This article originally appeared in the November issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
TTC Tour Brands, part of The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) portfolio, is moving forward with one of its largest new itinerary rollouts in years.
The company’s high profile — especially within the European market — makes its latest initiatives especially significant for the industry. TTC targets a diverse clientele through six brands: Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver and Contiki.
“Each of TTC’s tour brands is designed with a different type of traveler in mind — from young, social and adventurous travelers on Contiki to those seeking an all-encompassing guided trip with Trafalgar,” said Melissa DaSilva, chief sales officer and deputy CEO of TTC Tour Brands. “Across our brands, we aim to strike the right balance between flexibility and structure to match each brand’s signature travel style.”
A few examples: Costsaver allows guests to add a variety of experiences that fit their budget and interests, while Trafalgar, Contiki and Brendan Vacations build in free time for independent exploration and optional activities. In addition, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations and Luxury Gold schedule slower-paced days and relaxed starts to allow travelers to spend more time in some destinations.
TTC itineraries balance iconic locations like Cinque Terre, Italy, with hidden Mediterranean gems. (Photo Credit: The Travel Corporation)
The company’s ability to meet the demands of a changing marketplace is evident in several of its recent rollouts. Trafalgar, for example, is taking a giant step with the debut of its first-ever river cruise itineraries for 2026. Insight Vacations, meanwhile, has introduced a lineup of women-only trips, while Contiki has added new destinations to its roster, including Albania.
“As the world changes, so does travel, and we listen closely to what our travelers want and continually evolve our offerings to meet those needs,” DaSilva said.
More Itineraries, More Options
The company is in the midst of its largest expansion in seven years, with 16 new itineraries debuting across Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold.
“When designing our 2026 tours, we focused on creating itineraries in the destinations travelers are most excited about,” DaSilva said. “Trafalgar’s Balkans Coast Explorer and Best of Romania, Transylvania & Hungary itineraries, along with Insight Vacations’ Adriatic Escape, showcase regions that are growing in popularity for their affordability, vibrant culture, diverse landscapes and lighter crowds.”
One-country itineraries are also trending, according to DaSilva.
“We are seeing travelers eager to go beyond the familiar hot spots and explore a single country in more depth,” she said. “New itineraries, such as Trafalgar’s English Adventure and Villages of France tours, as well as Luxury Gold’s Spectacular Scotland and Ultimate Portugal trips, give advisors the opportunity to recommend experiences highlighting charming villages, scenic landscapes and authentic cultural heritage.”
A Fresh Take on Europe
Regardless of the destination, TTC Tour Brands’ offerings aim to help clients make the most of what each country offers.
“Europe has always been central to our brands,” DaSilva said. “And we continue to evolve our itineraries and destinations offered to reflect what today’s travelers want, with experiences that strike a balance between iconic sightseeing and off-the-beatenpath activities.”
Clients looking for deeper immersion will find lots of opportunities, too, she adds.
“Our Make Travel Matter Experiences bring travelers closer to inspiring locals, such as meeting local entrepreneur Gladiola Çipi in her Ottoman-era home in Albania to learn how she preserves traditions and supports women in her community,” DaSilva said.
Clients can also choose from new activities, such as ghyll (gorge) scrambling in the U.K.’s Lake District with Contiki or joining a People’s Story Walking Tour in Edinburgh with Brendan Vacations, a TTC division that now off ers stays at Dunluce Lodge, the only five-star resort on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast.
Trafalgar’s Foray Into River Cruising
The 2026 debut of Trafalgar’s first-ever river cruising offerings, which include sailings on the Danube and Rhine rivers, is an important milestone for the company, according to DaSilva.
“River cruising is having a moment, as ocean cruise fans seek smaller, more intimate ships, and land tour enthusiasts look for a new way to explore Europe,” she said. “Trafalgar has always been known for its European tours, and now we are bringing that same care, ease of travel and cultural immersion to the rivers. Through our Be My Guest and Make Travel Matter Experiences, travelers gain deeper insights into each destination, from exclusive dining at a family-owned winery in Austria to learning about Cold War history in Bratislava from a local nonprofit.”
Options for All Ages
Generational changes are also helping to shape TTC’s product mix, DaSilva says.
“Over the years, we’ve seen a few shifts among different generations’ approaches to experiencing Europe,” she explained, noting that Gen Z and millennial travelers on Contiki (tours designed for travelers ages 18 to 35) are opting for active and unique experiences, while older travelers still gravitate to classics such as Italy and Spain, but increasingly request immersive, experiential components.
Trafalgar guests can indulge in the distinctive fare of their destination during Be My Guest dining experiences. (Photo Credit: The Travel Corporation)
“Across all our brands, we are aligning our product mix to reflect these trends,” she said.
A Commitment to Responsible Travel
Sustainability has also been a core focus for TTC Tour Brands as they’ve evolved, DaSilva says.
“Through our nonprofit arm, The TreadRight Foundation, we have implemented a five-year sustainability strategy with measurable goals aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, addressing climate change, sustainable food production, waste reduction, diversity and inclusion, wildlife and responsible travel experiences.”
Transparency around operations is key, she adds, noting that the company’s annual Impact Report helps to track progress. On the consumer side, more than half of all itineraries now feature at least one Make Travel Matter Experience, which makes it easier for guests to connect with organizations that are making a positive impact.
Tools to Help Advisors Succeed
The travel advisor community is important to TTC Tour Brands, according to DaSilva, and she offers several examples of the tools and initiatives that the company offers for the trade.
“Our Price Drop Promise was a summer promotion that gave travelers confidence that they were getting the best available price on their 2026 tour, even if the cost ended up dropping later,” DaSilva said.
And TTC Tour Week, a large-scale fam event that takes place simultaneously across several different countries, has also proven to be especially popular with travel advisors.
“TTC Tour Week is our most significant advisor initiative to date, giving top advisors the chance to experience our diverse portfolio firsthand,” DaSilva said. “After hosting 500 advisors on 13 fam itineraries this past March, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, spurring us to launch a second round this month.”
The company also offers more than 2,000 definite departures for 2026 and supports advisors with its Travel Agent Portal, a seven-day-a-week contact center, and a variety of marketing and training resources.
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