About the Roam Tours
I just got this text from a friend. She is currently booked on her 36th Tauck tour and had called Tauck with a question about it. I have her permission to share. I would think that the same information could have been imparted in a nicer way……
"During the conversation I inquired about the new “Roam” tours they’re advertising specifically the Rome, Sicily, Malta tour and was told that those tours are geared towards the 40/50 age groups, they’re about a level 4 activity level and “I might not have anything to say to a younger crowd”. I hung up and was so offended I called right back and told a Tauck rep who then directed me to customer service. They called me back later that day and tried to smooth things over but in essence said the same thing!!
Comments
I find that very offensive. I exercise with a woman of 101 who swims every day too. She is super interesting to talk to. We also mix with all ages with our theatre group and have lots to talk about and have fun together.
I agree that the info could have been given in a nicer way.
From a marketing standpoint I can totally see that they are simply trying to attract groups of people who might be wary of group travel. If they advertise a group for 40-50 year olds, and a bunch of even extremely fit 70 year olds show up, this is not going to look good for Tauck, regardless of how inspirational this group is. They can simply say: "These tours are being reserved for that age group. Let me see if this other itinerary will work for you. Tell me about your interests and activities." Make it sound personal.
I do see that on more of the regular tours lately, on some days there are choices of activities for different interests and activity levels, and I encourage Tauck to keep that up.
That's a very poor response. Seems to me that you never want to turn a customer away. Tauck is desperate to appeal to a younger group of people. I suppose they're afraid the age group they presently serve will gradually diminish as we die off.
But most people begin serious travel after they retire. That's when they have the time and money to travel. There should be new retirees becoming Tauck guests every year. Tauck should focus on reaching those people.
Well, it will be interesting to see if Roam takes off. I found the concept kind of insulting from the very beginning - I think they could have presented the same thing without slapping a desired age group on it by saying they were focusing on working adults with little time to plan and fewer vacation days - we all would have figured it out and it would not have been so offensive by calling everyone else an old coot! Again - I think new management doesn't think through things and has lost focus.
I looked at the tours and the prices are very similar to the regular Tauck prices and they have less planned and more free time….so I'm wondering what they are paying for and if its a good value for the money. I would think twice about paying those prices and cannot see any of my nieces and nephews paying those prices in their 40's and 50's when they are paying for kids sports camps and getting ready for college, etc…there were very few tours that were sold out - so it doesn't seem like they've caught the travel world by storm…but maybe the word hasn't filtered to the niche they are looking for. 🤷♀️