Wholesalers appear to have been more active than usual in recent weeks. However, that’s not to say they’ve been wearing spandex and power walking around the block.

Full steam ahead for Travelmarvel’s 2021 rail journeys

Travelmarvel has launched its Great Rail Journeys for 2021, offering a choice of 32 unique itineraries, which have been made possible through an exclusive partnership with UK-based rail travel company Great Rail Journeys.

To celebrate the new program, Travelmarvel is offering a range of ‘Earlybird Specials’, including discounts of up to $3,000 per couple. Those who book European Gems cruise and rail combinations can receive free return economy flights, inclusive of air taxes.

For additional savings, Travelmarvel has an early payment discount of up to $1,000 per couple when locking trips in 10 months prior to departure. All offers are limited and available until sold out.

Travelmarvel has also released the latest issues of Travel Insider, exploring Rotorua’s blend of Maori culture and natural wonders in New Zealand, the Margaret River region and Europe’s mighty Danube and Douro rivers as you discover their influence on the local wines.

APT a winner at the UK Silver Travel Awards taking home footprint award for responsible travel

APT has won ‘The Silver I – footprint award for Responsible Travel’ at the recent Silver Travel Awards 2020 held in the UK.

The event is run by Silver Travel Advisor, the holiday reviews and advice site for mature travellers. This was the sixth year of the Awards ceremony, which received a record 225,000 votes across the 22 main awards.

The Footprint Award went to APT on behalf of its in-house charitable fund, OneTomorrow, in recognition of the company’s support for Responsible and Sustainable Travel across the world.

World Expeditions launches Great Walks of New Zealand

The World Expeditions Travel Group has launched a new Great Walks of New Zealand brand, comprising 21 self-guided and guided walks of varying degrees of challenge and duration on New Zealand’s South Island.

Great Walks of New Zealand is World Expeditions’ third New Zealand brand, joining the long-established and successful cycling brands, Adventure South and Trail Journeys.

Great Walks of New Zealand is the 12^th member of the World Expeditions Travel Group.  Other brands include Tasmanian Expeditions, Australian Walking Holidays, Australian Cycle Tours and the Blue Mountains Adventure Company in Australia.

Overseas, its brands include Great Canadian Trails, UTracks and Sherpa Expeditions.

Yalago makes Maldives resort and transfer bookings easier than ever

Yalago has improved its booking systems and processes to enhance customer experience.

The company’s latest innovation enables travel agents and tour operators to easily book Maldives accommodation and transfers from Malé airport to the resort at the same time, without leaving the application, contacting other suppliers or starting a separate booking process. The new functionality also allows users to add optional extra services, such as water sport activities or even romantic dinners, to the booking with only one click.

London meets Melbourne at 69 tours 

Melbourne based small group and private tour operator, 69 Tours, has developed a quirky tour to be launched in Melbourne this summer.

The London Taxi Melbourne Tours are family-friendly sightseeing tours that take participants to a number of beautiful locations, during the day, evening, or night, depending on the selected tour.

Tour routes differ, depending on the time of day, since the aim is to show guests Melbourne’s best features at different periods during the day, or night. The London Taxi Melbourne Tours provide a great opportunity for people of business to get together for a couple of hours outside of the office or loud venue.

Unmapped launches gift boxes 

To celebrate World Tourism Day and the UNWTO Year of Tourism and Rural Development, Unmapped Travel has launched the first of a series of Unmapped Giftboxes aimed at supporting local communities in their featured destinations.

The Unmapped ‘The Gift That Gives’ series will feature boxes from Sri Lanka, Morocco, Mexico, and Colombia, which have been designed to provide a taste of the destinations we have missed out on this year. Sales of the gift boxes will also help vulnerable people in Australia.

The first box is ‘A Taste of Sri Lanka’ and includes products made by local, home-based craftspeople in Sri Lanka using recycled materials and sustainable practices. Included in each box is:

• A guide to ‘Sri Lanka’s Best Ethical Adventures’.
• A shopping bag made from recycled saree material.
• A travel wallet.
• A journal made with a beautiful upcycled material and recycled pages.
• A travel pack with a bamboo toothbrush, stainless steel straw, straw cleaner with natural bristles and stainless-steel spork.
• Four recipe cards from Sydney restaurant and social enterprise Colombo Social.