Shake off that weekend slouch with Travel Weekly’s Monday special: two shots of espresso and a healthy helping of wholesaler news.

National Geographic Journeys and G Adventures introduce eight new trips for 2020

National Geographic Expeditions has entered into its fifth year in partnership with G Adventures and has added eight new trips to their National Geographic Journeys collection.

The newly announced itineraries add three new countries to the Journeys product line: Ireland, Singapore and Greece, which are now on sale and available to agents and travellers around the world for 2020 booking.

The eight new trips in the National Geographic Journeys collection are now bookable online at National Geographic Expeditions and G Adventures as well as through travel agents. The new tours for 2020 are:

• Explore Chile and Argentina (eight days from $3,349)
• Explore Brazil (nine days from $3,999)
• Iconic Ireland (nine days from $3,799)
• Cultural Wonders of Mexico (nine days from $2,799)
• Greece: Ancient Ruins & Iconic Islands (12 days from $3,899)
• Singapore to Bangkok Journey (15 days from $3,899)
• Discover Brazil, Argentina, and Chile (16 days from $7,499)
• Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand Explorer (22 days from $5,299)

Contiki unveils revamped Europe 2020 experiences at Legends

Surfing in Portugal, street art tours in Cascais and gritty walking tours in London supporting the homeless; Contiki’s 2020 Europe trips have been curated for a new generation of traveller.

Contiki launched its line-up of Europe Summer 2020 trips and experiences last night at its sixth annual Contiki Legends event (pictured). Celebrities and travel industry experts turned out including Jimmy Niggles, Josh Moss, Amelia Marni and Lincoln Lewis.

Sydney’s Max Watt’s venue was given a makeover with Europe’s favourite cities brought to life. The 300 guests got a taste of some of the new and iconic Contiki experiences in different themed rooms throughout the venue, setting the vibe for Contiki’s announcement of new European product.

New cultural experiences include an e-scooter guided tour of Paris, a kick-bike guided tour in Vienna, an e-bike tour in Porto, a day trip to Windsor & Stonehenge in the UK, and a guided visit to the Montmartre district of Paris.

For the conscious traveller, more Contiki Cares experiences were also unveiled. These include walking tours of London with Unseen, a not for profit organisation that trains former homeless people to be guides; local community farmed and eco-friendly table dinners in Salzburg, Sarajevo, Split and Iceland; and e-docs which will see one tree planted every time a traveller says no to printing.

Beyond Travel Group launches ‘Support Sri Lanka’ initiative

The Beyond Travel Group has launched an initiative to boost tourism numbers back to Sri Lanka to assist a country devastated by the drastic drop in international visitors.

‘Support Sri Lanka’ (www.supportsrilanka.com.au) has been developed to provide both short and long term assistance.

For immediate relief, financial donations are urgently needed to assist locals both directly associated with the tourism industry, such as drivers and guides, as well as those effected down the supply chain. These include local farmers who sell produce to hotels and the like, which without guests do not require locally grown produce.

For the long term, the goal is to stimulate tourism in Sri Lanka by creating awareness of the current situation and to encourage Australians to look to this diverse and captivating country for their next holiday and aid the recovery process in doing so.

Insight Vacations relaunches e-learning program

Insight Vacations is pleased to announce the relaunch of its e-learning platform with enhanced functionality, ease of access and an improved user experience.

Ensuring agents receive the education and training they deserve, Insight has addressed both the evolution of the brand and agent feedback.

The Insight specialist program allows the brand to share its passion for travel with its community of partners by offering new educational opportunities as travel agents look to offer premium guided journeys to clients and develop stronger sales as well as increase their earnings.

Following the completion of the program, travel agents will gain a deeper understanding of what Insight stands for and understand the “Insight difference”, all while gaining the tools and knowledge to confidently sell Insight Vacations’ journeys.

By completing the ‘Insight specialist levels’, agents will become eligible for FAM trips and discounts on Insight’s journeys.

World Expeditions adapts Everest trekking itineraries in response to Nepal’s new airport rules

World Expeditions has announced changes to all of its Everest region itineraries, in response to Nepal’s decision to close Kathmandu airport to flights to and from the country’s most popular trekking region.

In a bid to reduce congestion at Kathmandu airport, Nepali authorities have replaced Kathmandu with Ramechap as the departure and arrival point for all flights to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest trekking region.

There remains one operational flight from Kathmandu to Lukla each day, which is reserved for Nepali locals, and airlines are forbidden selling any tickets to agents or to individuals who are not Nepali citizens.

The new routing, which affects all tour operators in Nepal, is in place until end November 2019, with authorities assessing whether to continue after 1 December, 2019.

Unlike many tour operators whose clients will depart Kathmandu by vehicle at 2am, to reach Ramechap in time for the first morning flights to Lukla, World Expeditions’ clients will stay overnight in Ramechap to ensure they get a good nights’ rest before they begin trekking.

Bentours’ 2020 brochure arrives

Bentours has released its biggest and best brochure yet. At 164 pages, it features an exclusive 36-page Hurtigruten Polar insert, while Scandinavian & Nordic countries continue to dominate, with staple summer, exciting northern lights winter (and niche) holiday options highlighted throughout.

The product roll-out continues to focus on ‘top of the world’ destinations and now formally includes Canada and Alaska. Expedition cruising options are also complemented by Canadian Rocky adventures.

VIVA Holidays launches brand new sports, events and entertainment brochure

Viva Holidays recently launched a dedicated events brochure covering the world of entertainment, iconic events and sporting experiences. Showcasing shows and events for 2019 and 2020, this brochure offers the travel trade an insight to all events that can be booked through Viva Holidays.

As official travel partners for a wide range of Australian and international sporting events, shows, musicals and festivals, these tailor-made packages will give you access to the best seats for once-in-a-lifetime experiences at Wimbledon and on Broadway.

Bunnik Tours unveils new 2020 departures to Africa

Bunnik Tours has launched its ‘Big 10’ Africa program for 2020, offering 10 diverse itineraries across 10 breathtaking countries, from Kenya and Tanzania to Botswana and Namibia.

The program includes a new South Africa and Zimbabwe tour providing wildlife encounters in Hwange National Park and a cruise on  Lake Kariba in a houseboat.

The 16-day itinerary also includes a train journey along the Cape to Cairo line on board the Bushtracks Express, lunch and a farm tour at Boschendal Wine Estate in Franschhoek, as well as a visit to the UNESCO World-Heritage listed Khami Ruins, located just outside of Bulawayo.

Returning for 2020 is the 24-day Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls tour, which showcases Africa’s natural wonders, including a visit to Sossusvlei, exploring the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.

Another itinerary, the 17-day Kenya & Tanzania tour, also returns in 2020, showcasing the the Maasai Mara.

Sun Island Tours’ 2020 Greece, Turkey & Cyprus brochure arrives

Sun Island Tours has released their 2020 Greece, Turkey & Cyprus brochure featuring a series of new tours in Turkey, new cruises in Greece and the Mediterranean, and up to 10 per cent discount on selected tours and packages when booked by early 2020.

With this edition, Sun Island Tours maintains the largest range of weekly departing escorted coach tours, as well as cruises throughout the Greek Islands.

New to the product portfolio, Pullmantur Cruises joins the Sun Island Tours range with its largest ship, offering holiday-goers 7-night cruises throughout the Greek Islands, as well as tours combining Greece with Croatia and Italy.

To meet higher demands in Turkey, especially from returning travellers, agents will notice a 25 per cent increase in the 2020’s tours. As usual, small group departures are guaranteed with a minimum of two pax.

 Trafalgar volunteers help out at Walkabout Wildlife Park

On Friday 6 September, Trafalgar held its annual domestic team conference in Terrigal on the Central Coast.

CEO Gavin Tollman along with managing director Jason Wolff took the entire team to Terrigal overnight to go through the latest product developments and brand innovations for 2020 and have some fun along the way.

As part of the brand’s JoinTrafalgar commitment to have a positive impact on the people and communities they visit, and care for the planet – the team volunteered at Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga.

The team fed the animals, cleaned equipment and the grounds with rangers, watered plants, raked leaves and cleared animal droppings.

TTC’s weekly deals

Contiki

Bangkok to Singapore Adventure

Save up to 10 per cent with Contiki’s early payment discount on the 14-day Bangkok to Singapore Adventure itinerary, with prices starting from $3,443* per person (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 29 November 2019 for departures between 12 April – 5 July 2020, 16 August – 22 November 2020 and 3 January 2021 – 28 March 2021.

*Conditions apply.

Adventure World Travel

Rio Carnival

Experience the Rio de Janeiro carnival on the 5-day Rio Carnival itinerary, with prices starting from $2,055* per person, twin share (discount included).

This offer is on sale now until 31 October 2019 for departure on 21 February 2020.

*Conditions apply.

Trafalgar

Welcome to Colorado

Book by 18 December 2019 to save 10 per cent* on 2020 USA & Canada trips with Trafalgar, with prices starting from $3,775.5* per person, twin share (discount included).

This offer is on sale now until 18 December 2019 for departures between May – September 2020.

*Conditions apply.

AAT Kings

Wonders of the Kimberley

Pay less, experience more with AAT Kings’ early bird specials by booking selected first choice guided holidays by 31 January 2020 for a 10 per cent saving. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 11-day Wonder of the Kimberley itinerary, with prices starting from $5,216* per person, twin share (discount included).

This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2020 for departures between 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2021.

*Conditions apply.

Insight Vacations

Country Roads of Wales, Devon and Cornwall

Explore the country roads of Wales, Devon and Cornwall with Insight Vacations, and book today to secure your 10 per cent early payment discount, with prices starting from $4,225* per person, twin share (discount included).

This offer is on sale now until 18 December 2019 or sold out for departure on 5 July 2020 and 2 August 2020. Departure dates are subject to change.

*Conditions apply.

U River Cruises

Rolling on the Rhine

Save up to 10 per cent or enjoy a free U Drink Package (valued at $499) when you pay in full within three days of booking the 8 day Rolling on the Rhine itinerary. Prices start from $3,599* per person, twin share, with a 10 per cent early payment discount included or a U Drink Package valued at $499.

This offer is on sale now until 30 September 2019 for all sailing dates.

*Conditions apply.

Uniworld

Delightful Danube & Prague

A World of Luxury Awaits: luxury begins at home with included private chauffer transfers to and from the airport in Australia and business class flights to Europe from only $3,999 per person return with all 2020 Uniworld European river cruises.

Busabout

Hop-on Hop-off Europe

Book early and save 10 per cent on 2020 hop-on hop-off passes, including hop-on hop-off Europe, with prices starting from $1,781* per person (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 18 December 2019 for all travel May to October 2020.

*Conditions apply.