G Touring, the operator of escorted touring brands Travelsphere and Just You, has announced that online booking is now available for its agent partners.   The system will leverage the same platform utilised by G Adventures, called Sherpa. It gives agents the ability to make and amend bookings, hold options, update guest information and manage other key elements of their bookings. It forms part of Travelsphere and Just You’s ongoing investment in trade operations and has been introduced in the lead up to peaks in response to agent feedback.   The news was revealed at an exclusive event at World Travel Market to highlight 2025’s key achievements, including that Travelsphere has seen a 17% increase in trade sales (from August 2024 to July 2025) and 15% growth in passenger numbers, while Just You is up 18% for sales and 12% for passengers. The joint UK trade team has also doubled in size to six people.   Meanwhile, October 2025 saw year-on-year growth of 40% in trade sales.   The brands launched several new initiatives this year, including its agent-led Expert Advisory Team, which meets in person to discuss ways of working and trade engagement.   In addition, a partnership between Travelsphere and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) includes a selection of itineraries that feature expert-led insights from the RGS. Due to demand, the collection has doubled in size since launch.   Just You also introduced the ‘Max 20’ concept, which caps select escorted tours at a maximum group size of 20 people to offer a more personalised experience.   New tours have been launched, with highlights including Travelsphere’s ‘Silk Road Adventure: The Five Stans’; and Just You’s ‘Svalbard & Arctic Explorer’ itinerary, which includes a seven-night expedition cruise.   Elsewhere, G Touring’s collaboration with Planeterra continues to focus on integrating community tourism projects across its itineraries. More than half of travellers have contributed to Planeterra through a voluntary donation programme matched by the company, supporting local communities and creating lasting benefits. By the end of 2026, G Touring aims to include community-led projects in over 100 itineraries.   Furthermore, Just You exceeded its planting target as part of a Planeterra tree growing project. The operator set a goal of planting 25,000 trees, to mark its 25th anniversary. As of this month, 28,000 trees have been planted across five sites worldwide. The project included a trade incentive whereby, for every new trade booking made up to February 28, a tree was planted. It contributed more than 3,000 trees to the overall total.   Adam Kemp, managing director at G Touring, said: “It has been an incredible year for Travelsphere and Just You, with significant growth, new initiatives and itineraries, and a continued focus on our mission to showcase how travel is a force for good. Our partnerships with travel agents, suppliers and community organisations continue to drive our progress, and as we look ahead, we remain determined to deliver the very best in escorted touring. Here’s to another year of doing what we do best - creating life-changing travel experiences.”   Tom Morgan, trade sales director, said: "Providing an online booking option for our agent partners has been a key priority. We’ve listened carefully to feedback from the trade and are delighted to deliver a solution that makes it easier than ever for agents to sell and manage our tours."

  Escorted tour operator Travelsphere has unveiled a new 10-night Arctic tour and cruise as part of its 2026 programme.   The ‘Arctic Explorer - Land of the Polar Bear’ itinerary includes visits to Oslo and Longyearbyen in Svalbard, before a seven-night expedition cruise through the Svalbard archipelago onboard G Adventures’ 128-guest 'Expedition'. Prices start from £7,599pp, departing July 10 and 17.   Highlights include: * Oslo city tour, with Holmenkollen Ski Museum * A visit to the Fram Museum, which focuses on polar exploration * Overnight in Longyearbyen with a visit to Svalbard Museum * Seven nights sailing the Svalbard archipelago * Zodiac excursions led by expert expedition guides, specialising in ornithology, marine biology, glaciology and polar history * Opportunities to spot wildlife such as Arctic foxes, reindeer, whales and polar bears * Lectures and educational programmes   A flexible itinerary will be adapted to ice and weather conditions.   Stuart Perry, head of product at Travelsphere, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that blends culture, nature and discovery. Beginning with a land stay in Oslo, guests will dive into the heart of Nordic charm before embarking on an expedition cruise through the Svalbard archipelago. This unique journey offers front-row views of glaciers, remote fjords and the chance to witness polar bears in their natural habitat, in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.”   The itinerary includes return flights from London, overseas transfers, three-nights in four-star hotels, 26 meals, a welcome dinner, and seven nights onboard the ship full board, in addition to a Travelsphere holiday director and local and expedition guides.

  Escorted tour operator Travelsphere has added three new project visits to its ‘Travelsphere Cares’ programme, in collaboration with Planeterra.   ‘Travelsphere Cares’ is part of the operator’s overarching ‘changing lives through travel’ ethos and supports various projects globally that focus on benefiting local communities. On applicable tours, guests are encouraged to visit enterprises that highlight and preserve the heritage of the region they are visiting.   On 2026 departures of the ‘Beyond the Golden Triangle’ itinerary, guests will be able to visit the Pink City Rickshaw Company, based in Jaipur, India, which empowers women from underprivileged backgrounds by training them to become e-rickshaw drivers and tour guides.   Also in 2026, the ‘Wonders of India & the Tiger Trail’ tour will include a visit to the Sheroes’ Hangout café, established to support acid attack survivors.   In addition, ‘The Spirit of Indonesia’ tour will highlight the work of Senang Hati, in Ubud. This organisation supports differently-abled people with job skills training related to hospitality, painting, sewing and woodworking.   Charlotte Field, marketing director at Travelsphere, said: “We’re proud to expand our ‘Travelsphere Cares’ programme. These projects are a vital part of our commitment to responsible travel, ensuring that while our guests experience the wonders of the world, they can also give something back to the people and places they visit.”   Planeterra is a non-governmental organisation that aims to ensure tourism has a positive impact on communities.

  Travelsphere has added to its ‘Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Collection’ for 2026 with the launch of three tours, and also announced a new ‘Balkan Highlights' itinerary as part of its latest brochure.   The RGS collection is a selection of itineraries that feature expert-led insights, an exclusive RGS tour booklet keepsake offering destination content provided by the Society, and co-branded luggage labels. A contribution from each booking supports the Society’s ongoing research and fieldwork.   The new RGS tours comprise: * 16-day ‘Spirit of Indonesia: Java, Komoda & Bali’, starting in Jakarta and visiting Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang, Mount Bromo, Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park, Cunca Rami Waterfall and Bali. Prices start from £3,799pp. * 15-day ‘Wonders of India & the Tiger Trail’, starting in Mumbai and visiting Pench National Park, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Khajuraho, Agra and Delhi. Prices start from £3,499pp. * 14-day ‘Wonders of Peru: Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure’, starting in Lima and visiting the Amazon Jungle, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Puno and Lake Titicaca. Prices start from £4,299pp.   The RGS Collection now consists of 14 itineraries in 2026, including the 18-day ‘Incredible India & Nepal: Culture, Wildlife & Ancient Wonders’ and 17-day ‘Epic Wonders of the National Parks’.   In addition, as part of its wider collection, Travelsphere has introduced a 13-day 'Balkan Highlights' tour for 2026, replacing the existing ‘Balkan Adventure’ itinerary. It will start in Split and visit Zadar, Zagreb, Belgrade, Zlatibor, Sarajevo and Mostar. Prices start from £2,999pp.   Kathy Farahat, product & operations director at Travelsphere, said: "Our 2026 brochure is full of immersive journeys, taking travellers closer to the history, culture and natural beauty of iconic destinations. In partnership with the Royal Geographical Society, guests can look forward to exploring ancient Inca wonders in Peru, seeing the majestic wildlife of India, and discovering Indonesia’s incredible islands, with meaningful and authentic encounters throughout.”

  G Touring brands Travelsphere and Just You have announced changes to their joint trade-focused Facebook page.   The ‘Travelsphere and Just You Trade Team’ page will now feature more inspirational content focused on key brand principles.   Each week there will be information about Travelsphere and Just You’s community projects and how these support the operators’ mission to change people’s lives through travel.   In addition, customer reviews and selling tips will appear regularly, alongside ‘offer of the day’ posts from Monday to Fridays.   The move follows feedback from travel agents during the brands’ first Expert Advisory Team meeting earlier this year.   The 10-strong panel was set up to give agents the opportunity to share their suggestions on ways of working and how the brands can better support the trade.   A further two in-person events will be held this year, with the next taking place on September 9.   Tom Morgan, trade sales director at Travelsphere and Just You, said: “When launching our Expert Advisory Team, we were determined to make sure it provided real, tangible results that support the trade – and this change to our trade Facebook page demonstrates just that. With more engaging posts, tailored to reflect what agents want to see, we’re confident that it will help them to promote our itineraries and encourage more of their clients to take an escorted tour.”   Current members of the Facebook group and those who join before July 31 will be entered into a draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

Travelsphere and Just You have revealed their programme of travel agent Fam trips for 2025. There are three trips taking place this year, split into categories, each specifically designed to accommodate agents’ level of experience in selling escorted tours. They comprise:   New to touring: Malta for 10 agents who have never sold a tour but want to learn more, from March 28 to April 2. Intermediate: Sun Kissed Sardinia Fam, for 10 agents with limited tour sales and knowledge who want to grow their business in this area, from April 26 to May 3. Expert: Unmissable China fam, for 10 agents where touring is core part of their business, from June 3 to June 10.   Each trip will be accompanied by a member of the Travelsphere and Just You trade sales team. Rachel Mould, head of trade sales UK at Travelsphere and Just You, said: “Our collection of 2025 Fam trips provide the perfect opportunity for agents to discover what makes escorted touring the perfect getaway”. By splitting these trips into different categories, we can tailor the overall experience, training and post Fam trip support.” Agents will be handpicked by the Travelsphere and Just You trade team.