Exoticca Makes A Splash In Canada

Travel advisors have a lot of choice when it comes to tour operator partners, but Exoticca’s VP of sales Mike Quinto believes their European style of touring sets them apart from the competition.

“The way we do things differently is we don’t believe in going to see every castle ever built in Ireland. We’re going to see all the major highlights, all the major things you want to see, but then we want to give the clients free time,” Quinto tells Travel Courier. “We’re kind of like a mix of an escorted tour and FIT — if you put those two together, that’s what our philosophy is.”

For example, in a destination like Rome, after breakfast at the hotel, a tour kicks off with a local guide taking the group to major attractions like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps, and the Pantheon. After wards, free time is built into the itinerary so travellers can opt to continue exploring downtown, embark on an optional excursion like learning how to make an authentic pizza or head back to the hotel to unwind.

“It’s really neat because the clients can see the sights, are led around by a local guide, they get out there, they see the major sites, they learn the history, the culture, they have a guide to ask any questions they want, but then in the afternoons, they can do what they want. If they just want to sit at a table and have a pint of beer and people watch, they can do that.”

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