Some new additions to the Latin America travel planner are “Santiago Like a Native” (from $119 CAD) which allows travellers the opportunity to explore the capital of Chile just like a local. Also eight new “Classic” itineraries combining various popular countries in Latin America have been added to the roster, these include:

Clasico Latino for 8 days – Argentina, Iguassu Falls and Rio, Brazil from$2765 CAD per person.

Conquistador Explorer for 12 days – Galapagos and Machu Picchu from $4595 CAD per person.

Lost Civilizations of South America for 9 days – Machu Picchu and Easter Island from $2215 CAD per person.

To order your copy of the LATIN AMERICA Travel Planner please call 1-888-469 2955, email info@goway.com or visit www.goway.com

Escape to this Island Paradise for only $2399 per person. This escape includes round trip airfare from Los Angeles and 5 nights at Le Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora in an air conditioned garden room, an airport welcome with flower lei, inter-island flights, and all relevant transfers. Also included is breakfast, lunch and dinner daily with select drinks during lunch and dinner (1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 house wine plus bottled water)

IslandsEscapes offers customized escapes to Tahiti & Her Islands where one can extend their stay and combine this great value experience in Bora Bora with other islands in Tahiti such as Moorea.

Rio Carnaval is a wild 4 day celebration, 40 days before Easter. It officially starts on Saturday and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday.

“It is a great event where people dance, sing, party and have tons of fun. There are many parties that take place before, during and after Carnaval all night and all day. It allows travellers to see one of the worlds most remarkable events” states Don Forster, Product Manager for Goway’s Latin America division.

“The showcase event of Rio’s Carnaval is undoubtedly the two-night parades put on by traditional samba schools — ornate spectacles costing up to $2.5 million each with thousands of drummers, dancers and meticulously designed floats that begin Sunday night. The Samba Parade – the central focus of the week long celebrations – is something everybody should experience at least once in their life. Watching on TV is comfortable but not close to as much fun as being there” continues Forster.

Special prices for a Rio and Carnaval getaway start from $1280CAD and include 5 nights 4 star accomm, all breakfasts, full day tour of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf, Airport transfers and a H. Stern Jewelry Tour (City tours and Samba Drome tickets are all available on request)

Goway has a wide choice of accommodation options for Rio Carnaval as well as some excellent pre and post options such as Amazon Jungle stays, Iguassu Falls visits as well diving and beach options on the beautiful and famous Brazilian coast line.

For more information or to order your copy of the Latin America travel planner, call 1-888-469 2955, email info@goway.com or visit www.goway.com

“The clients were grounded in Los Angeles en route to their tour in Australia the day the Qantas flight lost the engine. Through John Pringle in your YVR office we were able to relay what had happened to Sydney. The clients finally arrived in Sydney two days late and connected with your reps. My clients were dealing with a lady by the name of Marzia in your Sydney office (they described her as a “doll” – a Nova Scotia expression that means someone pretty special). She managed to rearrange their tour by adding what they missed on to the end of their stay and we were able to extend their flights to accommodate them.

“Just wanted to pass on how pleased we are with the service Goway provided.”

Goway is the only company in North America selling the South Pacific that has its own office Downunder. Travellers have access to Goway’s Sydney office via a 24-7-365 toll free line in the event of any disruptions to their trips.

Qantas announced 23 November that it plans to resume initial Airbus A380 operations from Saturday, 27 November. The decision to restore A380 services follows an intensive Trent 900 engine inspection program carried out in close consultation with Rolls-Royce and Airbus. Together with the engine and aircraft manufacturers and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Qantas is now satisfied that it can begin reintroducing A380s to its international network progressively. In line with its conservative approach to operational safety, Qantas is voluntarily suspending A380 services on routes that regularly require use of maximum certified engine thrust and will do so until further operational experience is gained or possible additional changes are made to engines.

Goway Managers at the Vancouver party (l to r): Barbara Norton, Carolyn Weppler and Marilyn BrysonClick for High Resolution

As 2010 draws to a close, Goway celebrated their 40th Anniversary with Gala parties in Toronto (13Nov) and Vancouver (20Nov). In the spirit of the 70’s (Goway was founded in 1970 by President Bruce Hodge), management, staff and industry partners dressed in bell-bottoms, afros and disco-themed attire, and danced the nights away to the tunes of the 70’s.

Trade Partners flew in from all over the world for the festivities; some coming from as far as Australia specifically for the evening, and all of their destinations were represented, with suppliers from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Downunder and Latin America in attendance.

“After what has been a tough couple of years in terms of the world economy, we felt it important to celebrate the strength of Goway, as one of the few privately owned major wholesalers,” commented Founder and President, Bruce Hodge. “We owe much of our success to the talented team around the world who work for Goway, as well as our supplier and airline partners who continue to work closely with us.”

Goway’s longest serving employee, Marilyn Bryson flew in from Vancouver for the event in Toronto. Marilyn has worked for Goway for 37 years and was the company’s second full-time employee, and also opened the Vancouver office.

Goway currently employs almost 300 staff in locations across Canada, the USA and Australia.

Goway Travel

Goway’s new reservations system offers a faster turnaround and instant e-documents, eliminating the use of paper. All travel documents such as confirmation/pre-departure packages, itineraries, e-tickets and invoices will be replaced and sent electronically via email to agents.

“Goway is always seeking ways to improve our systems and service,” commented Cathy Mulrine, Goway’s VP Wholesale. “As a travel company that is always progressing, we want to make it easier for agents to work with us.”

This green initiative also serves to reduce the costs of delivering documents to agents and their customers, making Goway’s pricing even more competitive. Information is conveyed to agents faster, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.

For several years, Goway has also offered e-brochures available at their website at Goway.com/brochure. In addition, Goway offers a free e-blast service to North American agents at Gowayagents.com whereby agents can email offers to their client database customized with their contact details, to stimulate inquiries for travel to Africa, Asia, Downunder and Latin America.

“This is the biggest trip give-away that we know of”, states Bruce Hodge, the founder and President of Goway.

Prizes range from a 7 days Highlights of Jordan trip (valued at US $2,070) to a 22 days fully-escorted, all-inclusive tour of Australia (valued at US $22,554).

For golfers there is an exclusive package to the PGA Presidents Cup in Melbourne. For romantics there are several World’s Most Idyllic Islands escapes; for the active and adventurous an African overland journey, Inca Trail treks and fun touring experiences in Europe and Australia. A visit to the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, Abu Dhabi and India, China, Israel, South Africa and Antarctica are also available.

In all, if someone won all the trips Goway is giving away they would visit more than 40 countries. Winners of the prizes, if they wish, will be able to give their prize away within a month of winning and they will have up to a year to travel.

Travel agents are invited to participate in the competition. Those that do will receive a $40 credit for their next booking with Goway and will be eligible for other initiatives that Goway will be bringing out over the year.

More information on Goway’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations and Promotions can be found at Goway.com/40th.

IslandsEscapes…by Goway has announced a number of special deals for travellers interested in exploring exotic Fiji.

Starting from just $1199 per person for an 8-day vacation, the package includes round trip airfare with Air Pacific, airport welcome, all transfers and 6 nights at the luxurious Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island. Other highlighted holidays include the spectacularly priced Castaway and Outrigger package from $2289 which includes round trip airfare, airport welcome, transfers, 3 nights Castaway Island, 3 nights Outrigger on the Lagoon with free spa treatments, a free dolphin safari and free one way helicopter transfer.

“These packages represent fantastic savings for travellers” commented Meghan Boyd, Product Manager, “and the value continues in destination because $1 Canadian buys almost $1.90 Fijian”  The Fijian government also recently devalued the Fijian dollar by 20% further increasing the range of deals, specials and offers to this delightful country.

IslandsEscapes offers custom-designed vacations to this unspoiled gem of the South Pacific,  For honeymoons, IslandsEscapes‘ unique bridal registry allows couples to upgrade or enhance elements of their honeymoon.  Fiji is also a great option for a destination wedding, with select resorts offering free wedding packages at certain times of the year.

IslandsEscapes…by Goway also announce the release of an Ultimate Fiji Fam incentive. Scheduled to depart 22 October 2009, this 11 day Fam trip will showcase the best that Fiji has to offer. Agents who make 2 deposited bookings (4 passengers) to Fiji will receive an invitation to participate on this ultimate familiarization trip.

For more information on these and many other great value Travel ideas, visit the “$uper$pecial” section at www.goway.com or call 1-800-667-6601.

The leading North American travel specialist for travel Downunder is offering their low season winter pricing for travel in New Zealand’s Springtime – a great time to visit this cultural destination. From the dramatic scenery; waterfalls, geysers and mountains to the indigenous culture of the Maori, New Zealand is a great destination at any time of year.

Product Manager Meghan Boyd commented “The geography of New Zealand is well suited to escorted touring.  The roads are surrounded by spectacular scenery, and relaxing in the comfort of a luxury touring coach, and socializing with a group of like-minded world wide travellers is a much better way to appreciate the surrounding beauty than having your attention fixed on a steering wheel.” Boyd also highlights the incredible value New Zealand offers “Currently $1 CA buys $1.43 NZ so combined with the value of this special offer and low airfares available to New Zealand, New Zealand has never been more affordable for North Americans.

Premier Vacations are designed to delight even the most discerning traveller, staying at first-class hotels, providing superb full a la carte cuisine, luxury coaches, special theme dinners and comprehensive itineraries fully inclusive of all major attractions. Goway’s 15 day New Zealand Explorer tour departing Jun 11, Aug 13, Sep 10, Oct 8,15, Nov 5,19 offers a saving of up to $1070 per couple.

Superior vacations are also fully inclusive, high quality vacations, and enjoy an exciting sightseeing program, special theme dinners, superior hotels and modern european-style coaches. Departures on the 14 day Highlighter tour reflect savings of up to $860 per couple for departures Jul 7, Aug 18, Sep 8, 15, Oct 10, 20, 27, Nov 7,14.

Anyone looking to book these deals should ask for ‘Spring Deal’ at time of booking to get the Low Season rates. No other discounts apply.

The World Winter Masters Games will be held for the first time in history from January 25-31, 2010 in Bled, Slovenia. It will see competitors from around the world take part in 6 sports: ice hockey, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, ski jumping, biathlon and indoor football (or Futsal), which will be a demonstration sport.

The World Winter Masters Games are for all athletes older then 25 years. “Masters” is simply an age designation; it does not denote a level of proficiency or a particular achievement.  To compete, all you need to do is to satisfy the age criteria for your sport. The Winter World Masters Games will be a fantastic opportunity to meet people from around the world and forge new and lasting friendships.

Situated on the crossroads of four European landscapes – the Alps, the Pannonian Plain, the Dinaric Mountains and the Mediterranean, — Slovenia is one of the smallest and also one of the youngest European countries joining the European Union in May 2004. To the north lies Austria, to the east Hungary, Croatia lies to the south and Italy to the west.  The landscapes range from snow-covered alpine peaks, glacial lakes and emerald rivers, to the rounded Pannonian hills overgrown with vines, to the mysterious Karstic caves and white salt pan fields all of which combine to give the country its incredible diversity. Your gateway to Slovenia and the Winter Games is through its capital city, Ljubljana. With over 300,000 inhabitants, the city’s blend of medieval, baroque, art nouveau and modern buildings is home to a number of museums, theatres, churches, and quaint shops.

With its beautiful natural surroundings, Bled is a jewel among the European alpine resorts and is widely known for its mild curative climate and the thermal lake water. With over 1000 years of history, not only does Bled have stunning natural surroundings, it is also rich in culture, tradition and heritage. From the ancient Bled Castle to museum and art galleries, Bled is the perfect destination for the 2010 inaugural Winter Masters Games.

To find out more about the 2010 Winter World Masters Games registration, visit the main Games website: www.2010mastersgames.com. To book travel arrangements including pre and post games touring, contact Special Events by Goway Travel:
TEL: 866 913 6918
EMAIL: events@goway.com
WEB: http://www.goway.com/specialevents/wmg_winter/index.html