For the first time, tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel has released an agent’s guide to selling its safari product. 'An Agents Guide to Audley Safaris' is designed to share Audley's safari expertise with agents selling African wildlife experiences. The 32-page guide has been produced in a print and digital edition, and will be mailed out to 2,500 travel agents, as well as being available through distribution partners. Audley’s safari holiday portfolio spans destinations from Madagascar to Tanzania and the Big Five bucket-list encounters. The guide highlights the process of planning a tailor-made trip with Audley. This includes hand-picked camps and lodges, expert guides, destination specialists and the importance of responsible travel choices. The new guide also highlights classic and luxury safari inspiration to meet all preferences. Safari holiday experiences continue to be a major focus for Audley. Recent research finds 20% of premium travellers plan to take a safari holiday in the next two years. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager at Audley Travel said: "The new safari guide aims to be a comprehensive profile of how to plan a tailor-made trip of a lifetime.” "Behind every one of our safaris is decades of knowledge. We know the best spots for seeing animals in action, the best guides to locate them, and the best lodges.” "We hope the guide helps them craft a safari experience that speaks to their client's trip aspirations." 'An Agents Guide to Audley Safaris' is available to order here 

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Tailor-made travel company Audley Travel has expanded its 2024 programme with the addition of new long haul experiences, from Southeast Asia to Australia. New for Audley's clients travelling to Australia is Metung Hot Springs, overlooking East Gippsland Lakes, Victoria. It is a glamping accommodation nestled in the natural surrounds of the hot springs. Clients stay in luxury safari-style tents with an ensuite bathroom, king-size four poster bed, and private bathing barrel overlooking the lagoon. The property opens up the East Gippsland region, with clients now able to explore its lakes, 90-mile beach, islands, rivers, wetland wilderness and the Buchan Caves. A two-night stay at Metung Hot Springs can be included in a tailor-made Melbourne to Sydney self-drive itinerary. The 12-day itinerary includes international flights, car hire and all accommodation.   Audley continues to expand its safari offering and safari-style experiences outside of Africa to meet demand. Tabin Rainforest Lodge in Borneo is a new Southeast Asia resort offering, opening up access to some of Borneo's rarest and endangered wildlife. The lodge is situated in the Virgin Jungle Reserve of Sungai Kapur. The conservation area is home to endemic species including the proboscis monkey, Bornean orangutan, sun bear, Bornean ground cuckoo, and the elusive helmeted hornbill. Audley's clients can enjoy a three-day, two-night stay at the lodge with river cruises, a night walk and safari drive as well as hikes. The programme includes more luxury Southeast Asia resort stays including Garrya Bianti, a new Banyan Tree property in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is included on a 15-day tailor-made 'Discovering Java & Bali' trip which includes flights, transfers, accommodation and excursions. The newly introduced Isla Cabana Resort is located on Siargao Island in the Philippines, offering beachfront suites and a private beach nestled by the Pacific Ocean. A 16-day tailor-made trip to the Philippines includes four nights at Isla Cabana Resort. 

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Tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel has launched new marketing materials for travel agents, as well as updating its 'The World Your Way' global brochure. Agents can utilise assets including window posters and social media adverts showcasing experiences in some of Audley's key destinations. Destination themed videos for Thailand, Japan, South Africa and the US are also available, which can be shared on travel agents’ own social channels. All of the new marketing assets have been created with a travel agent call to action. The full range of new assets can be found in Audley's agent marketing suite at www.audleytravel.com/agents Agents can now order the updated version of Audley's trade specific 'The World Your Way' global brochure. The 192-page brochure contains trip ideas for agents to share with their clients. The brochure also has suggestions for experiences to suit various interests from a traditional homestay in Kerala to a hike on an uninhabited Galapagos island. Agents can download a digital copy or access an e-brochure at www.audleytravel.com/agents/brochures. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager said: "I'm delighted to be able to share these new marketing materials, as well as the updated 'The World Your Way' brochure with agents." 

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Tailormade specialist Audley Travel has launched a new booking incentive with an extra twist. It rewards agents and also at the same time benefits worthwhile causes. During February and March, for every booking made, the tour operator will donate £50 to Audley's Travel for Good Fund which supports social and environmental charities around the world. In turn, agents who competed an Audley booking in the previous seven days will be entered into a weekly draw to win prizes. These include an Ooni pizza oven, Dyson hairdryer and a set of Antler suitcases. A final live prize draw will also take place on 31 March where agents who confirmed a booking throughout February and March will have an additional chance to win. Audley Travel's Trade Sales Manager, Greg Thurston said: "Audley believes responsible travel involves giving something back and that's why we created the Audley Travel for Good Fund.” "We know agents value contributing towards a charitable cause with their booking efforts." 

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  Country specialists from tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel have shared their insights into what clients are booking for 2024 and why, as well as their thoughts on other travel trends for the coming year.   Destination switching   With availability tight for many popular destinations, Audley’s specialists report clients are opting for alternatives to enjoy popular or iconic sights and experiences away from the crowds. South Korea is a popular switch for clients wanting to see Japan’s cherry blossom, and Nicaragua is an excellent alternative for a client keen to visit the rainforest instead of Costa Rica. The same trend is seen within destinations, with clients choosing to visit lesser-known parts of countries like South Africa – for example, flying into Durban and exploring KwaZulu-Natal’s game reserves and the Drakensberg Mountains, learning about the history of the battlefields, and then relaxing at a remote beach lodge on the coast.   Off season travel   Clients travelling in 2024 are increasingly booking popular and well-established destinations and experiences in the off-season to take advantage of lower prices and better availability. An example is Canada and the lodges typically visited for the salmon run. Visiting earlier in the year makes the clients’ travel budget go further whilst still having a fantastic experience - this is particularly true for properties including Klahoose and Knight Inlet where clients visiting in May or June are rewarded with fantastic spring bear watching opportunities as they come to feed on the water in the grasslands.   A move back to curious travel   As borders reopened, ticking things off bucket lists was a key motivator for travel (cited by 72 per cent of Audley’s country specialists for 2023 travel, but only 36 per cent for 2024 travel). Clients who have taken their much longed for bucket list trips are now moving back to more curious travel exploring off-the-beaten-track for future adventures.   Audley’s country specialists report an increasing interest in cultural experiences, for example around the Maasai in East Africa as well as an interest in more remote and authentic safari destinations e.g. Ruaha National Park. They also have seen more requests for 'authentic' hotels that reflect the culture of the country, across the destinations.   Luxury bookings continue to grow   Despite the rising cost of living, Audley reports continued growth in demand for luxury properties and experiences. Luxury lodges in Australia and New Zealand are selling faster than they did pre-2020 and there is a lot of demand for small ship expedition style cruising. Audley’s country specialists for Latin America report that people are looking for more comfort and upgrading their flights.   Further demand for more experiential and customised travel   Clients are asking for more 'unique' experiences when they travel. Audley’s North America specialists are responding with suggestions of experiences such as guided kayak and camping trips to see whales and wolves, or exploring lesser travelled regions such as Saskatchewan and the Yukon.   This trend is also being recognised by Audley’s partners in destinations. Whilst arranging tailormade trips has always been at the heart of Audley’s operations, the country specialists report that an increasing number of partners are customising the excursions and experiences that they offer for individual clients, moving away from set tours and adapting their plans to the needs and wants of the customer – a move that is a perfect fit for Audley’s custom travel offering.   Sustainability   Travelling responsibly remains important. Research conducted recently found that 57 per cent¹ say that having sustainable travel options (e.g. lower carbon flights) is important to them.   Motivations for travel   A long-awaited bucket list trip remains the top motivator for 2024 travel (albeit at lower levels than in for 2023 travel) - cited by Audley’s specialists as the reason for 36 per cent of trips². To celebrate a personal milestone (birthday, anniversary, retirement, graduation etc) is the reason for 24 per cent of trips, and to spend time with the family is 14 per cent.   Where Audley’s clients are booking ³   Top destinations for 2024 travel are India, Canada, Japan, the USA and Costa Rica (with Costa Rica replacing South Africa in the top five when compared to 2023 bookings). The average duration for 2024 bookings is 18.5 days, up six per cent from 17.4 days in 2023.

Tailor-made travel specialist, Audley Travel just hosted its first travel agent fam trip. It took its 'A-List' agents to Canada. They were high performing travel agents who achieved 'Elite' status in the reward scheme launched by the operator last year. It hosted the six agents from Bespoke Luxury Travel, Travel Bureau, The Travel Snob (Not Just Travel), Swords Travel, Go Bespoke Travel and Off Broadway Travel. The custom Canadian highlights itinerary included three nights in Vancouver, which included a seaplane to Victoria for a whale watching tour. There was also an overnight in Whistler and four nights at Klahoose Wilderness Lodge, Doubtful Sound to view bears in the wild and kayaking with seals.

Tailor-made travel operator Audley Travel is introducing the 'Responsible Choice' sustainable travel classification system. It strengthens its commitment to responsible tourism by identifying tours and accommodation that showcase their sustainability credentials. To earn the status, the accommodation owner or excursion operator must focus on supporting local businesses, educating staff, or exceeding environmental and social best practice. It can also promote sustainable travel conservation and biodiversity efforts. This could be focusing on ecosystem restoration, moving to 100% renewable power sources, or initiatives that support women-led enterprises. Experiences and properties will be clearly labelled with the Responsible Choice symbol on the website to clearly highlight which products meet the mark. The Responsible Choice collection includes: Iban jungle experience on the Lemanak River, Malaysia, Onçafari jaguar experience in the Pantanal, Brazil  and Chisa Busanga Camp in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Heather Magnussen, Responsible Travel Manager, said: "When creating itineraries we prefer to work with local partners where possible.” “This approach gives clients the best experience and makes a positive impact on the local community.” "Our Responsible Choice classification is the natural extension of our already strong  ESG credentials." It comes following the official B Corp certification Audley secured earlier this year. This outlines the tour operator's achievement in meeting rigorous social and environmental standards .

Japan cherry blossom travel options just expanded for Audley Travel guests. The operator has reintroduced the Tohoku region, available to book now for 2024 and beyond. Located in the rural northern region of the mainland, the iconic flowers bloom into April, later than the Golden Route season. Tohoku’s mountainous terrain make Tohoku's major gateways must-visit destinations. Kakunodate is a town known for its samurai history while Hirosaki is home to Hirosaki Castle park, one of the finest cherry blossom spots in the country. Each of the locations offered are connected by train and air travel. David Peat, Senior Product Executive at Audley Travel said, "By heading north to Tohoku, the Japan cherry blossom period is expanded to explore more.” "It is this type of destination knowledge that helps clients of Audley make the most of the time they have on their trip." Audley Travel's experts recommend traveling to Sendai/Matsushima, Kakunodate and Hirosaki between April and November, with the late summer months of August/September offering a cooler climate. There is the chance to visit spectacular summer festivals such as Aomori Nebuta.   Audley has a 14-day tailor-made trip to Japan, including time in Tohoku as well as Kyoto, Kanazawa and Tokyo from £9,300 per person (based on two sharing). It includes flights, transfers, accommodation and excursions.

Tailormade operator Audley Travel posted record trade sales last month. It finished the month more than 60% above target. A quarter of the bookings were for the US, with half of these for California. A further 25% were for Australia. Average booking value was 17% higher than in the same month in 2022. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager, said: “It’s  ideal timing for agents working with us as every sale counts towards their status in our A-List loyalty club.” “We have seen some really strong bookings this month.”

Tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel  appointed Heather Heverling as President and Managing Director of its US business. The US business is based in Boston, Massachusetts. Heverling joins Audley in May. Heverling joins from AdventureWomen where she is President. She spent most of her career at Grand Circle Corporation, moving to SVP, Product Management at National Geographic Expeditions. Audley Travel CEO Nick Longman said: “I am delighted to welcome Heather to the senior team as we move to a new stage for our US business.”

Tailor-made operator Audley Travel has launched ‘The A-List’ – its first loyalty scheme for agent partners. The A-List offers a two-tier reward system for Audley’s most supportive agent partners It includes incentives such as invitations to reward trips, marketing support and the ability to put the agency’s logo on client documentation. Agencies that confirm three or more bookings by 31 March 2023 (or secure bookings that total £50,000 or more) will join The A-List as Preferred agents. To reach Elite status, agencies must confirm six or more bookings, or secure bookings that total £100,000. Preferred status gives agents access to quarterly incentives, priority services, as well as £250 marketing spend. Agencies achieving Elite status will receive enhanced marketing spend of £500, dinner for the sales team and personalised, co-branded marketing materials. Another important, benefit of being part of The A List is an invitation to join Audley’s first overseas trip run exclusively for agents. Elite agents will receive an automatic invitation, and Preferred status agents will be able to join if places are available. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager at Audley Travel, said: “We’ve been keen to provide support for our best agent partners for a while and believe the benefits and incentives that The A-List brings agents will help them to grow their business.” The reward trip departs in 2023.  

Tailor-made operator Audley Travel has released its first worldwide brochure It is a single resource to replace its current suite of 26 regional brochures. A trade specific version complements the consumer-facing brochure, with all call-to-action to ‘contact your local independent travel agent’. The 192-page brochure, ‘The world your way’ includes handpicked stays in global destinations, exclusive experiences and unique sample itineraries. It features Audley’s 47 best-selling destinations, with each introduced by a country specialist showcasing local knowledge. Readers will also get advice, tips and comments from Audley’s expert local guides and clients who have travelled to the destination. The brochure also includes narrative from Audley’s specialists about the itinerary design process. The brochure is a move away from guidebook-style descriptions, instead focusing on showing the reader what visiting a destination with Audley would be like. Each regional destination chapter introduces typical Audley experiences, such as an early morning photography tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia or joining a research team in Uganda’s forests. Audley’s country specialists also share inside tips, such as the best beach walks in Sydney, or where to enjoy fine dining in Delhi. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager at Audley Travel, says: “Over 90% told us a brochure is important or useful to them when planning a trip, so continuing to offer this was essential.”  ‘The world your way’ is available in both print and digital versions for agents. The digital version can be easily hosted on an agent’s website, added in an email or shared on social media.