TORONTO — National Geographic and G Adventures have launched
a line of tours called National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures, a lower-priced product than the existing National Geographic Expeditions tours and one
that will be geared toward a younger audience.
“National Geographic isn’t new to travel. Their travel
division takes people to some of the most iconic places in the world. But with
us, they’re going to be more accessible than ever before,” G Adventures Founder
Bruce Poon Tip said Tuesday during an event here to celebrate G Adventures'
25th anniversary, where the partnership was unveiled.
The initial collection of 70 National Geographic Journeys
will include G Adventures itineraries that were formerly marketed under the
company's Comfort program, as well as tours that are being developed
specifically for the National Geographic Journeys program.
Most group sizes will be limited to 16 travelers, who will
have the opportunity to connect with local communities and cultures through the
lens of National Geographic scientists and storytellers.
Example of National Geographic Journeys experiences include
visiting a women's cooperative in Belize and joining a researcher on safari in
South Africa to learn firsthand about a National Geographic-sponsored
initiative to protect cheetahs and other big cats. Travelers will have the
opportunity to spend time in a family home in Jaipur, India; share a meal with
a local author in Botswana; or meet a traditional weaver in Ecuador.
“By traveling, we get to know the Earth and we get to tell
the stories of the planet, which we need to care about more than ever now,”
Gary Knell, president and CEO of the National Geographic Society, said at the
event. “We hope that for many years to come the thousands and thousands of G
Adventures travelers who will travel with our new co-venture together will
change the world through travel.”
Trip costs vary but, for example, a 14-day trip to Costa
Rica will be priced from $2,099 per person and will include a meeting with a
researcher from the Sea Turtle Conservancy, which was co-founded by a National
Geographic grantee.
As with all National Geographic travel programs, a portion
of the proceeds will support the National Geographic Society’s nonprofit work
in conservation, exploration, education and cultural preservation.
The entire lineup of National Geographic Journeys with G
Adventures will be published on Dec. 15, and the first departures will start
Jan. 5.
The program joins National Geographic’s existing collection
of travel programs, which includes National Geographic Expeditions, National
Geographic Adventures and National Geographic Student Expeditions.