An interesting discussion with a few of my media friends who serve as the wind in the sails behind some of our favourite lifestyle and travel magazines, left me to consider the marketing claims and ‘premium‘ promises in the travel landscape.

It would appear that, in a world where anyone can lay claim to the premium title, there really is no clear way for a traveller (or travel advisor, for that matter) to discern premium service and offering as the definitive measure of differentiation.

As was suggested by one editor I respect and consider an advisor of esteem, can it be that the term premium is overplayed?

One only has to look as far as a preferred airline to see confusion and inconsistency in the premium economy category, or the disparity in quality across premium apparel brands to question the merit of the premium claim. Premium gasoline, premium condominiums, premium chocolate, premium spirits, premium shopping outlets, premium shoes, premium cold cuts and crackers? Even premium golf and tennis balls promise to bring better performance consistency and success to our game, but is there a measurable difference?

We see the word premium so often, it’s easy to understand how the term has become normalized, being numbingly accepted at face value as standard measure.

Clearly, not every premium offering is created equal, so how can we define premium? 

Yes, we may indeed have a problem in the lack of judicious qualification of assigned service class in the travel industry (and not just in relation to the designation of premium standard). In our own want to acquire travel services of higher quality, how many of us accept these claims without due diligence? How many less experienced travel advisors have been lulled into passive complicity when some travel companies stretch certain features just inches over the class line to snag our attention? A dining experience here. A hotel category there. Call it something fancy, spin it as ‘unparalleled’, design a splashy ad and make a presentation, and voila – now it’s premium.

The trouble is, one elevated element – or even a few upgraded feature elements for that matter – does not a premium operator make. Wouldn’t it make sense that premium quality consistently woven throughout the entire tour experience is arguably the test of standard?

What’s the solution? In today’s world of ‘fake news’, travellers, and their travel advisors, have to understand the hallmarks of premium travel, and make their own educated determinations. Let’s cut through the noise and confusion, and touch on the considerations needed to make some sense of this lane-shifting. 

Insight Vacations is the only consistently premium escorted travel company in the category. Do the comparisons. There are no others. None.

Insight Vacations is proudly premium across everything that goes into a journey. Not just a celebration dinner, or a hotel conveniently placed within walking distance of the action. Every experience has been very carefully, and most thoughtfully, layered with the foremost of quality consideration, and these elements lovingly wrapped in a cohesive bow. We call it the ‘art of travelling in style’, and this focus on layer after layer of premium delivery sets the standard in the escorted small group journey category. So, what makes us truly different – and premium – through and through? 

Leave it to our travellers to go past our features and advantages, and describe in their own words the magic of a truly premium journey.

“Every location, every hotel, every bus trip was just perfect!”

“We saw everything we could have hoped to see, and experienced the culture and people. We would not hesitate to return.”

“I have already recommended Insight to my friends.”

“Everything was outstanding, the Tour the staff & the Hotels.”

“The people in your staff is the best part of this trip for me! Very knowledge, respectfully, kind ! We love our Director, Driver and tour guides!”

In the end, I’ll let our travellers and our whopping Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 89 speak loudly and clearly (NPS scores are based on the question – “On a scale of zero to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend [Company Name] to a friend or colleague?”). It is considered a solid achievement to have an average NPS score in the high 50s, and correlates solid scores to organizations that invest in customer centricity have high customer loyalty and deliver on their brand proof points promise.

Our Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award is a proud achievement, and is due thanks to the thousands of past guests who have posted independently verified reviews.

If the measure of premium is customer satisfaction, loyalty and the want to recommend trusted dream travel operators to family and friends, then we’ll agree that the success of Insight Vacations as the only premium escorted tour operator has inspired others to reach for more. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Perhaps its as simple as that.

Premium. In a world of massive change, and with a new urgency to travel with confidence and belief that the premium journey you choose is just the right fit and truly premium, we should ensure we have done our research. We all deserve better. The premium ball is in our court.

After all, at Insight Vacations, customer focus and satisfaction are never overplayed.

Insight Experiences: 

With more than 100 unique Insight Experiences, we connect our guests with the local people to bring each destination to life. We consistently include the most desired sightseeing in the up-front price of the trip, without the need to pay more for access. Done. That Vatican Museum visit is already included in our trip cost. Because, wouldn’t you expect that from a premium offering?

Deliciously Authentic Dining: 

We are incredibly proud to have built our forty-two-year reputation on creating memorable, immersive dining experiences that feature the best of each destination. More than 90% of our included dinners are in local restaurants (compared to other operators who average more than half of their included dinners in their hotels). Our dining range includes small-group Dine-Around experiences, cooking classes and demonstrations, Farm-to-Table dining as well as Dine-at-Home meals to truly taste the authentic cuisine of the regions.

Travel & Stay in Style: 

Insight Vacations is the only operator offering uniquely-customized 40 seat coaches featuring twice the legroom and twice the view of other companies. Not only does this provide more guest comfort, but affords noticeably more window space, with panoramic views of the landscapes outside. Getting on and off the coach is a breeze, with fewer guests and more space than other operators, it takes mere moments for all to disembark. Guests stay in hand-picked premium four and five-star hotels in the best locations, with restaurants and cultural attractions at their doorstep. We’ll introduce you to the classic local transport as well. From trains, and cruising vessels, to gondola rides, we like to see the sights of a region in style.

Smaller Group Camaraderie: 

Our groups have fewer guests than other operators, with a maximum of 40 travellers in our classic group size, and an average of 33. Our new smaller group option has a maximum of 24 travellers for those who want an even more intimate experience. Our guests enjoy more dedicated personalized service, dining at restaurants that could not accommodate larger groups, and easy camaraderie.

Personal Service:    

Our Travel Directors lead with experience and knowledge, but it’s the service they provide that makes them stand apart. By travelling with fewer guests, Insight Vacations Travel Directors are able to dedicate more personalized service to each guest. The expertly prepared Well-Being Director ensures you are supported with the latest guidelines and protocols while on your adventure.

Traveller Tips – How do I know if a premium journey is right for me?

• Bigger isn’t always better. A more intimate group can make all of the difference in your enjoyment. In smaller European towns and local establishments, a smaller group will allow for easy connections, interactions and sight lines, with much more time for wandering and exploration.

• Look under the hood. What experiences are included in the price? If the price point seems too good to be true, chances are it does not include the most desired visits or meals, and instead offers these experiences as optional, for an additional price. Add it all up and the price will make more sense.

• Leave it to the premium experts. Relax and enjoy. All of the details have been managed for you, and handled for you being the scenes. Nothing to worry about here. Enjoy your afternoon walk, or your glass of wine, or your evening concert, and know someone is truly looking after you and your premium journey!  

• Travellers know best. For three years running, Insight Vacations has been honoured to receive the Feefo Platinum Service Award, as awarded based on the thousands of unedited reviews from our travellers.

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