APT targets pent-up demand with early release for 2022

APT has put some of its most popular long-haul itineraries on sale for 2022 to capitalise on “pent‑up demand” ahead of its full programme for next year going on sale in April.

The escorted tour operator’s Bucket List collection includes trips in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The “epic tours” aim to offer memorable itineraries that make up for “lost holidays” during the pandemic.

UK managing director Paul Melinis said: “Our clients are desperate to secure an extraordinary adventure in 2022, and to make up for a year of lost holidays.

“Enquiries and bookings for our longer-haul escorted tours are rising rapidly. Guided travel is clearly a popular choice in a Covid-19 world because of the reassurance that this travel style offers.”

Melinis said having a tour director and knowing a trip has been organised with partner hotels, restaurants and attractions would give “peace of mind” to clients.

The 2022 collection features a 13-day Passage Through the Rockies tour, from Calgary to Victoria, priced from £3,345 including scheduled flights from the UK. Highlights include a Blue River safari to Grizzly Bear Valley, a visit to the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and sightseeing around Lake Louise, known as the ‘Jewel of the Canadian Rockies’. Departures are between April and September 2022.

The new 20-day Rockies Explorer and Alaska Cruise, starting and ending in Vancouver, from £6,995, includes a two-day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey in GoldLeaf Service and a seven-night Inside Passage cruise with guaranteed veranda as well as the chance to explore the Butchart Gardens and board an Ice Explorer vehicle for a journey on to the Athabasca Glacier.

Other Bucket List trips include a 15-day Treasures of Australia, from Sydney to Melbourne, costing £3,945, and a 20-day New Zealand Wonderland, from Auckland to Christchurch, from £4,695.