Ultra-Premium Package Tours in High Demand
Featuring Business Class Flights and Top-Tier Hotels
Despite the economic slowdown, high-end package tours are enjoying a boom of their own. As more consumers seek comfortable and unique experiences even at high prices, ultra-premium package tours costing tens of millions of won are selling out one after another. These packages are highly rated for providing value for money, as the overall travel arrangements?including accommodations, meals, and guides?are upgraded to premium services.
One package tour covering four South American countries over 18 days starts at 27.9 million won per person, with prices rising to 30 million won depending on the departure date. Nevertheless, reservations are almost fully booked from October this year through March next year. As such, package tours, previously considered to offer good value for money, are gaining popularity as ultra-premium products ranging from 20 million won to nearly 100 million won.
Ultra-premium package tours are fundamentally different from traditional group tours. Unlike group tours, which require a minimum number of participants for departure, these packages can proceed with as few as two to four customers, such as couples or families.
The golf package tour launched by Lotte Tour Development in April is a prime example. This ultra-premium golf tour is priced at 180 million won per team of four, amounting to 44.9 million won per person. Despite the high cost, three teams have already embarked on this trip, generating a total sales amount of 540 million won from just these three teams.
The package succeeded in attracting customers by offering the chance to attend the Masters Tournament, a prestigious golf event in the United States. Unlike regular golf tournaments, this event is known for its limited ticket sales to patrons, making it extremely difficult to attend. The itinerary also includes four rounds of golf at two local golf clubs.
A representative from Lotte Tour Development stated, "Since the South America package was upgraded to a high-end business product this year, the reservation rate has increased significantly. Last year, only one team signed up for the Masters Tournament golf package, but this year, three teams participated."
Modetour also operates a premium brand called 'Modusignature.' In April, Modetour Signature accounted for 31% of all sales, an increase of about 16 percentage points compared to the same month last year. Modetour plans to raise this share to over 40% by the end of the year.
Additionally, Modetour offers 'Modusignature Black,' which guarantees no tips, no optional tours, and no shopping at five-star or higher luxury hotels. The company has also introduced a new premium brand, 'Highclass,' featuring luxury cruises and tours to special destinations in Africa and Europe.
For example, a 13-day tour of three African countries departing in September is priced at around 27 million won. All four flight segments, including flights to and from Africa, are in business class, and the itinerary offers unique experiences such as a hot air balloon tour over the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
Hana Tour is also operating a high-end custom travel brand called 'Zeus World.' All itineraries are tailor-made by the customer and are conducted with a private guide. In the first quarter of this year, the number of bookings increased by 16%, and sales revenue grew by 31% compared to the same period last year.
The most expensive product is a private, customized long-stay tour of the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, priced at 95 million won per person. Another private, customized tour covering Egypt and Jordan reached 54 million won per person.
As more people are willing to pay high prices for comfortable and unique travel experiences, travel agencies are increasing the proportion of high-priced products in their offerings. A Hana Tour representative said, "Among all travel products, high-end tours have shown the fastest recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also focusing on diversifying our products by discovering new destinations with growth potential."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
