Agents sprinkled with Namibia’s magic
AWESTRUCK agents couldn’t wait to start selling Namibia after they experienced the unique West African destination on a recent fam trip.
Twenty-five agents who are signed up to the tourism board’s Namibia Know It All Travel Uni programme enjoyed the best of what the country can offer tourists on a trip organised by Namibia Tourism UK and Air Namibia.
The agents were split into three groups and followed itineraries themed around Culture, Desert or Wildlife.
The Culture Itinerary took in a Windhoek City and Katatuura Township Tour, a stay at the luxurious Gocheganas Spa Resort and a visit to Abaadi Bushcamp for an educational walk with the bushmen.
The Desert Itinerary included lunch at Rostock Ritz, a two-night stay at the Namib Naukluft Lodge, the spectacular sand dunes at Sossusvlei and a visit to Sesriem Canyon. Those on the Wildlife Itinerary stayed at the Etosha Safari Camp and Etosha Aoba Lodge, both on the outskirts of the park,and experienced a full day of game viewing in Etosha.
“My time in Namibia was a truly overwhelming experience. The people and the game drives were out of this world,” enthused Toni Alexander of Harvey World Travel, Diss.
For Kathi Hirst of Travel Time, Rye, the highlight was the spectacular scenery and ever-changing landscape. “There was a real feeling of adventure, whether walking into Dead Pan, climbing a giant dune, petting a cheetah or enjoying a potiekos prepared on the open fire by the smiling cook at the lodge,” she said.
“Namibia is a great self-drive destination,” says Yvonne Powell of Holidays Please, “Although the distances are vast, it is no problem as the roads are so good. Accommodation standard was very good.”
www.namibiaknowitall.co.uk
Get your Australia experiences on track
AS a self-confessed rail enthusiast - not a train spotter, he stresses - Westoe Travel’s Graeme Brett was delighted to land a place on this spring’s 'The Great Rail Australia Rail Adventure 2' Fam trip.
“I’d like to thank Rail Australia’s Dave Atherton and everyone involved for this amazing opportunity to see this very special product… I now appreciate that every Australia itinerary should include at least one rail journey as an alternative to an internal flight,” he said.
After three days in Melbourne, which featured visits to the famous fairy penguins and koalas of Phillip Island and a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles, the group experienced Rail Australia’s The Overland train, for the trip to Adelaide.
“It was great to avoid the usual stress of the airport… after check-in we enjoyed a comfortable and leisurely journey, mixing with the locals and watching the passing
wildlife,” said Graeme.
But the highlight of the trip was The Ghan, one of the world's legendary train experiences.
“The en-suite cabins on The Ghan are really comfortable and we were given a preview of the new Platinium Cabins that will offer a luxury option to those guests looking for the ultimate train experience,” said Graeme.
The Platinum Cabins are around twice the size of the train’s standard Gold Twin Cabins, with each room offering deluxe accommodation including double beds, spacious en-suite and 24-hour room service. They will launch on September 10 2008.
“The journey is best described as a land cruise as there is the opportunity to take optional tours at Alice Springs and Katherine before re-joining the train for the rest of
the journey to Darwin.”
www.railaustraliatraining.co.uk
Experience the Bahamas
The agents got to experience first-hand the fantastic city life in Nassau, the magnificent Atlantis on Paradise Island, the beautiful Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island and the relaxation of Grand Bahama Island.
For your chance to be on the next fam trip, complete all four modules of the Bahamacademy training programme and make two or more confirmed bookings to The Bahamas and register them in the booking table on www.bahamacademy.co.uk
13 Agents go to Tunisia
The FAM trip took place from 20th – 24th June 2008. 13 Travel Agents from London and the South East took part in the FAM trip, which was organised by the Tunisian National Tourist Office in conjunction with Tunisair and Cadogan Holidays.
Agents resided in Hammamet and from there visited Sousse, Port El Kantaoui, Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, Kairouan and the magnificent coliseum at El Jem. They also visited the newly opened spa in Yasmine Hammamet; the Royal Med Spa, which is leading the way for other spas in North Africa, being the first to offer non-surgical weight loss cures previously only available in London, France and America.
They sampled Tunisia’s traditional specialities (briks, fish, couscous, Tunisian pastries as well as Tunisian wines and beers) and although Tunisia has many meat and fish dishes, the vegetarians were pleasantly surprised by the availability and choice of vegetarian dishes.
The last evening was spent dining at the Residence, part of the Leading Hotels of the World, a five-star hotel in Gammarth, a favourite amongst celebrities, business-men and politicians alike with its own spa and golf course opening mid-July 2008.
The majority of the Agents had not visited Tunisia before and were surprised by how much to do there is, how liberal the country is with regards to attire (especially the women who do not need to cover up), the beauty and cleanliness of the destination and how friendly the people were.