TORONTO — Luxury safari camps and game lodges, safari operators, DMCs and more showcased their extensive product offerings at Goway’s Africa & Middle East Gathering 2024.

More than two dozen of Goway’s travel partners from across Africa and the Middle East took part in the event yesterday at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.

Goway National Account Manager, Rares Dumitru (left) with Groups Specialist, Jennifer Murray and Trade Training Manager, ‘Professor’ Don Forster

A strong turnout of travel advisors attended the afternoon of presentations followed by a trade show.

Companies taking part included: African Bush Camps; An African Anthology; Arabian Adventures; ARP Africa Travel; Cynab Voyages; Desert & Delta Safaris; Drifers; Emeco, Egypt; Landtours Ghana; Lemala Camps & Lodges; Rovos Rail Tours; Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve; Sense of Africa, East Africa and Namibia; Shamwari Private Game Reserve; Sun International; The Bushcamp Company; Thompsons Africa; Turkish Airways; Victoria Falls Safari Lodge; Visit Jordan; Wild Frontiers; Wild Horizons; and Zambezi Queen Collection.

There was an extended presentation by Experience AlUla, representing the oasis city at the centre of Saudi Arabia’s push for tourism (Travelweek featured coverage of Saudi Arabia in 2023 and 2024).

Asked about trending destinations, Moira Smith, Goway’s VP Africa & Asia, said East Africa, particularly Kenya, is booming. Meanwhile “South Africa is our biggest groups destination,” said Smith. “And we also want to share that Egypt and Jordan are safe and open for travellers, and there has probably never been a better time to travel there.”

DEEP DIVE ON GOWAY GROUPSONLY

Also making a presentation, Shirley Rourke, VP, Goway GroupsOnly, said Goway is on track for 700+ groups in 2024. That’s a stellar year on top of an already strong 2023, with 500+ groups.

An incredible 50% of Goway’s business is now groups, says Rourke. The company offers 115 countries worldwide. “We want to make booking groups easy,” said Rourke.

She outlined the ‘7 Free Wonders of Goway GroupsOnly’ …

. Free trip for the group leader

. Free 3-way calls with Goway’s group specialists

. Free marketing coaching session

. Free ‘Group Gathering’

. Free customizable presentations

. Free marketing dollars

. Free Goway Rewards

Rourke added: “Booking with Goway GroupsOnly is also low-risk. We even offer one free redo … if your group cancels, we will hold your deposit so you can rebook it within the year. Time is money, and Goway has more than five decades of expertise and experience. Plus we’re here for you with 24/7, 365 day service.”

She had tips for travel advisors looking to put together groups. It can be as simple as thinking about who would benefit travelling as a group, and defining their common interests. Dream destinations and bucket list travel are perfect for groups. Then, start planning.

In Africa and the Middle East, adventurous groups could be tempted by anything from a safari, to skydiving in Dubai, to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Luxury experiences abound too.

Top trending destinations in Africa for Goway GroupsOnly are South Africa, Dubai, Egypt, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya. And the division’s up and comers are Botswana, Zimbabwe Madagascar, Namibia and Morocco.

“Let GroupsOnly connect your group to Africa,” said Rourke.

One key message? “Please book early,” said Rourke. “Twelve to 18 months is best. That gives you time to get your group together and do your marketing.”

Goway’s online learning platform, GowayPro Travel Academy, offers a deep dive on 60+ countries, with more than 600 training modules. At the official launch of the ‘new Goway’ last month, the Goway team announced that the platform had enrolled its 7,000th travel professional, a new high.

For everything travel advisors need to know about Goway, including GowayPro Travel Academy, see Goway.com.