Here’s all the latest news from travel wholesalers and tour operators in Australia and abroad.

APT provides inspiration with latest mag issue

The latest issue of APT’s member magazine, Voyage, is now available, and the company is calling on its travel agent partners to share this inspiring publication with their clients.

Voyage is produced by APT for its members each quarter. The magazine features content about destinations that the company travels to.

With the current travel restrictions, the latest issue of Voyage has shifted its messaging to focus on inspiring people to dream about travel.

The magazine features an article by APT owner and director Robert McGeary, who shares his memories of travelling to Croatia. Also featured is acclaimed chef, author, TV personality, and APT ambassador Luke Nguyen, who shares his incredible culinary knowledge with readers.

Grab a virtual copy here.

Japan top of the list Wendy Wu Tours customers

Sixty per cent of Australians are longing to dust off their passports and wheel out their suitcases for an overseas holiday in 2021 and Japan is on top of their list, according to a recent survey by Wendy Wu Tours.

The tour operator surveyed a sample of travellers to gain some insights into future travel plans, and despite the currently closed borders, Australians are planning overseas holidays with Japan being the number one destination, closely followed by Singapore.

Here are some of the other findings from the survey:

Exodus Travel names its 2019 Tour Leader Of The Year

Small-group active adventures specialist Exodus Travels has announced Vania De Paoli as its Tour Leader Of The Year for 2019.

De Paoli is in her second year with Exodus Travels, leading group tours across some of Italy’s most stunning landscapes, including ‘Walking The Amalfi Coast’, ‘Walking The Prosecco Hill’ and ‘Amalfi Coast: Pompeii & Pizza Family Holiday’.

Over the last twelve months, Vania has hosted 25 tours, more than 300 travellers from all over the world, and traversed more than 1,000 kilometres across Italy’s most iconic landscapes.

The runners up included Bikash Tamang, a tour leader in Kathmandu; and Ruwan Balasooriya, a tour leader in Sri Lanka.

After each trip, Exodus Travels asks guests to provide extensive feedback on their tour and their leaders, with one lucky tour leader taking out the top crown each year, which includes a cash prize (of which 50 per cent is donated to a charity of their choice) and an Exodus Travels tour voucher.

De Paoli is planning to donate 50 per cent of her cash prize to Dynamo Camp, an Italian organisation that provides holidays for children in need, and The Donkey Sanctuary Association, a group that aids and fosters the sustainable and ethical use of donkeys and mules in the tourism industry.

andBeyond pledges initiatives for trade partners

andBeyond has established a range of promises to trade partners, including agility and flexibility for new bookings.

Benefits include a zero per cent cancellation fee, as well as a 100 per cent refund or credit for future travel to any andBeyond property. In addition, 2020 rates will be held throughout 2021 for all new and existing bookings.

To assist financially, andBeyond is offering advance partial payment of commissions to retail partners, flexible deposit payment terms, and reduced cancellation fee exposure on future bookings.

andBeyond has further secured trip certainty by guaranteeing that guests will be able to travel, with alternate arrangements ensured if the original itinerary is unable to proceed. These arrangements include:

• If accommodation is available in an andBeyond lodge, the traveller’s booking will be amended at no charge, even if it comprises an upgrade.
• If the alternative product is of a lower standard than originally booked then the traveller will receive a refund of the difference in product.
• If the alternative product is of a higher standard than originally booked then the traveller will be quoted the difference in cost and may still choose to cancel.

Haka Tours offers discounted rates to Aussie agents

New Zealand owned and operated Haka Tours is offering tour date swaps up to 45 days prior to arrival and a lifetime deposit guarantee, so if your client cannot attend a tour, they can rebook for any time in the future.

The company is seeking t0 work with more Australian agents, particularly as snow season is approaching and is planning to operate several departures for our snow tours this coming August to October, and is keen to negotiate and discuss commissions for agents as well as reduced pricing for places on tours, should you like to experience our product for yourself.

50 Degrees North offers ultimate winter tour in Sweden

50 Degrees North’s new five-day tour to Swedish Lapland will take your clients to two of Scandinavia’s most innovative and unique places: the Aurora Safari Camp and the Arctic Bath.

Hot-air ballooning over the white, pristine landscape is a highlight of the glamping experience at the Aurora Safari Camp, followed by a few days at the Arctic Bath, an oasis of wellness and design.

The tour has the following key features and inclusions:

• Aurora Safari Glamping (two nights)
• Hot-air ballooning
• Winter clothes and full board at the Aurora Safari Camp
• Activity day at the Aurora Safari Camp (sauna, fat biking, kick sledding, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing).
• Dog sledding excursion
• Accommodation at the Arctic Bath (two nights)
• Sami Experience with reindeer
• Different saunas, cold bath and spa rituals whilst at the Arctic Bath
• Two breakfasts and two five-course dinners at the Arctic Bath
• Transfers
• 24-hour emergency service

The trip starts and finishes in Luleå, Sweden, with departures between Dec 2020 and March 2021. Prices start from $6,638 per adult.