G Adventures "stunned" by Australia program success

G Adventures "stunned" by Australia program success
By admin


G Adventures claims to have created a new market for travel to Australia with its Australia and New Zealand program, which is now in its second year.

Founder Bruce Poon Tip told Travel Today the swift success of the program has “stunned” the adventure travel company.

“It’s the fastest start up program we’ve ever had,” he said. “In the first six months we had to go from 10 to 40 people on the road to deliver the program for us.”

As a result, the operator doubled capacity and programs for its second year.

The main markets for the itineraries are in Europe and North America, but they is also faring well domestically, Poon Tip revealed.

“There’s a lot of domestic – more than any other region,” he said. “There are a lot of Kiwis coming to Australia and a lot of Aussies going to New Zealand – it’s a market we never really anticipated would be so strong.”

The demographic for the ANZ program is slightly younger than G’s usual demographic of 30 to 50, coming in at an average of 25 to 45.

But, more importantly, the people that are taking the tours are people that weren’t coming before, according to Poon Tip.

“There’s been a bit of market share captured, but overall we’ve created a market for Australia and New Zealand that didn’t exist before – it’s a different type of traveller.”

He put this down to G’s emphasis on offering travellers a “more authentic, interactive” experience rather than the hop-on, hop-off style of itineraries also popular with travellers to Australia and New Zealand.

Poon Tip promised significant changes to the program in its next incarnation, with details to be revealed in September.

“The stuff we have in the pipeline for Australia is crazy stuff,” he said. “When we first came in, we got locked out of so much, but now the doors are open, we have got so much more opportunity to do what we want to do.”

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • Tour Operators

Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours advises final call for Anzac Day 2025

Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours has advised that the final call for Anzac Day 2025 is on 31 January 2025 with pre-registration also available for Anzac Day 2026. Travellers are encouraged to book their spot for either the 10-day Anzac Day on the Western Front departing on 19 April from Paris or the 8-day Anzac Day […]

  • Destinations
  • Hotels

Two destinations to visit in Mexico for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and here are two romantic getaway destinations in Mexico to make any traveller’s day with their special someone even better. Casona Roma Norte, Mexico City This Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to visit Mexico City, as the streets come alive with roses, heartfelt gifts, and the city basks in […]

  • Aviation
  • Luxury

Emirates debuts new uniform for Premium and VIP Passenger Services team

Emirates has debuted a new uniform designed for its Premium & VIP Passengers Services team, who are responsible for the seamless transfer of VIPs through Dubai International Airport. The new uniform has echoes of the iconic Emirates cabin crew look, however, exclusively represents Emirates’ elite unit that caters to high profile customers. A new look […]

  • Appointments
  • News

BEIA appoints Rachel Cook as its new chair

The Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Approved Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Group has appointed Rachel Cook as its new chair. Cook is the business director of Conference Innovators (CI) and since joining CI 20 years ago has been instrumental in the company’s continuing growth and success. She plays a pivotal role in building and supporting […]

  • Hotels

Gaya Island Resort unveils its Wildlife Wonders package

Gaya Island Resort has unveiled its Wildlife Wonders package, a meticulously crafted 4-day, 3-night adventure designed for nature enthusiasts eager to discover the island’s rich biodiversity. The resort is nestled on the tranquil shores of Pulau Gaya, the largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just off Kota Kinabalu. Its location makes it the […]

  • News

New Caledonia is open and ready for business as Smartraveller downgrades warning

Eight months after the civil unrest, the South Pacific destination of New Caledonia has reopened and is ready to welcome Australian tourists. Smartraveller has recently downgraded its travel advice to the destination following the removal of the nation’s curfew on the 2nd of December. The island is currently rated as amber – ‘exercise a high […]

  • Business Travel
  • Hotels

Atura Wellington unveils newly refurbished rooms in the New Zealand hotel

Atura Wellington, the former Thorndon Hotel by Rydges, has unveiled its newly refurbished rooms in the New Zealand hotel. The rooms were completed following a full refurbishment of all public spaces as part of a broader redevelopment plan. All 108 guest rooms have now been upgraded. The hotel is in the historic Thorndon neighbourhood and […]