Places
Lebanon back on the map
Explore is putting Lebanon back on the tourist map with a new eight-day Highlights of Lebanon trip using local guides.
Jordan: region’s resurgence
Innovative Travel advises the resurgence of tourism in Egypt is creating a positive overflow effect onto tourism for Jordan.
New Tanna tour
Vanuatu Ecotours has launched a three-day, two-night adventure to Tanna.
TAS: spreading visitors
A Tasmanian government push to entice visitors into the regions is quickly showing dividends.
Trekking Hokkaido’s wild lands
Active Asia is promoting a nine-day small group guided tour that explores a secluded part of eastern Hokkaido, Japan.
Out with the old, in with the Newcastle
Virgin Australia and Newcastle Airport partnered to take nine key corporate travel agents and incentive operators to Newcastle recently.
Soneva Fushi special
For clients looking for a luxury resort in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi is offering free transfers and three free experiences in addition to the current stay seven, pay five nights offer for travel in February 2019, reports World Journeys.
DC ‘open’ despite shutdown
Destination DC (DDC) continues its ‘DC is Open’ campaign while the partial government shutdown continues to let visitors know that Washington, DC is open for business and is ready to welcome business and leisure travellers.
Hints for travelling in Japan
Compiled by Kathy Ombler
• Tokyo subway – ticket machines offer English translations; you can buy a single trip, day pass or buy a pasmo card (available from the ‘pink’ machines), these can be topped up as needed. (The pasmo card also can be used in 7 Eleven stores and some vending machines.)
• Subway cell phone etiquette – put phones on silent and don’t have loud conversations.
Shinto shrines to Bullet Trains
From Shinto shrine to bullet train; Shogun castle to cutting edge car production: attractions in Nagoya and neighbouring Toyota City exemplify the juxtaposition of technology and tradition that is modern Japan.
Clients oughta go to Oita
Oita, on Japanese island Kyushu, is one of next year’s Rugby World Cup pool venues.
First hand to fjords
Amy Forsyth, communications and sales specialist at Wild Earth Travel, recently returned from a luxury cruising expedition with PONANT in Norway.
Exotic's Philippines trip
Exotic Holidays is promoting an 11- day Banaue & Boracay Swing package in the Philippines priced from $2753 per person twin share.
Malaysia’s ‘unsung islands’
Exotic Holidays and Tourism Malaysia are encouraging Kiwis to look beyond the country’s most famous island beaches if they want to enjoy coastal and island destinations with less tourists.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
AIM Holidays has released packages for the 2019 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Argentina easier to get around
Getting around Argentina has got cheaper and easier with more airlines competing for passengers, including new ultra-low-cost carrier Flybondi and Norwegian Air Argentina.
Exotic: Discover Malaysia
The wide diversity of Malaysia is the focus of a campaign that has been launched by Exotic Holidays, in conjunction with Tourism Malaysia.
Super discount at Nasama
To coincide with Air Vanuatu’s Super Sales Fares for the 2019 low season of February and March, Vanuatu’s Nasama Resort is offering 40% off for bookings of four nights or more during this period.
Growth for Egypt & Jordan
The Middle East has become a hotspot for Australian and New Zealand travellers with Egypt and Jordan identified in the top fastest growing regions for G Adventures’ Kiwi and Aussie travellers.
Explora en Rapa Nui
Adventure World Travel has a new offer for one of Easter Island’s most celebrated hotels: explora Rapa Nui.
Wellness in the Himalayas
Exotic has five-night wellness (Ananda) packages in the Himalayas that can be extended to seven, 14 and 21 nights to suit clients. Price is on application.
Guangzhou feast for foodies
With a rich Dynastic heritage, the southern city of Ghangzhou is arguably China’s most popular culinary destination.
Calling all Yogis
World Journeys has a new itinerary combining some of the cultural highlights of India, with the International Yoga Festival taking place in Rishikesh 1 – 7 March 2019.
Namibia under canvas
World Journeys has small group journeys in Namibia staying in canvas camps.
Eclipse Travel Africa grows
Eclipse Travel is reporting growing Africa enquiries following a focus on the destination this month with exclusive savings and value-adds on offer.
Big Island volcano vacations
Far from keeping people away, the massive Hawaiian Kilauea volcano is now drawing more tourists than ever since it erupted in May, according to a local operator who visited New Zealand recently.
Destination Churchill
Churchill is known as the polar bear and beluga capital of the world. Adventure World Travel share some insight to this destination.
Contiki unlocks India
India is increasing in popularity as Western interest in yoga, wellness and holistic medicine booms.
Trans Siberia with TC
A special hosted rail journey travelling from Vladivostok to St Petersburg, has been released by Innovative Travel, under its Travel Companions Club brand.
Ireland by luxury rail
World Journeys director Chris Lyons is in Ireland, experiencing a luxury rail journey aboard the Belmond Grand Hibernian.
Bhutan enquiry increasing
Adventure World is noticing an increase in enquiry for travel to the emerging South Asian nation of Bhutan.
Oberammergau: Passion Play
All three TTC brands, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Costsaver have confirmed pricing for the 2020 trips on all guided holidays with Oberammergau.
Mama Mia inspiration
Clients inspired by the recent release of the Mamma Mia 2 movie can visit some of the film locations with Contiki, Trafalgar and Insight Vacations.
Make it Madikwe
Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge has reopened after a two-week refurbishment.
Follow the rules on Skull Island
Visitors to Skull Island are advised to wait until the boatman sings his prayer before alighting the boat.
Backyard World War II relics
Evidence of the heavy fighting between Japanese and US forces can be found all over the Western Province region of Munda.
Land and sea from Honiara
The Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara faces the divers’ treasure trove of Ironbottom Sound, a stretch of water between the main island of Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island.
GTN takes on Sri Lanka
Global Travel Network (GTN) agents were shown Sri Lanka with Thai Airways and Exotic Holidays.
Honiara – worth a look
Although Honiara is usually seen as a springboard to other islands, the Solomon Islands capital has a compelling World War II history that’s worth exploring for a day or two.
Honiara – worth a look
Although Honiara is usually seen as a springboard to other islands, the Solomon Islands capital has a compelling World War II history that’s worth exploring for a day or two.
Cape Town - water improving
With rains finally hitting South Africa’s Western Cape this May and June, Cape Town is finally breathing a sigh of relief after suff ering through its worst drought on record.
Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town
Cape Town’s Tintswalo Atlantic has released its 2019 rack rates which start at around $540pp per night in the low season from 1 May to 31 August.
Eclipse: Nicaragua civil unrest
Eclipse Travel has suspended sales to Nicaragua following recent civil unrest and violence as the government clashes with protestors.
Philippines’ new services
The tropical destination of the Philippines is well worth the adventure and is a destination that many Kiwis still do not have on their radar.
Insight's Europe Preview
Insight Vacations has released its 2019 Europe Preview collection which offers clients a glimpse into Insight Experiences across the continent.
Tuscany: spas to adventure
Tuscany is a region of much diversity, famous for its spas and wellness sector. Less known is Tuscany’s range of adventure options.
The Safari Company tours
Kiwi born, Nairobi based Andy Kibby personally hosted, The Safari Company tours, continue to grow in popularity year after year, says NZ GSA Innovative Travel.
Egypt is back and ready for travellers
Innovative Travel’s product manager Anthony Gardiner has recently returned from an inspection of Egypt – and enjoyed the experience so much he is already planning his return trip.
Accessible Amedee
Having a day on Amedee Island is still one of the easiest ways to get out of the city and enjoy a local lagoon experience, say Beatrix Cuenot and Anne Gilodi of Mary D / Noumea Discovery.
Singapore, Maldives for famil
A recent GO Holidays and Singapore Airlines combined famil took in both Singapore and the Maldives.
- Patrick Bonar, YOU Travel
- Kristin Edgeworth, Travel Managers
- Janine Mallon, The Travel Brokers
- Michelle Downey, Bucket List Travel
- Lisa Parker, Helloworld Cambridge
- Jane Cockburn, The Travel Brokers
- Vicky Mclean, Helloworld
- Judy Bourne, GO Holidays
- Yvette Dyer, Helloworld
- Donna Churches, Helloworld
- Kim Mildon, Travel Managers
- Nan Sima Helloworld
Franschhoek first for famil group
Much-needed rain has not dampened the spirits of a famil group visiting Cape Town and its surrounds recently.
Family friendly in Cali
Slide slipping and swimming pools surrounded by snow: here are five family friendly hotels in California for clients in need of a big dose of family fun.
Food fusion & blending of cultures
In Macau’s Year of Gastronomy 2018 the preservation and promotion of Macanese food has gained new impetus.
Saving water in Cape Town
Cape Town’s water saving efforts have successfully pushed ‘Day Zero’ back until 2019.
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Ballooning over Botswana
Wilderness Safaris’ hot air ballooning season in Botswana will now run for a longer time period, from 1 April to 14 October 2018.
Go ape in Sabah
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, in Sabah, Borneo is one of the biggest and most well know Orangutan sanctuaries in Malaysia.
Tomorrowland, Belgium
Busabout is now an official travel partner for one of the world’s largest annual music festivals, Tomorrowland.
Kenya in style
Properties in Adventure World’s Luxury Treasures of Kenya itinerary are upping the ante, adding in new features and continuing on with current excursions.