Insight's Hefel Böhler shares updates in Toronto

Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold CEO Ulla Hefel Böhler was in Toronto yesterday (Jan. 30), joining media and partners for a lunch event to share what’s up and coming for the brands as the company prepares to mark its 40th anniversary in 2018.

Central to Hefel Böhler’s message was the importance of the travel trade to Insight’s success, with agents responsible for 90 per cent of the company’s business. “Over the last 40 years we have always been a very trade-centric brand,” she told PAX. “They [travel agents] are such a key part of our success.

“We will absolutely continue to work very closely with agents… if you look at the guided vacations sector, the travel experiences we offer – it’s not just a quick weekend getaway, there’s so many different inclusions. It’s not just the kind of trip you go and book on the internet; you want somebody who you trust, somebody who knows you, and who you want to ask questions.”

Looking ahead

Hefel Böhler stepped into the position of CEO last year, having previously spent 13 years with The Travel Corporation; throughout her time with the company, she said, its primary focus had been guests, who stand ‘at the heart of everything we do.’

“Our single [biggest] priority, and that’s not going to change, is having the right experience for our guests,” commented Hefel Böhler. “It really means engaging with our guests and listening to their feedback and making sure we get it right; at the end of the day, if it’s not right for our guests and our customers, it’s not going to be right for anyone.”

The authenticity of its experiences, Hefel Böhler noted, remains a cornerstone of Insight’s approach. “If we look at what travellers want nowadays, going to the right places and staying in a nice hotel [are] absolutely no longer good enough,” she said.

“You have to go to the right places and you have to have all the standard features, but in addition to that, you absolutely need to offer deeper and richer experiences.”

Of Insight Vacations: Carla Brake, vice-president, sales; Ulla Hefel Böhler, CEO; Brad Ford, president - Canada.

Insight has revamped its European Discovery itineraries, creating new offerings with the traveller of today in mind. “On a European discovery, you obviously still want to visit all the iconic places,” Hefel Böhler explained, “but in addition to showing you the bucket list items, we are taking you deeper into the destination. In Paris, for example, we take you on a foodie walk; you’re in a small group with a local foodie expert, taking you closer to the destination.”

Culinary offerings, in fact, are at the forefront of Insight’s attention for 2018, with its new dining concepts ‘resonating exceptionally well with our travellers.’ Among these is the dine-at-home experience, allowing travellers to enjoy an authentic meal at a local person’s home. “It’s an experience that is always a highlight."

New for Luxury Gold

For Luxury Gold, meanwhile, the company has introduced new offerings that Hefel Böhler described as ‘absolutely incredible.’ Japan and South Africa will be offered in the collection for the first time in 2018, with the Chairman’s Collection, curated by company founder Stanley Tollman, representing ‘an even more unique and special VIP experience.’

Among the experiences available in the Chairman’s Collection include the chance to tour the Gardens of Alnwick Castle with the Duchess of Northumberland and dine with an Italian Count at his Tuscan villa.

Trending destinations in 2018, Hefel Böhler said, included France and Egypt, two countries whose resurgence from recent tough times is continuing. Europe as a whole is trending strongly, with eastern Europe in particular ‘flying off the shelves.’

Reflecting with satisfaction

Hefel Böhler advised the travel community to stay tuned for further news on the company’s 40th anniversary campaign, expected to be unveiled in the near future; in the meantime, she reflected with satisfaction on the company’s accomplishments throughout its history.

“[We have had] so many innovations along the way that we’re very proud of,” she remarked, “and now it’s fun to look at the next 40 years of where we want to take the brand.”