G Adventures – which won the inaugural ‘Best Adventure Holiday Tour Operator’ award at last Friday night’s Irish Travel Trade Awards in Dublin – has unveiled 18 new itineraries for National Geographic Journeys for 2017.
Launched in January this year with 65 options, G Adventures’ National Geographic Journeys collection offers hands-on exploration and meaningful interactions with people and places at an accessible price point.
Among the highlights of the 2017 Journeys line-up are seven new itineraries in Africa, including Wonders of Namibia, which features a lecture and guided game drive with the National Geographic-associated Cheetah Conservation Fund. The new Iconic Japan trip has travellers making sushi with a local chef, watching an ancient martial arts performance, and learning Zen calligraphy. For wildlife enthusiasts, the Canadian Polar Bear Experience provides a rare opportunity to see polar bears in their natural habitat, alongside an expert from Polar Bears International, an organisation that has collaborated with National Geographic.
700 Tours in 100 Countries
Interviewed before the company was announced as the award winner, Casey Mead, PR and Communications Manager, told Irish Travel Trade News: “There may be a perception that G Adventures is about innovative tours for young backpackers – which we are! – but our portfolio comprises 700 tours in 100 countries, including Classic, Yolo, Active, Marine, Local Living and Family tours, as well as our National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures.
“We have also recently announced a new partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute to raise awareness of the importance of wildlife-friendly tourism, curating a programme of 20 wildlife trips to form the Jane Goodall Collection by G Adventures. In addition, this month we have expanded our programme of Limited Edition trips to 32. So we offer tours to suit every age, interest and budget.
“This year we will have had around 6,000 clients out of Ireland, where major sellers include GoHop.ie, SayIt Travel, Sunway, Trailfinders and USIT. The most popular destinations are South-East Asia, Cuba, Peru, India and Ecuador (for the Galapagos Islands)…and we have now appointed John Grehan as our GPS (Global Purpose Specialist) in Ireland.”
John told ITTN: “I will be visiting travel agents throughout the 32 counties and look forward to promoting the extensive range of tours that G Adventures offers, particularly those that have not been promoted much in Ireland, such as the National Geographic Journeys and the Marine portfolio of cruises.
“Lead-in commission for agents is 8% and I am interested in developing partnerships with agencies, who can call our reservation centre in London with a dedicated Irish number.”
