Checking In with Avanti Destinations CEO Paul Barry

Avanti Destinations knows a thing or two about customized travel.

Launched in 1981, the Oregon-based tour operator specializes in FIT (foreign independent travel). The products include a wide range of carefully curated itineraries, from pre- and post-cruise packages in popular port cities around the world, to multi-night stays focused on specific interests like cuisine or nature. 

And while the travel company does have attractive brochures and other information on their website, consumers can’t book direct – Avanti Destination sells exclusively through travel advisors. 

TMR sat down with Avanti Destinations’ CEO Paul Barry to discuss the latest trends impacting the FIT space, 2025 predictions for the industry, and the latest product developments changing how advisors sell Avanti tours.

Avanti’s new fixed-price packages

The tour operator recently made a splash in the industry with a new product category of lower-priced, non-customizable journeys. Avanti Destinations launched the fixed-price packages last month.

Barry told TMR the new fixed-priced package category was developed in response to feedback from travel advisors. The response to the new product offering has been positive, Barry told TMR. “The trade very much likes them as conversation starters,” he said.

From his perspective, the new category is intended as a time-saving introduction to the world of FIT.

“Custom fit does require a lot of work and planning on both the travel advisors part as well as our travel consultants,” he explained to TMR. “The fixed price packages provide the inspiration, the price point, [and] the type of options that we can offer. […] They move the conversation in a very time-efficient manner for travel advisors.”

The fixed-price packages are also a useful tool for determining whether or not a client is a good fit for an Avanti Destinations trip as well, Barry explained. 

“It’s shortening the time of investment into the destination. It’s allowing the decision-making process to happen a lot quicker.”

Avanti’s trending destinations in 2025

Barry predicts that 2025 will see increased interest in emerging destinations from travelers looking to avoid high temperatures and crowds.

“I think people are looking towards new emerging areas within the countries in Europe. So for Great Britain, you’re looking at the country of Wales. It’s a great tourist destination. People are actually amazed what they actually can do there.”

Barry told TMR that some countries with moderate climates are growing in popularity over the summer months, offering vacationing families an alternative to sweltering destinations like Greece and Italy. 

“There are some destinations that we actually haven’t caught up with yet. You look at Scandinavia, what’s happened up in Lapland – they’ve grown themselves into a four seasons destination. Countries are beginning to expand their tourist seasons, certainly in July and August.”

Barry believes the industry will see increased interest in areas adjacent to popular tourist destinations – a strategy advisors can use to help curb overtourism.

“There’s been a lot of product inflation over the last couple of years. I think that’s going to come to an end. […] I think there will be a natural pullback to some of the prime destinations towards the secondary ones, and some of that’s going to be driven by price,” he explained.

Barry told TMR these “adjacent areas” can sometimes offer a better experience for the traveler looking for authenticity since the highly touristed destinations often don’t match expectations.

“Tourists imagine what they’re going to get when they go to some of these countries,” he said. “[That expectation] is what they can get if they go to areas that are less traveled.”

“Asia is going to be the hottest destination”

While Barry expects Europe to continue to perform well for Avanti, he’s seen an uptick in demand for other regions – especially destinations in Asia like Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines.

“People have gone to Europe after the pandemic, and now the other regions of the world are certainly picking back up. They’re about a year behind, I would say, for 2025. I think Asia is going to be the hottest destination,” Barry told TMR.  

Avanti has also seen interest in its new South Pacific offerings, specifically Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. 

“Our 2025 bookings have beat our expectations already in terms of forward bookings, so we’re very pleased,” Barry said.

Barry’s also seen some movement in Central South America, but says the post-pandemic tourism recovery has been hampered by political instability. 

“Argentina is coming back strongly, and Peru’s recovering from its problems earlier this year,” he told TMR. “We’re just thinking a lot of [travelers] are moving onto some of the newer destinations that are on their bucket list.”