Anyone booking travel arrangements to Downunder and Asia in May can get a full refund of monies paid should they be laid off from their job before travelling. This “Peace of Mind” Guarantee is provided by Goway Travel, one of North America’s leading tour operators, at no cost to customers.

“It’s a tough time for consumers and Goway is taking this unprecedented move to help people make the decision to book”, says Bruce Hodge, President of the 39-year old company.

Goway’s “Peace of Mind” Guarantee www.goway.com/peaceofmind is valid for all new bookings with deposits made in May and is valid for travel commencing up to December 31st. All travel to the South Pacific, when flying on Qantas, and to Asia, when flying on Cathay Pacific Airways, is eligible, with a few exceptions.

“If anxiety over a possible layoff is keeping would-be travellers from their dream vacation to the South Pacific or Asia, Goway’s “Peace of Mind” guarantee is sure to appeal to everyone wanting to travel this year,” adds Hodge.

Goway Travel Night helps guests plan their own unique Aussie getaway
Toronto, May 7, 2009 - Next week Toronto will be immersed in the world’s most unique mix of rugged landscape, innovative fashion and cuisine, and ancient culture when G’Day Toronto takes over the city from May 12-16, and Goway is providing residents with an event that will allow them to plan their next vacation down under.

Year after year, Australia tops Canadians’ wish list of travel destinations. Toronto residents looking to explore the outback, 40,000 year old aboriginal culture, fine dining and designer fashion of Australia before making this truly inspiring trip, can find out everything they need to know here in Toronto at the Goway “Come Walkabout” Australia Travel Night.

Following a presentation on Australian travel experiences, enjoy food and wine samplings and mingle with knowledgeable suppliers eager to share their insider tips on travelling to Australia.

“The concept of ‘walkabout’ is uniquely Australian and steeped in traditional Aboriginal culture.  A ‘walkabout’ is a period of transformation when people restore, rebalance and reconnect with what is important in their lives, says Michelle Gysberts, Vice President, Americas for Tourism Australia. “There is no better place to do that than Australia.”

No one can describe the experience of visiting Australia better than Indigenous people themselves. To tell his stories over some indigenous-Australian inspired cuisine, consumers will get a chance to meet Mark Olive (aka the “Black Olive”), a chef for over twenty years,

Chef Olive’s people are the Bundjalung nation from the state’s northern rivers region. The Australian-born, European-trained chef adds flare to his recipes using outback ingredients.

“Come Walkabout” Australia Travel Night  is  part of G’Day Toronto, a program of events targeted to tourists of all ages, entrepreneurs, and the culinary trades, showcasing  Australian food, wine, culture, art, film, lifestyle and of course the unique wildlife and outback that make the country an ideal vacation destination for Canadians, year after year.

The event takes place Thursday May 14, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts - 27 Front Street East.

For more information, contact Goway Travel (416) 322 1034. Registration can be completed in advance at www.goway.com/venues.

Adventurer and Author Peter Potterfield to Present a Free Public Event

World renowned adventure journalist Peter Potterfield will present a free, open to the public, lecture/slideshows in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto, highlighting the incredible hiking trails of New Zealand. Get tips, ask questions and learn just how easy and enjoyable it is to take a hiking vacation in New Zealand.

Event Details:

Victoria:
1450 Government Street; 250-386-2666
1 April 2009 - 7pm
Vancouver:
130 West Broadway; 604-872-4634
2 April 2009 - 8pm
Calgary:
830 10th Avenue, SW; 403-237-6121
15 April 2009 - 7pm
Edmonton*:
12328 - 102 Avenue, NW; 780-488-6498
16 April 2009 - 7pm
Toronto:
400 King Street West; 416-340-9636
23 April 2009 - 8:30pm

The engaging, interactive and informative presentation will showcase the wide range of hiking trails including the lush landscapes and majestic scenery of New Zealand, told through visuals and Potterfield’s own experiences. One of North America’s most knowledgeable experts on adventure travel, Potterfield has written more than a dozen books on outdoor adventure, including Classic Hikes of the World: 23 Breathtaking Treks.

He has contributed to Outside, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Adventure and other major magazines. He helped develop online adventure reporting as editor of MountainZone.com and was a finalist for the National Magazine Award for General Excellence as editor of Pacific Northwest magazine. Potterfield is currently editor of GreatOutdoors.com, where he writes a regular column.

Attendees will receive a complimentary gift bag courtesy of event sponsors: Tourism New Zealand, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Air New Zealand and Goway Travel. There will also be a grand prize draw for a trip for two to New Zealand. Goway and Air New Zealand are partnering to offer a dream hiking vacation to one lucky attendee. This grand prize includes:

• 2 economy return tickets from Vancouver with Air New Zealand
• 4 nights at the Heritage Hotel Queenstown
• A Safari of the Scenes Day Tour
• Shotover Jetboat Tour
• 3 Day/2 night Hollyford Track Guided Walk

Representatives from will also be in-store to help get you and your hiking boots down under. To register go to http://www.goway.com/venues/.

Goway Travel, the leading North American travel specialist to Downunder, has today announced special sale pricing to Australia in conjunction with the Goway-Qantas Aussie Airpass. The sale pricing reflects savings of up to $1200 per person, offering low season fares during the traditional “peak season” to Australia.

“Our aim is to provide the very best deals available to North American Globetrotters,” commented founder and President of Goway Travel, Bruce Hodge. “Canadians are savvy consumers, and we are offering this great deal only through 19Jan. We anticipate that this new fare will encourage many more travellers to explore this great country.”

The Airpass, with a lead price of CA$1199 from Vancouver, is available for $1299 per person for travel 1-31May and just $100 more for travel 29Jan-30Apr ’09 or 1Jun-21Sep ’09. The pass also includes three FREE domestic flights within Australia, with additional flights available at additional costs.

With the Goway-Qantas Aussie Airpass, travellers enjoy the freedom to explore Australia’s many popular destinations at their own pace; experiencing the wildlife of Kangaroo Island, modern and vibrant Sydney, or historical Melbourne.

For more information on the Goway-Qantas Aussie Airpass, visit http://goway.com/downunder/australia/g_q_airpass_can.html or call 1-800-387-8850.

The “Year of the Gorilla” began Monday - a U.N. effort to raise money for primates threatened with extinction from disease, hunting and deforestation. It was launched at a ceremony in Rome where Prince Albert II of Monaco and representatives from more than 100 governments gathered to discuss increasing measures for nearly 30 species endangered by pollution, climate change and over hunting.

In related news, rare mountain gorilla twins have been born in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest, home to around half the world’s population of the endangered primates. “It is only the second time in history that we are aware of twins being born in Uganda,” a spokesman for the Uganda Wildlife Authority advised, adding that the twins were healthy. Mountain gorillas are the cornerstone of Uganda’s tourism industry and it is predicted that the twins’ arrival will boost tourist numbers. Bwindi is home to an estimated 340 mountain gorillas, around half the global population, according to the most recent survey conducted between 2006 and 2007.

Goway’s AFRICAExperts offer travellers some programs where they can encounter gorillas up close. One is a 7 day ‘Gorillas, Wildlife & Chimps’ (http://www.goway.com/africa/uganda/gorillas-wildlife-chimps.html) which includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and chimp trekking from $4434. Also on offer is the 3 or 4 day ‘Mountain Gorilla Encounter’ in Rwanda from $2940 (http://www.goway.com/africa/rwanda/index.html) which includes flights from Nairobi, a city tour of Kigali including a visit to the very moving Genocide Memorial & Education Center. Accommodation in the capital is at the first class Intercontinental Hotel or similar. Morning gorilla treks occur on days two and three and you overnight at the Gorilla Nest Lodge. Travel through the beautiful Rwandan countryside is by luxury 4WD. “Before I saw my first mountain gorilla he brushed my shoulder as he bounded from the canopy above and went somersaulting down the track behind me,” says Bruce Hodge, President of 39-year-old Goway. “There was another gorilla in the undergrowth to the left and one to the right and even more in the bamboo canopy above. Wow…were we ever close!” The place was Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, East Africa the region where Dian Fossey became famous. “I feel privileged to be one of the very few travellers who have ever encountered mountain gorillas in their own habitat” continued Hodge.

When you consider that only 8 permits are issued each day in Rwanda to visit each of 5 families habituated for tourists, you will be one of only a few travellers to have encountered mountain gorillas in their own habitat, so early booking is essential.

For more information on these and many other great value Travel ideas, visit Goway.com or call 1-800-387-8850.

ADVENTURESIncorporated is offering African adventurers the opportunity to escape the North American winter and enjoy the sun and fun in Africa.

If escaping the winter isn’t enough then up to 25% off selected African adventure trips should be!

“Africa is hot - literally and figuratively - at the moment” states Don Forster, Product and Marketing Manager for ADVENTURESIncorporated. “Cold winters and the lure of exotic sights and sounds have always been a factor in people looking to Africa for the ultimate adventure. Now with an concerted effort in these tough times ADVENTURESIncorporated wants to make a decision to adventure in Africa that much easier.”

“With 25% off our overlanding trips, this remains the best way to see a country and with our select small group adventures at 12% off, the choice is as varied as the continent itself.” continues Forster.

An example of the many overland tours available include the “Gorilla Encounter” - a 14 day tour from Nairobi starting from $1145. This safari gives a glimpse of East Africa’s enormously diverse scenery and some of its friendliest people. From the Great Rift Valley dotted with lakes, to the terraced hillsides of fertile Uganda, and a very special wildlife encounter - the opportunity to trek and view the magnificent gorillas in their fragile habitat is an unforgettable experience.

The complete range of African adventures offer by ADVENTURESIncorporated is available at http://adventuresincorporated.com/countries/africa/.

One of the great selections of ADVENTURESIncorporated small group adventures is the 22 day Southern Experience from $2824 CAD. This is the most popular small group safari, and the best way to see the most spectacular features of Southern Africa.

For full details of all ADVENTURESIncorporated’s adventure choices visit the ADVENTURESIncorporated website.

ADVENTURESIncorporated is the exclusive adventure division of 38 year old Goway Travel.

For more information, please call 1-888-469-2949, email info@adventuresincorporated.com or visit ADVENTURESIncorporated.com.

Goway Travel, one of North America’s leading companies for travel to Australia and New Zealand, is now offering some great value deals to Sydney and Melbourne with extensions available throughout Australia!

Starting from as little as $975 for departure from Los Angeles, Goway’s great value vacations MUST be purchased by 21 November 2008 to qualify for these low prices.

SEE SYDNEY - $975 - Includes round trip airfare from Los Angeles, 5 nights economy accommodation, airport-hotel transfers, historic Rocks Walking Tour and a Sydney Harbour Explorer ticket.

SEE MELBOURNE - $1025 - Includes round trip airfare from Los Angeles, 5 nights economy accommodation, airport-hotel transfers, Yarra River cruise and entrance to Melbourne Aquarium.

For these and other special value deals, visit Goway’s “$uper$pecials” page at Goway.com.

Goway Travel has this month launched an impressive booking incentive for travellers bound for New Zealand. Goway is offering a savings of up to $300 per couple for tours 12 days or longer that are booked by 30 November 2008 for travel before 31 March 2009.

Perfect for travellers who are less inclined to drive on the “wrong” side of the road, or for those keen to forge new friendships with fellow travellers, Goway’s New Zealand escorted tours that qualify for the savings include:

12 day “Southern Starter“. Designed for the traveller on a budget, this affordable tour starts from $2770 per person in low season and includes all of the highlights from Queenstown to Auckland in 11 nights.

12 day “Scenic Sights“. Starting from as little as $3490, this tour offers a higher quality selection of hotels and is available in a northbound or southbound direction.

15 day “New Zealand Explorer“. Designed to delight the most discerning traveller, the tour is priced from $4765 provides first class and deluxe accommodation. Exceptional areas of interest include the Nelson area (gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park) and Punakaiki, home to the spectacular Pancake Rocks.

Unlike many coach tours that are inflexible, all New Zealand escorted vacations include a country homestay option in Rotorua and special theme dinners. A range of meal options are available from room only to bed and breakfast or dinner, bed and breakfast. In selected locations, there are a choice of day tour options, allowing travellers to customize their tour to fit their interests. These are provided at no additional cost.

For more information on Goway’s New Zealand escorted tours, request a copy of the brochure by calling 1-800-387-8850 or by visiting Goway.com.

Over 30 Australian travel industry representatives will be travelling to Toronto in early August to join Goway’s annual “Pow Wow” Aussie training program to update the company’s reservations teams on news from the Lands Downunder. Over 600 appointments will be conducted totalling over 120 hours of product training!

Goway will also host a special Australia evening at the Marriott Toronto Bloor Yorkville, 90 Bloor Street East on Wednesday 6 August from 6pm-9pm. Travel Agents and consumers are given the opportunity to meet the visiting hotel, tour and tourist board representatives from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory and to attend an informative Goway presentation on Australia. Registration is FREE with advance registration at Goway.com/venues, and all attendees will be entered into a draw to win a Grand Prize of a trip for 2 to Australia.

Goway has announced a new luxurious train service called ‘The Southern Spirit’ that will operate each summer season from November 2008 on a variety of outback Australian train routes.

The Southern Spirit will be a luxury Australian rail cruise offering 8 different itineraries that visit a number of different destinations across Australia’s rail network, combined with deluxe excursions and exclusive events. The Inaugural journey departs Darwin on 25 November 2008 bound for Sydney on a 13 day/12 night rail cruise across the heart of Australia. It will travel through the Red Centre to the scenic south-east corner, with stopovers in Katherine, Alice Springs, Cooper Pedy, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Moss Vale. Each unique journey on board the Southern Spirit will take guests through some of the most breathtaking scenery Australia has to offer. On board, guests will enjoy unparalleled luxury and unmatched personal attention with 24-hour cabin service. Guests can choose to travel in the prestigious new Platinum Service deluxe cabins or the hallmark Gold Service, with all the creature comforts in a compact twin cabin.

The transcontinental journeys are combined with a suite of deluxe excursions staying at five-star hotels, together with once in a lifetime exclusive events at stops along the way. The uniquely Australian events include a candlelit dinner underground at Coober Pedy or a spectacular seafood dinner in a marquee on Coffs Harbor Jetty or Australia Day celebrations 36 storeys up, overlooking the spectacular harbour city of Sydney at sunset. Each itinerary offers a different combination of journeys and experiences. For example, itinerary 5 ‘The Great Coastal Epic’ is an impressive rail cruise from Perth following the coast through four states, visiting six mainland capitals, and arriving in to the sunshine city of Brisbane after 13 days and 12 nights.

Great Southern Rail, Chief Executive Officer Tony Braxton-Smith said, “The Southern Spirit is not only a new Australian train journey with a fantastic array of destinations and experiences, it sets a completely new standard of deluxe rail travel in Australia”. “Each of the eight luxury rail cruises showcases some of Australia-s most prestigious tourism offerings. There is something to tempt everyone, from the adventurous and exciting to the laid-back and indulgent. The Southern Spirit is a perfect mix of the rich diversity of Australia’s landscape and some of the most exciting city highlights”, he added.

“We are delighted to bring this new luxury rail travel to the North America marketplace. Our travellers have come to expect that Goway will have the latest product offers, and the new Southern Spirit journeys are a fantastic way for Canadians to experience our majestic landscape” commented Product and Marketing Manager, Emma Cottis.

The Southern Spirit journeys will run from November 2008 to February 2009 with each offering an adventure of a lifetime combining luxury travel, iconic outback experiences and once in a lifetime events.

For more information call 800 387 8850 or visit Goway.com. and select “Rail Travel”.