Travellers on the tailor-made trek

Customised tour packages, which let tourists savour the experience of a vacation, are on the rise.

Travelling is becoming a private affair — both for the seasoned and amateur travellers. For them, it is more about savouring the experience at their own pace rather than just visiting places.

These travellers — averse to group tours, which often mean adhering to a fixed schedule and adjusting to hordes of unknown people — prefer to set off alone or with a small group of friends and family members.

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This explains why the demand for packages meant for individual travellers (FIT) is on the rise. “There has been nearly 30 per cent increase in the demand for such customised packages since last year,” says Arup Sen, executive director of Cox & Kings.

Talking about the growing popularity of these deals, Subhash Motwani of Compact Travels, says: “While group tours have a set menu, customised packages are like a la carte. If one doesn’t like the beach, we will suggest a visit to the golf course instead.”

Though these deals cost a bit more than the group ones, explorers looking for more flexibility and privacy don’t mind shelling out the extra buck. And why not?

These packages do provide guidance as well as take care of their travel plan and accommodation.

In any case, according to Meher Bhandara, general manager of Corporate Communications, the higher cost hardly deters these travellers, “Today’s travellers are looking for best services and rich experience rather than low-cost deals.”

Small wonder then that a wide range of choices is now available for this new crop of travellers even though group tours still dominate the market.

SOTC has set up a separate FIT department called SOTC Do-ItYourself while Compact Travels is specialising in similar packages to cash in on the new trend.

“Australia, Switzerland, Austria and certain parts of South Africa are ideal for individual travellers since customised packages are best suited for countries with good infrastructure. These travellers, however, may find navigating in Turkey and Egypt a bit difficult. Other popular destinations for them are Far East and New Zealand,” says Motwani.