Archive for July, 2008

AFRICAExperts Expand Mystical Morocco Programs

AFRICAExperts‘ Morocco programs have been expanded due to demand, announced the leading North American wholesaler, a division of Goway.

“We’ve seen a major increase in our call volume for destinations in Northern Africa,” commented Product and Marketing Manager Christy Fraser, “being such a varied and fascinating country, Morocco is on the ‘hot-list’ of African destinations for discerning North American travellers.”

Morocco has majestic mountain ranges, spectacular coastlines and some of the most intriguing cities in Africa. There is a rich architectural tradition of medieval cities, Roman ruins, Berber fortresses and Islamic monuments. Exploring the centuries old Kasbahs and maze of backstreets is one of the highlights of visiting Morocco, as well as the adventure of bargaining for souvenirs.

A great combination to the Imperial Cities is a visit to the dramatic landscapes of vast desert, sand dunes, dramatic gorges and mountains passes in the South of Morocco.

AFRICAExperts provides touring options such as the 7 day “Imperial Cities” tour. This tour is priced from $936 and includes time in Casablanca, Marrakech, Meknes and Fes, all of which have served as the capital of Morocco at some point in its rich history. The tour includes a choice of moderate or first class accommodation, roundtrip airport transfers, transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, services of driver/guide plus local guides, entrance fees, sightseeing and 6 breakfasts and dinners.

By contrast, AFRICAExperts offers a more extensive journey in Morocco that combines the Imperial Cities with dramatic landscapes of vast desert, sand dunes, dramatic gorges and mountain passes in the South of Morocco. The 12 day “Magical Kingdom of Morocco” tour is priced from $1554 and includes a choice of moderate or first class accommodation, roundtrip airport transfers, transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, services of driver/guide plus local guides, entrance fees, sightseeing and 12 breakfasts and dinners.

For travellers looking for customized itinerary options, AFRICAExperts offers city modules, Morocco City Stays, that may be combined to create a custom tour and include a 4 day package in Casablanca priced from $417, Marrakech from $398 and the beach destination of Agadir from $358.

For more information on these and other travel ideas please call 1-800-245-0920, email info@africaexperts.com or visit AFRICAExperts.com.

New Latin America Lead Agent for Goway’s GroupsOnly!

David PittsGoway’s GroupsOnly Department is pleased to announce the appointment of David Pitts, a Latin America specialist, to the Groups department.

“David brings a wealth of product and destination expertise to Goway’s newest group destinations in Latin America,” commented Groups Manager, Barbara Norton. “David has first-hand knowledge of the destination, and his sales team will be the departments, driving force for all our Latin American Groups.”

David is originally from Australia and is well respected in the tourism industry, having most recently held a senior Product Management position with a major Canadian wholesaler. For group travel, Goway can offer a customized itinerary and quote ranging from Spanish study trips in Guatemala, to wine tours in Chile as well as the company’s traditional and most well known South Pacific group itineraries.

Goway Travel is the oldest and largest travel company in North America specializing in long-haul group travel to the South Pacific, Asia (including China and India), to all parts of Africa and to our newest destinations in Central and South America including Antarctica. The company’s exclusive GROUPSOnly division specializes in both affinity and special interest group travel as well as business travel including meetings/conferences and incentives.

Goway’s GROUPSOnly is also successful in handling large passenger movements for major world events and are currently handling all North American bookings for the World Masters Games in Sydney in 2009.

The GROUPSOnly division also provides competitive pricing, innovative itineraries, assistance with promotions and advertising, assistance with designing flyers and presentation folders, comprehensive documentation and Group Information Kits.

Goway Announces Special ‘Aussie’ Night

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.

IslandsEscapes Offers Fiji’s Luxury Heli Combo with Free Extras

Ascend to a higher level of luxury with IslandsEscapes…by Goway and two of Fiji’s award-winning resorts – Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji and Castaway Island, Fiji with the ultimate Luxury Heli Combo.

The experience begins with a minimum three nights of luxury at the award winning Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji. Here visitors will discover a comprehensive range of 5 star resort activities and facilities, including the most spectacular spa in the South Pacific…Bebe Spa. After days of bliss, your own personalized butler bids you farewell before you embark on a breathtaking helicopter flight along Fiji’s stunning coastline. Enjoy a personal viewing of the outer islands before arriving at the iconic Castaway Island, Fiji. Spend a minimum of three nights mesmerized by this magical island-s charm and beauty where Castaway is everyone’s place…and pace.

Included in IslandsEscapes‘ incredible exclusive ‘spoil yourself’ 10 night escape are round trip air from Los Angeles, 5 nights Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji in a deluxe ocean view room, 5 nights at Castaway Island Fiji in an island bure, airport welcome, all relevant transfers including a one way helicopter transfer, and access to airport VIP lounge on departure all from $3079 per person.

Then, simply mention the words “luxury heli combo Island combo package” and travellers will receive all of the following absolutely FREE…

  • One hour spa treatments for two people at Outrigger on the Lagoon’s new Bebe Spa – taking pampering to new heights.
  • Scenic 20 minute helicopter transfers between Outrigger and Castaway Island for 2 guests. Not only breathtaking but a seamless way to travel.
  • Dolphin Safari Tour for two people, aboard Castaway Island’s fast luxury speedboat around the Mamanuca Islands.

This magical luxury bonus package is valued at over $1000 per couple and is FREE for a limited time only.

For additional information on this special offer or other great escapes please refer to the IslandsEscapes‘ “World’s Most Idyllic Islands” brochure, call 1-800-667-6601, or visit IslandsEscapes.com.

Goway Offers New Australia Luxury Rail Cruise – ‘The Southern Spirit’

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 agent partners 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”.

Name Goway’s Kiwi and win a trip to New Zealand!

Goway Travel, a leading North American Travel Specialist, is proud to announce the sponsorship of a kiwi chick at Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua, New Zealand.

To celebrate, Goway is inviting North American residents to submit a suggested name for the Kiwi! The successful submission will be awarded a trip for two to Rotorua, New Zealand, including round trip airfare from Los Angeles/San Francisco or Vancouver to Rotorua, 5 nights accommodation, and entry to Kiwi Encounter to view the kiwis.

The kiwi is simply unique and commands a position all of its own in the bird world. It exists nowhere but New Zealand and its evolution is due to New Zealand’s isolation. However, ‘eccentric’ national symbol is an endangered species and Kiwi Encounter is playing its part to bring our treasured icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland.

To enter, simply submit your name suggestion, together with contact details, at www.goway.com/namethekiwi by midnight September 30, 2008. Alternatively, submit your entry by mail to:
GOWAY Name the Kiwi Contest
3284 Yonge Street
Suite 500
Toronto ON M4N 3M7
.
Mailed entries must be postmarked before September 30, 2008. The winning name will be announced at Goway.com on October 15, 2008.

This kiwi will join Goway’s expanding family of sponsored animals; Matilda, Walter and Kiah (koalas), Zeke the Tasmanian Devil and Orville the Cheetah.