COVID-19 may have forced the Globus family of brands to undertake a self-imposed break, cancelling tours through April 30, but Stéphanie Bishop is confident that travel will return, though she admits that it is hard to speculate when that may be. “Travel is the first to be hit, but it’s the first to rebound,” the Canadian managing director for GFOB (Globus, Cosmos, Monograms, Avalon Waterways) told Travel Industry Today.
Nevertheless, safety is the priority, she says, and Globus announced last week that it was suspending its tour and river cruise operations until at least the end of April. At the same time the company introduced a new Peace of Mind Plan that allows clients booked on departures for that period to reschedule their trips to any destination through 2022 without incurring any cancellation fees, as well as receiving a $50 to $200 credit (depending on the brand booked).
“We recognize that travellers are faced with a great deal of uncertainty right now, and we are committed to helping them through this situation with the right options, adequate time and high levels of attention and consideration,” stated Scott Nisbet, president and CEO of the Globus family of brands.
“We’re trying to be flexible in a fluid situation,” Bishop added, while urging customers to “stay calm and look at the facts,” before making any decisions.
In the meantime, Bishop has also been musing about the changing nature of the coach and river cruise industry in which the Globus brands trade.
For example, of the latter, she observes, that the perception that river cruising is only for “old people who love statues and classical music,” is simply not true. “It’s no longer a conversation about age, we’re past that,” she says. “The audience is getting younger and younger.”
To that end, Globus’ Avalon Waterways river cruise brand is emphasizing flexible cruises on the Rhine, Rhone and Danube rivers in Europe and particularly its “Active & Discovery” itineraries, which allow travellers to “customize every moment of their vacation to their interests,” whether it’s on walking, cycling or canoeing excursions; taking in events like a jousting tournament or private concert; dining at local restaurant; wine, beer or cheese tasting; or simply immersive sightseeing tours to markets, museums and castles.
“You can be as active or as relaxed as you want to be,” says Bishop. “It’s about lifestyle, it’s about pace. The whole thing is about choice.”
At the same time, she emphasizes that Avalon cruising is “luxury without the stuffiness,” addressing the common misperception that river cruising is rarely casual.
Coach touring similarly comes with many outdated perceptions that belie fact and reality, Bishop continues, pointing out that technology such as “whispers” and apps mean that the experience “isn’t just following (guides) around with a flag.”
And programs like Globus’ Undiscovered series allow travellers to get off the beaten track in places like Britain, Italy and the Mediterranean while offering a more in-depth experience.
Similarly, the Escapes program, encourages off-season travel (Nov.-March), when destinations are not as crowded and prices reduced (up to 40% less than at more traditional travel times).
But no matter the style of travel, it’s all a far cry from some of the lingering perceptions about coach and river cruise travel, says Bishop, adding, “’Authentic experience’ is the buzzword. And ‘no tour company has authentic experiences’ is so far from the truth. People want VIP-access, they want the expertise of a tour director. It continues to evolve; it’s all about choice, flexibility and the experience. The audience is expecting that!”
And that’s what they’ll get with Globus, she says, when the world starts travelling again.