There's Life after Retirement in the World of Touring

By Arnie Greenberg
Contact Arnie at:
ultours@aol.com

(Arnie and Dana Greenberg, above, pose for a photo high above the city of Budapest on one of their recent European adventures)

It started with a meeting over coffee with a friend. I told him I was about to retire after 37 years of teaching.

"Now you can start doing what you want," he replied, and with that said, we began talking about what to do when your "working life" ends.

(Arnie Greenberg knows Paris better than even many Parisians do. That's why he's such a walking encyclopedia -- and a good companion -- on tours of the city)

I was never one for sitting around, and my friend, who was a travel consultant, put it bluntly: "You have lectured in many countries. You probably know Paris better than many Parisians. Why don't you set up a system whereby you can take retired people to France?"

I knew nothing about the travel industry, so we talked on. He explained that to take groups to Europe you didn't have to be a travel agent. All you had to do was get the agreement of a
bone fide agent to write your airlines tickets at group rates for which he would get a small commission.

We sat in the boardroom of his office, and he took out the Travel Agent's Index. Here I had access to the names, addresses, rates, number of rooms and fax numbers for most of the better hotels in the world. We went to the section on Paris, and I saw the hotels I knew.

I selected possible dates, found a bus company on the web and got a quote, added services, meals and my own expenses, since I would be the guide and set up an itinerary. We would be able to go to much of France for 19 days at a modest cost of about $2400 Canadian. Remember, the Canadian dollar is about 20-25% lower that the US dollar. If Americans joined us, they would save the difference.

(One of Arnie's favorite destinations is Italy...and the spectacular Amalfi coast)

We secured our reservations and the airlines tickets, which we would have to pay for only 60 days before departure. We made a list of places we could advertise and, since I had years of writing experience (having written over 1000 television programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), I wrote my own press releases and sent them off.

The largest newspaper in Montreal gave me a half page article with pictures, free of charge. They knew my television work and obviously so did the readers. They have given me a free article every year since. They did that because we are a non-profit group offering a much needed service at a good price. I don't do it out of altruism or because I am wealthy. I do it because it's just easier when the price is low, and if I did take a profit, it wouldn't be enough to change my life. Remember, my wife and I have our own retirement incomes.

The phone started ringing, and that year I took 30 people to Hemingway's Paris and France. It was easy for me since that, in part, was the subject of my teaching. I have made a study of the people in the Gertrude Stein circle who lived in Paris in the Twenties.

(Arnie in front of the famous Shakespeare Book Store in Paris)

I discovered early on the tour that one needed a sense of humor and a lot of energy. Some of the hotels were better than others. Some places had more to see than others, and some days were easier than others. All in all, we enjoyed the tour, nobody became ill, and we returned safely. We toured, sang, laughed, joked, had simple competitions and learned about France.

It was fun, a learning experience, but hardly a forced march. It was a vacation where my "clients" became "friends." I was also the winner, since my wife and I made many friends, too, that year and every year since.

Yes, there have been other tours and now 12 years later I rarely think of teaching and continue to design tours for mostly seniors. The tours are only in the spring when the weather is best. We now do two tours a year, sometimes to different countries and sometimes to the same place twice. We have added Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Thailand to our list. Our numbers have grown and while it is a large group, we can take upwards of 40 people each time.

(Arnie's tours have also taken visitors sailing to the romantic Greek islands)

Last year's tour sold itself. I did hardly any advertising. Most of the people were second-, third- or even fifth-time repeat clients who, it seems now, want to travel with us every year.

Of course, I am not an expert in all countries, so we have changed our policy. I use the web. I engage 'incoming agents' in Europe, tell them what I have in mind and let them quote on the services. Now, they make the reservations, decide on the meals and supply the guides, entrance fees and baggage handling. Naturally, the price has risen, but it's now 2004-5 and gas prices are higher, hotel rates have risen and we offer better hotels and services.

The proof of our success is in the fact that we returned from Prague in late June.

(The city of Amsterdam -- another popular destination on Arnie's touring agenda)

My first offering to Southern Italy and Sicily for 2005 was sold out by the end of August, 10 months before departure, all by repeat clients and word of mouth. For that reason we were urged to start a second group. As of Dec 1, we were sold out and the phone kept ringing.

We went to Naples in early May and again at the end of the month.
To maximize our time in Europe, my wife and I usually scout out a new tour while we are there, either between tours or just afterwards. This works out since my clients either travel with us to Europe or home. We also make arrangements for those who want to remain in Europe after the tour. We often choose a city and do it with them so we can show them more.

(Arnie and Dana have recently returned from a tour of Italy, visiting a number of cities, including Naples, pictured here)

 

We take a small deposit to secure the airlines and European agents. The balance is paid 60 days before departure.

This year we already sold out to China and will sail from St. Petersburg to Moscow after that.

What have I learned from this experience? I was 60 years old when I started and knew that after a busy life of teaching, traveling and writing, I had to find a meaningful way to spend my time. I wasn't ready for a life of golf and restaurants in Florida.

I ended up doing something enjoyable, meaningful and rewarding. The organization takes place in the fall. My wife and I are free to travel during the winter, which we do. This year we'll stay in Paris for the coldest part. (Winters in Montreal are cruel!)

Can you do the same? ABSOLUTELY!

Start by taking a group or two on a tour of your city, to a museum, on a picnic or to a theatre. Hire a guide if necessary. You may find a senior who is willing to do it free of charge. Expand only when you feel up to it. Give your clients an honest return and they will come back. Will the travel agents go along? You bet they will. They are in a win-win situation. They make the commission on your work and reputation.

(Arnie encourages others to do as he has done and start by organizing a small tour, perhaps of your own city and then expand from there)

 

There's a big difference between aging with the adrenalin flowing and growing old.

Bon voyage!

If you need more instruction on getting started, contact me at ultours@aol.com, or visit my web site at www.ultimate-tours.com

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