When we say “Big Fat” we mean it. Today’s wholesaler wrap is EPIC, and gives you bite size updates on all you need to know is going on in the world of wholesalers.

Rail Plus celebrates a special one-in-a-million booking

25 May 2016: italktravel Horsham wrote itself into the travel industry record books this month when it visited the Rail Plus website and unknowingly made the company’s one millionth booking.

Anne Taylor, Managing Director of italktravel Horsham in Victoria, made the historic transaction, using the Rail Plus website to secure an ATOC ticket between London and Glasgow.

To celebrate the milestone Rail Plus Sales Executive James Hooper visited the italktravel Horsham last week to deliver some flowers and treats

Rail Plus can trace its origins back to the mid 1980’s when it was created as a specialist rail unit within National Australia Bank’s travel division. Thirty years later the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rail Europe.

“There is no doubt that Rail Plus has driven the expansion of the rail sector in Australasia, and it has done so by offering an unmatched level of specialist service and an unrivalled range of rail products around the world,” Dunne said.

$800 per couple calved off whale swim holiday in Tonga

Humpback whales are now heading north to warmer waters to breed and for whale lovers keen to swim with the majestic mammals in a tropical lagoon, Australian eco operator, Majestic Whale Encounters, is offering a discount of $800 per couple on its seven-night whale swim holiday this August.

The $400 per person discount is for twin-share bookings made by June 27, 2016, on Majestic Whale Encounters’ all-inclusive tour starting in Tonga on August 23, 2016.

The whale swim package offers an intimate encounter with the graceful humpbacks and their playful calves, with spending five days swimming with whales off Ha’apai, an island north of Nuku’alofa. Guests will also have the opportunity to snorkel in coral reefs, relax on white sandy beaches and get a taste of Tongan culture. Bush walking, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving and cycling are also available during leisure days.

The seven-night tour in August costs A$3691 per person, twin-share, including the discount if booked by June 27, 2016. Included in the package is resort accommodation on Ha’apai, local flights, all meals, transfers and five guided days on the water with the whales.

Flights to Tonga from Australia (five hours direct) with Virgin Australia or from New Zealand with Air New Zealand and Virgin are extra.

For bookings or information, call Majestic Whale Encounters on 0405 594 253 or visit www.majesticwhaleencounters.com.au .

Evergreen Tours Launches 2017 Canada & USA Brochure

Evergreen Tours has released its new 2017 Canada & USA Touring and Cruising program with a 162 page brochure featuring an 18 day Rockies tour from only $6,145pp with a 2 for 1 airfares offer*, plus a new four night itinerary to the Yukon.

“Evergreen’s Rockies and Alaska combination has been a bestseller and the feedback from our guests is that they want more! For 2017 we’ve included a four night Yukon experience to make our new 31 Day Rockies, Alaska and Yukon Adventure the trip of a lifetime,” said Angus Crichton, General Manager of Evergreen Tours.  “For value conscious guests, Evergreen’s 18 Day Rockies Explorer tour and Inside Passage cruise is from just $6,145pp twin share, including two for one airfares.”

As with all Evergreen’s worldwide cruising and touring programs, the popular “You’re invited” experiences are complimentary. In Canada and Alaska, these experiences can include a home-visit with an Iditarod (dog sled) champion and his furry friends, lunch at a family-run sugar shack in Quebec, an encounter with a Yukon Quest legend to learn what it takes to be a competitive ‘masher’ and a Canadian Rockies Western Style dinner in Jasper just to name a few. In the USA, guests will  enjoy a memorable Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas, soak up the traditional southern hospitality with a home-cooked meal in a Deep South antebellum home while in Memphis there’s dinner and a show at BB Kings Blues Club.

Couples save up to US$2117 and solos US$3271 on new offer with Pandaw in Burma

Couples can save up to US$2117 and solo travellers US$3271 by combining a river cruise and coastal voyage in Burma with Pandaw Expeditions.

The back-to-back cruise offer through Active Travel – Australia’s leading agent for Pandaw – is valid on 12 paired departures between October, 2016, and March, 2017.

Under the deal, Australians who book a 10-night cruise through Burma’s seldom-visited coastal islands aboard Pandaw’s 18-passenger motor yacht, Andaman Explorer, will get a 50 per cent discount on one of Pandaw’s seven-night river journeys on the Irrawaddy through the heart of mysterious Burma.

Peregrine extends special offer after sales on special packages up 172%

Peregrine Adventures has extended a special offer on eight travel packages as a result of a 172% increase in sales.

The special offer to eight of the world’s hottest destinations include flights and up to $1000 worth of additional nights accommodation and Urban Adventures day tours including Cuba, Japan, Morocco, and Peru.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from agents to the new Peregrine packages,“ says Pete Rawley, Australia Regional Director for Intrepid Group. “They love being able to offer our loyal Peregrine customers the added extras of an Urban Adventures day tour and additional accommodation, as well the simplicity of having flights included”. 

The offer has been extended until May 31 2016. For more information on the eight packages visit www.peregrineadventures.com/peregrine-holiday-packages

Tiger takes flight to Venture Holidays 

Flights to Bali with Tiger Airways are the latest addition to Venture Holidays’ airline repertoire.

Travel agents are now able to book these fares online via Calypsonet or directly with Venture Holidays’ reservations team.

Managing director, Robert Mackay says, “Being able to offer the option for a low cost carrier through Calypsonet is a great introduction to complement our Bali product”.

Regular airfares are commissionable and can be booked and held for five days (*conditions apply).  Airfare must be sold in conjunction with Venture Holidays’ land product.

Venture Holidays is an independent travel wholesaler established in 1979 with extensive international product range including being the GSA for Fez Travel, Acacia Africa, and China Links Travel.

Tempo Holidays Introduce India and Subcontinent 2017

Tempo Holidays, your destination specialists for over 25 years, have announced the release of their new India & Subcontinent 2017 brochure which has hit stores.

With new and exciting destinations, Tempo Holidays are offering a greater variety of options, with more creativity, to appeal to any and every type of traveller.

In response to an apparent desire in the market, the 2017 brochure has branched out into exciting new destinations they know cover – Bhutan, Tibet, Myanmar and Nepal.

Highlights of the brochure include tips on the best ways to travel as well as new programs and inclusions, allowing travellers to enjoy experiences they otherwise wouldn’t.