A company that began nearly a century ago as a rowboat ride across Switzerland’s Lake Lugano has turned into a portfolio of independent touring and cruising vacations across 70 countries.
The Globus family of brands is celebrating its 95th anniversary, which, since its beginnings on Lake Lugano, has expanded to offer river cruises and touring around the world.
“On his rowboat on Lake Lugano, Antonio Mantegazza had a dream to show travelers the world,” said Scott Nisbet, president and chief executive officer for the Globus family of brands.
“And in 1928, when he launched Globus, he did that – and so much more. From creating the world’s first European touring vacations and unveiling value tours for cost-conscious travelers to designing Suite Ships that changed the tide in river cruising, the Globus family of brands has a 95-year history of creating life-enhancing journeys across the globe. As we look back on our history, we’re celebrating this very real, very ‘today’ current of change.”
"Rowing Towards Awe & Wonder Since 1928"
Throughout Globus’ history, the company says it has initiated industry-wide changes in touring, including being:
- The first to create “modern” vacations.
- The first to unveil packages highlighting multiple countries.
- The first to develop touring vacations that start and end from the same gateway, creating cost-savings for travelers.
- The first to create value-focused touring vacations, in the form of a new brand – Cosmos
- The first to develop regional touring vacations, providing an immersive experience in the same country.
- The first to inspire slower-paced itineraries with more time spent in each location for in-depth experiences.
- The first to name and unveil Local Favorites: Opportunities to travelers to experience the sites and activities the locals love, in addition to seeing the “must-see” landmarks.
- The first to engineer tour itineraries featuring uncommon destinations.
- The first to invite tour travelers to build their own itineraries.
Since the launch of Globus' river cruise line, Avalon Waterways, in 2004, it has also led a variety of industry changes, says Globus, including:
- Designing Suite Ships, featuring two full decks of 200-square-foot Panorama Suites.
- Developing Open-Air Balconies, available in every Panorama Suite, featuring wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open 3.4-metres wide – wider than any other balconies in the industry.
- Offering beds facing the views in 80 per cent of all staterooms, fleetwide.
- Creating Active & Discovery itineraries on every major waterway in Europe, providing many options for Avalon guests.
- Launching a Storyteller Series of cruises, hosted by celebrity authors, actors, artists and musicians, intertwining of facts and fiction.
- Enhancing Avalon Choice – featuring “Classic,” “Discovery” and “Active” options on every river cruise itinerary throughout Europe.
- Creating Avalon Fresh – fresh, organic, and local food choices.
- Spearheading FlexDining – allowing guests to choose where and when they’d like to eat.
- Unveiling Avalon Adventure Hosts – available on every Suite Ship in Europe, these hosts are helping travelers explore wellness options onboard and in destinations across Europe.
In addition, on all vacations, the Globus family of brands provides guests access to GO Apps (AvalonGO, GlobusGO, CosmosGO) providing them with daily itinerary insights, GPS-enabled maps, and stories behind the sites without using internet data.
In 2021, the company also unveiled the Lighthouse Project: An initiative created to help travelers come together to reduce the impact of tourism.
In celebration of its 95th anniversary, the Globus family of brands is offering $95 off select Globus tours that are booked by 24APR, 2023. For more information, please visit its website.
