It’s been a couple of days that myself and the team at TRAVEL Andaz returned after an exciting group tour to RUSSIA with a bunch of enthusiastic travellers who joined our journey to this beautiful country.
As I think back, I would like to share with you all what really made it a big success and what actually did we focus on doing right so that the travellers thoroughly enjoy this trip.
Destination, of course. RUSSIA being such a beautiful country, attracted the travellers to its developed infrastructure, centuries old government structures designed by the Italians, the French and its deep rooted historically prominent museums and palaces definitely caught the eye of everyone on this trip.
However, I as an owner of TRAVEL Andaz and also the acting tour manager on this trip to RUSSIA was in particular observant about what was working well for everyone.
Let me share a few of my observations and positive responses that were unanimously shared by the travellers on this tour.
1. We at TRAVEL Andaz spent sufficient time with the travellers well before they booked the tour, educating and sharing knowledge with them of the country we were travelling to.
2. Conducted a pre departure meeting with the entire group 10 days before the journey to share more in detail about the weather, things to carry, food preferences, immigration procedures, etc etc. It made all the travellers including the senior citizens very familiar and comfortable about travelling to unknown destination outside India. It built the excitement, gave clarity of what to expect and got them ready for the journey ahead. The group met in person with each other. This opportunity was created to get them familiar with their co-travellers well before the actual journey began. It helped them bond even more on tour and develop lasting friendships as they were travelling with known companions and no one was unknown in the actual trip. They all had known each other well before we departed for RUSSIA.
3. Every day in RUSSIA we left the hotel for sight-seeing at a reasonable time making sure there was no hurry or rush for the morning breakfast and returned well in time by the evening not making the itinerary at all hectic. This also allowed the guests to enjoy the excellent hotel accommodations we arranged for their stay throughout the tour.
4. We at TRAVEL Andaz made sure that the meals were served as per their preference they shared with us (Veg or Non-veg) not just during the tour but also on the flight journey.
5. The group extensively covered each sight-seeing attraction with sufficient time provided to soak in the experience to the fullest. There was no hurry whatsoever. Special attention was given to the senior citizens who could walk at their pace and enjoy these prominent places.
6. There was no compromise made on the quality of guides who educated us in fluent English about everything we visited in the itinerary. Special attention was given to the transportation vehicle to provide utmost comfort with all safety measures in place and having an experienced driver who drove us around.
All this could be delivered as the tour was specially customised only for this group. We had complete flexibility to arrange the sight-seeing the way we wanted. Each and every restaurant that served amazing food was hand-picked by us out of our experiences of visiting RUSSIA before and dining personally at these outlets. We also knew the justified time that would be required at each attraction to soak in the experience which helped us plan the tour accordingly.
With digitalisation of all our needs these days, travel and tourism has also extensively moved in that direction with online tour packages offered at attractive prices. However, in most cases it has zero human touch or personalised service on tour or before the tour. Coming to packaged group tour, one is stuck with the standard itinerary with no flexibility whatsoever. So then, what should be your choice?
Therefore next time you plan your international tour, ask yourself the following questions and get clarity from the tour operator. Do not get attracted only to the cheapest price on offer:
1. How hectic is the day wise itinerary? Is there enough resting time?
2. Do I know who and what age group am I travelling with?
3. Is the accommodation provided at a convenient distance from the city centre or far off from the attractions you are visiting?
4. Is sufficient time provided at each attraction? Share the itinerary with those who have visited or have knowledge of the country you plan to visit.
5. Is the itinerary flexible to add any unique experience that you have heard of and definitely want to experience it for yourself.
6. Are your meal preferences taken care all through the journey?
7. Can the tour be organised on the most convenient dates that you wish to travel?
8. If you are traveling as a family with kids, does the itinerary take care of the kid’s needs and meal preferences so that your journey is thoroughly enjoyable.
9. Is special attention and consideration given to the senior citizens joining the tour?
This explains why we at TRAVEL Andaz offer both small groups or individual custom tours personalised itineraries suiting everyone’s needs and preferences. Our personalised tours are fully tailormade to the expectations of your group of friends or family members, whereas on other tours you will be joining a group that’s following a set itinerary common to various age groups.
Are you planning your next international vacation? Talk to us. We will help YOU with an itinerary suiting all your needs and preferences.
For more details logon to our website www.travelandaz.com
Call Us : +91 8879620660
For more details logon to our website www.travelandaz.com
Call Us : +91 8879620660
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