Globus has unveiled a new touring style that combines guided sightseeing with the choice of additional curated experiences – included in the package price – that allow travellers to tailor their tour to their own interests and passions.

With “Choice Touring by Globus,” tour participants, for example, can choose “more haggis over history” in Scotland, or “Wilde over the Wild Atlantic Way,” in Ireland.

Available across 13 itineraries in Europe and North America (including two in Canada), the new program, dubbed “your ways, your days,” is Globus’s way of catering to evolving consumer tastes that demand more freedom and flexibility in a package tour, says Stéphanie Bishop, managing director Globus Family of Brands in Canada.

Citing a survey conducted by Mintel, Bishop says 55% of past or prospective clients stated that being able to choose daily excursions and activities, or opt for more free time, is now a critical factor for potential touring and adventure customers.

And with travel in an enforced lull due to the pandemic, Bishop says staff at Globus had time to do just that – “relook, rethink and redesign journeys that have been deprived of freedom.”

Launching in September (based on pandemic protocols) and running again in 2022 (from April), the average Choice Touring itinerary features three (often off-the-beaten track) destinations with eight excursion options.

Examples include sailing or sipping wine in Quebec, cooking or countryside in Umbria, and civil rights or rhythm and blues in the US south.

“We understand that one size does not always fit all on vacation,” says Chris Jones, marketing director for the Globus family of brands.

Jones points to Globus’s nine-day Scotland excursion, where there are four different tour spots where “we stop the presses and offer a choice of 10 excursions to choose from.”

He adds that two to four days on each tour will be designated “choice days” with guests able to pick their excursion well in advance, a few days ahead of time, or in the moment (based on availability).

He promises, as well, that all tour options are carefully curated to have personality and fun and generally be “amazing” – not just “any tour.”

Jones points out that the tours are also designed to meet the needs of three distinct demographics: “Freedom Seekers,” who love the idea of spontaneity, but within a structure; “Repeat Tourers” looking for deeper engagement within a destination they have already visited; and “Multi-gen,” where different family members (of different ages) may have different interests.

Bishop emphasizes that all optional tours are included in the package. “It’s the best of all world and there are no extra costs, and that’s why we’re so excited,” she says. “Consumers will be the winners in this!”