OAT AND GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL OFFER SPECIAL SAVINGS

05-12-2009

AND PROGRAMS FOR GROWING NUMBER OF AMERICANS OVER 50 TRAVELING SOLO

 

BOSTON (May 12, 2009)— Vince Cook, CEO of Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) and Grand Circle Travel (GCT), the leading international travel companies for Americans over 50, today announced special savings and programs for solo travelers, who represent as increasing percentage of travelers.  Both OAT and GCT now offer free or reduced single supplements on their land and small ship vacations, a free, new online travel companion program, a free new matching roommate program, a 30-day risk free guarantee at booking, and more.

 

"About one-third of our female travelers now travel as solos—either alone or with another female friend and without a spouse, and we're taking actions to make their travel with us easier and more affordable,” said Cook.  "We've also seen an increase in the number of men who book as solo travelers, although not to the extent that women are.”

 

Beginning in 2009, OAT and GCT have taken the following actions to provide stronger value and accessibility to solo travelers:

 

1.    Single Friendly Travel—Free or Low Cost Supplements

OAT and GCT now offer free or low-cost single supplements on all 2009 land vacations and on select river cruises and small ship adventures.  Solo travelers can save $125-$1995 in free single supplements, depending upon the trip and departure date selected.  

 

2.    Free Matching Roommate Service

OAT and GCT have always tried to match single travelers with roommates upon request.  Now, if OAT or GCT fails to find an appropriate match, the solo traveler's single supplement fee is waived.  

 

3.    Free On-Line Travel Companion Service. 

OAT and GCT have launched a free, new on-line "Travel Companion” service on-line that enables solo travelers to find like-minded travel companions and/or roommates.   More than 500 travelers have signed up for this program since its launch in April 2009.

 

4.    Risk-Free Guarantee

OAT and GCT's 30-day risk free guarantee allows a traveler to cancel a trip within 30 days of reservation for a full refund (please call for details). 

 

5.    Online Information for Women Travelers

OAT recently added a women's travel section to its web site (www.oattravel.com) called "Harriet's Corner,” named after Harriet Lewis, avid traveler and Grand Circle co-chair, which contains stories, information for women travelers, photos and anecdotes. 

 

For a free catalog or for more information, please call 1-800-873-5628 or visit our web sites at www.oatravel.com or www.gct.com.

 

About Grand Circle Corporation

Grand Circle Corporation is the leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for Americans age 50 and older.  Through its brands Grand Circle Travel (est. 1958), Overseas Adventure Travel (est. 1978) and Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises® (est. 1998), Grand Circle offers a wide range of small-group adventures by land and by small ship, river cruises, escorted tours and ocean cruises worldwide.  Grand Circle is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with offices throughout Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Its nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation has donated more than $32M to youth, educational, and cultural organizations worldwide since its inception in 1992. 

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