Dear All,

Following comments on the board, here is an update on bookings and some really positive information that might be helpful.

Insight has just this week reviewed its entire touring programme for 2009 up to 90 days prior to start date. From Monday 9th March, on the prices section of each tour on this website, a new designator ‘DEF’ (= Definite) will identify those departures that are certain to operate. Every week, we will then continue to review the booking situation and more of these departures will be added on a rolling basis. It is worth remembering that all departures of course are definite 50 days prior to departure from 1st May to 15th October, however the step of introducing firm departures has been taken because we wanted to give our valued customers additional confidence in these times.

A few bulletin board posters have asked about PDs (Preferred Departures). PDs were our best available pre-season method of predicting departure strength for 2009 in the longer term. Each PD departure carried a minimum of 25 guests on the equivalent date in 2008 so this information gives PDs a solid historical track record. Where there have been consolidations we do understand that disrupted plans are unwelcome at any time and we are really very sorry for inconveniences experienced. The effect on booking patterns of the global economic downturn is of course outside our control but nevertheless the vast majority of PDs have operated as expected and are converting to DEFs as we go along.

The other good news is it is clear from simple comparisons in the field that Insight is operating very strongly and we are grateful for your support and loyalty in this respect. We remain committed to providing the best value to our customers as well as delivering unique and enriching tours with very different and special product benefits.

Kindest regards,

John Boulding

That is a nice positive reaction at a time when I believe we all thought it necessary.

Thanks!

This is a great idea and will really be helpful for ppl and their planning. Unfortunately for me, my 10th tour of choice with Insight is not the one I will be enjoying. I just spent the last hour with my TA making alternate arrangements as my April 23 Romantic European has been cancelled. I used mileage points for my air so there is little, if no, flexibility there. Note: SAS just cancelled every other day's flights between Seattle and Copenhagen, so instead of going a day early for extra time in London, I will be going on the day of the tour schedule. Fortunately, Insight is offering me a seat on the European Explorer which exactly matches the dates of the Romantic European. But (there is always a "but"), the European is more expensive and Insight will pick up only $150 of the increase. I think this is not appropriate as I had booked so many months ago, and I was not the one cancelling. I have read of Insight and TT re-compensing ppl much more than we are talking about here (approx. $186 more to me). Additionally, I will not be able to visit with my friends in Brussels and Prague, but life seems full of these little dissapointments. This helps get this small glitch in my life off my chest, and John, I still love Insight and look forward to traveling with you again.

Great news John and the new designator of "DEF" will certainly be welcomed by many travellers who have genuine concerns about the difficulties they face when booking tours and having to lock in flights.

I do however have 2 questions. If PDs were designated on the basis of carrying a minimum of 25 guests, what then is the minimum number required in order to change the designation from "PD" to "DEF"? Or is it intended that you will no longer use the designator "PD" and instead replace it with "DEF" once required numbers are realised?

The many progressive and innovative changes being implemented by Insight are greatly appreciated and I hope to one day again have the privilege of meeting you again in person as I did in Newcastle a couple of years back.

Many thanks
Geoff

Dragon you will be able to meet John again if you do the Presidents BB tour

Tupps

to John Bolding -
I have read with great interest that you are converting PDs to DEFs departures. I feel this is going to give more security to travellers when booking tours. I have just found out through my travel agent & Insight that my tour has reached the minimum guests required and am so so relieved.
Could you please answer a question re options offered on the Classic Tours - sometime between 7th Feb and 21 Feb all the options offered have been halved or less eg Sorrento has gone from 6 to 1 option offered. Will further options be offered when we are on tour as requested or is that it 1 option. I find this disturbing as we and others were planning to all that we could in the time we have.
Thank you for your time, DebraJ

Dear All,
I sorry I can't answer individual questions as I often simply don't have the information to hand or do not have time. However, there are a couple of points here that may be useful to know.
1. Yes PDs will be converted to DEFs whenever we are are able and no 25 is not the trigger for this. Often it will be less. Tour products are very complex with multiple components and there is no set figure, but it will often be considerably fewer. We intend to operate as many as possible - despite the world economy!
2. Those of you who have travelled regularly will know there have been always been vast numbers of optional excursions shown on our lists, whereas in reality many fewer are available on the tour itself. The reason for this was that the lists have been built up over the years and no-one had actually reviewed them to check what was actually being offered to guests once on tour! During the process of analysing optionals last year we surveyed all our Tour Directors, checked the optional report forms and were advised by a panel of some of our most experienced tour directors. We also ran extensive customer reports from the end of tour questionnaires. We then narrowed the list down to those that actually operate and published it on the site this winter. This rationalisation was untertaken to reduce the risk of disappointment when you join your tour. I hope it ultimately actually works better for you than in the past!
Hopefully these notes resolve your immediate questions and I'm sorry I'm not available for more regular questions - John Moderator can often supply answers but failing that our travel agents are pretty knowledgeable.
I know times are tough for everyone but I wish you well and safe travels.
John

Dear BBers,

Further to John Boulding's message above, I feel this thread can now be closed and become a 'read only' topic.

As John has stated if you do have any specific questions reading your individual booking, please contact your travel agent or local Insight office.

However please feel free to continue asking for general advice from other travellers (or myself) on this board.

Kind Regards
John
Moderator