Exodus on its new range for time-poor clients

Who are the trips aimed at?
The trips are aimed at busy professionals in their 30s and 40s. We asked more than 1,000 travellers in this age bracket what they want from their trips abroad: 60% said they wanted to travel with people who are a similar age, and 70% said they wanted to maximise their annual leave by taking a few shorter trips away.

Are the trips suited to solo travellers?

Yes, as well as couples or groups of friends. The group tour concept and the Edits itineraries have been designed to offer solo travellers the best of both worlds – a holiday by yourself, but with a small group of like-minded people who are up for the same holiday experience. There’s the option for single travellers to book a solo room, or share with another solo adventurer and save money.

How do the trips benefit local communities?
Each time a booking is made with Exodus Edits, we’ll contribute £15 to the Inspiration Project, which provides day trips for local children. The money funds trips that allow local kids to see lions in the Naboisho Conservancy, glimpse the majesty of the Taj Mahal in India for the very first time, or visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia – a place they’ve often only ever heard stories about.

Which are the best-selling trips from the range?
So far South Africa, Sicily, India, Vietnam and Turkey are selling well with lots of new bookings getting confirmed this year. Costa Rica has also been booming for us in the past two years and is now in our top three destinations worldwide.

What’s your personal highlight from the selection and why?

The Cabernet and Capers tour in South Africa because it’s a great mix of everything that’s brilliant about Cape Town. Who wouldn’t want to go kayaking with penguins in the waters off Simon’s Town and then learn about food and wine pairings with a local expert?

What tips do you have for agents selling the new range?

Each Edit includes one-of-a-kind experiences and big bucket-list achievements such as watching the northern lights in Iceland, tubing on Costa Rica’s turquoise river Rio Celeste, and sleeping under the stars in the Wadi Rum UFO Camp. There are also fun tour leaders that feel like part of the group, as well as centrally located accommodation for clients to make the most of their time in-destination.

How are you working with agents?
We’re working with our trade partners to make sure they have everything they need to promote Exodus Edits. My trade team of three reps and I are ready and able to do in-store sales training – we have a combined experience with Exodus of more than 50 years, so we really know our stuff and have lots of first-hand knowledge. Training is essential, and we will come to agents and give them the confidence and trip know-how to make sales.

What are your future plans for the product?
We will be launching one or two new trips this month or in March – hopefully a new destination in Asia and our first Edits trip to North America. We are also working on fam trips and will typically run three to four each year across both Exodus Travels and Exodus Edits.