TORONTO — On the heels of a record-breaking January, G Adventures held a splashy event for travel trade, agency partners and media at Toronto’s landmark Fairmont Royal York Hotel this week.
It was an event dubbed ‘An Evening with G Adventures & Friends’, where agency partners and Ontario’s top 100 selling agents were invited to join the prestigious appreciation evening that included a serenade by an electronic violinist during the cocktail networking session, followed by exciting product updates and a delicious three-course dinner.
Some of those ‘friends’ in tow, destination partners marking the occasion and sharing a few of their highlights, 
were PromPeru, Brand USA, Pro Colombia, Visit Portugal and Jordan Tourism Board.
As the evening’s brouhaha ramped up, multi-trip giveaways found their way to a few lucky agents ranging from seven-day highlights of Portugal to nine-day hiking in Utah’s Mighty Five itinerary, courtesy of Air Canada and Brand USA.
“Sustainable, life-changing, immersive, authentic, community, experience and Canadian – these are all words travellers used when asked to describe G Adventures,” shared Hilary Arsenault, G Adventures’ GPS for Quebec and the Maritimes.
“We’re proud to hear that they’re using all the same words to describe our adventures; that’s big win for us,” added Arsenault.
TRAVEL TRENDS
So, what are some of the key findings G is seeing today?
“No surprise, but it’s time to catch up on the travel bucket list with people booking longer trips, travelling more frequently and spending more money,” shared Erin Rogers, G Adventures’ National Sales Manager.
Travellers also care more about supporting local people and businesses, prefer to travel solo, and an impressive 42.3% of travellers are repeaters, added Rogers.
Interestingly enough, a company that initially started with youth travel has slowly experienced a shift to their largest age demographic of 60-69, currently making up 24% of its total travellers.
More notably, women make up 65% of travellers and drive solo travel at 42%.
There is also an uptick in specific destinations.
Portugal is up 33% compared to the previous year, and G Adventures has seen a surge in bookings to Japan, reporting a 134% increase, with the trend expected to continue.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR GELUXE?
G Adventures’ newest brand of premium active trips boasting one-of-a-kind accommodations and elevated dining experiences has added an exciting roundup of 10 new countries and 17+ itineraries coming this year.
Geluxe phase two will include exotic destinations to Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the Galapagos 
islands, Iceland, India, Kenya, Portugal, Tanzania, and Turkey, with booking available on March 5.
In addition, a special VIP offer will launch the following day with a savings of $350 per person. The offer will apply to bookings from March 6 to April 30.
Group travel keeps getting better and better.
G Adventures provides the perfect option for clients who crave adventure but also want the comfort of travelling with people they know. Some exciting changes surrounding private group policy have sweetened the deal, making booking private groups even easier.
New to G is 50% off the 8th traveller or FOC spot for the 12th travellers on most departures, access to in-market promotions on duplicate departures, and now only four travellers to guarantee a trip on duplicate departures (the confirmed travellers remain at the original group rate).
“We love our travel agents. We can’t do what we do without you. You are the best of the best in Ontario,” expressed David Green, G Adventures Managing Director, with his closing remarks as the evening wrapped up.
