Shownotes
Welcome back to the Luxury Travelers podcast! I’m your host, Rodney George, and today, we’re thrilled to welcome Steve Spivak, Vice President of Global Sales and Reservations for Tauck, as we celebrate their remarkable 100th anniversary. Tauck has redefined luxury travel with its unique approach, blending personalized experiences, small-group journeys, and seamless logistics. Tauck's commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction is unmatched, from exclusive after-hours access to iconic landmarks to all-inclusive river cruises with spacious accommodations. Join us as Steve shares the inspiring history of this family-led company, insights into their future focus, and his favorite Tauck experience.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- [1:20] Steve shares the history of Tauck, celebrating its 100th anniversary
- [4:34] Tauck is a way of traveling
- [7:30] Discussion of destinations under the branded house of Tauck
- [10:04] Steve names the differences between a Tauck river cruise compared to others
- [15:33] Steve discusses Tauck's focus on the future
- [23:15] Steve reveals his favorite experience on Tauck’s ships
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Now celebrating its 100th anniversary, Tauck thrives on a commitment to innovation, guest satisfaction, and family-driven leadership. The fourth generation brings modern perspectives, such as sustainability and technological integration, while preserving the core values established in 1925.
- Tauck emphasizes creating personal and unique experiences, such as exclusive after-hours access to iconic sites and empowering tour directors to customize trips for guests. The approach prioritizes small groups, seamless travel logistics, and all-inclusive pricing for worry-free travel.
- Tauck’s river cruises stand out because they limit guest numbers to ensure spacious accommodations, intimate experiences, and greater immersion in destinations. Every aspect, from fine dining to excursions, is included, making luxury travel accessible and stress-free.
RESOURCES:
GUEST BIOGRAPHY:
Steve Spivak is Vice President of Global Sales and Reservations for Tauck. In this role, Spivak leads the worldwide sales effort across all of Tauck’s global markets and oversees the operation of Tauck’s Reservations and Guest Relations departments.
Before joining Tauck, Steve spent four years with Loews Hotels as Vice President of Global Sales. Before joining Loews, Steve spent eight years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts in various US sales and marketing leadership positions.
An avid traveler himself, Steve has personally traveled on 20 Tauck Tours and Cruises and especially enjoys exploring the world with his wife, Elizabeth and three kids on Tauck Bridges.
Luxury Travel, Tauck River Cruises, TauckLuxury, Travelers, Avalon Waterways, River Cruising, Luxury Travel, River Cruises, Wine Lover Cruises, Active Discovery, Cultural Experiences, Scenic Views, France, Bordeaux, Rhine, Danube, Christmas Markets, Wine Tasting, Culinary Exploration
Transcripts
So buckle up and prepare for a journey into the lap of luxury. Now your host.
tuning into this episode of [:We have with us, Mr. Steve Spivak, a good friend of mine who is the vice president of global sales and reservations for one of my favorite vendors in the entire travel industry. Talk. Welcome to the show, Steve. Thank you so
ak: much, Rodney. It's great [:And I couldn't be prouder to be here with you. Thanks.
g, some, some really special [:Steve Spivak: I'm not sure if Arthur knew exactly what he wanted to be, but [00:01:45] he certainly knew that he didn't want to be a bank messenger anymore, and I'm pretty sure he wasn't dead set on being a traveling salesman, and so it was serendipitous on, in the summer of [00:02:00] 1925 when he had a lark and said, I'm going to take people with me on my next selling trip and show them a little bit of this incredible scenery that I've been seeing, uh, let them stay in these wonderful lodges that I've stayed and eat these great [00:02:15] restaurants where they know your name when you walk in the door.
to this day, a hundred years [:Rodney George: Yeah, I was fortunate enough. Uh, my good friend, Robin Tauk, who's a former president and CEO was in, uh, Southwest Florida over the weekend and I had dinner with her Saturday night.
don't know the history, this [:Steve Spivak: Absolutely. In the fourth generation, they're bringing such a [00:03:00] unique perspective to the business. Right. And that's really the secret to talk success is well, first and foremost, take care of the guest, right?
g. Innovation throughout the [:They're more tech savvy. They're more focused on sustainability and, and they're approaching it always Uh, [00:03:45] grounding in the values that have allowed us to, to be true to our roots, but with an, an eye on doing things better and better still than, than what we did in the past. So it'll be one thing's for certain.
This will always be a family [:Rodney George: Well, you know, I, I, I look at talc on a daily [00:04:15] basis for, for someone and I love it when a client takes their first trip with you guys because they come back and when we do our, our followup phone call.
had the best vacation ever. [:Steve Spivak: Yeah, it's, it's not, it's not a tour or a cruise. You know, talc is really a way of traveling. Um, and it's funny, a lot of people will say, you know, [00:04:45] not, I want to just go to Africa, or not, I want to go on a European river cruise.
four key things that go into [:Never settle for ordinary, those exceptional experiences around the world, whether it's [00:05:15] after hours at the Louvre or private Sistine Chapel, and then it's travel, it's leave your worries at home. Tout takes care of everything so that you don't have to be removed from those incredible moments, uh, where, [00:05:30] where you're really.
Seeing and exploring the world and then the last never settle for ordinary. It's the little surprises along the way. And those things are so important to the talc experience.
f I'm traveling with a group [:Absolutely.
how hard it is for those of [:We [00:06:30] empower the, the talk directors with resource, what we call an enliven fund, and that allows them to. Give, give the, the guests a taste of the destination or treat them to a little memento or a [00:06:45] special experience when they see the opportunity present itself. And it may be different for one group than it is for another and empowering those people to make the magic happen is what makes every talc experience personal.
And different [:Rodney George: Well, you know, when, when those clients come back from that first trip and they say, what else does TALC do? I just get a smile from ear to ear because I said, well, they do all seven continents and all seven oceans. Where would you like to [00:07:15] go next? What's next on your bucket list?
So tell us a little bit about what TALC really does and, and, and where all they travel from their roots a hundred years ago. Uh, up and down the coast of New England to the, to the tout today.
Steve Spivak: Sure. [:Uh, but as the world has become smaller, uh, and the appetites of our guests have grown [00:07:45] larger, uh, to experience and explore the world, we literally have had to continue to evolve. And. Expand our offering to all seven continents, as you mentioned. So there are, there are four brands within talc. Um, but you know, [00:08:00] as we like to say, we are a branded house, not a house of brands, meaning everything that we do and everywhere we go, it should feel the same, a different destination, different experiences, but it should feel the same.
always feel exceptional. Uh, [:S. and Canada. And uh, and we typically do those in partnership with the documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns. So he provides a great narrative. Uh, [00:08:45] custom made, uh, produced vignettes, uh, of the destination. We also do an extensive, uh, array of, of European land journeys. I think we have something like 19 journeys to Italy alone.
Uh, so [:And then of course, Far off destinations like, uh, New Zealand and Australia and Southeast Asia. So [00:09:30] land journeys are still a significant portion. Although we have ventured far and wide from those back roads in new England. Now we still do new England and fall foliage. Uh, people love that trip. Cape Cod and the islands.
[:Rodney George: What is the Tauk difference on river cruising?
n Tauk and everybody else on [:Steve Spivak: Europe. Yeah, well, we have a saying at Tauk that small is big. And for our guests, you know, for people who really want the best of everything, it's important to, for them to travel [00:10:30] with fewer people, you know, have more space to spread out on the ship.
have a seat in the lounge to [:The restaurants can accommodate open seating. You have multiple restaurants on board ship. And what they really get is a better destination experience because there's fewer people. [00:11:15] And as you're traveling the rivers of Europe, part of the magic of river cruising is that you wake up in the heart of these great cities, charming towns every day.
't want to change the nature [:You get to have dinner at Michelin [00:12:00] star restaurants and you get to explore palaces that aren't open to the public and it's just a very luxurious, intimate and exclusive way to experience European river cruising. Um, and the best part is. Everything is [00:12:15] included. So you never have, well, they included a little walking tour, but do I have to pay extra for the really good excursion to the winery?
meal off the ship today, but [:And the most important thing that's included is the three [00:12:45] TALC directors traveling with you at every excursion to every destination, in addition to the cruise director who's managing the logistics. And these are all TALC employees, uh, the best of the best.
ge: I call that the, uh, the [:And it's, it's, it's amazing. And just to kind of push everything you just said into, into one thing, if you've never traveled on the rivers of Europe, all the locks are the same. That's [00:13:30] right. All the boats, the ships, are the same size. Some people choose to put 190 on a ship, where Tauk puts 110 or so. Guess what the difference is?
It's, it's amazing to [:Steve Spivak: Absolutely, and that's, that's part of really one of the most important things about talc is it's not the price you pay up front, it's the value you get [00:14:15] for the experience. And no one ever comes back from a talc journey and goes. Uh, you know, I paid too much for that. They come back and they said, what say, what great value that was to have all those things included, to not have to worry about anything, [00:14:30] to stay in the best hotels for the experience.
Yeah, that was a great value. And that's the style I want to travel in.
from this day forward, that [:Steve Spivak: I think, I think that's something Arthur himself would embrace, uh, and it really is the difference [00:15:00] between loving an experience and feeling like you didn't exactly get what, what you were expecting.
planned and you're actually [:Plan the next 5, 10, 25. How about the next hundred years? Yeah. So
n't spend a lot of time self [:Uh, and one [00:16:00] of the things that we, we really like to do when marking a milestone like the hundredth is show gratitude for those who have been a part of the journey, who have supported us along the way. Like you, like you, Rodney, um, the, the travel advisor community, [00:16:15] our partners, our employees. So we'll go to Florence and And there'll be some celebrating.
t really what we're going to [:You know, we have hundreds of top tour directors who live in Europe, who live in Australia, who live in, uh, in Canada and the U S so bringing them all together and our. Office staff altogether, it [00:17:00] allows us to, to share perspectives from the road, share perspectives from the travel advisors, share perspectives from the, the marketing and sales and, and operations.
nd think about how can we be [:Would be something that our guests would like to experience, you know, they loved what talc offered for our first [00:17:45] 90 years as, as the experience, as the storytelling, as the, uh, immersiveness and exclusivity of the destination became more important. Our guests felt that fewer people traveling would give [00:18:00] them more access, uh, and more personalization.
percent of what we do is [:And we know that, uh, Our way of exploring rivers of Europe has resonated with, with our guests, and now they just want access to the, to the space. And so as it's become harder and harder to get space on Tauk, we [00:18:45] need to build more ships. But again, staying true to what it is, the value proposition of Tauk river cruising.
d our offering in a way that [:So those people who want to go to Rome just for, for four days before their classic Italy journey can do that still with tau. And then one of the big things that we're going to tackle, uh, is [00:19:30] how can we. Res, how can we create a product that resonates with gen X? Yeah. Gen X just surpassed the boomers as the largest generation in terms of, of population size.[00:19:45]
e'd like to design something [:Uh, and, and [00:20:15] more sort of adventure to it. So looking at how we continue to expand the core of what we do in a way that's true to what we've always done, but focuses on connecting more deeply with our current passenger base [00:20:30] and expanding to a new Pratt passenger base. So we're very excited for that, but again, it's, it's really the, the success story of this company is doing what's right and never settling.
[:And, and Rodney, you've always been so great at being the voice of your customers. Um, and, and. Telling us when there's an area of opportunity [00:21:15] to improve, telling us what your clients want to see from talc. And one of the secrets to, to success in a business like ours is listening. Uh, you know, when you have a partner who's willing to share feedback, [00:21:30] listen and respond appropriately.
So we really
, [:And when I said something to the client, I said, I didn't see your name on the list. Are you guys not coming? And they go, well, we haven't decided yet. And they, she leaned forward. She goes, is TALC going to [00:22:00] be there? If I said, have you ever been to one of our events with talc wasn't there, we'll take it.
We'll take it. Thank you. I said, yes, Jennifer will be here and maybe even a special surprise. Who knows?
Steve Spivak: [:Rodney George: Anyway, you've been with talc for, uh, a few years now. I, I first met you in Nashville, Tennessee at, uh, what, what were we doing there? Oh, it was the 2016 talc Academy. Talc Academy. Right. I walked [00:22:30] in the room late.
boy, I'm glad I got here in [:Steve Spivak: Not one to be missed, but yeah, come on, Rodney, you know, you're a celebrity at Talc and, and so I knew you were coming and I knew what to expect once he got there and we weren't going to leave for Jack Daniels without you.
rable evening. That was, uh, [:What's your favorite? What's number one with Steve?
this is a testament to, to, [:It's a trip that my son and I did together. My son's now 13. We did it for his seventh birthday and There is, there is nothing like exploring the world with [00:24:00] your family. Um, you know, I've seen it over the years as, uh, my three kids have, have gotten older, my youngest is six and, um, but as, as the kids get older, you know, all the stuff that they [00:24:15] accumulate was something that they were once dying to have and next thing you know, you're throwing it in the trash, donating it to a charity, my son's still.
later, talks about things we [:But the reason that we were able to enjoy it so much is because Tout took care of every detail. Right. In a couple of weeks, uh, for February break. My family and I, my three [00:25:00] kids, my wife and I, we will travel to Florida together for what will be an absolutely miserable week of vacation because I'm going to be doing all the planning and we're going to be deciding where we're eating and we're going to be [00:25:15] the tour director.
k so that you can be present [:All those [00:25:45] experiences. You're present for because talks, taking care of all the details. So, so that is a memory and a way of traveling that I will always treasure. And, and we've done, uh, multiple bridges journeys and, and I highly recommend it. And that's [00:26:00] such a, a really great example of the value that talc offers, which is totally different than the price you pay, because you can pay less to do it yourself, but the value is in.
Um, Having Tau take care of [:Rodney George: I can't think of anything to say other than amen and hallelujah. Hallelujah. You know, I, I, uh, the Naples daily news did a story on us a few years ago. [00:26:30] And, uh, because we do a ton of multi generational family vacations and they clever, they wouldn't let you see the article.
aid of what they're going to [:And my children and your children as well, long after you and I are gone, we'll still be talking about some of the memories we've created.[00:27:15]
through what we do. I mean, [:And, and I'm so proud of that. So thank you, Rodney.
Rodney George: And that's a richness that nobody can ever take away from you.
Steve Spivak: Absolutely. [:Rodney George: Steve, I could talk to you all day. It's always fun to see you and to end up in a visit with you. Uh, I really appreciate you being on the show today. And I always remind our clients as we, uh, as we go on our way here today.
And that [:Steve Spivak: you so much, Rodney. It was a pleasure and a privilege. And thank you for your support, always. Again, [00:28:15] in a hundred years, you get nowhere without great partners and great friends.
So thank you for what you do for us.
iend. Bye for now. Take care.[:Voiceover: Thanks for joining us on the Luxury Travelers Podcast. For more information, head on over to LuxuryTravelersPodcast. com to connect with our team or leave us a message. Until next time, safe [00:28:45] travels and savor the [00:29:00] extraordinary.