Tucan Travel Voted Small Tour Operator of the Year in British Travel Awards

13 November 2009

Tucan Travel Voted Small Tour Operator of the Year in British Travel Awards Accolade coincides with launch of new 2010-11 brochure

Independent adventure tour operator Tucan Travel was voted Small Tour Operator of the Year against stiff competition at the prestigious British Travel Awards. Widely held to be the ‘Oscars’ of the UK travel industry, tens of thousands of voters took part in the open voting, including travellers, travel agents and other industry partners. The accolade coincides with the launch of the Tucan Travel’s new 2010-11 worldwide brochure, which has just reached the shelves of travel agents around the world.

Managing director Matt Gannan was absolutely thrilled to take the stage to pick up the award on behalf of the company.

"What a night, to be nominated in seven categories and pick up the grandest prize of all, Small Tour Operator of the Year. It's a tremendous achievement and shows what a great dedicated team we have at Tucan Travel and how well we are perceived and appreciated by our clients and industry partners. The voters have spoken and we wholeheartedly thank them for their support.”

“We hope that travellers and agents will be encouraged to take a closer look at our newly launched worldwide brochure as a result of the award,” Mr Gannan said.

The new look brochure features an exciting new range of tours to Eastern Europe including the little known Balkans and Baltic States, as well as a selection of Independent Travel stopovers and packages to worldwide destinations. With more than 450 group tours and independent travel packages to 72 countries worldwide, plus new information pages detailing special events and excursions, Tucan Travel’s new worldwide brochure offers a convenient ‘one-stop-shop’ for travel agents.

Bec Whiffin, general manager for UK & Europe said agents would be pleased to see their favourite adventures back by popular demand, with many itineraries updated and enhanced.

“We’ve put a concentrated effort into listening to our passenger and travel agent feedback and refining and perfecting our current tour itineraries and operations. Many of our tours have added value now with new included excursions, while others have been modified to take advantage of changes in local conditions, such as our changes to tours in Colombia, which will now travel overland in our own vehicles, rather than flying internally. We are sure changes like this will prove popular in 2010,” she said.

Prices held at 2009 website rates

Tucan Travel realises everyone is feeling the squeeze with the current economic climate, so we have made every effort to keep our prices down, while continuing to offer quality, value for money tours. Our 2010-11 prices match the current prices on our website. Your clients can enjoy the benefits of our very popular discount programm.

Our year-round discounts are a fantastic incentive to help travellers make the most of their adventure. Travellers can combine any 3 of our 6 special discounts to receive up to 15% off any of our group tours. Details of the discounts can be found on page 3 of the worldwide brochure. Responsible travel Our Carbon Offset Scheme has been very successful in its first 12 months and we have raised over £15,000 for international conservation charity World Land Trust from worldwide donations. This year’s brochure is 43% of the size of last year’s issue and we have printed 27% fewer copies in order to reduce paper waste. Paper copies of the brochure will be sent out on request and we also hope that our clients will be green and view our digital brochure online at http://ebrochure.tucantravel.com/fvx/tucan/2010-2011

Media Enquiries:

Catrionna Grant, Communications Coordinator
Direct Line: (0208) 896 6711
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SAMPLE OF NEW TOURS

NEW TOUR! Eastern Europe Discovery – 56 nights/57 days – Moscow to Istanbul This exciting journey will take you from enigmatic Russia via the little known Baltic and Balkan states to Turkey, where Eastern Europe meets the Middle East. During this fascinating tour you’ll visit trendy modern cities, the remnants of ancient civilisations, sun-soaked Mediterranean islands and immerse yourself in the diversity of cultures of this amazing region.

Cost: Tour Price £3,140 plus Local Payment €1,360 and optional Carbon Offset Scheme donation £20. Travel style: Adventure Tours – Varied local transport : Pleasant hotels.

NEW TOUR! China Adventure – 9 nights/10 days – Shanghai to Hong Kong Discover the contrasts of cosmopolitan Shanghai and the rural delights of China’s quieter corners on your way to bustling Hong Kong. From cities full of skyscrapers to lush green valleys of terraced rice paddies and tranquil villages, there is plenty to see during this short but sweet adventure. Cost: Tour Price £440 plus Local Payment US$280 and optional Carbon Offset Scheme donation £10. Travel style: Adventure Tours – Varied local transport : Pleasant hotels.

NEW STOPOVER! Alexandria Stopover – 3 nights/4 days Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Egypt’s ancient capital is a sunny city with an unparalled depth of history, famous for its library and the legendary Pharos lighthouse. Enjoy the faded grandeur and hidden treasures of this once magnificent city, with a full day tour including the Catacombes of Kom el Soqafa, Pompeii’s Pillar, Fort Qaitbey, Alexandria Library and Montazah Palace. Cost: From £130 per person (triple share) in a Pleasant Plus hotel & a Pleasant Plus hotel & a private arrival or departure transfer, with excursions (private service) and breakfast. Travel style: Independent Travel – Personalised itineraries : Choice of hotels.

CHANGED travel style! African Wildlife Safari 2 - 33 nights/34 days – Nairobi to Dar es Salaam Prepare your lenses for the incredible herds of wildebeest and the zebra, lion cheetah and leopard, rhino, elephant that inhabit the vast game parks of East Africa. You’ll also be lucky enough to have a rare encounter with the endangered Mountain Gorilla in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountain range. We end with an idyllic beach break at Zanzibar, the exotic ‘Spice Island’, which boasts the sweetest pineapple in the world. Cost: Tour Price £970 plus Local Payment US$690 and optional Carbon Offset Scheme donation £20.

Travel style: Overland Expeditions - Custom built vehicles : Hotels & camping.

NEW PACKAGE! Mexico City Package – 3 nights/4 days – Mexico City Known as the ‘City of the Gods’ the ancient citadel of Teotihuacán was the capital city of Mexico’s biggest pre-Hispanic empire and a sacred place of pilgrimage for the later Aztec civilisation. With massive pyramids including temples dedicated to the sun and moon, the complex is an amazing place to visit during your stay as it is just outside Mexico City. This package includes a half-day city tour with a guide and a full day tour of Teotihuacán ruins with an English-speaking guide. Cost: From £80 per person (triple share) in a Pleasant Plus hotel & a private arrival or departure transfer, with excursions (pooled service) and breakfast.

Travel style: Independent Travel – Personalised itineraries : Choice of hotels.

Please note: International flights, visas, taxes, tips and insurance not included. Additional transfers available at an additional cost. Pre and post tour accommodation available in major cities. Carbon Offset Scheme donations 100% passed to World Land Trust.

About Tucan Travel Passionate about adventure travel since 1987, Tucan Travel offers more than 450 exciting and affordable escorted group tours, independent travel packages and expedition cruises to destinations worldwide, including Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, Asia & Russia, East & Southern Africa, Latin America & Antarctica. With six distinct travel styles offering varying levels of comfort, there’s an adventure to suit any traveller.