The Chatham Islands are a photographers delight with the contrasting  ugged landscapes, according to Innovative Travel groups manager, Lynda Morrison.

‘August was a great time to go, the temperatures were a lot milder than my hometown Christchurch and the weather proved great for taking photos.’

The Innovative Travel ‘catch ups’ started this week with two events in Christchurch and another two set for Auckland next Tuesday 30 June. 

Managing director Robyn Galloway says the catch ups start with an overview of the company’s key destinations and how each has responded to Covid-19.  ‘Key destinations such as Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Greece and Israel have managed the crises relatively well, with a planned opening of borders, in controlled stages.’

On the local front she says Innovative’s domestic programmes in conjunction with Inspired NZ coach tours have met with a positive response. ‘This is in terms of both FIT bookings and agents putting together their own group departures, utilising the travel agent FOC offer, for 14 plus paying passengers.’  Galloway says the tours were designed with New Zealanders in mind, so are reasonably priced, with a focus on regions, and varying from six to nine days.  

On the other side of the globe, CroisiEurope 2021 earlybird cruises are now available to book. Galloway says 2021 is already fairly heavily in demand with clients transferring to next year. CroisiEurope will commence sailing in Europe next month, with stricter hygiene measures in place.

• Front: Debra Carnahan, Robbie Mehlhopt,... Front: Debra Carnahan, Robbie Mehlhopt,...
• Jenaya Soster, helloworld Travel Avonhead;... Jenaya Soster, helloworld Travel Avonhead;...
• Karen Bradshaw, World Travellers broker;... Karen Bradshaw, World Travellers broker;...
• Beth Yates, House of Travel... Beth Yates, House of Travel...
• Ron Montgomery, Spirit Travel; Sharon... Ron Montgomery, Spirit Travel; Sharon...
• Carolyn Marks, World Travellers broker;... Carolyn Marks, World Travellers broker;...
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Greece is preparing to open the country’s borders and is working towards a soft opening in June, with some islands also scheduled to reopen on 30 June, Innovative Travel is informing agents.

There appears to be a lack of understanding in some tourism and travel industry sectors on the collective right to charge administration/cancellation fees during a force majeure, according to Robyn Galloway, MD of Innovative Travel.

Agents are invited to join special ANZAC Day reflections on the ANZAC Campaign at Gallipoli, hosted by Robyn Galloway, founder of Innovative Travel and chair of the NZ Turkey Business Council.

Reflecting on the lonely Gallipoli Peninsula, the video will be released on Saturday afternoon at 3pm to coincide with dawn at Gallipoli. It will be released on the Innovative Travel YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. 

Leaders in the travel industry have been encouraged to create an environment where no-one can hide when it comes to creating a diverse working place and giving equal and fair opportunities to all.

New winter itineraries have been added to the 2020 Russian Travel Centre offering in response to demand, says Innovative Travel.

Diversity, security and the ability to easily combine Israel with neighbouring Middle Eastern countries were emphasised by Innovative Travel this week as it co-hosted road shows in Christchurch and Auckland with destination management company (DMC) Naftali Tours.

An opportunity exists for an agent or broker to join the Gorilla’s, Gameparks and Beaches Safari departing Kampala on 8 September 2019, with The Safari Company. The 32-day safari, personally hosted by kiwi born/Nairobi-based Andy Kibby and his Kenyan chef Nico Kamanga, has a special one-off agent AD50 deal. Normally $13,500pp, it is reduced to $6750 per person, share twin from Kampala to Zanzibar for a travel agent and companion.

‘Rather than thinking about Russia as something you would slot into a European itinerary, why not think about Russia as your main destination and see what is around it?’