Flexibility seems to be the buzzword du jour in the era of COVID-19 travel, with cautious explorers looking for more relaxed policies when it comes to bookings, cancellations, change fees and more. As the travel industry steps further into its recovery after a year of unprecedented job and revenue loss, the Globus Family of Brands has launched a new product line that offers a different kind of flexibility for freedom-seeking travelers.
Officially launched March 16, Choice Touring by Globus is a new style of touring that allows travelers more autonomy when it comes to deciding the course of their trips. In addition to providing guided sightseeing at must-visit attractions, Choice Touring by Globus offers “YourChoice Excursions:” a selection of curated experiences in both popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations so travelers can tailor their tour to their own interests.
“This completely new tour design balances the ease and that support of a Globus tour — what we’ve really been known for over these 90-plus years — but it embeds a bounty of excursions for guests to choose from throughout their escorted tour experience,” said Cory McGillivray, manager of channel marketing for Globus.
Choice Touring by Globus now offers 13 new itineraries in Europe and North America. With each trip, there will be certain days with pre-chosen sightseeing activities for the entire group — usually an introduction to a new town or city — while other days will present guests with a variety of YourChoice Excursions from which to choose. On an eight-day itinerary, travelers can expect about three choose-your-own-adventure days.
"Not only are they great choices, but they’re all really different, so they can appeal to a bunch of different travelers,” McGillivray said of the wide variety of YourChoice Excursions available on each itinerary.
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For example, on the Veni, Vidi, Vici: Umbria & Tuscany by Design tour, day three offers the choice between truffle hunting with specially trained dogs, a visit to the town where Saint Valentine was born or a trek to the highest manmade waterfall in the world.
Meanwhile, the third day of the nine-day California Dreamin’: Northern California by Design itinerary will have guests choosing between a local food tour, a scenic trip on a historic railroad or a visit to the Folsom Prison Museum to learn all about musician Johnny Cash and his 1968 “Prison Blues” performance.
In the spirit of freedom and flexibility, Choice Touring by Globus guests don’t have to plan ahead; they can take their pick between the YourChoice Excursions on the day of departure.
Flexibility is more than just choice. If I have to choose 120 days out, that’s not that flexible, but if I can choose in the moment what I want to do, that is true flexibility.
“Flexibility is more than just choice,” McGillivray said. “If I have to choose 120 days out, that’s not that flexible. But if I can choose in the moment what I want to do, that is true flexibility.”
According to McGillivray, Choice Touring by Globus is ideal as an introduction to escorted touring for younger travelers who like the idea of having everything bundled and planned for them, but who are also wary of giving up all their freedom. He also recommends these itineraries for repeat visitors as a way to engage more deeply with a destination they already enjoy, while pairing it with new experiences. He also predicts that Choice Touring by Globus will be particularly popular for multigenerational travel; families can spend time together while everyone, from the children to the grandparents, will still be able to participate in the activities that interest them.
Bookings for Choice Touring by Globus itineraries are now available for departures starting September 2021, with the exception of the Sunny Days, Starry Nights trip, which won’t be available until 2022.
Advisors with clients booking one of these itineraries — and who submit a deposit now through April 26 for travel in 2021 — will receive a 5% discount, per person. Those who book and make their deposit between June 9, 2020 and Sept. 13, 2021, for travel in 2022 will save 10%.
The Details
Globus Family of Brands
www.globusjourneys.com