laska product is in expansion mode: two new wholesalers, more cruise ships and more product choices, as Australians look to both land and sea for their Alaskan experience.
The newest Alaska player, Value Tours, has launched its 2007 Canada & Alaska Holiday & Travel Guide, saying Alaska is a “natural progression” after 30 years of operating winter product into Canada.
The new FIT program – a combination of one-off holiday options and traditional ‘must see and do’ experiences – is backed up by a newly formed Canada and Alaska reservations team specialising in the two regions.
“We expect our new program to have a strong impact in the market,” sales and marketing manager Leith Mercer said.
“It provides the same style, design, product and price differentials that Value Tours is known for, while maintaining competitive agent commissions.”
Long time North America specialist Ed Smith has also entered the market, with the recent launch of Canada and Alaska Specialist Holidays.
Operating out of Pacific Specialist Holidays’ office in Sydney, the product includes cruise, coach, rail, self drive, hotels and resorts, and other holiday product into the region.
Long established wholesaler Alaska Bound, meanwhile, has added to its extensive line up of product for 2007, with some wilderness and wildlife product.
Its Kenai Explorer package concentrates on the Kenai Natural Wildlife Refuge, renowned for its bear viewing, while its Kenai & Denali Adventure combines the Wildlife Refuge with rafting and kayaking in Denali National Park.
“The Kenai and Denali Adventure is a true wilderness experience. It is active but suits most age groups,” travel and sales manager Maryann Anderson said.
New also is its Arctic Ocean Adventure, which explores Alaska’s remote Arctic Coast by land and air, and its Alaska Adventure Tour, which includes kayaking, glacier hiking, white-water rafting, fishing and flight-seeing in Kenai National Park, Matanuska Valley and other regions.
Toursgallery, which operates small group tours, has added a fully escorted 16-day Alaska Tour for those wanting more than a quick stop in each destination.
The wholesaler said it uses first-class resorts, lodges and hotels and stops for two or three nights in each town, giving clients time to see the local attractions.
“Meeting the people of Alaska is a highlight of the tour, with fishermen, farmers, artists and bird watchers all introducing visitors to their lifestyle and surroundings,” director Ken Osetroff said.
He said a flight along the Inside Passage in private chartered float planes plus a visit to a Tsimshian Indian village were also featured in the tour.
A visit to Denali National Park, the Arctic Circle and a flight over Mt McKinley were also included, Osetroff said.
8 November 2006
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