Escorted tour specialist Newmarket Holidays has seen trade bookings for long haul travel rise by 80% for the year to date, compared to 2019 levels.
Commenting on the growth, the company praised the support of travel agents who, it says, have shown their ability to give confidence to travellers, despite the uncertainties of the past two years.
Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales said, “We are delighted with the year so far and agents have played a big part in bringing confidence back to our customers, especially when it comes to big-ticket long haul adventures.
“Our ‘Dream It. See It. Share It.’ campaign, which gives up to 15% off holidays booked before 31 July, has been a successful sales tool for our agent partners, and we’re really excited to see them continue to benefit from it over the summer.”
Stand out tours from the year so far have included a tour of Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, a traditional big five safari tour in South Africa, and a wildlife and culture trip through Kenya’s famous East & West Tsavo parks.
Bonface Muriithi, a tour manager who was born and raised on the slopes of Mount Kenya, says travellers are attracted to the small-group format of Newmarket Holidays tours. He said, “Guests are looking for unforgettable experiences, and escorted tours allow them to meet people and explore cultures in a way that’s harder for them to do when travelling alone.”
Three tours that have helped Newmarket Holidays achieve record long haul sales:
Kenya Grand Safari & Beach was a 14-day tour through the savannah and scrubland of Tsavo West National Park, and then into Tsavo East to discover giant elephant herds. Bonface Muritihi, who led the tour in June, said: “This wasn’t just a wildlife tour. Guests met tea farmers at family-owned plantations, crossed the equator, and visited a village to learn more about local culture,” newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/africa/kenya-beach-and-safari
Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands was a 17-day adventure that took place at the same time as June’s Festival of Light in Cusco, and visited the lost city of Machu Picchu, as well as Peru’s capital, Lima; the Sacred Valley and the Inca capital, Cusco, newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/south-america/peru-ecuador-and-the-galapagos-islands
On Safari in South Africa, was a 10-day tour including games drives and bush walks and staying at the Sebatana Lodge, which has its own private game reserve. Lucy Alborough, Sales and Service Manager said: “Our knowledgeable guides made all the difference, and with their help we managed to see all the ‘Big Five’,” newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/africa/on-safari-in-south-africa
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