Collette Builds On Its History of Innovation

Image: Vietnam’s Hoi An is included on the “Kingdoms of Southeast Asia” tour. (Source: Collette)
Image: Vietnam’s Hoi An is included on the “Kingdoms of Southeast Asia” tour. (Source: Collette)
Harvey Chipkin
by Harvey Chipkin
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sun September 22, 2024

This article originally appeared in the September issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.


After more than a century in business, Collette continues to unveil innovative new products, with 10 programs launching in 2025 that “are designed and led by destination experts who share the love of exploration and curiosity that Collette’s travelers have,” said Jaclyn Leibl- Cote, the company’s president and CEO.

New Europe Programs

Two of the new programs – “The Balkans: From Coastal Croatia to Legendary Greece” and “Europe: The Grand Tour” – were designed to sate growing demand for Eastern Europe. “The Balkans” itinerary is the operator’s first tour to feature Albania, which has seen a major rise in traveler demand over the last few years, Leibl- Cote said. (See sidebar for other new programs.)

“We value our travelers’ feedback and used that to put together these new experiences in 2025,” she said. “Collette wants to show travelers more of what they’re looking to see.”

The company also places a high premium on its advisor partners. In all, it has 43 business development managers in the U.S. who work with the trade, and “is still proud of the fact that the average hold time at the call center is five minutes,” said Leibl-Cote. “We want to ensure that any traveler or advisor is able to get the assistance they need in a timely manner.”

New Advisor Rewards Program

Collette introduced a new Travel Advisor Reward Program last fall, starting with reduced rates of 50 percent. Advisors will receive bigger savings on land tours the more travelers they book within a single year. They’ll have the opportunity to increase that number all the way to 100 percent if they book over 40 clients. Advisors will also receive reduced rates for companions, starting at 25 percent.

Advisors are such a big part of what we do each and every day,” Leibl-Cote said. “By offering this rewards program, we not only allow them to explore the world like our travelers do, but also encourage them to share the gift of travel with more travelers.”

Collette Builds On Its History of Innovation

Collette introduced a new safari trip to Namibia and South Africa. (Source: Collette)

Five Travel Styles

The operator continues to offer its five travel styles: Classic, Explorations, Spotlights, Faith and Cruising. It has seen significant growth in its small group Explorations line, “which is exciting because the lower average number of 19 travelers, for a maximum of 24, allows us more opportunities to tailor unique experiences for our travelers that take them beyond any guidebook,” Leibl-Cote said.

On-Demand Print Service

The Collette Collection on-demand print service “is a great way for advisors to grow their business in a personalized way,” Leibl- Cote said. The service is available for the Explorations brochure, which features all 43 of those tours, as well as for the Safari brochure. Each printed brochure is delivered to travelers with a personalized letter attached.

An important element to Collette’s Explorations programs is Impact Moment excursions, which include visits to social enterprises, nonprofits and cultural or environmental conservation groups that help create sustainable economic and social benefits for the community.

The operator is also continuing its policy of not outsourcing tours in destinations, Leibl-Cote said, and has a global team of designers that negotiates with local entities. If an issue arises, Collette has direct relationships with local affiliates. As a result of those relationships, the company will not offer cookie-cutter experiences, she said.


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