Travel Counsellors Partners with Unforgettable Croatia DMC

Travel Counsellors, a prominent network of independent travel professionals renowned for providing personalized and expert travel services to clients worldwide, has announced a significant enhancement to its offerings for the popular European destination of Croatia.

The company has added Unforgettable Croatia as a key Destination Management Company (DMC) partner within its portfolio for the region, aiming to provide its agents with access to specialized local expertise and services.

 

Understanding Destination Management Companies (DMCs)

In the travel industry, a Destination Management Company (DMC) plays a crucial role for travel agencies and tour operators sending clients to a particular destination. A DMC is a local company based in that region, possessing extensive on-the-ground knowledge, established relationships with local suppliers, and expertise in logistics and services specific to that area.

 

Their role is to provide essential support, such as arranging accommodations, transportation, local guides, activities, and often developing custom itineraries, ensuring seamless and authentic experiences for travelers. The addition of a trusted DMC partner like Unforgettable Croatia allows Travel Counsellors agents to sell the destination with greater confidence, knowing their clients will receive expert local support.

 

The Partnership: Enhancing Croatia Offerings

Under the terms of the new agreement, Unforgettable Croatia will serve as a dedicated DMC for Croatia within the Travel Counsellors network. This partnership is mutually beneficial. For Travel Counsellors, it significantly enhances their ability to offer more in-depth, authentic, and seamlessly managed travel experiences in Croatia to their clients.

 

For Unforgettable Croatia, it provides access to a wide network of independent travel agents who can promote and sell their specialized services and programs to a broad client base. Natalie Aspinall, Senior Destination Manager at Travel Counsellors, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We’re delighted to welcome Unforgettable Croatia on board as our trusted DMC partner. This partnership will undoubtedly unlock even more authentic, unique and memorable ways for our customers to discover Croatia.”

 

Unforgettable Croatia’s Local Expertise

A key strength that Unforgettable Croatia brings to this partnership is its deep-rooted local expertise. The company maintains an established office in Split, a major city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, staffed by an experienced local team. This on-the-ground presence is crucial for a DMC, enabling them to have a strong direct supplier network, including close relationships with hotels, local guides, transportation providers, and various other service providers across the country.

 

Furthermore, their local team has cultivated established relationships with smaller, often family-run businesses, such as family winemakers and gourmet producers, and has secured access to unique, off-the-beaten-track attractions and experiences that might not be readily available through larger, less localized operators. This local knowledge is paramount for creating truly authentic travel experiences.

 

Services Offered to Travel Agents

Through this partnership, Unforgettable Croatia will provide a comprehensive suite of destination support and services to Travel Counsellors’ agents. This includes assisting agents in developing bespoke itineraries tailored to the specific interests and preferences of their clients traveling across Croatia.

 

They will handle land-based arrangements, covering everything from accommodations and transfers to guided tours and local activities. Additionally, they will offer their specialized small-ship cruise programs, with the added flexibility of arranging customized pre- and post-cruise stays to complement the sailing portion of the trip. This range of services empowers travel agents to curate highly personalized Croatia travel packages.

 

The Appeal of Small-Ship Cruises in Croatia

Cruising along the stunning coastline and archipelago of Croatia has become an increasingly popular way to explore the country’s beauty. Small-ship cruises, in particular, offer a unique and appealing experience. Unlike large cruise liners, smaller vessels can access charming, less crowded ports and hidden coves on smaller islands that larger ships cannot reach.

 

They often provide a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere on board, with opportunities for swimming directly from the ship and itineraries that allow for more time in port to explore local culture and cuisine. Unforgettable Croatia’s specialization in this type of cruising aligns well with the growing demand for authentic and immersive travel experiences.

 

Unforgettable Croatia’s 2026 Cruise Program

As part of their offering through Travel Counsellors, Unforgettable Croatia will be featuring their comprehensive small-ship cruise programs. Their 2026 program highlights a significant number of options for travelers, offering 144 departures across eight distinct itineraries. These cruises operate during the popular travel season from May to October, utilizing a fleet of eight vessels.

 

Each vessel is designed for an intimate experience, with a maximum capacity of just 19 cabins. The itineraries typically sail between the popular cities of Split and Dubrovnik, calling at both well-known destinations like Trogir and the glamorous island of Hvar, as well as providing access to charming, lesser-known destinations such as the islands of Korcula and Vis, and allowing visits to the stunning natural beauty of the national parks of Mljet and Krka.

 

A Decade of Expertise and Relationships

The establishment of this partnership is a reflection of Unforgettable Croatia’s dedication and hard work in the region over the past decade. Graham Carter, co-founder at Unforgettable Croatia, commented that this new partnership with Travel Counsellors “reflects the expertise, relationships and infrastructure we have built over the past decade.”

 

This emphasis on their decade-long history in Croatia underscores the depth of their local knowledge, supplier connections, and operational capabilities, which are essential for providing reliable and high-quality DMC services. Carter added that their “dedicated team in Croatia and across the UK is perfectly placed to support Travel Counsellors’ agents and their clients.”

 

Delivering Authentic and Memorable Experiences

The core benefit of this partnership, as highlighted by both companies, is the ability to deliver more authentic, unique, and memorable travel experiences in Croatia for clients. By leveraging Unforgettable Croatia’s local relationships with family winemakers and gourmet producers, and their access to exclusive attractions, Travel Counsellors agents can curate itineraries that go beyond the standard tourist offerings.

 

This focus on providing deeper cultural immersion and access to local life aligns with current travel trends where travelers seek more meaningful and personalized journeys.

 

Benefits for Travel Counsellors’ Agents and Clients

This collaboration directly benefits Travel Counsellors’ network of independent agents by providing them with a trusted, reliable, and knowledgeable partner on the ground in Croatia. Agents gain easier access to expert advice on the destination, support in building customized itineraries, and seamless booking of local services. This empowers them to sell Croatia confidently and efficiently, knowing their clients will be well taken care of.

 

Ultimately, this partnership benefits the clients of Travel Counsellors, who will have access to the unique expertise of Unforgettable Croatia, resulting in more authentic, well-managed, and unforgettable travel experiences exploring the diverse landscapes, history, and culture of Croatia.

 

A Strategic Partnership for Croatia Travel

The addition of Unforgettable Croatia to the Travel Counsellors portfolio as a dedicated DMC for Croatia represents a strategic move to enhance the network’s offerings for this popular destination. The partnership leverages Unforgettable Croatia’s decade of experience, extensive local expertise based in their Split office, strong supplier network, and access to unique local experiences.

 

By providing Travel Counsellors’ agents with comprehensive destination support, the ability to build bespoke itineraries, and access to specialized small-ship cruise programs, the collaboration promises to unlock more authentic, unique, and memorable ways for clients to discover the beauty and culture of Croatia, solidifying this partnership as a key development in Croatia travel services.