 547 886 rhealy@abercrombiekent.co.uk

Amadeus River Cruises Natalie O’Mahoney, head of sales 0800 035 6411 natalie@fredrivercruises.co.uk

AmaWaterways Jamie Loizou, sales, marketing and digital director 033 3305 3902 jamieloizou@amawaterways. com

APT Touring Kate Ashman, sales and commercial specialist 01494 736 147 agentclub@aptouring.co.uk

ATG Oxford Juliette King, sales manager 01865 315 678 trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

Avalon Waterways James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@avaloncruises. co.uk

B

Back-Roads Touring Lockie Turner, business development manager 020 8987 0990 l.kerr@backroadstouring.com

BodyHoliday, Saint Lucia Andrew Hillier, agency sales manager 020 3096 1600 reservations@clear-marketing. com

C

Contiki Laura Brown, head of sales 07917 608 766 laura.brown@contiki.co.uk

Cosmos James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@cosmostours.co.uk

Cox & Kings Greg Thurston, national account manager 07748 807 276 greg.thurston@coxandkings. co.uk

CroisiEurope Gabrielle Alam, head of sales and marketing UK 020 8328 1281 resuk@croisieurope.com

Cruise & Maritime Voyages Lisa Jacobs, head of trade sales 0844 414 6140 lisa.jacobs@cruiseandmaritime. com

Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

E eWaterways Emma Wild, head of sales 080 8168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.co.uk

Exodus Dan Jackson, agency liaison manager 07879 336 324 djackson@exodus.co.uk

Explore Sarah King, sales manager 01252 883 721 sarah.king@explore.co.uk

F Ffestiniog Travel Michelle Hawes, tours supervisor 01766 772030 michelle.hawes@ffestiniogtravel. co.uk

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Becky Smith, trade support manager 01473 746 164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk

Fred Olsen River Cruises Hannah Logan, UK sales manager 0800 035 3189 hannah@fredrivercruises.co.uk

G G Adventures Jerrine Barnett, new business development manager 07432 429 836; 020 7243 9870 ext. 9948 jbarnett@gadventures.com

I If Only Neil Sealy, head of sales 01419 554 000 neil.sealy@ifonly.net

Intrepid Travel Andrew Turner, head of industry sales 080 8274 5719 ukbdm@intrepidtravel.com

J Journey Latin America Mary Anne Nelson, senior travel consultant 020 8747 8315 agents@journeylatinamerica. co.uk

SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

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Issue four | Depart

K

O

T

Kirker Hisham Mahmoud, agency sales manager UK & Ireland 020 7593 2288 hisham.mahmoud@ kirkerholidays.com

L

On The Go Tours Kate Filer, sales manager 07985 660 303 kate.filer@onthegotours.com

P

Tauck Kathryn Coles, UK and Ireland sales manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk

Thomson Cruises Andrew Isherwood, commercial support team 020 3451 2762 commercial.support@thomson. co.uk

Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 01293 450 726; 07834 652 135 edwina.coppock@titantravel. co.uk

Travelpack Heena Bhudia, business development manager 07958 359 505 heena.bhudia@travelpack.com

Travelsphere & JustYou Polly Poulton, national account manager 01858 588 406 polly.poulton@travelsphere. co.uk

U

Latin Routes Jessica Bain, director 020 8546 6222 info@latinroutes.co.uk

Leger Holidays Ashley Dellow, head of retail sales 01709 385 811 retail.sales@leger.co.uk

M The Majestic Line Marie McGhee, sales manager 01369 707951 info@themajesticline.co.uk

Mercury Holidays David Hood, national sales manager 07855 036 782 dhood@sunspottours.com

MSC Cruises Victoria Taylor, sales operations manager 020 7092 8182 ukinsidesales@msccruises.co.uk

N Newmarket Holidays Richard Forde, agency sales manager 0330 160 4799 travelagents@ newmarketholidays.co.uk

Norwegian Cruise Line Jeremy McKenna, head of sales UK and Ireland 07408 805 216 jmckenna@ncl.com

SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

P&O Cruises Brodie McIntosh, trade engagement manager 023 8065 5780 brodie.mcintosh@ cunardpocruises.com

Princess Cruises Sales Support 02380 656607 academy@princesscruises.co.uk

R Riviera Travel Darren Mussell, agency sales assistant manager 01283 744 307 agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

Royal Caribbean International Trade support team 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com

S Saga Travel Sukina Fagg, national account manager 080 0074 8021 sukina.fagg@saga.co.uk

Shearings Holidays Michael Bowers, national sales manager 01942 823 449 sales.support@shearings.com

Solos Holidays Julian Simmons, agency liaison 020 8951 2810 travel@solos.co.uk

Specialist Journeys Kathryn Furnell, marketing manager 01722 713 800 kathryn@specialistjourneys.com

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Uniworld Boutique River Cruises David Chidley, national sales manager 07408 855 544 david.chidley@uniworld.com

V Voyages to Antiquity Michelle Daniels, head of groups and partnerships 01865 302 2565 m.daniels@voyagestoantiquity. com

W Wendy Wu Tours Adam White, trade support and marketing executive 020 7939 9560 adam.white@wendywutours. co.uk

GAMESROOM

Each issue, we bring you a selection of things to do on your lunch break or journey to the office

CROSSWORD

ISSUE THREE SOLUTION

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Breathtaking Family name of the Duke of Devonshire (9)

2. Presidential wings, perhaps (3,5,3)

8. Concur (5)

3. Kick out (5)

9. Plus (5)

2

5. Can be conducted for ever (11)

13. These might start and end at 10 Across (10)

6. Shaft (3)

17. Inlet (5)

7. Popular holiday destination, or a Little enclave? (5)

18. Connected to the knee-bone and the ankle-bone (5)

11. Might be black, or carried out in a theatre (3)

3

6

4. Miniature (5)

10. Cruise stop-off (4,2,4)

19. Went over (9)

SUDOKU 2 9 7

1

1

4

4

7

3 5

9

9

1

6

6

8 9

5

4

6

1

2

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8

2 6 2

1 3

4

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7 8

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9 6

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4 4

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12. Muscular (5) 14. Escarpment (5) 15. Bury (5) 16. Catch (3) SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

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Issue four | Depart

QUIZ 1. Dodoma is the capital of which African country?

2. After Alaska and Texas, what is the largest US state?

3. Where is London’s only planetarium?

4. The Heartbreakers were which rock star’s back-up band?

5. Who wrote The Cat in the Hat? 6. Campanology is the practice of what?

7. Sint Maarten, the Caribbean island, belongs to which European country?

8. What is the highest waterfall in the world?.

9. What is the deepest London Underground station?

10. Who wrote the novel The Secret History?

11. What’s the highest number on a roulette wheel?

12. David Cameron, Tom Hanks and Prince William apparently support which football team?

13. Which band’s 1995 album was called Different Class?

14. The first modern Olympic Games was held in what year in Athens, Greece?

15. Black Panther is a superhero in which comic-book universe?

QUIZ ANSWERS

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1. Tanzania; 2. California; 3. Greenwich (The Peter Harrison Planetarium); 4. Tom Petty; 5. Dr Seuss; 6. Bell-ringing; 7. The Netherlands; 8. Angel Falls 9. Hampstead 10. Donna Tartt; 11. 36; 12. Aston Villa; 13. Pulp. 14; 1896; 15. Marvel

SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

Issue four | Depart

FINAL WORD

Now’s the time to embrace solos The solo market is growing and agents with know-how can reap the benefits Solo travel is booming. One of the biggest players in the market, Intrepid, has just announced a 24 per cent increase in bookings in 2017, giving it a 40 per cent increase in its solo programme over the past five years (see p10).

The company, which expanded its solo programme last year to include the likes of Bali, India, Peru and Vietnam, welcomes roughly 60 per cent of bookings from solo travellers. It’s no surprise.

Searches for ‘solo travel’ have tripled in the past decade, according to Google, while searches for ‘solo travel destinations’ have doubled in the same time. Abta estimates that 12 per cent of Britons holidayed alone in 2017, which makes it a bigger sector of the industry than, say, cruise (seven per cent), coaching (six per cent), active holidays (seven per cent). There is, of course, overlap, but it’s proof that solo travellers should be

catered for by operators, and in travel agents’ minds. Abta notes that solo travel is most popular with the over 65s (18 per cent of whom have travelled alone in the past 12 months), who are a time and cash-rich demographic.

Of those, 81 per cent said they travelled alone to be able to do what they want – not because they have to.

This is why attitudes towards solo travel have changed and why travel operators are beginning to adapt, even in cruise, which has traditionally not served solos well. Saga’s new ship, Spirit of Discovery, for example, will have more than 100 solo cabins – meaning single supplements don’t even come into the equation.

It’s a fantastic time for the 12 per cent of your customers who are solo travellers and now have more incredible and exciting options than ever before. And what an opportunity it is for those agents who embrace and learn about solo travel.

The next issue of Solus is out in September 2018. See solusmagazine.com for more SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM

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TRAVEL AGENT SUPPORT • We don’t discount – secure early bookings, as the price will never go down • We hold options for 5 working days • Product video clips available at www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents • Agent online training at www.rivieraexpert.com

Joseph

Darren

Tamzin

Contact our friendly team for further details or for agency sales support call: 01283 744370 visit: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply. Prices correct as of 20.02.18.

Mia

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