Will ABD Ever Do New Countries?

[LittleFluffyFox]

I feel like it's been a long time since new ABD adventures have been announced. I used to always love hearing about the new places. Is the newest one Morocco? I would love to see them add Brazil. I know I've seen someone ask about India at one point. Other countries would be cool too, like Mexico or more of Asia (South Korea or Thailand).

 

[OKW Lover]

Interesting question. I expect that ABD has some kind of system in place to identify potential new trips but I have no idea what that might be. I'd agree that Brazil and maybe Argentina would be interesting. Maybe Mexico as well.

Thailand, could be added to the current ABD that covers most of Vietnam.

 

[jimmymc]

Morocco and Colombia are the newest trips. According to my email history, these were just announced in May 2023, so not that long ago.

I would like to see them do some short to medium length trips to go with the new cruises out of Singapore and Tokyo.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Morocco and Colombia are the newest trips. According to my email history, these were just announced in May 2023, so not that long ago.

I would like to see them do some short to medium length trips to go with the new cruises out of Singapore and Tokyo.

Agree-- the new ships and foreign ports seems like a great opportunity to develop vendors and pitch the ABD brand to those markets as well as develop new land tours. I follow the trends in travel brochures-- one example, never heard about Colombia and now Disney, Tauck, Viking, and others all going there. Tauck does trips in India-- some with Nepal-- but given the ABD family orientation it might be a much harder sell (altitude in Nepal, the air quality in Delhi and Mumbai, the slums of Mumbai, the body burnings along the shores of Varinasi etc). (Imagine, though, a Disney park in India! Could it work? A lot of poverty, mixed with a lot of wealth....and a huge population). But with National Geographic travel part of the fold, Disney can push those trips for more unique areas--( Antarctica, Patagonia, Brazil) and continue ABDs that are "safe" for families (talking perceptions here).

 

[sayhello]

They add new countries all the time. They just have to determine that there's enough of an interest to spend the time and money to develop trips there. It can take multiple years to develop a new itinerary. It seems to me that they sometimes follow what Tauck does, as several of their new destinations are also places that Tauck had recently expanded to.

Sayhello

 

[LittleFluffyFox]

Interesting question. I expect that ABD has some kind of system in place to identify potential new trips but I have no idea what that might be. I'd agree that Brazil and maybe Argentina would be interesting. Maybe Mexico as well.

Thailand, could be added to the current ABD that covers most of Vietnam.

All those countries would be amazing, especially since they're a lot harder to do on your own.
I'm not sure how they would or wouldn't change their current Southeast Asia trip.

 

[LittleFluffyFox]

Agree-- the new ships and foreign ports seems like a great opportunity to develop vendors and pitch the ABD brand to those markets as well as develop new land tours. I follow the trends in travel brochures-- one example, never heard about Colombia and now Disney, Tauck, Viking, and others all going there. Tauck does trips in India-- some with Nepal-- but given the ABD family orientation it might be a much harder sell (altitude in Nepal, the air quality in Delhi and Mumbai, the slums of Mumbai, the body burnings along the shores of Varinasi etc). (Imagine, though, a Disney park in India! Could it work? A lot of poverty, mixed with a lot of wealth....and a huge population). But with National Geographic travel part of the fold, Disney can push those trips for more unique areas--( Antarctica, Patagonia, Brazil) and continue ABDs that are "safe" for families (talking perceptions here).

So many strong points. I can still view India within a family values and safety mind set, but I also have a tendency to want to see the good in everything. I would really love to see tigers and the jungles. I have a lot of Nepalese classmates and they're some of the warmest and kindest people out there.

 

[LittleFluffyFox]

They add new countries all the time. They just have to determine that there's enough of an interest to spend the time and money to develop trips there. It can take multiple years to develop a new itinerary. It seems to me that they sometimes follow what Tauck does, as several of their new destinations are also places that Tauck had recently expanded to.

Sayhello

Oh good! There's a part of me that's afraid ABD is dying out.
Since Tauck has Brazil, India, and Argentina that makes me feel a lot more cheerful.

 

[JRM815]

A lot (but not all) of the ABD trips were tie-ins with other Disney assets, like Scotland ABD tie-in with the movie "Brave", Norway with "Frozen", and Columbia with "Encanto". Disney likes to leverage the popularity with one item as a draw for others. I would look into recent releases of Disney animated movies as a hint into future ABD adventures.

 

[sayhello]

A lot (but not all) of the ABD trips were tie-ins with other Disney assets, like Scotland ABD tie-in with the movie "Brave", Norway with "Frozen", and Columbia with "Encanto". Disney likes to leverage the popularity with one item as a draw for others. I would look into recent releases of Disney animated movies as a hint into future ABD adventures.

Colombia.

Sayhello

 

[Grifdog22]

They add new countries all the time. They just have to determine that there's enough of an interest to spend the time and money to develop trips there. It can take multiple years to develop a new itinerary. It seems to me that they sometimes follow what Tauck does, as several of their new destinations are also places that Tauck had recently expanded to.

Sayhello

I also think their business model is to primarily stick with tried and true. ABD recently added Poland just before COVID as a result of surveys some years back, as there was a lot of demand for it, but it was not a popular choice for travel after they added it. We are on the very last one - paid in full date is next Tuesday - and we have ten people signed up - so that's one that is not likely to return. It will be the Christmas markets and tours in three amazing countries. ABD released the tried and true version again instead for 2025. And its price is nearly $1000/pp higher than this one is now.

Personally, we think Eastern Europe is fantastic and we want to see and tour it while it's still there. I waited too late to visit Russia - intended to go 10 years ago but it was too expensive. Now I have no desire to do anything that helps Russia destroy civilizations. Poland has SO much to offer, and is light on tourist visits.

 

[LittleFluffyFox]

A lot (but not all) of the ABD trips were tie-ins with other Disney assets, like Scotland ABD tie-in with the movie "Brave", Norway with "Frozen", and Columbia with "Encanto". Disney likes to leverage the popularity with one item as a draw for others. I would look into recent releases of Disney animated movies as a hint into future ABD adventures.

I mean Disney is actually to blame for my love of Brazil! From Saludos Amigos to TrueAdventures Jungle Cat. But unfortunately these movies are extremely old and dated.
Are there any recent movies in other countries though?

 

[LittleFluffyFox]

I also think their business model is to primarily stick with tried and true. ABD recently added Poland just before COVID as a result of surveys some years back, as there was a lot of demand for it, but it was not a popular choice for travel after they added it. We are on the very last one - paid in full date is next Tuesday - and we have ten people signed up - so that's one that is not likely to return. It will be the Christmas markets and tours in three amazing countries. ABD released the tried and true version again instead for 2025.

Personally, we think Eastern Europe is fantastic and we want to see and tour it while it's still there. I waited too late to visit Russia - intended to go 10 years ago but it was too expensive. Now I have no desire to do anything that helps Russia destroy civilizations. Poland has SO much to offer, and is light on tourist visits.

That's really sad about Poland! They're really getting rid of it? I think they got rid of Spain too which is surprising given it's such a big tourist destination for other Europeans.
I have the same sentiments about Russia. There are some really great things about Russia-- and most of the people do NOT support what their government is doing, so I think the situation now is really sad.

 

[Donalyn]

In the past three to five years, they have added Portugal, Morocco, Colombia, Belgium (though the new river cruise), the Adriatic boat adventure and maybe New Zealand? As well as the new eastern Canada trip (not a new country, but a very different area of a country that they already visited). Oh, and Egypt isn't that old either. And they redid the eastern European trip to include Poland (and then redid it again to take Poland out).

My dream addition would be India. I have been hoping that they would take what they did in India for the round the world trip and use that as a starting point for an India itinerary.

But I agree with others above - they are likely going to stay in the relatively safe lane for the ADB line, both in tried and true itineraries and locations

 

[LittleFluffyFox]

In the past three to five years, they have added Portugal, Morocco, Colombia, Belgium (though the new river cruise), the Adriatic boat adventure and maybe New Zealand? As well as the new eastern Canada trip (not a new country, but a very different area of a country that they already visited). Oh, and Egypt isn't that old either. And they redid the eastern European trip to include Poland (and then redid it again to take Poland out).

My dream addition would be India. I have been hoping that they would take what they did in India for the round the world trip and use that as a starting point for an India itinerary.

But I agree with others above - they are likely going to stay in the relatively safe lane for the ADB line, both in tried and true itineraries and locations

I think I became a fan of ADB a little before they released Egypt-- I can't quite remember. But I remember being so excited to see the sphynx picture on instagram.
I would love India too. It has one of the seven wonders, mysterious history, amazing jungles, and tigers.
I can understand wanting to do reasonably safe countries. But Colombia and Brazil are pretty similar in terms of safety aren't they?

 

[WeLoveABD]

I think I became a fan of ADB a little before they released Egypt-- I can't quite remember. But I remember being so excited to see the sphynx picture on instagram.
I would love India too. It has one of the seven wonders, mysterious history, amazing jungles, and tigers.
I can understand wanting to do reasonably safe countries. But Colombia and Brazil are pretty similar in terms of safety aren't they?

We went to India this year with Tauck, and are going back in 2026 for Northern India/Nepal. We like India, so much variety-- and very spiritual! And we've done about 15 ABDs, so thinking it all through I do see a way for an India ABD-- but given issues of heat, air pollution, poverty, and lengthy bus days or flying, it would be a tough sell for families with young kids. I'm all for it, and maybe Modi is a Disney fan!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

We went to India this year with Tauck, and are going back in 2026 for Northern India/Nepal. We like India, so much variety-- and very spiritual! And we've done about 15 ABDs, so thinking it all through I do see a way for an India ABD-- but given issues of heat, air pollution, poverty, and lengthy bus days or flying, it would be a tough sell for families with young kids. I'm all for it, and maybe Modi is a Disney fan!

15 AbDs! That’s amazing.

I have mixed feelings about visiting India, but if I were to I’d want to do it with a trusted tour company.

Maybe they could partner with the train to run something like the river boats?

 

[WeLoveABD]

15 AbDs! That’s amazing.

I have mixed feelings about visiting India, but if I were to I’d want to do it with a trusted tour company.

Maybe they could partner with the train to run something like the river boats?

The other issue will be the food-- many on our trip took ill with Delhi Belly or nasal congestion from the air. Taj Mahal has to be part of the itinerary-- so a flight into New Delhi, bug out immediately to the Taj, Jaipur etc, then fly to Mumbai and do things in the area, then a flight south to a coastal resort.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

The other issue will be the food-- many on our trip took ill with Delhi Belly or nasal congestion from the air. Taj Mahal has to be part of the itinerary-- so a flight into New Delhi, bug out immediately to the Taj, Jaipur etc, then fly to Mumbai and do things in the area, then a flight south to a coastal resort.

We love Indian food, but it’s not for everyone, and Indian food from India may be very different from what we in the US are used to eating.

Having said that, I have only gotten sick from food twice and traveling. First was after eating “fatty noodles” in Hong Kong and second after eating menudo in Mexico. I think I don’t do well with excessive grease. Otherwise, no issues at all on my adventures.

 

[aggiedog]

I've puked all over the world. LOL I will catch any GI bug that exists in any given country. Since I started taking a pepto pill with each meal, though, that has stopped. Now I won't travel without them.

A very close friend is from India. I'm lobbying him to take us on a tour one day. Since we're business partners, it means half the owners leaving at the same time, so it may be awhile before we can do it.