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In celebration of their 40th Anniversary, Goway Travel hosted a 1970’s themed party for almost 200 people last night at the Dockside restaurant in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

In attendance were 50 travel agents from Canada, USA and South America who flew in with Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui and Air Pacific. There were inbound suppliers from all over Australia as well as New Zealand. Goway staff, including Bruce Hodge, the founder and president of Goway, flew in from Canada and America to celebrate with their Goway Australia colleagues.

Goway Travel, which started in Toronto in 1970, has grown into one of the largest and most respected travel wholesalers in North America, specializing in long haul travel for globetrotters. Goway Travel Sydney is also one of the largest and most respected inbound tour operators, drawing business from all over the world.

The 1970’s theme saw many of the Australian inbound suppliers relive their youth in a very festive atmosphere.

As well as other parties and events that are planned for the rest of 2010, the company’s biggest promotion is a 40-Trips-for-Two giveaway with a total value of over $250,000.

For more information on Goway’s celebrations, please visit Goway.com/40th.

Departures are allocated a specific Fun Theme which is incorporated into the experiences. These themes provide an opportunity to highlight aspects of the destination.

Sample themes include “Lifestyles and Native Culture” which may introduce the indigenous peoples such as the Zulus and Xhosas on the 20 day Magic of Africa tour to South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls. The “Cuisines and Food” theme includes trying an Aussie Meat Pie “Floater” on the 22 day Waltzing Matilda tour of Australia and New Zealand. During theSplendours of China 18-day tour, the “Cuisines of the Region” theme offers the opportunity for travellers to try Sechuan, Shanghainese, Hot Pots and other types of Chinese food. And for travelers on the 17 daySplendours of South America tour to Chile, Argentina and Brazil, one of the themes, “Lifestyles and Native Culture” introduces Spanish and Inca Civilizations and the story of the Rio Carnival

Goway’s professional North American Tour Directors accompany the groups and know these destinations intimately, having been there repeatedly. For more information on Goway’s Holidays of a Lifetime, visit the website at Goway.com/hol, or request a copy of the South Pacific, Asia, Africa or Latin America travel planners by calling 1-800-387-8850, or by visiting Goway.com/brochure.

IslandsEscapes…by Goway

The Cook Islands is populated by warm, welcoming people whose connection to their heritage and unspoilt natural environment permeates almost every aspect of their daily lives. An authentic and vibrant experience is what one will encounter while visiting the Cook Islands.

Vacations include round trip airfare from Los Angeles with Air New Zealand, meet and greet on arrival in Rarotonga, round-trip airport transfers, and 26 nights accommodation, plus early check in and late check out. There are also a wide variety of value-added offers at the resorts, including daily breakfast, a free $500 Black Pearl Pendant, free car or scooter rental, and meal credits.

Travellers are eligible to claim $200 cash back on their trip, if booked by November 24 for travel completed by Feb 28, 2010 More information on Cash In on The Cooks rebate program is available at www.goway.com

Travel agents also benefit; all Travel Agents that make a Cook Islands Long Stay Reservation with Goway with $25 per person loaded to their Goway Incentive Card.

For more information on these and many other great escapes please refer to the IslandsEscapes’ World’s Most Idyllic Islands brochure, visit www.islandsescapes.com or call 1-800-667-6601.

To celebrate, Goway has announced that all bookings before October 31, 2009 to the Lions Clubs Convention in Sydney will be entered into a draw to win airfare for 2 from Los Angeles to Sydney with Qantas and 5 nights accommodation in Sydney.

With 40,000 years of aboriginal history and its convict origins as the first European settlement in Australia, Sydney is the country’s largest and most vibrant city. With its beautiful harbor and beaches, Sydney is not only scenic but an icon of the unique Australian culture. Sydney is also the gateway for touring extensions not only in the State of New South Wales and the rest of this vast island continent but also for the whole South Pacific region including New Zealand the Pacific Islands.

To find out more about the 2010 Lions Clubs International Convention and to book all travel arrangements including international and domestic air, Sydney Convention hotels and pre/post convention touring, please contact Special Events by Goway on their dedicated “Lions Only” telephone number and/or email:

Tel: 877 469 2914
Email: lions2010@goway.com
Website: www.goway.com/lions2010

Out on the market since April, the award winning brochure features every possible style of travel imaginable! From cruises and family vacations to Australian working holidays and VIP Travel arrangements, and everything in between!

New for the 2009/2010 season:

• More adventure travel options. Goway has expanded their active touring, following the launch of their 84-page “Active Australia” brochure. Aimed at travellers that are adventurous at heart, most of the tours are for all ages. Goway’s “Active Australia” product range now covers all of Australia, including Western Australia
• Platinum Service Rail Travel.  This new category of rail travel offers luxurious accommodations on board the Indian Pacific and The Ghan, and include all meals. Platinum Service is available in addition to Gold and Red Service
• A wider range of campervans are now available with Britz and Maui for self-drive travellers. Goway offers the entire range of vehicles and in particular Britz’s “Rookie” which is an ideal vehicle to stay in every two or three nights combined with hotel or motel style accommodation. By day the vehicle is small and manageable for city driving, but at night converts to accommodate two adults comfortably (perfect for an overnight stay in a National Park)
• A wider range of Islands of the Great Barrier Reef is also available. After being the exclusive partner in Canada for the “Best Job in the World” as promoted by Tourism Queensland, Goway has added Wilson Island (off Heron Island) and the exclusive Orpheus Island
• Sydney is home to two great experiences in the DOWNUNDER planner – a Highlights Tour of Sydney by bicycle and an exciting Sydney Harbour Jetboat ride
• River, Harbour and Fiord Cruises – after the success of the inclusion of a special Cruise section in the 08/09 planner, Goway has added Sydney Harbour Weekend Cruises, plus a range of overnight cruises in Milford and Doubtful Sounds in New Zealand
• After 14 years of promoting their innovative SNOWBIRD program, Goway has modified the program for 2010 to offer more flexibility for travellers. Priced aggressively from $903 for a 1-month stay, Goway now offers a land only program to allow their Snowbirds to take advantage of great sale fares available to the South Pacific!

For the truly independent traveller, Goway’s 132-page DOWNUNDER brochure offers over 450 travel ideas. From expedition cruising along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to exploring New Zealand’s National Parks, and cultural tours to exploring the wine regions, the brochure has ideas to inspire travellers of all styles.

For more information or to book, visit Goway’s website at www.Goway.com or call toll-free (888)-469-2944.

The regular departures of the Waltzing Matilda feature air travel with the award winning Qantas Airways. The places visited give a well balanced experience in these two countries and allow for a pleasantly paced tour. New Zealand includes Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Christchurch.  Australia features Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. There is also the ability to have an optional overnight train journey between Alice Springs and Adelaide on The Ghan train.

What makes the Waltzing Matilda a special tour? Not only does Goway really know Downunder having been offering travel to this part of the world for the past 39 years but included are additional features which are not usually found in other tours. An example is the Fun Themes which vary according to the departure such as Food and Wine, Geography and History, Lifestyles and Native Culture and Animal and Plant Life. All tour departures include tipping; special dinners and Goway’s twin share guarantee a benefit for single travellers. Goway will match them with someone of the same sex avoiding the single room supplement. If this option is taken up and there is no one else wishing to share, a single room is provided at no additional cost. Additionally a quality Travel Companion booklet with a wealth of destination information and a souvenir group photograph at the end of the tour are provided.

Goway’s professional Tour Directors who accompany the groups from North America know Downunder intimately having been there repeatedly. Goway does not hesitate to call The Waltzing Matilda the best escorted tour from North America to Downunder. Prices start from $9559 per person sharing basis from Vancouver.

For more information on Goway’s “Waltzing Matilda’, request a copy of the South Pacific travel planner by calling 1-888-469-2944 or by visiting www.goway.com/brochure.

“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 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”.

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.

Platinum Service introduces a new spacious deluxe cabin with a level of appointment that matches the best train cabins in the world. This is complemented by a new standard of service that reflects a deluxe hotel. Platinum Service will be very exclusive, with a total of 25 cabins in 5 carriages that accommodate up to 50 guests. This service will be available once a week on The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin (departing Wednesday) and once a week on The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide (departing Saturday).

Emma Cottis, Product Manager for Goway Travel commented “We are delighted to be able to offer this new service to travellers. The Ghan has always been a memorable journey, and we are now able to offer this premium service which includes priority boarding and 24 hour room service to the luxuriously appointed cabins. Platinum service may be booked as an upgrade to any of Goway’s packages”.

Almost twice the size of the Gold Service cabins, the new Platinum cabin has been designed with all modern comforts in classic style with a distinctly Australian character. Platinum Service has been designed to meet the needs of the discerning traveller looking for the ultimate level of comfort and sophistication as they take one of the world’s great train journeys through the heart of Australia.

Goway’s 132-page 2008/2009 brochure can be viewed online goway.com/brochure.html or requested by calling 1-800-387-8850.