The new Flashpacker itineraries, aimed at former backpackers, sit alongside new FitVentures and SailVentures trip styles as well as the range of Classic tours the operator already provides.
Mark Pope, TruTravels co-founder, told TTG the pandemic had given the brand an opportunity to rethink its strategy. The Flashpacker category would appeal to former clients as well as new ones, he said.
“People are shifting from sharing dorms to more personal space. “We’ve been around for nine years, and our customers that [would once] have shared a dorm now want something different.”
He said Flashpacker was “absolutely” targeted at the Instagram generation. “It’s ideal for the influencer wannabe; you see the best of the country but also look good in the photos."
Flashpacker prices are from £995pp for nine days in Thailand, ground-only. The itinerary includes Bangkok, Railay, Phuket and Phi Phi; with paddleboarding, cooking classes and rock climbing as well as partying on the beach.
The FitVentures itineraries will cater to travellers seeking “fitness-focused and wellbeing experiences” such as beach bootcamps. First departures will head to Bali and Thailand from October 2021.
“Outdoor exercise has been a key part of our lives in the past 12 months. We saw the opportunity to extend that into the touring world. It’s a mix of outdoor adventure and wellness,” said Pope.
The new SailVentures combine exploration and action with “floatilla” parties in Greece and Croatia. “We’ve rebranded them on their own; it allows us to target new agents,” Pope said.
“We only launched in Europe last year, but the uptake has been very good; people want [holidays] closer to home.”
The new trips will join the G Adventures- owned brand’s Classic tours in destinations including Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Colombia.
All the small-group adventures are led by a tour guide and aimed at “time-poor young professionals” as well as independent backpackers looking for an added social element. However, Pope said the brand straddled all age groups.
Prior to the pandemic, TruTravels carried around 9,500 passengers a year. Pope said it hoped to achieve these levels in the next year.
