The new winter programme from DER Travel and Tourism shows: Guests want individuality and variety - and they like to go far away. Round trips in faraway places and beach holidays in the Maldives and Mauritius are the top sellers. Even if it costs money. Product Manager Sven Schikarsky knows why this is not an obstacle.
As is the case every year, the travel planners at DER Travel and Tourism are already deep in thought about the cold season at the height of summer, when the new programmes for the winter months are traditionally launched. This is also the case at DER Travel and Tourism. There is a strong focus on individuality and travelling around the country: "Our guests don't want off-the-peg winter holidays, but individual trips tailored to their tastes, with special experiences that will stay with them long after the trip," explains Sven Schikarsky, Head of Product at DERTOUR, ITS and Meiers Weltreisen.
More and more travellers are focusing not just on staying in one place, but on exploring the country and getting to know their holiday destination better - especially when travelling abroad. Germany's second-largest tour operator has responded to the increased demand for round trips by expanding its group and self-drive tours for winter 2023/2024.
The Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico offer the perfect mix of varied round trips and relaxing beach holidays. "However, the absolute highlight in winter is and remains the Indian Ocean with the Maldives and Mauritius: fantastic beaches, pure relaxation and an ever-increasing range of offers for families attract many sun-seekers in winter," says Schikarsky. Asia also continues to score points with newcomers and repeat travellers as a sun destination and, in addition to exciting round trips, offers many hotels that are particularly suitable for families.
Sven Schikarsky
one: Mr Schikarsky, despite inflation, despite consumers' money worries: Round trips, especially to distant destinations, are increasingly popular with your guests in winter. But that costs money. How does that fit together?
Sven Schikarsky: We are seeing a strong catch-up effect, especially for long-haul holidays. The longing for exoticism and special travel experiences, especially in the round trip destinations that can be travelled to again, is making itself felt. Long-distance holidays are not always automatically more expensive - in Thailand, for example, there is a very good price-performance ratio. You can find plenty of inspiration in our new DERTOUR catalogue "Round trips worldwide", which will be published on 4 September 2023.
one: High-quality round trips to far-flung destinations are traditionally more for couples than for families. But not for you - why?
Sven Schikarsky : Round trips can also be a great holiday experience for families, but of course it depends on how the round trip is designed. Ideally with fewer hotel changes and child-orientated activities. These are precisely the points we emphasise in our family tours. Long-distance travelling and children are also not mutually exclusive. My tips: Book night flights and choose a destination with a small time difference, such as South Africa.
one: What are your three favourite round trips from your programme? Please give us one tip each - for singles, couples and families.
Sven Schikarsky: Small group tours are very suitable for singles, as you quickly get into contact with other travellers. DERTOUR offers an extra catalogue with small group tours. This will be published on 4 September. DERTOUR has also launched four brand new group tours especially for single travellers, which can be booked in DERTOUR travel agencies and DERPART branches: A New Year's Eve trip to Malta as well as trips to Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania.
Sven Schikarsky's tip for couples is the sailing trip "Grenadines Explorer" through the Lesser Antilles by Meiers Weltreisen © Meiers Weltreisen
The extraordinary sailing trip "Grenadines Explorer" through the Lesser Antilles, which Meiers Weltreisen is now offering, is great for couples. For eleven days, a small group of just twelve guests sails to particularly beautiful and impressive islands in the Lesser Caribbean, including the turtle island of Bequia, Mustique with its Hollywood flair, the small archipelago of the Tobago Cays, Mopion Island, Chatham Bay on Union Island and the island of Saint Lucia, which is known for its rainforest and the two extinct volcanoes, the Pitons. The sailing trip is not only varied, but also very comfortable: the modern catamaran has air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms.
Families will not only find family-friendly hotels in the DERTOUR "Family holidays" catalogue, but also specially designed family tours. These include hiking tours, round trips in Europe, but also long-haul holidays. For slightly older children, for example, our family round trip through South Africa is a special experience, as is the round trip "Namibia with children's eyes".
Detailed information on the winter programmes can be found on the DER Travel and Tourism website.
