Travel Weekly brings you the Monday Wholesaler Wrap, so catch up and get a headstart on the week ahead.

Solo travellers save up to A$1190 with Explore 

Did you know that, on average, around half the members of a small group trip will be travelling solo? Though numbers vary from one trip to the next, more and more people are heading off on solo adventures – and why not? Accompanied by an Explore Leader, you’ll be joining fellow like-minded travellers to share incredible experiences around the world, so you’re never travelling alone.

Travelling solo has just become even better value as Explore Worldwide are offering a single room upgrade totally free when you book by 31 July 2017.

Available on a selection of their most popular trips with solo travellers, Explore are giving travellers the change to book their own room – worth up to A$1190//NZ$1270 completely free.

Included in the deal is Peru Encompassed. Travel for 13 days from A$3680//NZ$3930 per person, and uncover the sacred land of the Incas. Visit the historic remains of Machu Picchu, sail along Lake Titicaca and discover the ancient Inca capital Cusco.

Take advantage of Explores deal available on bookings made until the 31 July 2017, please quote ‘solo traveller offer’ at the time of booking. For more information, or to book visit www.exploreworldwide.com.au / www.exploreworldwide.co.nz or call (AU) 1300 439 756 (NZ) 0800 269 263.

New Africa Airfare Deals with Travelmarvel

Brand new Earlybird Specials, including 2 for 1 Airfares excluding taxes and solo traveller savings, have just been released Travelmarvel’s Africa departures in 2018.

The new Travelmarvel Africa 2018 brochure offers a choice of nine tours spanning from 12 to 30 days. Journeys cover South Africa extensively, as well as Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania with prices starting from $5,995 per person, twin share.

Exploring the Garden Route, meeting the locals of Maasai Mara, and encountering the wildlife on safari at various national parks; a Travelmarvel journey across Africa illuminates all the well-known highlights as well as steering off the beaten track to allow guests to see a more authentic side of the diverse continent.

Returning due to its immense popularity is the 16-day Cape Town to Chobe Adventure. Featuring three nights in Cape Town and three nights in Kruger National Park as well as other stays across South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, this tour is priced from $8,845 per person twin share. A $1,000 air credit per couple is available when flights are booked with Travelmarvel.

Travelmarvel has further enhanced its portfolio for 2018 with some new premium hotels. Across tours that visit Kenya, there is now a two night stay at the four-star Sopa Lodge in Lake Nakuru, and in Oudtshoorn guests will now stay at the beautiful Swartberg Country Manor Estate or the Surval Boutique Olive Estate.

Included as part of every itinerary are all internal flights and taxes, as well as airport transfers, many meals, a range of sightseeing and all tipping.

Travelmarvel is offering a range of Earlybird Specials including 2 for 1 Airfares – just pay taxes of $750 per person – on departures of 22 days or more, or a solo traveller saving of $500.

Other offers include a $1,000 per couple Air Credit on tours of 21 days or less, the chance to fly Business Class from $4,995 per person including taxes, an early payment discount of up to $600 per couple, and Travel with Friends and save $600 per couple. International flights are with South African Airways.

BEST TIME FOR AUSSIE TRAEVLLERS TO EXPLORE SRI LANKA

Recently launched brand India & Beyond has been perfectly timed to take advantage of new direct flights from Australia to Sri Lankan by Sri Lankan Airlines.

The new brand introduced by renowned destination specialist Beyond Travel, has a range of new private tours throughout Sri Lanka, as well as packages to mountain and coastal retreats.

The re-introduction of daily direct flights to Sri Lanka on the Melbourne – Colombo route begins in October this year which will provide better accessibility to a year-round holiday destination.

Bryce Crampton, GM sales and marketing, Bryce Crampton said, “This new service makes Sri Lanka a much more accessible for a growing number of Australians showing interest in Sri Lanka.

“It will seriously cut travel times between the two countries and provide better connections with other forms of transport used for tourist in Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka is certainly shaping up as a new hot spot for Australians due to its broad appeal including family holidays and romantic getaways along the beautiful coastline, packages for food lovers and those seeking culture and history through to wildlife tours and adventure holidays, there really is something for everyone”.

Confirming Crampton’s thoughts are the results of the recent World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia 2017, in Shanghai where Sri Lanka took valuable honours.

Sri Lanka won the honour of leading destination for the region, an award that reflects a country’s range of tourism products and services. Sri Lanka was also named the leading adventure tourism destination.

A Bespoke Peruvian Experience with Not Quite Nigella

Agents can now offer their clients a bespoke foodie tour package to the country that introduced the world to fusion food – Peru.

Guided by globally acclaimed food blogger, Lorraine Elliot a.k.a. Not Quite Nigella, this 14-day itinerary is packed with highlights including stays at luxurious boutique hotels, a visit to Machu Picchu and a series of signature dining experiences at selected top restaurants including Central and Maido (currently ranked the 5^th and 8^th on San Pellegrino’s World’s Best Restaurants).

The crème de la crème of the itinerary, however, lie in the money-can’t-buy experiences. They include exclusive VIP access to the Mistura Food Festival Opening Day Event (Latin America’s largest food festival) to meet Peru’s best chefs and taste the best dishes the country has to offer; a private dinner in one of Lima’s historic colonial mansions, Casa Aliaga; and an exclusive cooking class at the private residence of a leading local chef.

Priced at AU$10,995 per person twin share, the package includes private transfers, internal flights, a personal tour concierge for the small group of 10, 13 nights’ accommodation in luxurious boutique hotels and more.

Bookings made by 25 August 2017 will receive free room upgrades and a free night in Lima valued at $750.  Tour dates are 6 – 19 September 2017. Agent commissions of 8% apply. Visit www.experientialtraveller.com for more information or call 1300 765 677.

Brand USA Big Badge Bonanza

Brand USA, in partnership with Delta Air Lines and Virgin Australia, has revealed the Australian winner of its largest and most successful trade incentive to date – Big Badge Bonanza.

Designed to celebrate 16 new specialist badges on its official training site – the USA Discovery Program, Brand USA asked agents to compete for the chance to win a trip for two to any US cities on the Delta Air Lines network.

522 new users signed up for the Discovery Program training site across Australia and New Zealand, with a total of 5047 individual badge completions across both markets – an incremental increase of 56 per cent as a direct result of the incentive.

The lucky winner is Nichole Hammer from Escape Travel in Bendigo, Victoria.

Delighted at her win, Hammer said, “I really enjoyed working through the USA Discovery Program. I have always had a special place for the states in my heart, but with my newly found knowledge I can now sell the states with confidence.

“It was such a surprise to have been called to say I won the major prize; I’m having fun planning my next trip – I’m thinking of visiting a couple of the southern states.”

The USA Discovery Program is an innovative and interactive online training course that provides travel agents with the knowledge and skills needed to more effectively book trips to the USA. The incentive ran for two months and in order to qualify, agents were required to register and complete any five badges to gain an entry. Each additional badge completed gave agents a bonus entry into the draw to win.

A classic European Christmas in the French Alps

Have you always wanted to experience an unforgettable Christmas amongst the snow laden French Alps? Dreamed of waking up on Christmas morning in a classic chalet style hotel with views over the beautiful French Alps and the mighty Mont Blanc massif?

Commencing with a two night stay in Paris, Albatross Tours’ Christmas in a French Alpine Village escorted tour takes travellers on festive holiday through the French Alps before concluding in the stylish city of Milan.

Travellers will wander through traditional Christmas markets, picking up souvenirs along the way, marvel at the panoramic views from the Aiguille du Midi, take a romantic horse drawn carriage ride through the countryside and enjoy time to relax during a five night stay in the alpine village of Cordon.

Christmas Day will be spent in the famous ski resort town of Courchevel 1850 where travellers can soak up the alpine atmosphere or enjoy a day skiing if they wish.

Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager the tour includes transport in a first class touring coach, 10 nights’ accommodation in authentic style hotels with porterage, breakfast daily, 7 dinners including a traditional Christmas Eve dinner, sightseeing, local guides and entrances as per the itinerary, plus more!

Priced at $4,189 per person twin share, the Christmas in a French Alpine Village 11 day tour departs Paris on 17^th December 2017.

For bookings and enquiries contact Albatross Tours on 1300 135 015 or visit www.albatrosstours.com.au.