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Bruce Poon Tip |
Since 1990, award-winning tour company Gap Adventures has been providing clients with action-packed excursions worldwide. Now approaching its 20-year anniversary, the company recently entered into a new business venture, launching its own hotel chain, named G Hotels. The first property, G Hotel, located in Quito, Ecuador, was designated as an historic heritage site by the city of Quito and opened in July. By the end of its November renovations, the hotel will be complete with 24 rooms. TravelAge West recently talked with the founder and CEO of Gap Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip, to get the details on his company’s latest development.
What made Gap Adventures want to venture into the hotel business, especially given the current state of the economy?
Our number-one priority with Gap is not only the customer experience, but creating and having control of that experience. In the past, we have had consistency problems and capacity issues with hotels that we’ve used. For example, at times, our passengers have been spread across multiple hotels because of space constraints. Right now, with the downturn in the economy, the opportunity was there for us to make a move so that when times do get better, we won’t be in that situation again. Because we are always trying to find ways to increase the quality of our client’s vacation, the hotel brand was a natural progression for us.
What will set G Hotels apart from its competition?
Like I said, our company is really committed to customer service. When you’re traveling to developing countries, you don’t always get that type of specialized hotel experience. And, because we’re known to provide high value to our travelers, this gives customers peace of mind.
How has Gap Adventures’ tours influenced your hotels?
Our main objective is running the hotels in nature centers and at the starting and ending points of our trips so we can have our passengers in one single hotel and create a consistency with our product worldwide. But on top of that, we want our hotels to help people with independent travel within the areas.
What will attract clients to G Hotels’ debut location in Quito, Ecuador?
It’s a big hub for us. All of our Galapagos and Amazon programs are there. Right now it’s a small boutique hotel, but it’s the first of the lot in a converted old mansion and it’s brimming with charm. The average double room rate currently starts around $50, which is very affordable. And, not only is it well-priced, but it’s centrally located as a good base for people going to Quito. We’re currently building another part of the hotel and will operate 24 rooms when it’s all said and done.
What type of client does Hotel G cater to?
Our hotels will be open to everyone — not just Gap adventure travelers — but I would say it’s more for active travelers and, even more even broadly, that it’s for niche travelers — people who are coming to visit the country for something more than a resort stay, those who want an active experience and who want to learn something while they’re there.
How will travel agents play a role in the success of G Hotels?
As a company, more than 80 percent of our business comes from travel agents. Since they’re such a big part of our business model at Gap Adventures, we are very committed to them and our hotels won’t be any different. We do offer agent commission as well as a lot of different preferred arrangements. In hoping that agents support our hotels, we will offer them compelling reason to do so by making it easier for them and giving them value for the price. I believe it is our job to bring something different and interesting and new for agents to catch on to.
Does G Hotels have any plans to expand beyond Quito?
Yes. Between now and 2010 we plan to open in Lima and Cusco, Peru, as well as in San Jose, Costa Rica. After that will be Bangkok, Thailand and Cairo, Egypt.
G Hotel
www.hotelacartuja.com
Gap Adventures
www.gapadventures.com
