TORONTO — Goway Travel’s Groups Only division sent 500 group vacations worldwide in the past year, an unprecedented success for the company, says Shirley Rourke, Vice President of Groups Only at Goway.

“We are incredibly proud of the exceptional performance achieved by our Groups Division in the past year. This success emphasizes our team’s commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service and unforgettable travel experiences,” says Rourke.

To celebrate the milestone, Goway Groups Only is offering a complimentary welcome reception to all new groups who book from March 20 to April 30. The gesture, featuring tastes of the destination upon arrival, is a token of appreciation for the unwavering support and trust advisors have shown, notes Rourke.

She adds that group travel is one of the biggest trends in the industry right now. And demand will only grow. What’s selling especially well? “We’ve seen growth in women-only group travel opportunities, culinary tours, multi-generational family travel, heritage and ancestry travel, and group trips for special events,” says Rourke. “We’ve also seen increased interest in multi-country itineraries. Travellers want to visit exciting places, but they also want to share the experience with friends, family, and like-minded explorers. Add in the cost savings, safety benefits, and ease of planning, and you can see why group travel is such an appealing option for so many people. Goway Groups Only makes booking groups easy.”

Some 40 team members make sure every Goway Groups Only trip goes according to plan. The division’s specialists handcraft customized group trips to over 115 countries worldwide. Rourke says travel advisors benefit from experience and expertise when planning with Goway Groups Only as well as Goway’s product line and supplier connections. They can also travel for free “and make great revenue on group bookings,” she adds. Goway Groups Only also offers cash rewards as part of the GowayPro loyalty program and helps travel advisors qualify for a free FAM.