- “Treatment Makes a Difference”
Panama – Hover Tours C.A.
HOVER TOURS C.A. TRAVEL AGENCY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 20 YEARS DELIVERING TRAVEL EXPERIENCES FOR EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN TOURISTS. EXCELENCIAS MAGAZINE SAT DOWN WITH DIRECTOR GENERAL MARCELO RIMMAUDO, WHO TALKED ABOUT THE GROUP’S START IN THE BUSINESS AND ITS CURRENT WORK PLANS
¿How and when did Hover Tours ever come into being?
We started in 1995 handling student groups from Argentina and Isla Margarita in Venezuela. That’s how the idea of founding a student-related travel group popped up. Later on, the evolution of the market and the country’s dynamics prompted the agency to enhance its offer as it started catering not only to students, but also to family groups. In 2005, we decided to expand into the Americas, starting off from Mexico to Argentina, and then we began operations in Europe. In 2006, we started with the first tours in Europe, specifically out of Poland, the Czech Republic and some passengers from Russia. By 2009 and 2010, Poland was beefed up, the Russian market grew and different products out of Venezuela, Colombia, Curacao and Central America were being requested for the first time. At that time, we set up shop in Panama in a bid to meet the demand for new products.
¿What countries do you have representatives right now?
We have marketing agents in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Spain, UK and Finland. As far as offices are concerned, Hover Tours is present in Venezuela and Panama, where we arrived in 2010.
What’s your bestselling destination and in which travel niche?
This depends on our markets. We embrace, let’s say, the family niche within the leisure segment, where mom, pap and the kids are. This segment loves sun-and-beach tourism. Then we have the elderly segment, with people who also love sun and beach, as well as city travel. As to the adventure segment, we handle nine different routes: two in Panama, five in Venezuela and two in Colombia. Now if you ask me about the markets, Europe, what does it look for? Nature is the answer, while the south market seeks sun and beach. We’re now developing MICE travel to Panama, focusing on the UK, Spain, Russia and Mexico.
What’s the most sought-after travel destination in Panama for Hover Tours?
There are three. First of all, Panama City, where Argentina, Peru and Ecuador top the list. They love going on a shopping binge there. The Panama Canal is also a tremendous allure, especially now on the heels of the enhancement. There’s a huge demand for it and for the chance to watch the new Aguas Claras locks. In the case of sun and beach, of course we have Guna Yala, and Bocas del Toro is no second best to any other destination because it’s been faring great.
What’s Hover Tours’ biggest strength?
The human resources, no doubt about it. We count on 25 people in Panama and 72 persons in Venezuela.
What’s the biggest challenge we’ve been bound to put up with since arriving in Panama?
We face a new challenge every day; not only in Panama, but wherever you are. The biggest challenge of all is to win the hearts of new customers, pry into new markets and make people understand that we deliver top-quality products, very good products in which the travel experience is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, in the style Hover Tours knows: “Human Warmth”.
How is travel to Isla Margarita doing and where is Hover Tours headquartered in Venezuela?
It’s doing spectacular. Our work has been focused on buttressing the human warmth and convey a great experience. Our job goes beyond the wow effect and zeroes in on the tangible things. You can get hotels anywhere, meals anywhere, but what you can’t get anywhere is just a smile, the kind of special treatment we always look for and deliver. Our staff is well trained in how to cater to customers, how to welcome them, what they come looking for and what they need. I mean, it’s well beyond an air ticket or a travel package. Treatment is what actually makes a difference.
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