In spite of the bad economic news of late, the GROUPSOnly team at Goway reports no cancellations or decline in group enquiries. “It is possible some groups may reduce their final numbers, but from past experience in hard economic times, once a group commits to go…they go”, claims Barbara Norton, the General Manager at Goway’s GROUPSOnly.

Goway’s GROUPSOnly team of 18 experienced group travel specialists has many groups on the books for Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, Europe and Downunder. Group sizes vary from 10 to many hundreds. As the official Canadian Agent for the World Masters Games in Sydney next October, they already have over 500 passengers on the books from across North America.

“Groups come in various sizes and interests” claims Norton, “and every agent has many potential groups in their area. Groups also promise repeat business to the same or the other destinations we offer. And with our expertise in customizing innovative, unique and interactive itineraries, our group team will provide the experience and professionalism needed for a successful group departure.”

Any agent who wants to develop group business can contact Barbara via email at barbara@goway.com or call her at 1-800-838-0618.

AFRICAExperts held a successful South Africa event at the Toronto Botanical Gardens last night (29 October 2008). Over 150 people attended to learn about this unique destination and to meet destination experts as well as several visiting suppliers from South Africa.

“South Africa is such a spectacular country with so much variety of scenery, cultures and game. Our event last night served to educate agents on the destination and inspire potential travellers to start planning their trip” commented Moira Smith, General Manager AFRICAExperts. “The strong attendance at the event serves to highlight the interest in South Africa, and reinforce AFRICAExperts reputation as the leading experts in travel to Africa”.

South Africa Tourist Board statistics report double digit growth in visitor arrivals from Canada and the US, and the strength of the Dollar against the South African Rand, is encouraging this trend.

For agents outside of Toronto, or those unable to attend last night’s event, a comprehensive webinar will be held on 20 November. To register, visit GowayAgent.com.

Copies of the new brochure can be ordered by calling AFRICAExperts by Goway at 1-800-245-0920 or e-mail to info@africaexperts.com. Full a full range of product available from AFRICAExperts visit AFRICAExperts.com

AFRICAExperts announced the launch of a high profile campaign aimed at raising awareness and education of travel to South Africa. The promotion includes the opportunity to win a selection of prizes, including a grand prize of a two airline tickets to South Africa with South African Airways.

The cornerstone of the promotion is education, and AFRICAExperts is conducting a special presentation at the Toronto Botanical Gardens on the 29th October from 6-9pm. This event is open to all travel agents and interested consumers.

The campaign commences with the launch of the 2009 AFRICAExperts travel planner, a 68-page brochure that includes 16 pages of new travel ideas totaling over 170 ideas for first time or return visitors to Africa.

Copies of the new brochure can be ordered by calling AFRICAExperts by Goway at 1-800-245-0920 or e-mail to info@africaexperts.com. To register for the Special Event at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, visit Goway.com/venues.

Full a full range of product available from AFRICAExperts visit AFRICAExperts.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.

The 2009 edition of Goway’s popular AFRICAExperts travel planner has just been released. It has been expanded by 16 pages and now contains over 170 travel ideas. “We’ve focused on expanding the range of product in most of our destinations to accommodate all tastes & budgets,” commented Christy Fraser, Product & Marketing Manager. “We offer a wide range of product from Stays of Distinction to Exclusive Game Lodges, rail journeys to Nile cruises; independent travel to escorted tours; from self-drive to Holidays of a Lifetime” continues Christy.

New travel experiences introduced for 2009 include: “Travel Africa in Style”, two exclusive VIP itineraries to enjoy South Africa that include icons such as the Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls. The 11-day “Ultimate South Africa” from $ 4417 and 14-day “Heartbeat of Africa” from $6466 are both planned to incorporate a number of Stays of Distinctions and a selection of unique accommodations that cater to the discerning traveller.

Exclusive South African game lodges have been expanded to include the Eastern Cape area as well as the Kruger National Park. The packages are flexible and offer the option of either a drive-in or fly-in to the lodges. 3-days Exclusive Games Lodges from $1000.

Two 8-day Wilderness Botswana flying safaris, one offering “Classic Lodges” and the other “Premier Lodges” starting from $5114, offer visitors the opportunity to see the country’s highlights by flying in light aircraft in between the lodges and over some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

“An East African luxury tenting experience, the “Lemala Migration Safari” is an 8-day journey following the great Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti starting at $4005. This memorable tour travels from Arusha to the world-famous Ngorongoro Conservation area and Tanzania’s finest reserve, the Serengeti.

AFRICAExperts has also a variety of islands and resorts available in the Indian Ocean, including Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zanzibar and Mombasa. 3-day packages start from $412.

Some new travel experiences to the Middle East introduced for 2009 include the 10-day “Ancient Wonders, a combination tour of Israel, Egypt & Jordan that visits the ‘must see’ sights of all 3 countries. This program is priced from $2219. Beach stays in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are also available and are the perfect way to finish off a trip to Egypt. 4 days from $273.

Back by popular demand are the “Pyramids to Petra“, a top-seller to Egypt and Jordan. It combines major cities such as Cairo & Amman – as well as a Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan, and other unique sights such as the Red Sea, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, Jerash and Ajloun. 15 days from $2758. Another popular return is the 15-day Mysteries & Magic of Egypt tour which includes touring in Cairo, Alexandria and Nile River Cruise from $2089. A bonus stay of up to 6 free nights accommodation in the Red Sea resort of Ein Sokhna is also offered for clients booked during certain periods on the Mysteries & Magic.

Also on offer is a stand alone 8-day Holyland Tour to Israel from $1229, and a 5-day Jordan Tour from $929.

The planner also includes stopover modules to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat.

These ideas and many more for Africa and the Middle East can be found at Goway’s very extensive website Goway.com.

AFRICAExperts new travel planner is the most comprehensive and in-depth brochure available in the North American market. Countries featured include: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi Oman, Tunisia and Morocco.

To receive your copy of Goway’s AFRICAExperts catalogue contact your travel agent, call 1-800-387-8850 ext 123 or email info@goway.com.

There are tours, fully escorted tours and then there are HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME®. Goway Travel is the only company to offer this range of exclusive tours to Africa, Asia and DOWNUNDER.

Goway is offering agents the opportunity to earn cash for their sales. For all new bookings from 23 September until 27 December 2008, agents can earn up to $200 per booking ($100 per person) on Goway’s 22 Day Waltzing Matilda (Australia and New Zealand) 1 & 8 March 2009 departures.

Virtually everything is included on Goway’s HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME; international and domestic airfare (excluding taxes), specially designed fun themes, unique dining experiences, a twin share guarantee, sightseeing and first class hotels. Goway’s professional tour guide meets the group at the North American Gateway and escorts the tour throughout.

“Our extremely high passenger satisfaction guarantees future repeat business” stated Emma Cottis, Product and Marketing Manager of the 38 year old company. “It is not unusual to see past travellers booking on three or more itineraries over the years. They are even requesting we create more HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME itineraries” she continued, “and they are very easy for agents to sell in the first place, offering very lucrative commissions”.

In addition to earning up to $200 for bookings on these departures, all agent bookings are also entered into a draw as part of the “Goway Great Giveaway” of weekly prizes plus a grand prize trip for 2 to the Cook Islands, including airfare from Los Angeles with Air New Zealand and 5 nights accommodation at Royale Takitumu.

The incentive payment will be credited to the agents’ Goway Reward Card, which enables agents to spend the incentives at a wide variety of establishments in North America. The incentive will be credited once final payment is received by Goway Travel. This offer is not valid with any other offers or incentives.

Full details of Goway’s HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME® tours, visit the extensive website at Goway.com. For more information call 1-800-387-8850 or email info@goway.com.