Tauck Nears a Century of Quality Touring

This article originally appeared the April issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

Tauck, the luxury tour operator, is already making centennial anniversary plans for 2025. Yet company’s enduring appeal – including extraordinary access to attractions and experiences that are difficult to replicate – has remained the same for almost 100 years, said Jennifer Tombaugh, president.

What really sets Tauck apart, Tombaugh said, are its experienced and professional tour directors, which number more than 300 worldwide in 41 countries, many with lengthy tenures.

“As we go out and touch the lives of our guests, these directors feel that same sense of mission,” she said.

Tombaugh is not a fan of the phrase “revenge travel” to categorize pent-up, post-pandemic demand but prefers “hopeful travel” to describe a universal desire to explore. For the last three years, consumers have been pondering the places they wanted to see – “and now their hopes are being realized,” she said. Thanks to Tauck’s unusual access, that might include private entry to the Vatican, Preservation Hall in New Orleans and many other sites.

The operator is seeing a resurgence just about everywhere in the world and in every category, and that growth is especially strong in small group travel. “Small is big because people want more intimate ways to travel,” Tombaugh said. As a case in point, Tauck’s newest riverboat, ms Andorinha, only carries 84 guests.

The company has a significant, distinct and growing presence in river and small ship cruising. New for 2023 is a New York to Quebec program called “Shores of Eastern Canada and New England” with Silversea Cruises. New river and ocean itineraries are also being planned for 2024 with a number of cruise partners.

With so many advisors now working remotely, the operator has launched “Tauck on Tour” events where a large number of agents are invited to lunch and then two hours of updates and training, said Steven Spivak, vice president-global sales and reservations. Prior to these sessions, advisors may schedule one-on-one appointments to discuss individual marketing plans or specific customer opportunities.

The company’s most significant training investment, said Spivak, is Tauck Academy, where a group of 30-40 advisors are invited to travel at no cost on a Tauck itinerary that includes dynamic classroom content. While there is no cost for the tour itself, advisors must pay for their transportation to the departure point.

There is continuing communication with participants – called Tauck Certified Advisors – through visits, email and special designation on the advisor’s profile when they call the operator’s reservations center. Clients of Tauck Certified Advisors who have not previously traveled with the company receive one complimentary pre- or post- night on any tour.

In addition, certified advisors get 50 percent off on one trip per year for two from a wide selection of Tauck itineraries. Also, select certified advisors and a guest have the opportunity to travel on a complimentary river cruise.