APT EXPANDS SOUTH AMERICAN GRASP
APT has enhanced its 2015 South America program to include longer itineraries and more add-on destinations as travellers look to cover more ground on their holidays. A three-night extension in Atacama, fournight Cuba discovery, and a canyon exploration in Peru are new to the 2015 program, along with an extended Patagonia trip covering Chile and Argentina. New cruising options also include three and four-night tours around the Galapagos Islands, a three-night Patagonia cruise aboard MV Australis and an El Calafate glacier cruise. APT general manager sales and marketing Debra Fox said the new program follows a shift in traveller trends as customers look to diversify their holiday options. “We are finding that as well as enjoying the best luxury hotel experience, guests also want to lengthen itineraries to add on the extra destinations that are important to them,” she said. “We’ve responded to this trend by enhancing our program for 2015, offering more exclusive luxury accommodation and extensions so that guests have more flexibility to tailor their trip.” Meanwhile, Travelmarvel is doubling its South American departures for 2015 on the back of ongoing demand from the Australian and New Zealand market over the past 12 months. “We’ve listened to feedback from our travel industry partners and increased departures by 125% for next year – introducing more tours, new cruise partners and a greater selection of sightseeing experiences,” APT chief executive Chris Hall said. APT has had a busy year to date, acquiring an equal share in the Peruvian-based South American operator, Setours in June. The move – which follows 30% year on year growth in South America – makes APT the only Australian tour operator to hold a major stake in its South American operations and will see the company play a more involved role in shaping the customer experience. “With our own local expertise we’ll be able to branch out across the continent in a phased approach to include even more exciting and exotic destinations for APT, Travelmarvel, and Botanica,” Hall said.