Welcome to the inaugural blog from TML Travel Group - the home of "Discerning Tours For Discerning People". We specialise in a niche market more boutique style product.
I feel it would only be right for me to advise readers on our background and what influenced our decision to offer "Discerning Tours For Discerning People" or as they are more commonly known luxury escorted tours. Having been involved in the travel industry since the tender age of 15, which is now some 24 year ago, I have noticed a radical shift in the types of touring vehicles (coaches) now on Britain's roads. However, I do not feel that the mainstream industry has kept pace in the type of product it offers to compliment these state of the art vehicles. As a consequence, the traditional coach holiday market has seen a decline in recent years as the products have not kept pace with clients expectations in terms of product and service. The other problem is PERCEPTION - many people still think of coaches as the old, smelly, 53 seater coach they traveled on back in their school days 30-40 year ago, not the modern, sleek (in most cases) state of the art vehicles they are today.
If we take a look at the cost of new vehicles over the last 40 years, we will see things have moved on considerably:
- In 1973 a Bedford VAL with Plaxton Panorma bodywork cost £11,000
- In 1983 a Bedford 'Y series' with Plaxton Paramount bodywork cost £45,000
- In 1993 a Volvo B10M with Plaxton Premiere bodywork cost £90,000
- In 2003 a Volvo B10M with Plaxton Panther bodywork cost £180,000
- In 2013 a Volvo B12B with Plaxton Elite bodywork cost £240,000
(Source: RouteOne Magazine - 21st March 2013)
It is because of the foregoing that I believe people's perceptions have become somewhat distorted.
I quite often hear around the industry about how Mrs X has died, but I'm not getting new business through to replace her. This is a very common tale. However, it is not all doom and gloom there are a number of tour operators out there who have stuck their necks out and clearly taken a gamble by upping their game in terms of product offering and as a consequence are attracting a younger clientele. It has to be said these type of tour operators are in the minority, but are highly successful. The most recent Mintel report tells us that the two growth areas that need courting and fast are the budget sector and also the luxury sector - the middle market will get squeezed.
Over the last 24 years, I have always striven to increase the quality of the product offering, whilst offering the product at a realistic price. It is this philosophy I brought with me when I set up TML Travel Group some 3 years ago. Buying a holiday is not a cheap business these days and I firmly believe that because of this people should get good quality and a first-class travelling experience. By travelling experience, I am not just talking about the vehicle - I'm talking about all the components that go to make up a holiday. At TML Travel Group all our tours offer:
- A Quality Travelling Experience
- Quality 4*/5* Hotels in Superb Locations
- Experienced Tour Managers to provide a Friendly & Professional Service
- Interesting & Innovative Itineraries
We place great emphasis on ensuring the quality is consistent and the vehicles match the hotels being used, whilst the itineraries offer something innovative. It is to this end that we took the decision from the outset to partner with Eavesway Travel who have become a byword for excellence throughout the industry over the last 70 years. They offer one of the most modern fleets of coaches in the UK and specialise in a 5* cruise transfer service for P&O Cruises/Princess Cruises. This service is being expanded still further in 2014 to include a host of other cruise operators.
The vehicles Eavesway operate are very much at the top flight of the coach industry, but show what the industry is capable of offering clients in the 21st Century. At a cost of £350,000 EACH, these vehicles come with all the latest mod-cons such as enhanced legroom, leather seating, wood effect flooring, mood lighting, Wi-Fi and so the list goes on.
Both companies realised by combining their respective experiences we could offer something very special to our respective client bases in respect of product offering.
All tours are accompanied by our own Tour Managers who are there specifically to manage tour operations and ensure your general well-being. During your journey we also offer a complimentary on-board light refreshments service to make your experience all that more enjoyable.
In terms of hotels, we have chosen to partner predominantly with Marriott & Hilton to ensure the accommodation is of the highest standard. We have a firm belief that when you are on holiday you should enjoy good accommodation and excellent cuisine because again it is all part of the overall travelling experience.
Our itineraries are carefully and expertly planned with your comfort and enjoyment as the top priorities. We include visits to destinations such as Britain's finest stately homes or journeys aboard some of the best heritage railways, through to touring style themed itineraries.
In terms of product offering this includes:
- Premier Class Day Excursions
- Premier Class Weekend Breaks
- Grand Days Out - these include a 3 course meal as part of the excursion
- Country Club Weekends
Our 'Country Club Weekends' include enhanced itineraries such as morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea at a chosen attraction for example or a specialist guided tour. All this is included in the price of your holiday at no supplement because our 'Country Club Weekends' include all excursion fees as we do not operate optional excursions on these tours.
Over the next few months we are launching a series of one night "Discover" breaks, so that you can experience our various brands first hand. The one tour we are all particularly excited about is our "Discover The Waldorf" - 5* London Weekend.
We do very much hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and we look forward to welcoming you onboard!
