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Ken Fish, the owner and president of Absolute Travel, began his business in 1989 by packaging luxury tours to Southeast Asia. Since then, he’s expanded to include custom luxury travel to more than 50 countries on four continents.
If someone from the West Coast asked your advice on where to travel today, what would you say?
Lots of places come to mind, but I’d say go to Bali. I’ve taken my family there for the last two years. It offers so much for so many different reasons. It’s a single destination, it’s got luxury accommodations and it’s a wonderful cultural experience.
Any place else?
Vietnam is a great place to go. I’ve been sending people there for the last 20 years.
Did the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last year put a chill on your bookings to India or elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia?
After Mumbai, we didn’t have a single cancellation, just one postponement. Thailand, however, was a different story. But I don’t think it was fear of terrorism. The airport in Bangkok was occupied, so I think clients who canceled did it more because of the inconvenience.
What are you doing to encourage business?
Well, for the first few months of 2009, we were giving a $500 rebate, per person, on any trip booked with us. That was a pretty significant incentive. And we’re considering a package of agent incentives between now and the end of this year.
Given the economic turbulence of 2009, how do you think 2010 will stack up?
Luxury travel is still luxury travel. Last year was a difficult year. But I’m optimistic about 2010. We’ve had an increase in advance bookings, and people are booking far in advance again. That’s always a good sign.
212-627-1950
www.absolutetravel.com
