Gogo Excludes OTAs From Agent-Only Offers

Gogo Offers Specials Through Traditional Agents Only
Gogo Worldwide Vacations has introduced weekly vacation specials that are available exclusively through traditional travel agents. The campaign, called Exclusive to You for 72, will include offers such as price savings, category upgrades and resort and spa credits. The specials will be available only through agents in Gogo’s database. Large online travel agencies such as Expedia and Travelocity are being excluded from the campaign and will not have access to the specials, marketing director Jim Tedesco told Travel Market Report. The new offers will be sent to agents on Sundays via Gogo’s e-newsletter. They will be available for 72 hours – Mondays through Wednesdays. Agents may sign up to receive Gogo’s emails, including the weekly offers.

Tauck Promotes VP to President
Tauck Inc. has promoted Jennifer Tombaugh to president. Tombaugh was previously executive vice president. She has been with the company in a variety of roles in marketing, new ventures and worldwide operations since 2001. She was brand manager for the launch of Tauck Bridges family tour program and spearheaded the tour operator’s partnership with filmmaker Ken Burns.

A&K Extends Fall Solo Offerings
Responding to demand from agents and clients, Abercrombie & Kent has expanded its Solo Savings promotions to include more itineraries and departure dates through the fall. The single supplement has been waived on Wings Over Kenya itinerary (Sept. 18); halved on Highlights of China (July 8, Aug. 19), and discounted on Turkey: A Journey Through History (Sept. 10) and Egypt Unveiled (July 14, Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct, 20). The tour operator also has released departure dates for 2012 escorted small group journeys earlier than usual, due to an increase in booking lead times and demand, A&K said.

Globus Adds to Its Sales Team
The Globus family of brands has named industry veteran Terri Burke as director of national accounts. Burke joins Globus from Cruise Planners; she also has held positions at AAA National, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line. Burke will focus on relationships with consortia and national travel agent accounts and head up Globus Travel University. Also, Colleen McGuire has been promoted to the newly created position of manager of field sales.

Cox & Kings Expands to Europe
Cox & Kings, the Americas, which offers in-depth tours to Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Middle East, is adding a new continent to its product lineup. Starting in October, the company will offer custom-designed and escorted tours to destinations in Europe, including Turkey, Romania, Russia, Sicily, the Balkans, Scandinavia and Iceland. Both five-star private journeys and value-priced Discovery Group Journeys will be available. To oversee development of the Europe product, Cox & Kinds appointed Thor Forsberg as Europe destination manager.

Trafalgar Adds U.S., Canada to Its At Leisure Plan
For 2012, Trafalgar has added new guided tours to the U.S. and Canada and launched its At Leisure program in North America. The At Leisure program, which debuted in Europe, is a more relaxed vacation pace, combining sightseeing and activities with more free time. Four new At Leisure itineraries are on offer: 7-day Canada’s Rockies, 8-day San Francisco & Wine Country Delights, 8-day Golden West Contrasts and 8-day Great East Coast Cities. Also new are additions to the First Class and Family Experiences programs.

African Travel Offers Air-Inclusive Packages
African Travel is offering several fall packages that are air-inclusive when booked before July 31. On offer are: 12-day Cape & Wildlife Quest to South Africa; 11-day Selous, Sand and Sea, to Tanzania; and 11-day Kenya Explorer. The air-inclusive packages are available for travel Sept. 12 to Nov. 21; air is roundtrip economy class from Washington, D.C.

Travel Bound Offers New Turkey Sightseeing Tours
Travel Bound has added new hotels and sightseeing tours to its Turkey product. Many are available because of new partnerships with the Turkish Culture & Tourism Office, Turkish Airlines and inbound tour operator Pamfilya Tourism. Among the new sightseeing tours are: a 7-hour rafting experience in Antalya, 7-hour jeep safari in Antalya, and a visit to the Kusadasi Aquapark. The company also has posted suggested itineraries to multiple destinations on its website.

Central Holidays Unveils Da Vinci Tour
Central Holidays is offering a 12-day Da Vinci Tour this fall. The itinerary, which begins in Vinci in Tuscany, Italy, and ends in Paris, includes visits to towns, museums and homes associated with the maestro. The fare covers 10-nights’ hotel, daily buffet breakfasts, six dinners and two lunches, entrance fees, Seine River cruise, guided city tours and motorcoach transfers.