TTC Tour Brands has introduced a broad set of updates to its Groups Program covering Scheduled Groups, Custom Groups, Small Groups and Trafalgar River Cruises. The overhaul touches all four of the company's touring brands — Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver and Brendan Vacations — and represents the largest set of groups changes the company has made at one time.
"Travel advisors deserve tools that match the ambition of their groups business," said Melissa DaSilva, deputy CEO and chief sales officer of TTC Tour Brands. "This is a huge step up for our Groups Program. We've listened closely to what advisors need most, and these enhancements allow advisors to be more efficient with real-time visibility, faster confirmations and stronger benefits, so they can book with confidence, compete on value and deliver experiences their clients will never forget."
Among the changes is an expanded Custom Groups offering, which the company positions as distinct within the industry. The service lets advisors design itineraries from scratch for parties of 15 or more travelers to fit occasions ranging from family reunions to affinity and special-interest trips. Advisors working on these bookings continue to have access to dedicated Groups Specialists who assist from the early planning stages through the group's departure.
A number of the updates focus on how advisors book and manage group space. TTC Tour Brands says advisors will now have clearer visibility into availability along with improved communication tools meant to speed up confirmations. Pricing for a group is set once the reservation is made rather than fluctuating afterward, and group bookings can still be paired with applicable in-market promotions for added savings. Scheduled Groups have also gotten simpler deposit and release schedules.
Small Groups bookings now allow advisors to hold space for parties of nine to 10, with more inventory available on request. Incentive options for this category include a discount of 5% off for the group, a half price rate for a 10th traveler or a free spot for an 18th traveler, and these bookings can still be layered with in-market or promotional discounts.
On the river side, Trafalgar River Cruises has rolled out its own groups structure with stackable offers, standard group discounts and a new loyalty-style program called GAP Points, short for Groups Amenity Points. Points earned can go toward onboard perks such as drink packages, shore excursions or credit to use onboard. Other river group perks include a free spot for every eight paying guests on certain sailings, more flexibility in how groups are structured and added incentives tied to 2027 sailings.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by TTC Tour Brands. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.