Recommend January 2012 - (Page 112)

EGYPT’S antiquity attractions are eternal Even the US Tour Operators Association’s recent survey of its members revealed that more than half anticipate increasing itineraries in 2012 to destinations recovering from events this past year that negatively impacted tourism. Egypt was named most frequently as the country operators plan to increase tours to, followed closely by Greece, Japan and New Zealand. Nearly one-third of respondents have already seen an increase in bookings to those destinations for 2012. great safaris Dave Herbert, founder and CEO of Great Safaris, in fact, is so conﬁdent travelers will enjoy their Egyptian experience this year, his company is offering an unheard of guarantee that states, “If you experience concerns about your personal security and well-being while on a Great Safaris tour itinerary and wish to cancel the remainder of your Egyptian itinerary to return home, we will fully refund the costs of your trip to Egypt that were purchased through Great Safaris.” Herbert points out that, “This guarantee reﬂects my conﬁdence that Egypt remains one of the most fascinating, secure and exotic destinations for American travelers. A journey to Egypt will not only satisfy clients’ expectations, but will create warm and wonderful memories to share with family and friends for many years to come” Great Safari’s Egypt “Security and Satisfaction Guarantee” applies to its 9-day Land of the Pharaohs Classic Level itinerary, which includes tours of Cairo, the Great Pyramids, and a 5-day Nile river cruise, as well as its 15-day Great Egyptian Discovery Classic Level package, a fully escorted tour with a full-time private Egyptologist leading guests on land tours of Egyptian archaeological sites and a Nile cruise. But that’s not all, Great Safaris is also offering an aggressive incentive program to travel agents where with just four bookings of The Land of the Pharaohs Classic Level itinerary, you earn a free Land of the Pharaohs land package; book seven clients for a free land and air package, and 12 bookings will get you a land and air package for two. Plus, Great Safaris offers 15 percent commission on the land rate. Its 12-day program, The Gift of the Nile, features a 7-day cruise down the Nile aboard the Mirage cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan. Each day includes Egyptologist-guided stops at world-famous sites like the Karnak Temples, the Valley of the Kings, the tomb of King Tutankamen, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and many more. Great Safaris’ guarantee is in effect for this Egyptian itinerary, too, all for just $2,999 for two. A Two for One Airfare of $2,359 for two from Washington, D.C. or New York to Cairo is also available. for travel to Egypt, primarily because travel agents have reported interest from three very different types of clients: politically aware travelers who want to show support for the democracy movement; returning guests who want to be among the ﬁrst to see the newly restored Avenue of the Sphinxes in Luxor; and ﬁrst-time travelers attracted by the exceptional values. Considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, the Avenue of the Sphinxes is a 1.6-mile ceremonial walkway between the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak that is lined by hundreds of newly uncovered and restored stone sphinxes, which reputedly guarded the royal personage and entourage as they made their way between the two temples. The company has scheduled ﬁve additional departures of Egypt Unveiled, an 11-day itinerary featuring the historic Mena House Oberoi and the Four Seasons Cairo, with a 4-night Nile cruise aboard the luxurious Sun Boat IV (Jan. 26-Feb. 5, March 15-25, May 3-13, May 17-27, May 31-June 10 from $2,595). There are two additional 2012 departures of an itinerary inspired by the Arab Spring, Egypt: A Moment in History (Aug. 30-Sept. 9 and Oct. 25-Nov. 4 from $1,725) on which travelers explore the wonders of Cairo and nearby Giza, before ﬂying south to Luxor and cruise on the Sun Boat IV for four nights, where an Egyptologist introduces them to the river’s extraordinary temples and monuments. Two additional departures of Splendors of the Nile include a 4-night Nile River cruise and private access to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the tomb of Seti I, the longest and most ornate in the Valley of the Kings (June 21-July 1 and Sept. 27-Oct. 7 from $3,435). There’s also an additional departure of Pharaohs & Pyramids, featuring a 7-night cruise aboard Sun Boat III plus private openings of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens (June 12 from $4,415). Finally, there are also two additional departures of A&K’s Egypt family program, Pyramids, Mummies & Temples (April 2-10, June 25-July 3 from $2,335). Families will explore Egypt’s temples, fortresses and ruins; see Tutankhamun’s mummy in his tomb, don galabeyyas (traditional robes) at a costume party on board Sun Boat IV and join a family scavenger hunt through a bustling, colorful bazaar, plus a whole lot more. Lassers points out that these additions are guaranteed departures, and, she adds, if the bookings keep going at the same pace they are now, they may add even more. ■ abercrombie & kent Veteran tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is no less enthusiastic about 2012 Egypt bookings and according to Pamela Lassers, A&K’s director of communications, the response to its newly priced Egypt programs has been “phenomenal.” What’s even more amazing, Lassers says, “…is the family bookings, it’s amazing. We’ve had to add extra family programs the demand for them is so great.” In fact, A&K is adding 12 additional small group departures in 2012 to the 34 previously announced to accommodate the increasing demand 112 january 2012 Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Luxurious Egypt: Now’s the Time (October 2011) contact information Abercrombie & Kent: (800) 554-7016; abercrombiekent.com Egypt Tourism Authority: egypt.travel Great Safaris: (800) 409-7755; greatsafaris.com recommend.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.abercrombiekent.com http://egypt.travel http://www.greatsafaris.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2012

Editor's Note
Hotel Desk: Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Lindblad Expeditions
Holland America's Veendam
Delta Air Lines' 2012 Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America Travel Guide
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Las Vegas' 2012 Offerings
Hot European Tours for 2012
Hokkaido, Japan
Egypt's Antiquity Attractions are Eternal

Recommend January 2012