Here’s all the latest wholesaler news rounded up by your good friends at Travel Weekly…

Intrepid declares climate emergency

Intrepid has become the first Australian-owned company to declare a climate emergency. By doing so, Intrepid, which operates in more than 120 countries and all seven continents, acknowledges the science stating we have one decade to address the climate crisis.

Intrepid is a founding member of Tourism Declares, a new industry collective of travel businesses, organisations, and individuals who are committed to taking positive action on climate change. Members have committed to rethinking their businesses in the context of a climate emergency. This includes an ongoing commitment to carbon neutrality and transparent reporting on their progress.

AAT Kings invites industry to join new ‘bushfire relief giveback’ trips to support local tourism 

In collaboration with the #EmptyEsky movement and regional tourism businesses, AAT Kings welcome the industry and wider community to join them on one of their newly launched not-for-profit Bushfire Relief Giveback Experiences – a selection of Day Tours and Short Breaks across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Designed to help provide immediate support directly to tourism communities that have been affected by this season’s devastating bushfires.

Experiences have been developed respectfully and in conjunction with local communities, and while onboard AAT Kings will transport you and your empty esky, to visit local markets, cafes and stores, where you’ll have free time to wander through the town, spend with the local shopkeepers and fill your Esky or reusable bag with locally made products. To enrich the experience, guests will also meet some of the locals who will tell stories of recovery and share firsthand how best to help these destinations.

Globus and Cosmos deals

Until the end of February, Globus family of brands (GFOB) will be offering fantastic deals on Cosmos and Globus tours for 2020 – including savings of up to $2,000 per couple with Globus and 10 per cent off with Cosmos.

Guests can explore the exquisite architecture in Florence; discover the winding roads and historical figures in Britain; marvel at the ‘big five’ on safari in South Africa or attend a music festival in Scandinavia under the midnight sun – plus, all tours are complemented with expert local guides and experienced tour directors.

Tours must be booked by 29 February 2020, for travel in 2020.

Celtic Compass operates learning tours in remote, less explored sites in Scotland and Wales

Get a greater sense of the remote and historically rich Celtic lands of Scotland and Wales through specialist, small group tours organised by Celtic Compass.

Along with learning tours, visitors can also explore the craftsmanship of the Hebrides by visiting a traditional weaving mill that only uses seaweed and natural dyes for its highly regarded knitwear. During the tour, visitors can bring their journey to life with an artistic record of their experience of the landscape, and through monoprinting create a wonderful memento of the trip.

Food and beverage tours include sampling award-winning, artisan gin and whisky; including exploring the drying rooms of the organic herbs used to make colour-changing gins!

Experience delicious chocolate tasting at an emminent chocolatier, or visit a Highland smokehouse set in stunning native woodland to see how Scotland’s famous smoked products are produced.

Celtic Compass create bespoke itineraries upon request and offer sign language experts to help those hard of hearing on short tours.

Book 10 passengers and earn a holiday with Small Group Touring Co. book 15 and take a friend

The Small Group Touring Co. is incentivising agents with the chance of earning their own small group tour and the option of taking a friend.

If agents sell 10 passengers on any Small Group Touring Co. tour, they can earn one small group tour for themselves. If they increase that to 15 passengers, they can take a friend with them.

The incentive is valid for bookings on any Small Group Touring Co. tour made throughout 2020 (from January 1^st to December 31^st).

Agents can choose their own holiday from a selected group of tours including the 10-day Treasures of Portugal, the 10-day Austria, Slovenia & Croatia Christmas Markets itinerary, the 10-day Egyptian Adventure, the nine-day South England Highlights and the eight-day Best of Jordan trip.

Tours do not include international airfares but do include all sightseeing and entrance fees, tipping, a host of local meal experiences, accommodation and a dedicated small group tour leader.

Explore commits to offsetting 

Explore is the first UK based tour operator to offset all flights and ground operations using verifiable carbon credits, as part of its decarbonisation strategy.

From 1^st January 2020, Explore is working to reduce carbon emissions from its operations, as well as working with ClimateCare to offset all remaining carbon emissions from flights and ground operations.

Explore has appointed Prue Stone as its head of sustainability to manage this project as part of the company’s long-standing Responsible Travel philosophy. In her new role, Prue will head up Explore’s carbon neutral strategy, as well as initiatives to reduce single-use plastics on its tours and maintaining its head office’s zero-waste-to-landfill status.

Final chance to offer earlybird prices on bookings to the Middle East and Africa

The ten-day countdown has begun with earlybird savings for Bunnik’s Middle East and Africa tours finishing on January 31, 2020.  With a huge range of tours to choose from in these two destinations, clients will enjoy a little extra spending money if they book before the end of this month.

The “Big 10” Africa program for 2020 offers 10 diverse itineraries across 10 breathtaking countries, from Kenya and Tanzania to Botswana and Namibia.

Client bookings before 31 January 2020 save $500 on all Africa itineraries which offer breathtaking wildlife experiences as well as an immersion into a vast range of cultures, historic treasures and spectacular landscapes such as Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and Hwange National Park.  A bonus – tour group sizes are no more than 12 travellers on any Africa departure.

If your clients prefer the Nile to the Zambezi and looking at pyramids as opposed to paw prints, then Bunnik’s Middle East itineraries offer a diverse range of options.  There are three new tours in 2020 headlined by the Egypt, Israel and Jordan In-Style tour which explores the holy sites in Jordan and Israel before bringing to life the fascinating history of Egypt.

Beyond Travel Group join bushfire relief effort

Australian owned and operated destination specialist Beyond Travel would like to thank its international trade partners for joining the worldwide travel industry effort in supporting the Australian Fire Relief, with Dubrovnik-based operator Zantium donating up to EU$7,500 to the cause.

Beyond Travel Group owner and CEO Michael Lavilles said it was extremely encouraging to see partners on the other side of the world offering assistance to Australians in need.

Closer to home, the entire team in the Sydney office are also raising funds, which Lavilles has committed to matching dollar for dollar to help communities affected by these devastating fires. He has also joined his own local community in the Illawarra region and collected tens of thousands of dollars that will go directly to families trying to rebuild their lives.

Write in the heart of Italy – writers retreats 

Silver Compass Tours has partnered with Hollywood scriptwriter and U.S. television development executive Katiedid Langrock of Write in the Wild to hold tailor-made storytelling retreats for writers in the “hidden” region of Ciociaria in central Italy.

The Write in the Wild Heart of Italy retreats will be hosted within a 1,000-year-old Benedictine monastery in the ancient mountaintop village of Veroli and have been designed specifically to coach writers working on their novels or screenplays to swerve around writer’s block and to unleash their stories with potency. The inaugural retreat will be held 10-16 May 2020.

The inaugural Write in the Wild Heart of Italy storytelling writer’s retreat will be held 10-16 May 2020. Package is valued at US$3,497 per person, however an Earlybird Price of US$2,997 is available for reservations made before 30 November 2019. Places are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.

Complimentary hot air ballooning for two in Sri Lanka

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka has teamed up with a partner to offer exclusive complimentary hot air balloon experiences for guests from Australia travelling Feb-Apr 2020.

Simply book a full tour package for seven nights plus, and guests will have the opportunity to take the early morning adventure and see the wondrous sights from the air starting from Kandalama, Dambulla in the Cultural Triangle. Flying over the jungle they are likely to see elephants roaming freely, a variety of birds, water buffaloes standing in the paddy fields and monkeys swinging from the trees while having the famous Sigiriya Rock in view.

Offer is based on two adults travelling between Feb-Apr 2020 with the value of the Hot Air Balloon being USD 210pp and is non-transferable.

TTC weekly travel deals

TRAFALGAR

Best of Croatia & Slovenia

Fly Europe return for $799 with Trafalgar’s summer Europe & Britain trips including the 11 day – Best of Croatia & Slovenia.

Starting from $4,574 per person, twin share. This offer is on sale now until 27 February 2020 for departures between April – October 2020.

BUSABOUT

West to East Roadtrip

Save up to $200 Off West to East Roadtrip through USA. Guests will experience the sprawling National Parks, the smooth jazz undertones of New Orleans, and the soul food diners of the Deep South. This trip visits Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Williams, Grand Canyon, Durango, Santa Fe, Amarillo, Fort Worth, Austin, Lafayette, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Asheville, Washington DC, New York.

Starting from $$4,499 per person (discount included).

Book and pay in full by January 31, 2020. Offer valid for 1 January, 2020 – March 31^st, 2021 departure dates but prices may vary and use Promo Code: OUTOFOFFICE.

COSTSAVER
Highlights of Bohemia

Uncover Germany’s heritage, Poland’s character and Hungary’s charm at the best price, before prices rise on 1^st February 2020 on the 15 day – Highlights of Bohemia from $2,543 per person, twin share. The historic cultural hubs and colourful folklore of Bohemia take centre stage on this epic encounter with Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Book now to lock in the best possible price as prices will rise on the 1^st February 2020. This offer is on sale now until 1 February, 2020 for departure on 9 May 2020, with other dates available at varying prices.

AAT KINGS

Top End Highlights

Save up to $315 per person on this Solo Traveller Deal on AAT Kings Top End Highlights. The vibrant Indigenous culture, friendly local characters and magnificent landscapes guests will encounter on this Top End journey will leave them spellbound.

Starting from $2540* per person, twin share (discount included). Selected departure dates between 10 May 2020 and 20 September 2020. This offer is on sale now until sold out or departed.