Another trend is an increased emphasis on families, especially in the soft-adventure market. Thomson Family Adventures schedules family safaris in Africa. Its destinations also include Costa Rica, Egypt and Turkey. Through its Adventurers Club, children receive pre-departure reading lists and games pertaining to their destination and are matched with pen pals. Transportation means are expanding, too, with trains and riverboats providing alternatives to traditional motor-coach and van tours.
Most large companies own or lease small ships or reach agreements with cruise lines.
We'll operate trips on the Christina this fall in Italy and Greece. But they won't be cheap. It's hard to speculate why, but I think it has to do with the information age in which we live. We communicate by e-mail. We're all so busy that we have fewer friends, and even our friendships aren't as deep.