Select Vacations, a consortium of five professionals, each an expert in their core skills (read marketing, accounts, distribution networking etc) was recently formed to cater to the growing outbound market. The company has set itself a target of 4,000 passengers and Rs 10 crore turnover in the first year of operation and will focus on group tours, FIT and incentive tours segments. In fact, the monthly target set for May has already been achieved.

Neeraj Ghei

In this regard, Neeraj Ghei, director, Select Vacations has taken a conscious decision to venture into the outbound leisure turf because as an avid traveller she enjoys creating holiday plans for others. “I want to have fun at work and creating pleasure trips for people is really fun for me as I have travelled a lot. Outbound leisure gives me an opportunity to create joy for others with no pains taken,” said Ghei talking about her new venture.

The company has already launched fixed departure group tours in the market for Europe and the South-East Asian countries and is offering tailor-made packages for discerning independent travellers and incentive tours to the Far East, Europe, Australia and exotic islands across the globe. “Some suggestive holiday ideas have been planned for FITs and incentive tours that offer scope for experiencing a perfect holiday. However, with our product knowledge, research and buying power, we prefer to sit with travellers and help them make their own itinerary that suits their pocket and time,” says Ghei.

Ask Ghei about what differentiates the package tours from the others and she replies, “We have put together Europe like no one else, at a price that includes more than any one else.” She goes on to elaborate her point, “Our itineraries, a result of thorough research, focuses on what people need. We corrected the inconveniences, but did not compromise on quality and pace. Our itineraries are one-way and we don’t back track that saves wastage of time. Our’s is not a touch-and-go tour, but provides time for leisure activities like exploring the city, chilling out at a pub, or visiting a theatre. For instance, other packages show Florence from a hill top, we offer a walking tour through the city famous for its architecture and sculptures. While other tours offer a one night stay in Rome and two nights in Paris, we offer two nights in Rome and three nights in Paris and three nights in Switzerland at one go.” Further, all packages include must sight seeing, first class hotels, comfortable coaches, delicious Indian meals all taxes and visas.

What’s the catch behind offering such competitively priced packages, one could not help but ask. “There’s no catch. Though volume matters in purchasing power, but it does not always get the best deal. Relationship also calls a shot in purchasing power. Further, lots of suppliers are willing to do business with small companies as they want a right mix of volume players and small fries. Further, when you don’t spend big bucks in advertisements, you can sell it cheap,” she reasons.

All Select Vacations’ products are being sold through travel agents. Eleven preferred sales agents have already been appointed in northern region and the products are being distributed through their network. “We have decided not to spend much money on advertising, instead offer attractive commissions to agents. In cities where we don’t have a PSA, we’re working through sub-agents,” informed Ghei.

Yes, Ghei realises that training PSAs and sub-agents is pivotal to her business and the company has earmarked 10 per cent of its expense for holding periodic product workshops and organising fam tours both overseas and domestic for them.