Do you only book through wholesalers you read about in Travel Weekly’s wrap? Well, prepare to give your keyboard a workout after perusing this.

Collette donates to Kangaroo Island

Collette recently donated $20,000 to the Kangaroo Island Native Plant Nursery to enable it to meet the demand for habitat restoration with seedlings of Kangaroo Island provenance to be planted in bushfire-affected areas.

This donation complements two other donations made by Collette to assist Australia with bushfire recovery, the first being to the Australian Red Cross to support people, the second to the koala sanctuary to assist wildlife and this new third donation to assist habitat.

Blair Wickham (pictured above, left), Kangaroo Island resident and tour guide from Exceptional Kangaroo Island, was in Sydney late last month to meet with Collette CEO Dan Sullivan (pictured above, right) to accept the donation on behalf of the nursery.

Wendy Wu Tours announces Nepal, Bhutan and India specials

Wendy Wu Tours is currently offering a saving of $600 per person on a range of tours to Nepal, Bhutan and India, including its new 14-day ‘Go Beyond Nepal & Bhutan Adventure’.

Now priced from $7,070 per person twin share, this fully inclusive tour includes return international economy airfares, accommodation, all meals, touring with guides and entrance fees, all transportation, transfers, and visas for Australian passports.

There are two departures in 2020 – 1 May and 6 November. The tour departs from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, and the current offer is on sale until 21 March.

For the full range of tours included the current 2020 sale special, agents can call 1300 128 738, visit the Wendy Wu Tours website or contact their BDM.

On The Go Tours offers solo travellers the best of both worlds

Group tour specialist On The Go Tours has announced several new itineraries in its 2020 Signature range without single supplement fees, designed for solo travellers that enjoy the comfort of travelling in a group.

These select Signature tours travelling to India, Nepal, Morocco and Cambodia will either match up solo travellers to share a room, or on selected departures, offer their own room at no extra cost. 

No changes for Sun Island Tours departures

Sun Island Tours has assured its partners and agents that there are currently no changes to their scheduled tour departures, and that it is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Europe.

General manager John Polyviou said Sun Island Tours is fully equipped to assist agents deal with travel concerns stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak, having gone through other adverse situations including the Greek financial crisis and various acts of terrorism during the company’s 30-year history.

“Our utmost priority is the health and wellbeing of our clients, as well as the support and communication with our agents,” he said.

“We will continue to be as flexible as possible with any change or cancellation requests, while offering agents all the assistance and advice we can provide to help them manage the expectations of their clients.”

Agents have been reminded that the Sun Island team is available and contactable via email (info@sunislandtours.com.au), phone (1300 665 673) or live chat.

TTC and TreadRight Foundation host ‘Make Travel Matter’ event

The Travel Corporation’s chief TreadRight and sustainability officer, Shannon Guihan, was not only in Australia recently to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Force for Good event this Friday, but also to talk about TreadRight and offer updates on the foundation.

In light of the deforestation caused by the recent bushfires, Guihan announced at TTC’s Make Travel Matter event last week that, in partnership with One Tree Planted and its eDoc initiative to minimise the use of paper, TreadRight and TTC have committed its 2020 funds to helping Australia bounce back by planting a tree for every guest that chooses eDocs.

Believing in the power of commerce, Alison O’Loughlin from Adventure World Travel, Dan Christian representing Contiki Cares, and Matthew Cameron-Smith from AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys, joined Guihan on a panel to discuss how TreadRight affects their roles to make travel matter for guests.

Guihan concluded the event with the Make Travel Matter pledge, encouraging its responsible travellers to solidify their commitment to helping protect the destinations TreadRight works with, along with their communities and local wildlife.

Jenman African Safaris updates cancellation policies, provides tips for travellers and agents

With increasing global health concerns of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on travel, Jenman African Safaris has updated its booking and cancellation policies, and provided health tips for guided group safaris.

The below conditions apply only to bookings confirmed on or after the 28 February 2020 and for travel by 28 May 2021:

• Where travellers are not feeling comfortable travelling on the dates already booked with Jenman African Safaris, agents may reschedule the booking for up to 15 months from the booked date.
• Amended bookings that fall in a season where higher rates apply, travellers will be required to pay the difference from the original booking.
• Should travellers wish to cancel their bookings, standard cancellation fees apply.
• Jenman African Safaris maintains the right to change the above policy according to the best interests of its partners and clients.

In terms of taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety and comfort of travellers on tour, Jenman will hand out a ‘health passport’ to each traveller.

The health passport lists information provided by medical doctors on not only the COVID-19 (what it is, how it spreads and the effects of it), but also useful tips on staying healthy and ways to self-monitor.

In order to help manage travellers’ expectations, Jenman has also provided some tips to help agents combat potential cancellations.

These include monitoring the situation with a live map highlighting the affected travel areas, reassuring travellers of the zero presence of the virus in Southern and Eastern Africa, and again reminding travellers that there is thorough screenings at all airports to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every traveller.

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka offers private luxury sailing

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka has released its autumn package, which is ideal for those of your clients who want to escape and indulge in sailing the stunning south coast of Sri Lanka.

Guests are able to enjoy laid-back sundowners on the sundeck of their private yacht while being cared for by their personal chef and seaman.

All meals onboard are included and prepared to guests’ personal tastes.  For Aussie guests, wine and beer are free flowing and already included in the package.

In addition to simply soaking in the sun while down sailing south, stopping off at palm-fringed beaches to explore and paddle boarding from the back, guests are able to experience a visit to the colonial town of Galle and partake in a cinnamon experience, lunch and tea.

Two boutique properties (The Wallawwa and Cantaloupe Aqua) have been added for pre/post sailing, with the final night being at The Galle Face Hotel, when an expert guide will take guests on an immensely enjoyable “dodgy bar tour” of Colombo.

Priced at $3,580 per person (based on three couples/six pax), The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka’s VIP package is based on a luxury private yacht charter.

TTC’s weekly deals

INSIGHT VACATIONS

Best of Spain & Portugal

Customers who book early can save five per cent* with Insight Vacations’ Early Payment Discount. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 15-day ‘Best of Spain & Portugal’ trip. Starting from $4,679* per person, twin share (discount included), this offer is on sale now until 27 August 2020 or until sold out for select departures between 3  and 10 April 2021. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary. For more information or to book, call 1300 727 767, visit the Insight Vacations website or contact your local sales manager. *Conditions apply.

COSTSAVER

Peru Explorer with Puno and Lake Titicaca including Ecuador Me to We Extension

Costsaver has a Best Price Guarantee on trips such as the 14-day ‘Peru Explorer with Puno and Lake Titicaca including Ecuador Me to We Extension’. Starting from $6,085* per person, twin share (discount included), this deal is valid for travel until November 2020. For more information or to book, call 1300 78 78 78 or visit the Costsaver website. *Conditions apply.

CONTIKI

European Highlights

Customers can save up to 20 per cent off worldwide trips with Contiki. Travellers can enjoy these savings on the 13-day ‘European Highlights’ journey. Starting from $2,878* per person, twin share (discount included), this offer is on sale now until 31 March 2020 for departures between 18 May and 17 June 2020. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary. For more information or to book, call 1300 266 845 or visit Contiki’s website. *Conditions apply.

INSPIRING JOURNEYS

Flavours of South Australia

Customers can save 10 per cent off a culinary discovery of South Australia with Inspiring Journeys. Guests can enjoy these savings on the five-day ‘Flavours of South Australia’ trip. Starting from $2,682* per person, twin share (including discount), this offer is on sale now until sold out or departed for travel on 27 of March 2020. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary. For more information or to book, call 1300 556 100 or visit the Inspiring Journeys website. *Conditions apply.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES

Highlights of Eastern Europe

Elevate your clients’ river cruise experience in 2021 and fly free to Europe in economy class or upgrade to business class from $3,999 per person*. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 10-day ‘Highlights of Eastern Europe’ cruise. Starting from $7,399* per person, twin share (return economy flights to Europe included), this offer is on sale now until 29 May 2020 for departures on 31 March 2021 and 5 April 2021. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary. For more information or to book, call 1300 780 231 or visit Uniworld’s website. *Conditions apply.

BUSABOUT

Greek Island Hopper

Customers can save up to $150 off selected Busabout trips such as the 11-day ‘Greek Island Hopper’. Starting from $1,159* per person (discount included), this offer is on sale now until 15 March 2020 for travel until 31 March 2021. For more information or to book, call 1300 287 226 or visit Busabout’s website. *Conditions apply.

TRAFALGAR

Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany & Switzerland

Customers can save with Trafalgar’s five per cent Early Payment Discount on trips such as the eight-day ‘Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany & Switzerland’. Starting from $2042.50* per person, twin share (discount included), this offer is on sale now until 27 August 2020 for departures between November to December 2020. Departure dates are subject to availability. For more information or to book, call 1300 78 78 78 or visit the Trafalgar website. *Conditions apply.

Castles & Kilts family offer

Customers can enjoy Trafalgar’s presale with its 10 per cent Early Payment Discount on selected family itineraries such as the 10-day ‘Castles & Kilts’ trip. Starting from $3,235,50* per adult and $2,758.50 per child, twin share (discount included), this offer is on sale now until 1 September 2020 for travel between May and September 2021. For more information or to book, call 1300 78 78 78 or visit the Trafalgar website. *Conditions apply.

AAT KINGS

Southern Spotlight

Customers can save up to $300* per person with AAT Kings’ Last Minute Deals on the nine-day ‘Southern Spotlight trip’. Starting from $2,695* per person, twin share (discount included), this offer is on sale now until sold out or departed for travel on 5 April 2020. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary. For more information or to book, call 1300 556 100 or visit the AAT Kings website. *Conditions apply.