travelBulletin sat down with Peter Douglas, Globus family of brands’ Head of Sales Australia to talk about Globus & Cosmos’ new domestic touring collection.
1. GFOB has recently launched a new domestic range. Tell us about it.
Cosmos and Globus have launched a new collection of tours across Australia and New Zealand, created specifically for local travellers. The collection includes nine tours in Australia and four in New Zealand. We’ve worked with over 65 new suppliers to create these trips, which visit over 75 towns and cities, and include over 40 active inclusions for the adventurers among us – from kayaking on Lake Taupo in New Zealand to swimming in Edith Falls in the Northern Territory.
2. What can guests expect from these tours?
Close to home, shorter trips that immerse travellers in the very best the regions have to offer. Guests will get a taste for the best local produce, uncover the region’s natural wonders, visit the finest wineries and meet with local suppliers and experts at a time when they need our support the most. All the trips include transport in a private, air-conditioned motor coach and the accommodation has been handpicked from boutique hotels to safari-style tented cabins, so guests can experience their own backyard in complete comfort.
3. What’s your favourite tour from the range?
It’s really hard to choose between them all but Globus’ Contrasts of the Kimberley has me written all over it! It’s a ten-day tour from Darwin to Broome, with breathtaking landscapes and really special experiences, including a stay at El Questro Station, in the heart of the Kimberley region, where you sleep under the stars in Safari-style tented cabins. Guests also get to visit the Zebedee Thermal Springs, cruise through Geikie Gorge and take an art masterclass led by a local indigenous artist.
4. Why have you introduced this new domestic range?
Globus family of brands is not new to touring in this region. Traditionally, itineraries have been designed to suit the inbound market, but this collection has been designed to suit local travellers who are keen to explore closer shores whilst international borders are closed.
5. How are you supporting agents to sell these tours?
Our sales team has been running in-person and virtual training sessions for agents to ensure they have all necessary information to sell the new tours. We’re giving agents the opportunity to choose a time and date that best suits them and the uptake to date has been fantastic! If any agents out there are keen for a training session, they can register here.
6. Are you offering a discount to people who book early?
Yes, we are! Cosmos is offering five per cent off and Globus is offering 10 per cent off all itineraries on bookings made before 31 January, 2021, for travel in 2021.
7. What is Globus family of brands offering customers to provide them with peace of mind when they’re booking?
We’re offering all guests who book before 31 January, 2021 complimentary SafetyNet Protection for tours in 2021, giving customers the opportunity to cancel with no penalties up to 30 days prior to their trip. Alternatively, guests can amend their holiday up to 24 hours in advance of their tour departure.
8. What are you doing to mitigate the risk of infection during the trips?
The trips will have a maximum capacity of 24 guests, to allow for comfortable physical distancing and new on-trip protocols and procedures have also been put in place to mitigate the spread of infection between staff and our guests. These procedures include pre-trip health screenings for staff and guests, daily disinfecting, reduced luggage handling and pre-screening each restaurant, activity and accommodation to ensure it’s safe.
Click here to see the new Globus trips and here for the Cosmos itineraries.
