I see many grim projections about the possible future of humanity, and maybe Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destination, is seeing the same reports because Avanti is adding destinations like there’s no tomorrow.
Avanti seems to be on a never-ending quest to cover the entire world with its network of independent travel components. With Europe, Latin America and Asia already thoroughly covered, you wouldn’t expect expansion to be part of Avanti’s agenda anymore. But Avanti is the wholesaler that never sleeps. This year the company has made several significant expansions that reveal that its quest is never-ending.
Actually, it only appears that Avanti wants to cover the whole world. There are many places it has not gone and is not likely to go. The expansion actually follows along with the profile of Avanti’s customer, the independent traveler, and that customer’s evolving preferences.
This year, the company has added new regions and is digging deeper into regions it has already been covering, with significant expansions in Denmark, Tenerife, Italy, Japan, Portugal and the South Pacific.
Though this kind of expansion hyperactivity is fitting for a startup, Avanti has been on its trajectory for decades. It started offering client-built custom packages of independent components in Europe in 1981. It expanded its operation to Latin America in the 1990s, and then to Asia in 2015.
The independent style of travel pioneered by Avanti started in Europe, which is the most congenial region for independent travel for Americans. It’s easy to get around in and has a tremendous variety of rich culture concentrated in a small area. Europe has historically been the jumping off point to international travel for Americans, and it was also the starting point for Avanti’s style of component-based packages.
In its four decades of existence, Avanti has grown and evolved in a course parallel to the evolution of the American traveler and the travel industry at large. But it stays in regions where that kind of free-style travel can be easily and safely done. When Avanti opens in a new destination, it means that the place is good for easygoing independent travel.
Japan
The most recent additions to Avanti’s menu are two regions of Japan, Shizuoka and Tohuku. The new offerings have been folded into Avanti’s new 46-page e-brochure. The e-brochure includes videos and other resources provided by the Japan National Tourism Organization to help to understand how to make the most of a trip to Japan.
When Avanti started its Asia programs in 2015, tourism to China was booming. China was the star and the driver of Avanti’s Asia product. But for various reasons, international travel has not returned to China, and very few Americans are traveling there. Instead the star of Avanti’s Asia program is Japan.
Most of Avanti’s customers now travel primarily in the major cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. Avanti’s latest additions are designed to gently lead clients to new discoveries beyond those cities, part of the evolution of Avanti’s market and its destinations. As overtourism has become a serious issue, it is advantageous to all stakeholders for travelers to venture beyond the most heavily-touristed areas.
According to Paul Barry: “Even in the high seasons of sakura in the spring, when the cherry trees are in full bloom, and the fall, when trees change to vivid colors, it is possible to find many places with far fewer tourists, where your FIT clients can have a wide choice of authentic encounters with the many facets of Japan’s culture.”
Along with hotels, flights and rail passages, Avanti’s package components include activities and experiences, such as a private dinner with a geisha, touring the hot springs in Kinosaki, observing snow monkeys in Yudanaka, hiking along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, or hands-on trials of creating traditional crafts in Kanazawa. “Even in Tokyo,” said Barry, “we suggest places and experiences that most travelers miss.”
Avanti’s list of destinations in Japan is now a comprehensive selection from the whole country. Highlights include Osaka, Yokohama, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Miyajima Island and Nikko.
Panama
Earlier in October, Avanti introduced a range of new products in Panama, including 19 new tours and 10 new hotels. In partnership with Visit Panama, Avanti offers a downloadable e-brochure, as well as a microsite for its Panama product.
In Panama, Avanti is offering four recommended itineraries that can be customized to taste. The company has a selection 42 hotels and resorts in the three-, four- and five-star categories, and 109 tours and experiences. Lots to do in that little isthmus.
Again, let’s hear from Paul Barry: “Panama is easily accessible for U.S. travelers with convenient air connections and stopover programs. While Spanish is the official language, most Panamanians speak English, and the US dollar is the main currency.
“The country is not only located at the geographic and ecological intersection of North and South America, the Atlantic and the Pacific, but it also represents a rich cultural crossroads, with many indigenous territories, and influences from Spain, the Caribbean, and the US Because of Panama’s year-round mild climate and the many intriguing off-the-beaten-path places that we offer, travelers can choose from a wide range of activities, including hiking, surfing, snorkeling, cycling, wildlife-spotting, learning about indigenous traditions, and gastronomic experiences, all featured in our new products. Panama is so much more than just the Canal.”
South Pacific
The biggest news of the year for Avanti was the addition of a South Pacific product line, unveiled in August. This was big. It was the launch of a whole new region, including more than 40 destinations to add to its lineup in Europe, Latin America, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Paul Barry said the new product line was a response to requests coming from travel advisors for years.
According to Barry, “These destinations offer spectacular scenery, abundant opportunities for active travel, wildlife-spotting, fascinating indigenous cultures, and renowned food and wine.”
These destinations are particularly good for travel during the North American winter, when it is summer downunder. The product line includes eight recommended/customizable vacation packages, 280 tours/experiences and 222 three-, four-, and five-star hotels and resorts in more than 50 locations throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.
Of the eight basic package templates offered for the region, three are in Australia, three in New Zealand and two in Fiji. An e-brochure laying out the options is available.
Portugal
In addition, Avanti expanded its offerings for Portugal, adding Madeira and the Azores to the lineup. Once again, Avanti works hand-in-glove with the country’s destination marketing organization, Visit Portugal, to make the most of the agency’s comprehensive knowledge of the destination.
“Portugal has quickly risen in popularity recently, as awareness has grown of its history, culture, and historical influence on the world,” said Barry. “Along with its architecture, natural geography, food and wine, Portugal is now vying to become a top tier single destination in Europe.”
Denmark
In July, Avanti announced the expansion of its offerings in Denmark, working in tandem with VisitDenmark. Additions include two new customizable vacations, 10 new hotels and 16 new tours and experiences in the Nordic country. That brings the offerings in Denmark to a total of three FIT vacations, 47 hotels, and 60 tours/experiences, counting the new ones. Also included are two vacations that group Denmark with other northern European countries. A new 40-page downloadable e-brochure is available.
This small country has a lot more to offer than most people realize. Avanti’s collection includes the capital of Copenhagen, the Royal Palace, Tivoli Gardens and Aalborg (Northern Jutland), where the Vikings launched their exploration. There is much to discover in Denmark.
Italian Villas
Early in the year Avanti beefed up its Italy villas program, adding three-, four- and five-star villas across Italy in major and secondary cities, including Florence, Venice, Milan, Genoa, Perugia and Palermo. With three-night minimum stays, the villas also offer activities and experiences such as wine tasting, vineyard tours and cooking classes. The product line now includes 20 family-run villas in seven regions of Italy: Tuscany, Umbria, Piedmont, Liguria, Veneto, Sicily, and Sardinia.
Tenerife
The first expansion of the year, going back to March, was Tenerife. (Can you pronounce it? Here, try this.) Not a tip-of-the-tongue destination, but that can be a good thing in this time of creeping overtourism. And dedicated travelers always need new destinations.
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, an archipelago some 60 miles off the coast of Morocco. Though historically been claimed as a territory of Spain, the Canaries are geographically and culturally more akin to Africa. As islands, they have their own distinct culture, which blends elements of European and African cultures.
For more information on Avanti’s destinations, see avantidestinations.com/Destinations.
David Cogswell is a freelance writer working remotely, from wherever he is at the moment. Born at the dead center of the United States during the last century, he has been incessantly moving and exploring for decades. His articles have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, Fortune, Fox News, Luxury Travel Magazine, Travel Weekly, Travel Market Report, Travel Agent Magazine, TravelPulse.com, Quirkycruise.com, and other publications. He is the author of four books and a contributor to several others. He was last seen somewhere in the Northeast US.