With 35 itineraries around the world, Exodus' Signature Collection is billed as a slower, more immersive style of travel.
The portfolio is defined by signature stays in handpicked accommodation, curated moments that grant one-of-a-kind access to invitation-only places, and local experts who provide deeper insights into the destination.
Travel Counsellor Thea Gillingham joined the inaugural departure of Exodus’ Signature Egypt tour, and she describes it as a “breakthrough product, particularly if agents fully understand that the value isn’t just what is listed on paper, it’s the overall elevated nature of the experience itself.”
The 10-day guided group journey features hotel stays in Cairo at the Four Seasons First Residence, Al Moudira in Luxor and the Sofitel Old Cataract in Aswan, as well as a cruise aboard private dahabiya gliding along the Nile.
The Safiya – a private Dahabiya – evoking the golden age of Nile travel
Sleeping onboard the 10-suite Safiya was, for Thea, the standout part of the tour: “It’s the Signature Stay of the itinerary, and while it looks lovely in photos, I don’t think you can fully appreciate quite how superior a Dahabiya experience is compared to a standard river cruise until you’re onboard.
“The ability to pull up at the side of the Nile and jump in for a swim, visit ports that the larger river cruise ships simply cannot access, and have the exclusivity of a small private vessel was second to none. The staff onboard were absolutely outstanding as well. It felt like the perfect way to experience the Nile.”
Thea was also impressed by the level of design and thought process that had gone into the itinerary by the local team. She says: “It went far beyond simply taking us to Dendara rather than Karnak, which in itself was a brilliant choice, given it is better preserved, more unique and significantly less crowded.” It was also, she says, details such as visiting Luxor Temple once the cruise ships had departed for the evening and timing their arrival into Kom Ombo just as the larger river cruise ships were leaving.
At the Pyramids, just outside of Cairo
“This meant we experienced these sites in a much quieter and more immersive way,” she explains. “These were decisions made to elevate the overall experience rather than simply following the standard tourist flow.”
Thea also got to see the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, the scale of which wowed her: “The architecture, the history and the atmosphere are just incredible and it really brings the ancient world to life in a way that photos, documentaries and even other museums around the world simply can’t.”
Bridging the gap
Among her clients, Thea sees a huge and growing appetite for this style of more authentic travel experiences. ‘It’s one of the biggest shifts within premium travel over the last couple of years,” she says. “Clients increasingly want experiences, adventure, and authenticity alongside comfort.”
Curated cultural experiences are thoughtfully worked into Signature itineraries
She believes a product like this appeals strongly both to millennials with disposable income and a desire for meaningful travel experiences, as well as retirees wanting to tick off their bucket list in comfort.
“Importantly though, clients still want these experiences to feel responsible and authentic. They want to eat in local restaurants, meet local communities and have meaningful cultural interactions, but in the correct way, which is where Exodus and its B Corp positioning gives a huge amount of reassurance.”
“We all have clients who love the finer things in life but perhaps wouldn’t naturally consider a small group tour. This collection bridges that gap – it’s very unusual to be able to say to clients that they’re joining a small group while also staying at properties like the Four Seasons. This combination of authenticity, expert guiding, luxury accommodation and seamless organisation is quite unique.”
Thea’s top three tips for agents selling premium escorted touring
1. Look beyond the headline price and focus on the inclusions. It genuinely felt all encompassing, and outside of souvenirs, I barely spent anything whilst away. It’s important to help clients understand the value within that higher upfront cost.
2. Never underestimate the importance of the guide quality. It’s very easy to focus purely on the accommodation and luxury elements, but the guide genuinely makes or breaks a touring experience. Andrew Shenouda was exceptional. With over 20 years’ guiding experience and a master’s degree in Egyptology, he was the calibre of guide you remember long after the trip itself.
3. Don’t rule out your luxury clients for small group touring. This collection is the perfect blend of both worlds. Some clients automatically assume small group touring isn’t for them, however I think many luxury couples would love this style of travel if it’s positioned correctly. I’ve even had situations where clients have nearly booked small group tours themselves online because they didn’t initially see the value of using an agent. It’s really important that we as agents confidently position ourselves as the people who can identify the correct style of tour, operator and experience for each client properly.
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