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| The Great Wall of China // Photo courtesy of Avanti Destinations |
FIT tour operator Avanti Destinations recently announced at a press conference in New York City that it is aggressively expanding its product line to include six Asian countries, river cruising in Europe, and small group escorted tours in Europe and Latin America.
Selling exclusively through travel agents, Avanti until now has sold customized FIT itineraries including accommodations, transfers, and sightseeing in Europe and Central and South America.
“The main reason we are expanding into Asia, river cruising and small group escorted tours is because agents have asked us for these products”, said John Hanratty, Avanti Destinations' chief marketing officer, in a written release. “We conducted a comprehensive survey of travel agents booking with us, and these products were high on their wish list. So to deliver the high-quality, authentic experience agents have come to expect, we brought on board an Asia expert, Mark Grundy, and we are partnering with leading European suppliers who share a commitment to the Avanti style of travel – Croisi Europe and Back-Roads Touring.”
Avanti will offer FIT travel in China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The first selection of Avanti’s Asia products will be available in late November. Agents can now pre-order the "Essence of Asia" brochure at www.avantidestinations.com.
Avanti’s FIT products have long been booked by agents as pre- and post-cruise extensions. With the addition of 14 specially selected Croisi river cruises, agents will be able to book a cruise with Avanti as one of the highlights of a longer European itinerary – or just the cruise itself.
Cruise details and prices will be available at the end of October, when Avanti’s "Essence of Europe 2016" brochure is available. Itineraries include sailings through Central Europe, Germany, Portugal, Benelux countries and France.