Newmarket Holidays expects a surge in demand for India holidays. It follows the return of e-Tourist Visa processing for British nationals this week. To capture the demand it launched 10% off for travel agent partners on all India tours booked before 24 December 2022. Prior to the pandemic India was a top-selling destination for the escorted tour specialist. Richard Harrington, Destination Manager – US, Canada & Asia said: "It’s great news that the e-Visa has returned. It’s a far simpler and much cheaper option.” "There is going to be lots of pent up demand from people for India holidays." Newmarket Holidays offers nine escorted tours and has 60 available departure dates for India in 2023 and 2024. India tours include India - Tigers & the Taj Mahal, India’s Rajasthan – Palace and Fort, and Kerala & India's Beautiful South. The 10% discount is available on all India tours with the offer code INDIA10.

Newmarket Holidays’ Head of Trade Sales, Richard Forde is appointed as the new Chair of TIPTO. He replaced Nick Hughes, who recently left TIPTO member Gold Medal to join Princess Cruises. Newmarket Holidays has been a long standing member of TIPTO since 2010. Forde has been part of the TIPTO leadership team since then. Forde has spent the past 24 years in travel, starting as a Royal Caribbean photographer. He worked for Reader Offers, Travelscope and Mistral Holidays before joining Newmarket Holidays 13 years ago. Forde said: “TIPTO is a great body for both agents and suppliers to learn and grow together.” TIPTO announced its 18th member Blue Diamond Resorts, with a further two operators to join in 2023. The group will be holding nationwide events as well as the Annual TIPTO afternoon tea in January.

  Interesting to learn what did well in 2022 for Newmarket, in product, markets and marketing. Neil reveals Newmarket Holidays’ current 2023 advance booking levels and their new destinations and product types. [yotuwp type="videos" id="2N1oFHt86aM" ]

Escorted tours specialist Newmarket Holidays launched its Lapland Santa Experience Day Trips for 2023. With sales for Lapland in 2022 having proved popular, and with Christmas fast approaching, the operator has put on sale 18 new dates for 2023. They depart from several regional airports, including Belfast, Cardiff and Norwich, as well as new options from Bristol and Luton. Newmarket Holidays’ 2023 Lapland Santa Experience Day trips will offer the only specially chartered flights to Santa’s airport (Pajala) on the 18 departure days. With group sizes strictly limited, customers will have plenty of time to enjoy all the activities throughout the day. The new day tours include exclusive thermal clothing; a private family meeting with Father Christmas; a token Christmas gift, snowmobile ride; a traditional reindeer sleigh ride; a husky sled ride through the snowy countryside and lunch. Head of Trade Sales, Richard Forde, said: “The demand for 2022 dates has been particularly strong. We’ve been encouraged by the number of enquiries from our agent partners for 2023, and we’re delighted to be launching with even more regional flights.” During the last 10 years of operating tours to Lapland, Newmarket Holidays has specially chartered flights from 13 regional airports and hosts more than 2,500 customers each year.

 

Operator explains why Autumn is the perfect time to get away on an escorted tour

  Newmarket Holidays, the escorted tour operator, has recommended its top ten trips for Autumn as well as its tips on why Autumn makes the ideal time for an escorted tour. In addition, the award-winning operator has extended its offer of up to 15% off a wide range of its escorted tours until the end of August, making this the perfect time to book an Autumn break.   For those who are not yet ready to embrace the shorter daylight hours and fading temperatures, Newmarket Holidays recommends prolonging the summer sunshine in destinations such as India and South Africa, with escorted tours such as India – Tigers and the Taj Mahal; Kerala and India’s Beautiful South; On Safari in the Kruger National Park; and Cape Town, the Garden Route and Big Safari 2022.   For customers who are keen to welcome the cooler temperatures, Autumn is the most picturesque time to travel around the USA and Canada with autumnal colours sweeping the countries as the seasons change. And with the USA now having dropped pre-testing requirements, travelling in Autumn will be easier and more affordable than before. Newmarket Holidays recommends tours such as: New England in the Fall; Fall Colours of New England and Canada; Washington, New York and Boston in the Fall; and Canada’s Maple Leaf Fall.   Newmarket Holidays’ Product Director, Richard Harrington, explains the benefits of Autumn breaks: “We find the Autumn season is very popular with our customers as many prefer to avoid the school holiday rush and summer crowds and our wide range of options for regional airport departures makes it even easier to beat the queues. Fewer crowds also enable more interaction with the locals and Autumn is a great time to relax between the busier summer and festive seasons.  It is also one of the cheapest times to travel with lower prices”   For customers wishing to stay closer to home, off-season in Europe also means fewer crowds with temperatures slightly cooler, but still warm, making this an ideal time to partake in activities such as cycling and hiking around the Italian lakes. Newmarket Holidays recommends: Lake Molveno and The Italian Dolomites and The Italian Lakes.   Newmarket Holidays’ latest campaign, ‘Dream It. See it. Share it.’ has been extended until 31 August 2022 and offers up to 15% off escorted tours and holidays in 2022, 2023 and 2024. For full details on these offers and the tours mention above, see www.newmarketholidays.co.uk   Newmarket Holidays Top Ten for Autumn  

1. New England in the Fall - Available dates: September 2022 – October 2023
2. Fall Colours of New England and Canada  - Available dates: September 2022 – October 2023
3. Washington, New York, and Boston in the Fall  - Available dates: September 2022 – October 2023
4. Canada’s Maple Leaf Trail - Available dates:  September 2022 – November 2023
5. Lake Molveno & The Italian Dolomites  - Available dates: September 2022
6. The Italian Lakes - Available dates: August – September 2022
7. India – Tigers & the Taj Mahal  - Available dates: September 2022 – November 2023
8. Kerala & India’s Beautiful South  - Available dates: September 2022 – November 2023
9. On Safari in the Kruger National Park  - Available dates: October 2022 – December 2024
10. Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari 2022 - Available dates: September 2022 – Nov 2022

Escorted tour operator Newmarket Holidays celebrated the recent National Travel Agents’ Day by giving every single travel agent who made a Newmarket Holidays booking last Friday a £50 Love2shop gift voucher. The rewards were given as a thank you to all partners for their hard work and constant support. Newmarket Holidays team took to the road to visit travel agent partners, bringing them treats to demonstrate their appreciation. Head of Trade Sales, Richard Forde, explains: “We wanted to say a huge thank you to every single agent who has supported Newmarket Holidays. We know that everyone has worked so hard to make our customers feel confident to book post-pandemic.” Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into 2023 and beyond.”

 

Ex-Virgin Atlantic employee, Raymond McErlaine, will assume role for Scotland and Northern Ireland

  Newmarket Holidays, the escorted tour operator, has appointed Raymond McErlaine to the role of Account Manager – Scotland and Northern Ireland, to cover the maternity leave of Amy Burt.   McErlaine brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked in the industry for over 30 years, most recently as Partnership Development Manager for Virgin Atlantic. He has an in-depth knowledge of the travel sector, having previously worked in retail, business travel, the airline industry and tour operating.   Commenting on his new role, McErlaine said: “Newmarket Holidays has an amazing product range and an enviable, award-winning reputation. Having worked on the ONS Covid project since being made redundant at the start of the pandemic, I’m over the moon to be returning to the industry I love.   “I’m looking forward to building on the great success that Amy has had to date and working closely with the agents in my region to further strengthen those relationships and provide the same level of excellent support Newmarket Holidays are known for.”   The appointment of McErlaine continues Newmarket Holidays’ recruitment drive this year as sales go from strength to strength.   Richard Forde, Newmarket Holidays’ Head of Trade Sales said: “Our trade partners have been very supportive and have driven impressive growth this year compared to the same period in 2019. Amy has done a fantastic job for us in Scotland and Northern Ireland and we want to ensure we continue to support these important regions whilst she is on maternity leave.   “We are delighted to welcome Raymond into the team. He has a great deal of valuable experience and already knows many of our key partners in Scotland which will enable him to hit the ground running.”   Newmarket Holidays is currently recruiting for various roles across the company. Anyone interested in joining one of the UK’s largest independent specialist tour operators should head to the operator’s Careers page to find out more or email [email protected].

Escorted tour, cruise and events specialist Newmarket Holidays has launched its new brochure for the trade. The new Escorted Tours and Holidays Collection 2022-2024 includes new worldwide tours, from new offerings in the UK and Europe, to the Americas, Asia and Africa. Altogether, there are nine new additions to the brochure. The new tours include Scottish Lochs and the Isles of Skye and Mull; Salzburg and the Austrian Tyrol; National Parks of the American West and San Francisco; and Costa Rica – Wildlife, Rainforest and Caribbean Beach. Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales, said, “The year has started off very strongly for us and it is important that we have all the tools available to ease the sales process for travel agents.” “The new brochure launch follows the earlier than usual release of availability for 2023 and 2024 tours.” The role of the travel brochure remains ever-important for escorted tours according to Newmarket Holidays’ travel agent partners. As well as the addition of the nine brand new tours, the brochure includes customer favourites as well as Newmarket Holidays’ selection of regional departures. As with all other escorted tours in the brochure, the new tours have a Newmarket Holidays tour manager. The new brochure launch also coincides with the operator’s new campaign, ‘Dream it. See it. Share it.’ which sees booking incentives offering up to 15% savings on 15 popular tours. In addition, there is a 10% saving on the rest of the touring portfolio for 2022-24.

  Escorted tour specialist Newmarket Holidays has seen trade bookings for long haul travel rise by 80% for the year to date, compared to 2019 levels.   Commenting on the growth, the company praised the support of travel agents who, it says, have shown their ability to give confidence to travellers, despite the uncertainties of the past two years.   Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales said, "We are delighted with the year so far and agents have played a big part in bringing confidence back to our customers, especially when it comes to big-ticket long haul adventures.   “Our 'Dream It. See It. Share It.' campaign, which gives up to 15% off holidays booked before 31 July, has been a successful sales tool for our agent partners, and we’re really excited to see them continue to benefit from it over the summer.”   Stand out tours from the year so far have included a tour of Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, a traditional big five safari tour in South Africa, and a wildlife and culture trip through Kenya’s famous East & West Tsavo parks.   Bonface Muriithi, a tour manager who was born and raised on the slopes of Mount Kenya, says travellers are attracted to the small-group format of Newmarket Holidays tours. He said, “Guests are looking for unforgettable experiences, and escorted tours allow them to meet people and explore cultures in a way that's harder for them to do when travelling alone."   Three tours that have helped Newmarket Holidays achieve record long haul sales:   Kenya Grand Safari & Beach was a 14-day tour through the savannah and scrubland of Tsavo West National Park, and then into Tsavo East to discover giant elephant herds. Bonface Muritihi, who led the tour in June, said: “This wasn’t just a wildlife tour. Guests met tea farmers at family-owned plantations, crossed the equator, and visited a village to learn more about local culture,” newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/africa/kenya-beach-and-safari   Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands was a 17-day adventure that took place at the same time as June’s Festival of Light in Cusco, and visited the lost city of Machu Picchu, as well as Peru's capital, Lima; the Sacred Valley and the Inca capital, Cusco, newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/south-america/peru-ecuador-and-the-galapagos-islands   On Safari in South Africa, was a 10-day tour including games drives and bush walks and staying at the Sebatana Lodge, which has its own private game reserve. Lucy Alborough, Sales and Service Manager said: "Our knowledgeable guides made all the difference, and with their help we managed to see all the ‘Big Five’,” newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/africa/on-safari-in-south-africa

Newmarket Holidays is predicting a bumper year for Elvis-inspired trade sales following the release of the biopic of the King's early life, which opens in cinemas on 24 June.   To prepare for the big-screen opening of ‘Elvis’, the escorted tour expert has launched a specialised training module for agents It has created dedicated collateral about the star and his influences, and introduced a 15% discount to support trade sales. Newmarket Holidays' tour, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville, is a nine-night guided journey through the Deep South states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee where Elvis grew up. There are 74 departure dates available, spanning from 2022 to December 2024. If customers travel from mid-November to December, it will also include the festive lights at Graceland. Guests stop at key locations including Presley’s birthplace at Tupelo, the Music City of Nashville, and New Orleans for a visit to the famous French Quarter. In Memphis the tour includes a visit to Sun Studio, where rock and roll was born, and stops for two nights at The Guest House at Graceland, next to Elvis’s famous mansion. Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales said, “Our Elvis tour is always popular, but the launch of this new big-budget film is going to supercharge interest in travelling to the American South.” Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville takes place over nine days, flies with Virgin Atlantic into Atlanta and includes all flights, hotels, transfers, and a tour manager. Richard Harrington, Product Director said; "I've been operating this tour for over 20 years, it never ceases to amaze me how popular it remains. It's packed with all things Elvis plus everything the Nashville and Memphis scene has to offer” Prices start from £1,602pp, which includes a saving of £533pp that is available until 31 July.

 

Launch of new film will drive new interest in the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

  Newmarket Holidays is predicting a bumper year for Elvis-inspired trade sales following the release of Baz Luhrmann’s biopic of the King's early life, which opens in cinemas on 24 June.  To prepare for the big-screen opening of ‘Elvis’, the escorted tour expert has launched a specialised training module for agents, created dedicated collateral about the star and his influences, and introduced an eye-catching 15% discount to support trade sales.   Newmarket Holidays' tour, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville, is a nine-night guided journey through the Deep South states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee where Elvis grew up, honed his style, and changed the face of music across the world. There are 74 departure dates available, spanning from 2022 to December 2024. If customers travel from mid-November to December, it will also include the festive lights at Graceland.   Guests stop at key locations including Presley’s birthplace at Tupelo, the Music City of Nashville where the star recorded some of his biggest hits, and New Orleans for a visit to the famous French Quarter that was the birthplace of Jazz.   In Memphis the tour includes a visit to Sun Studio, where rock and roll was born, and stops for two nights at The Guest House at Graceland, next to Elvis’s famous mansion, and the location of the King’s final resting place.   Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales said, “Our Elvis tour is always popular, but the launch of this new big-budget film is going to supercharge interest in travelling to the American South. It's an unmissable opportunity for the trade to rock their year!   In the run up to the movie our trade team have been dressing up in jumpsuits and singing the praises of the King to agents. After all the travel industry has been through, it's been a fabulous opportunity to have some fun."   Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville takes place over nine days, flies with Virgin Atlantic into Atlanta and includes all flights, hotels, transfers, and an experienced tour manager.   Richard Harrington, Product Director said; "I've been operating this tour for over 20 years, it never ceases to amaze me how popular it remains - not only that customers keep coming back to repeat the tour. It's packed with all things Elvis plus everything the Nashville and Memphis scene has to offer”   Prices start from £1,602pp, which includes a saving of £533pp that is available until 31 July with Newmarket Holidays’ new ‘Dream it. See it. Share it.’ campaign.

Escorted tour operator Newmarket Holidays has launched a new content-led campaign to mark its 2023/24 programme. The new “Dream it. See it. Share it.” campaign sees Newmarket Holidays move from Covid referencing to a more upbeat narrative It reflects a return of travel and positive future. The campaign, which will run between 6 June and 31 July, is supported by a 15% discount on 15 popular tours, including Scottish Highland Railways; America’s Golden West; and Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari.  A 10% special offer has been applied across the majority of other holidays for 2022-24. Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales said “The time is right to move away from focusing on the pandemic and instead look towards the future.” Newmarket Holidays has now resumed the operation of its full portfolio. The departures of over 180 of the company’s tours and cruises have also taken place in recent months. “This offer is perfectly timed with our 2023 short haul product being released as well as additional tours for 2024,” Forde added. “Finally it feels like we’re entering a new chapter of travel.” The company’s latest campaign runs until 31 July with up to 15% off escorted tours and holidays for 2022, 2023 and 2024.