Being a travel enthusiast and itinerary designers, we always thrive to innovate our products in a way that it becomes most beneficial for our target market. Offer Finland tours on private basis instead of a fixed group departure in almost the identical cost is one of the biggest achievement of Lestacworld in Indian market. Where in countries like India, China and Japan, travelers prefer to be a part of a group, it was us who dig deeper and tried to understand the aspects behind it.

Travelers understanding about Private Finland tours vs Group departures

These travelers usually think that it is worth traveling in a group because the cost gets divided and they feel safe and guided. We surveyed more about it and find out that more than 70% of these travelers would love to travel in a private Finland tour package even if the cost is 20% high. Out of these 80% of the travelers never tried to investigate the cost they will have to bear if they travel in Private Finland tour package. They have self assumed that the cost will be very high and be definitely out of their budgets.

We also observed that around 40% of these travelers have previously travelled in a group fixed departures for other destinations and 23% of those were not satisfied where as 38% had mixed reviews and rest were satisfied.

For 78% travelers, costing is the primary factor of traveling in a group departure and guidance and safety is secondary. Where as for 22% of travelers, guidance is primary. Out of these 22% travelers for whom guidance is more important, 81% travelers are above the age of 53.

When we asked all the travelers that if they were given the chance to choose their Finland tour itinerary as per their own requirements and preferences would it be factor, 55% travelers said, they will be happy to travel in an itinerary which is specially built for them and 45% said, they reply on what itinerary is given to them by travel agencies.

Research Analysis

How we managed to offer Private Finland tours at near group tour cost

My team understood the areas where we could fill in the gap. Our major challenge was reducing the cost for the travelers who are willing to visit Finland on private and customized tour. The second biggest challenge was creating an awareness among travelers that group fixed departures in market doesn't always mean lower cost and better service.

Our product team started working on reducing the cost of individual services in Finland and combine that to make an affordable private tour experience for our customers. We started focusing on our contracts with the vendors. We approached each and every vendor and for a better deal without compromising on tour quality.

The important cause we understood is cross border transactions with vendors. Indian operators usually rely on one destination management company in Finland that organizes everything for their customers. This being an easy option prove to be expensive. These destination management companies get services from Individual vendors and keep their commission and sell a travel package to travel agencies in India or other countries.

We at Lestacworld thought to mitigate this problem and immediately set up a team of 2 executives in Finland sent from India accompanied by me. We made sure that we connect with every small and big vendor, hotels and resort personally to make it more viable. Since then we made sure that Lestacworld executives always remain present at Finland for organizing tours and vendor management. This strategy helped Lestacworld becoming a prominent tour agency in India offering luxury Finland tour packages in industry best prices.

Conclusion

This research and approach helped us branding putting Lestacworld as one of the most renowned travel company for luxury Finland tours in India. We are also adapting this approach to create an impact in other markets like Singapore, Indonesia and Australia among travelers who wish to travel to Finland. It is also an enhanced learning for me. Understanding the Finnish products, vendor management, the customers approach and filling the gap in market gave me a different level of experience.

Hey, I am Adit Sarin, the co-founder of a travel tech website, Lestacworld.com. In this blog I want to share my thoughts on the Future of the travel industry in 2030. There are multiple factors that are going to affect the industry, be it the impact of artificial intelligence, travelers spending capacity, emerging new destinations or sustainability. Everyone predicts that the numbers coming from aspects of the travel industry are going to rise, but not every hike is positive. I also write because writing gives me clarity.

Rising numbers, declining experience and sustainability

It is not only about the change in the way of traveling, but it is also about the change in the way of booking their travel deals. Of course it is not hard to predict that the emergence of AI will give a bigger push to online bookings instead of offline deals.

Day tour Booking portals will increase their share in market till 2030

With the easy access of information, travelers would seek to plan their trip on their own instead of using a travel agency service to book the whole package. This being said, it is time for travel agencies that were relying on selling the whole itineraries and keeping their commissions to change strategy and approach.

Day tour booking portals like Klook or Get Your Guide are again changing the way people book their tours. Till 2030 the share of these booking portals in the travel industry is going to be 75% more than what it is now. The easy access to information and change in travelers buying behavior will prove to be positive for these day tour booking portals till 2030.

Local tour operators will be more preferred

With more and more businesses coming online, local tour operators or service providers might not have to rely on booking portals or travel agencies to reach out to their customers. With the changing trends, travelers will reach these operators on their own if they have presented themselves online. Travelers now are getting smarter and smarter, and in the 2030s, Gen Z will become the potential travelers. And we already know that this generation's approach is more advanced and independent.

The easy cross-country payments will also play an important factor. Presently, not many local tour operators have the correct means to accept cross-country payments. However, the time is not far off when cross-country payments will be real-time, quick and will not be limited to only bigger travel agencies or websites.

Niche is the strategy to go with

Finding a niche is the strategy travel agencies or companies should opt for. Choosing a theme and becoming a master as early as possible might give an edge in terms of online existence. At the end, the motive is to rank on Google or AI bots.

For example, I am being a part of a project in a company where they were offering services to only old-age travelers for Australia. They added some more comfort for old-age travelers, including wheelchair assistance, guides, slow-moving tours, etc.

Flights will mostly be booked directly with airlines

Nowadays, there is a competition going on among various flight booking portals. I don't really think these portals will survive in 2030, if they get dependent on offering airline bookings only. I have a belief that till 2030 the AI bots will be able to tell you the cheapest and the fastest flight on your date for your destination. These bots will also be able to redirect you to airlines websites for booking and there will be no need for these flight booking portals.

New Destinations will emerge till 2030

Though with the help of the internet, travelers are already digging out hidden destinations themselves, the future looks even more promising. With easy access to information through AI bots, travelers will be able to plan and execute their itineraries without being influenced by what agencies want to sell them. The future lies in the hands of travelers — they will uncover destinations without being influenced and manipulated.

Sustainability will not be a choice; it will be a compulsion for survival

Sustainability will no longer be a choice — it will become a compulsion for the survival of travel destinations. As tourism continues to grow, the pressure on local ecosystems, cultures, and infrastructure is becoming increasingly unsustainable. Destinations that once thrived on visitor traffic are now facing the consequences of over-tourism, environmental degradation, and cultural dilution. In the near future, adopting sustainable practices won't just be a noble initiative — it will be a necessary strategy for survival.