Goway is taking a bite out of the current global recession by offering amazing travel deals to Asia, especially Bali. “Bali is back on high on the wish list of travellers and is a beautiful, safe and friendly destination which Goway now has on sale”, says Doug Vogl, Product and Marketing Manager, Asia. “Bali has become a great one-stop destination with many choices of beaches and tours to choose from.”

Goway’s Bali Beach Escapes Packages start at $319 for an 8 day holiday or $539 for a 13 day vacation at a modern and popular 3 star property (Oasis Boutique Beach Resort) with other choices of hotel accommodation ranging up to spectacular 5 star resorts. These packages include return airport to hotel transfers, daily breakfasts, a Welcome bottle of wine, a choice of a 90 minute massage and spa or a Balinese Dinner Show plus a combination of 3 or 5 half and full day tours around Bali!

Once in Bali, travellers enjoy the fantastic sun-smacked beaches and can embark upon tours to monkey forests and ocean temples. They can witness Balinese dance performances, view spectacular rice terraces and visit artsy Ubud in the centre of the Island.

Getting there is easy. Goway offers excellent airfares when combined with the above land packages available on Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

Goway offers several flexible modules that can be combined to create a custom vacation to include different destinations around Bali such as the Komodo Dragons and many options to explore Java.

Goway Travel, as a major partner with Tourism Queensland for the “Best Job in the World” campaign is requesting all Canadians to “get out the vote” this March and support our fellow Canucks!

In an industry first, in January Tourism Queensland posted a position vacant for “Island Caretaker”. This six-month contract position carries a three figure salary and is based on one of the idyllic islands of the Great Barrier Reef. The successful applicant is charged with writing a weekly blog and enjoying a schedule of travel and events on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, reporting back to the world about the wonders Downunder.

Whilst applications have now closed, Goway is asking all Canadians to vote for their favourite Canadian. More information is available at www.goway.com/best_job.html

For almost 39 years, Goway has been leading the market in travel Downunder. For more information on Goway’s travel ideas visit www.goway.com or to request a Downunder Travel Planner call 1-800-387-8850 or visit http://www.goway.com/brochure.html

Goway Travel has launched a specialist area of their flagship GROUPSOnly department. Spearheaded by team leader Nicky Cox, Special Events by Goway are experts in organizing and managing air and land arrangements for large passenger movements to special events around the world.

“Nicky has been the driving force behind many of our Special Event Groups,” commented Groups Manager Barbara Norton, “Nicky has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Australia, and specializes in customizing group itineraries to these destinations. She brings over 27 years experience to the department.

From handling such diverse events as the World Police and Fire Games, the World Dragonboat Championships and the Dragons Abreast Regatta in 2007, World Youth Day in 2008 and now as the official tour operator for the World Masters Games in Sydney in 2009, the Goway groups advantage is unparalleled.

Current Special Events being handled include:

• Sydney 2009 World Masters Games, October 2009
• World Transplant Games, August 2009 in Australia
• World Masters Athletics Championships, July 2009 in Finland
• World Masters Winter Games, January 2010 in Slovenia
• FIFA World Cup, June 2010 in South Africa
• World Youth Day, August 2011 in Spain

For more details on how Goway can work with you and your group, check out our new website at Goway.com/specialevents, call 866 913 6918 or email events@goway.com.

Goway’s AFRICAExperts has announced special savings in Southern Africa aboard the Shongololo Express. Named for the Zulu word for millipede, the Shongololo Train is more aptly described as a travelling hotel which incorporates touring experiences by day.

The Shongololo operates two 17-day train experiences between Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. The train travels between destinations by night, and by day guests board air-conditioned vehicles to explore the regional attractions. These customized vehicles are that are carried on-board the train, a feature unique to this operator.

“Without doubt, a train safari is one of the most convenient ways of seeing southern Africa. Guests unpack upon boarding and only pack again at the completion of the 17-day journey.” commented Christy Fraser, Africa Product Manager.

The Good Hope operates between Johannesburg and Cape Town, and takes in virtually all the “must-see” sights in South Africa, Goway’s AFRICAExperts is offering some incredible pricing for the Shongololo on specific departures. Regularly priced at $4451 per person, guests can save up to $655 per person.

The Southern Cross is now priced at just $4498 which reflects a savings of $774 per person for select departures. This great itinerary traverses six countries in Southern Africa journeys (South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe) between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls.

For more information on AFRICAExperts reduced pricing and value added offerings, visit the $uper$pecial pages at Goway.com or call 1-800-245-0920.

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 www.goway.com or call 1-800-245-0920.

AFRICAExperts…by Goway has today released a number of valuable savings on their safaris and custom vacations for travellers to South Africa.

“This is an ideal time to plan a trip South Africa” commented Christy Fraser, Product & Marketing Manager for AFRICAExperts, “the strength of the Canadian Dollar provides excellent value for visitors to South Africa. When converted from the South African Rand, the average cost of a 3-course dinner for 2 including wine is CA$50.

“We have also lowered the prices for some of our tours, or included special value offerings to make a visit to South Africa more attractive.” Continued Fraser.

The most popular small group touring idea from AFRICAExperts, the 14 day Best of South Africa tour has been reduced by over $500 per couple to $2676 per person, and also includes a free Soweto tour.

Also released is 2nd passenger discount of 25% which equates to savings of up to $761. This promotion applies to some of the most popular tours, including the 14-day ‘World in One Country‘ priced from $3043, the 4-day ‘Magnificent Garden Route‘ priced from $951 and the 3-day ‘Hluhluwe, Zulu Culture and Big Game Safari‘ from $667.

For more information on AFRICAExperts reduced pricing and value added offerings, visit the $uper$pecial pages at Goway.com

ADVENTURESIncorporated, the exclusive adventure team at Goway Travel, is offering travellers the opportunity to spend the Christmas holidays in Costa Rica.

“It’s getting cold here in North America and people are looking for exotic alternatives; and Costa Rica has always been a popular choice. Just a short flight from North America, it’s a destination that offers everything from the hard core to soft adventure options. Costa Rica has proven to be a strong seller for ADVENTURESIncorporated” stated Don Forster, Product and Marketing Manager.

“Land of the Seas, Sun & Volcanoes” is priced affordably at $1315 CAD, and offers the best of Costa Rica in just 7 days. Including most meals, all transfers, accommodation in 3 and half star lodgings, horseback riding, and the famous Rainforest Zip Line Canopy Tour, the “Land of the Seas, Sun & Volcanoes” as offered by ADVENTURESIncorporated is the perfect step into the world of adventure and one of the most popular and accessible central American destinations for the winter season.

For full trip information on the Land of the Seas, Sun & Volcanoes adventure, visit their website (http://adventuresincorporated.com/countries/costa_rica/trip_details.php?tid=368). Goway offers over 1200 adventure trips worldwide with an every expanding offering of adventure and more traditional trips to Latin America.

ADVENTURESIncorporated is the exclusive adventure division of 38 year old Goway Travel. For more information on, call 1-800-387-8850, email info@adventuresincorporated.com or visit www.adventuresincorporated.com.

IslandsEscapes…by Goway has announced a number of special added value offers for travellers to the Cook Islands. Starting from just $2189 per person for departure from Vancouver, packages include 12 nights accommodation, transfers and airport welcome. A range of accommodations are available and offer various benefits, including free accommodation, free breakfast, free car rental or food and beverage resort credits.

“These packages represent fantastic savings for travellers” commented Meghan Boyd, Product Manager, “and the value continues in destination because $1 Canadian buys almost $1.50 New Zealand (the currency of the Cook Islands).”

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 Rarotonga whose present-day name stems from ‘raro’ meaning ‘down’ and ‘tonga’ meaning ’south’.

IslandsEscapes offers custom-designed vacations to this unspoiled gem of the South Pacific, including extensions to the stunning island Aitutaki. For honeymoons, IslandsEscapes‘ unique bridal registry allows couples to upgrade or enhance elements of their honeymoon.

All bookings made with IslandsEscapes…by Goway before Dec 27, 2008 will be entered into a draw to win a trip for 2 to the fabulous Cook Islands including round-trip airfare with Air New Zealand from Los Angeles, and 5 nights accommodation at Royale Takitumu.

For more information on these and many other great value Travel ideas, visit the “$uper$pecial” section at www.goway.com or call 1-800-667-6601.

Belinda Combrink
With the launch of Goway’s AFRICAExperts 2009 expanded product range, the company has announced the addition of two destination specialist staff to their Africa Division.

“We are delighted to welcome Belinda Combrink and Kirsty Perring, who bring 30 years combined travel experience to our organization” commented AFRICAExperts General Manager Moira Smith, “Both have travelled extensively around Africa and have worked for the largest wholesale operator in Africa”.

Belinda Combrink has traveled extensively throughout the USA, Asia and Europe as well as her native Africa. Her specialization includes Mombasa, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia,

Kirsty PerringMozambique, Botswana, Seychelles, Mauritius. “Being South African, I have been fortunate to visit most areas of my home country and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to now educate our agency partners on these great destinations” commented Belinda.

Kirsty Perring has worked in Africa and the UK customizing upscale FIT itineraries for discerning travellers to Africa, and aside from her travels around Asia, she has been fortunate to experience Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa, and Mozambique. “I’m delighted to join such a great company as Goway, and am looking forward to working with North American Agents on such a great product range.”