Start getting excited, because there’s only two more Mondays until Christmas Eve! Which means this is our second last wholesaler wrap of the year – and boy, is it a goodie.

Save $2500 on tour and fly from only $875

SRI Lanka & Beyond, part of Australian owned Beyond Travel Group, is offering Australian travellers set on seeing the Indian Ocean’s tear-drop island of Sri Lanka and the spice capital of the world India in 2019, the chance to save $2500 per couple on a new combination tour plus a special return airfare rate from only $875 per person from all Australian capital cities.

The new 17-day “Highlights of India and Sri Lanka” private tour travels from Delhi to Colombo and showcases a combination of must-see places such as the Taj Mahal, the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri and the ruins of former Sri Lankan ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, with the scenic nature experiences of a jeep safari in Yala National Park and the golden sand beaches of Bentota.

Staying in four and five-star accommodation including the modern regal Jaypee Palace Hotel in Agra and the luxurious Cinnamon Lodge in Habarana, the tour is now priced from $3640 per person twin share for departures in April, May, June, August and September 2019. Tours for other months are available from a slightly higher price.

Special airfares from Australia of $875 per person including taxes and fees are available in conjunction with the tour which also includes 16 nights’ accommodation in four and five star hotels, daily breakfast and numerous dinners, one-way economy airfare Delhi to Colombo comprehensive sightseeing with entrance fees, your own private driver, return airport transfers and services of a local representative.

Peregrine launches new limited edition experiences for 2019-20

From Christmas in Bethlehem to a one-off tour marking the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Peregrine Adventures has revealed a suite of new Limited Edition experiences in 2019 and 2020.

With only one or two departures on each trip, Peregrine’s Limited Edition tours live up to their name, offering only a small group of 12 or less travellers the chance to join each special experience.

Often centred around a moment in history or a natural phenomenon, the Limited Edition tours offer our customers the chance to combine a special interest with their love of travel. Led by expert local leaders, the bespoke tours offer the best possible immersion in the place and occasion.

Wine connoisseurs won’t be able to resist the chance to discover Georgian wine culture which dates back more than 8000 years, while history buffs won’t want to miss our special tour to Berlin that coincides with the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. For something extra special at Christmas time there are two new tours including an Orthodox Christmas in Ukraine’s highlands or the chance to go back to where it all began, a magical Christmas in Bethlehem.

Scenic’s Earlybird offers for Africa 2019 end soon

There are only two weeks remaining for guests to take advantage of the fantastic Earlybird offers on Scenic’s 2019 Africa program, which ends on 15 December 2018.

Guests can enjoy significant savings with Scenic’s partner fly free offer on the 30-day Ultimate African Expedition, 30 Day Wonders of Africa or 23 day Grand African Safari; or book any journey of 12 days or longer and save up to $1400 per couple.

New to the 2019 departures is the amazing 30 day Wonders of Africa itinerary that travels from Cape Town to Nairobi, takes in Swaziland and Kruger National Park; Chobe National Park in Botswana; to Victoria Falls and then across to Tanzania and Kenya. Starting at $25,995 per person the Wonders of Africa gives you South Africa in detail, with a taste of the wild essence of Tanzania and Kenya.

Trade support for Costsaver drives impressive 2019 sales growth & expansion

Since Costsaver began operating its pioneering flexible, value tours, the trade has embraced the brand and its ‘Ready to Go’ rate, with sales exceeding all expectations. 2019 is already tracking to be another record-breaking year, with sales to date up by 30 per cent, and Costsaver has responded to this increase in demand from the industry by introducing a brand-new Asia collection, launching in January 2019.

Already taking independent touring customers across Europe, North Africa, USA, Canada and South America, Costsaver’s new Asia collection will include seven countries – Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Hong Kong – from just $206 per day; up to 36 per cent less than the cost of fully independent travel.

The Costsaver C3 Factor has been instrumental in communicating the benefits of independent touring to the trade and helping agents to boost their sales. The three Cs reflect how agents can gain more Customers, with a product that appeals to more types of traveller than ever before; Cut time by taking just 20 minutes to plan and book their customers onto a Costsaver tour; and Close the sale, thanks to the ‘Ready to Go’ rate.

‘Ready to Go’ is Costsaver’s best price guarantee that means customers will never get their trip cheaper than if they book with the agent right then and there. This helps agent to close the sale and secure themselves some of the best commissions in the business.

Peter Sommer Travels 2019 Brochure reveals record number of tours

Cultural and archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels has announced a record number of tours for 2019, with more than 50 departures on escorted holidays, traditional gulet cruises and archaeological tours spanning Croatia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Peter Sommer Travels has introduced a new tour of Wales, the first tour the company has offered in the ruggedly wild country, renowned for its distinctive Welsh language and fascinating Celtic culture. The tour will provide the award-winning combination of expert historian and archaeologist guides, small guest groups, superb local scenery and cuisine.

A total of 29 land-based and gulet cruising itineraries are detailed in the new 2019 Peter Sommer Travels brochure which has just been released in print and is also available online.

TTC beach day clean up awareness x Taronga Foundation

According to the United Nations, there is more plastic in the ocean than stars in the galaxy! By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

As part of Adventure World Travel’s exclusive travel partnership with the Taronga Foundation, senior leadership management at The Travel Corporation spent the morning volunteering to clean up its neighbouring beach – To learn that 90 per cent of all seabirds and 50 per cent of turtles have eaten plastic, it was heartbreaking to find out that in fact two turtles died last week at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital from ingesting tiny pieces of plastic.

In a small amount of time, the volume of plastic collected in what looked like a seemingly clean beach, was frightening – 542 cigarette butts, 505 plastic food wrappers, 82 straws and lollypop sticks, 72 small sharp objects, nine balloons and balls, plus more! It’s the smaller pieces of plastic that are the most dangerous as marine life mistake it for food which leads to either death, or the gut producing a gas from the toxins which makes them float to the surface with the potential to get hit by a boat.

TTC has pledged to “Take 3 for the Sea” – i.e. pick up three pieces of rubbish when visiting a beach and contribute to #litterfreeoceans. What may seem like a small gesture, truly makes up the bigger picture for our planet – every bit helps.