Make 2011 the year of affordable adventures
From Ash Clouds to the collapse of small tour operators, the past 12 months has thrown a variety of potential obstacles into the traveller's footpath and highlighted the need for holidaymakers to adopt the Scout's "be prepared" motto.
Reflecting over the dramatic travel stories of the last year, Jo Reeve, travel consultant at Imaginative Traveller, explains: "Despite the challenging economic climate, our research revealed that two thirds of customers haven't altered the way they book their holiday. With time away no longer considered an optional luxury in the fact of such uncertainty, the need for affordable adventures has never been more relevant."
As travel specialist Imaginative Traveller gears up to celebrating its 20th anniversary of providing affordable small group adventures, Reeve gives her advice on how each month next year holidaymakers can best explore the world next year without it costing the earth.
1. The early bird avoids soaring flight costs:
When it comes to adventurous long-haul escapes, it does pay to be organised. Whilst just a third of our customers book more than six months in advance, we do advise travellers to try to book as early as possible to secure the lowest fares on scheduled flights and have more control over times and connections. After all, whilst a stopover may seem a fun idea, it could begin to pale if you find yourself with 10hrs to kill at Doha airport when all you want to do is get home.
2. Redefine the ‘package holiday’:
Our customers are evenly split on those who book a complete adventure holiday package and those who prefer to book flights independently. However, many passengers found out the hard way that the duty of care is less clear when booking the holiday and travel separately following the unprecedented Ash events. In short, any company who had booked the complete 'package' were responsible for getting the stranded traveller home. The other thing to remember when deciding how to book is that agents not only have access to more competitive rates and are also more likely to be able to hold them for you, they also tend to offer more flexibility on the tickets so you're less likely to be penalised if you do need to make any last-minute changes.
3. Be seasonally savvy:
Whilst most tour operators don't levy extra charges for travelling in busy periods, they may be reliant on hotels and airlines who do add supplements in peak season due to supply and demand. Flexibility obviously helps secure the best deals but if you know you can only travel in prime holiday time be sure to check that there won't be any surprise supplements when you book.
4. Look out for guaranteed departures:
When it comes to taking time off, there's often an element of negotiating with work colleagues and working around social commitments to overcome. Avoid potential disappointment by checking before you get your heart set on a particular date that the trip is definitely due to run as some companies cancel trips if there aren't a certain number of people booked onto them. To overcome that we ensure that 85% of our Adventurer trips have a range of guaranteed departures to travel on.
5. Beware of hidden extras:
We all know the phrase "read the small-print" but, obvious though it may sound, it's important to check what exactly your holiday includes before booking. When asked what the most important factor in deciding on a holiday, 95% of our customers flagged the amount of 'added value' as key. In the excitement of choosing which part of the world to head to or comparing itineraries it's all too easy to overlook the basics of which meals and sight-seeing tours your trip may or may not include - essential extras which may just take the shine out of your 'great value' holiday.
6. Small groups mean big discounts:
It stands to reason that a lone adventurer won't be able to secure the same competitive rates as a group of like-minded travellers, which explains in part why small group adventures are expected to increase in popularity over the next few years. At Imaginative Traveller we restrict our groups to a maximum of 16 to minimise any potential negative impacts on the places and people we visit.
7. Don’t be penalised for travelling solo:
Over 50% of our trips are made up of people travelling independently. With no compulsory single supplements, we simply arrange twin-share accommodation with another member of the same sex, making the tours a great value way to meet like-minded travellers.
8. Pack in the activities, not the clothes:
Don't be dazzled by the 20kg weigh limit when flying internationally if there's a chance you may be using domestic flights to travel around - most carriers impose a 10-15kg weight limit for internal travel so pack light and there may still be room for that wooden tribal mask at the end of your trip after all...
9. There’s no substitute for local knowledge:
Guidebooks are an invaluable way to catch up on a country's history and read up on the key highlights as you travel around. However, a book that is updated annually by often non-native authors can have its downsides if you really want to get to the heart of a destination. Check that, like us, your trip employs local rather than British guides if you want a truly authentic experience and to ensure your stay benefits the country you're visiting.
10. Choose your priority – local or luxury:
Wonderfully decadent though a five-star hotel may be, luxury accommodation rarely sits alongside an off-the-beaten-track holiday experience. Whilst our team can tailor-make incredible independent holidays for those in search of a stylish getaway, the priority for our small group adventures is to seek out memorable and characterful accommodation choices, from homestays with a local family and wild camping to houseboats and jungle lodges.
11. Make a point of being loyal:
Check if your operator offers a travel loyalty discount. We know that many of our customers have travelled with us for years and, as a thank you, anyone who has joined us on an adventure enjoys a 5% discount off their next tour.
12. Ensure you’re insured:
Holidays are the perfect opportunity to try out new experiences, such as exploring the incredible underwater world while scuba-diving in Thailand, heading off into the Moroccan deserts by camel or white-water rafting in Zimbabwe. Whilst it's important to invest in a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy before you head off if you want to make the most out of your adventure (something Imaginative Traveller customers can buy via us), canny travellers would be wise to see if - for a small supplement - you can potentially be covered through your household insurance or bank account.
Jo Reeve concludes: "In the current climate there is no such thing as a late deal on adventure holidays when it comes to long-haul destinations. As such, these days the smart traveller is no longer simply focused on getting the cheapest deal but is more concerned about getting the best value long-term."
For holiday inspiration visit: imaginative-traveller.com
