The Contiki Torch

Everyone Is Booking a “Nearcation” With Contiki

Worldwide Travel Leader Offers More New Year’s Eve Options in San Francisco and Las Vegas

09/15/09

Contiki launched its 2010/2011 North America brochure, which includes itineraries in the USA, Canada and Mexico. From California to Calgary to Cancun, Contiki offers unique travel packages for 18 to 35-year-olds. With a recent trend towards “nearcations,” (local or near vacations), Contiki provides affordable opportunities to hit the open road. Travelers that book a North America trip eight days or longer, by September 25, will receive $100 off.

“Contiki travel in North America is already up 5%,” says Greg “Fish” Fischbein, President of Contiki Holidays. “It is further testament to the resiliency and flexibility of the youth market — a slower economy does not stop them from traveling the world — including the world found in their own backyard.”

United States: Spend a few in-depth days in Los Angeles or take a 26-day roadie across the U.S. in a state-of-the-art luxury coach. With Contiki, you roll into adventures in any number of America’s most dynamic spots: Hollywood, Lake Tahoe, New Orleans, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Central Park, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, Graceland, the Mojave Desert, Times Square and Yosemite National Park

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the New York for New Year’s Eve trip (already sold out for 2009), Contiki has added two hot new destinations and itineraries for this year — Contiki travelers can spend four days ringing in the New Year in Las Vegas or celebrating Contiki-style in San Francisco.

Mexico: A rich cultural heritage, fantastic food, and diverse geography, Mexico fits everyone’s taste. Revelers can soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches of Ixtapa and Acapulco and later tour the hidden paradise that is the Mexican Riviera. With Contiki, you can explore historical Mexico City by day and make it to an all-night party in Cancun.

Canada: If whitewater rafting, hiking, glacier exploring, zip-lining, canoeing and horseback riding sound like a good time, take a Contiki adventure in Canada. Challenge yourself in Canada’s dynamic duo of provinces: Alberta and British Columbia. Their diverse physical beauty — from Whistler to Banff to Vancouver, and points in between — feature the greatest of the great outdoors.

All trip prices include transport, accommodation, sightseeing, breakfast daily and a number of other meals. While traveling with Contiki you also benefit from experienced tour managers that provide you a “locals only” run of all featured cities. Contiki’s USA/Mexico/Canada 2009-2010 brochure can be viewed at http://contiki.com/ebrochures. It includes 20 unique tour itineraries ranging in duration from six to 26 days.

About Contiki

Contiki boasts over 45 years of expertly designed vacation experiences for students and young professionals ages 18-35. Choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada & the USA. Go Contiki. Get Experienced.

CONTIKI PARTNERS WITH THE ROXY ATHLETIX COLLEGE TOUR

September 10, 2009

Contiki Holidays is sending two lucky people and their friends on unforgettable journeys Down Under. The worldwide leader in unique vacation packages for 18 to 35 year olds has partnered with The Roxy ATHLETIX College Tour to offer two trips for two to Australia on the “Magical Tropics” and “City to Surf” tours.

“Partnering with Roxy was a natural fit because we share the same youthful and adventurous demographic,” says Michelle Murray, Marketing Director for Contiki Holidays. “Contiki trips are packed with exciting opportunities and activities.”

The Roxy ATHLETIX College Tour will begin on September 17 and run through October 27, 2009, visiting various college campuses across the western U.S. The online sweepstakes officially launched August 3 and will run through November 15, 2009. The sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18-35 years of age. Participants can enter the online contest at http://www.roxy.com/athletix or submit a form at one of the campuses throughout the tour. Additional prizes include a Roxy Athletix merchandise pack and a three month supply of Dermalogica Clean Start products.

The winner of the online sweepstakes will spend 10 days on Contiki’s “Magical Tropics” tour, experiencing Australia’s beautiful east coast. The trip includes a sailing excursion to the pristine water and white sand of Whitehaven Beach, a Great Barrier Reef high speed catamaran cruise, and a chance to meet the local wallabies. In Cairns, the winner will have the option to go scuba diving, bungee jumping, or whitewater rafting. The excursion wraps up with an unforgettable trip to Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park.

The winner chosen from on-site entries will spend eight days of fun-in-the-sun on Contiki’s “City to Surf” tour. The tour begins in Sydney, home to the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge. The trip continues up the coast to the stunning beaches of Coffs Harbor where Contiki’s surf school and cabins are located. In route to Surfer’s Paradise, the winner will experience the small coastal town of Byron Bay with its organic lifestyle, artsy shops, and fantastic eateries. Once in Surfer’s Paradise, the winner can party the night away at one of the 40 traditional pubs, chic lounge bars, or dance clubs.

For more information on the “Magical Tropics” tour, visit: http://contiki.com/tours/58-magical-tropics.
For more information on the “City to Surf” tour, visit: http://contiki.com/tours/45-city-to-surf
Details on the Roxy Athletix College Tour can be found at: http://www.roxy.com/athletix

About Contiki
Contiki boasts over 45 years of expertly designed vacation experiences for students and young professionals ages 18-35. Choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada & the USA. Go Contiki. Get Experienced.

About Roxy:
Roxy is a brand of Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK), the world’s leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, wintersports equipment, footwear, accessories and related products. The Company’s apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its boardriding culture and heritage.

The reputation of Quiksilver’s brands is based on different outdoor sports. The Company’s Quiksilver, Roxy, DC and Hawk brands are synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, and its beach and water oriented swimwear brands include Raisins, Radio Fiji and Leilani. The Company continues to make snowboarding equipment under its DC, Roxy, Lib Technologies, Gnu and Bent Metal labels.

The Company’s products are sold in over 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, skate shops, snow shops, its proprietary Boardriders Club shops and other company-owned retail stores, other specialty stores and select department stores. Quiksilver’s corporate and Americas’ headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California, while its European headquarters are in St. Jean de Luz, France, and its Asia/Pacific headquarters are in Torquay, Australia.

TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT EUROPE THIS WINTER
AUGUST 5, 2009
It’s no secret that winter in Europe is stunning, and the key to ensuring the most memorable experience is to let the best people plan your trip. Contiki Vacations, the worldwide leader in unique travel packages for 18 to 35-year-olds, wants you to experience it firsthand. Here are several reasons why you should jump out of hibernation and head to Europe on a Contiki tour this winter, along with a few tour suggestions:

1. Incredible Value- Contiki is offering $150 off winter trips nine days or longer when booked and paid in full by August 14, 2009. Contiki also has a great air deal available for the month of August — companions fly for $99. Visit http://contiki.com/deals for details.

2. Crowds- The summer crowds are gone. Fewer tourists mean you will get to experience cities as the locals do. No standing in long lines to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, or the Roman Forum and Colosseum in Rome. You can experience the best sights and sounds of Europe during the 14 day-long European Discovery tour.

3. Authentic Experiences- You can’t get more authentic than the Christmas markets, festivals and carnivals that take place all around Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.

4. Entertainment- Opera, theater, and symphony seasons are in full effect.

5. Adventure- For winter sports enthusiasts, it is prime snow season! Contiki offers seven and 14 day vacation packages to Hopfgarten, Austria where you can ski, snowboard, ice skate or take a sleigh ride through the beautiful countryside. Contiki’s Ski Austria vacation packages start at $485 a week.

6. Hofbraeuhaus- So, you couldn’t make it to Oktoberfest, but you can still enjoy the beer, the food and the Bavarian oompah band. Munich is one of the many exciting stops on Contiki’s European Inspiration tour.

7. Spanish Beauty- Spain comes alive in September. From Barcelona, to Madrid, to Seville, winter is the best time for shopping and exploring. If you’re looking to get a little spicy this winter, check out Contiki’s Spanish Spree tour.

8. Time to Break Tradition- Dick Clark will be around for a few more years, so why not party it up with the locals in Dam Square in Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve!? It is as big a celebration as Times Square in New York with the addition of fireworks.

9. A Little Romance- Paris on Valentines Day — how much more romantic can you get!?

10. The Shopping- Italy is always top of mind when it comes to shopping. Milan is world renowned for design and fashion, and the entire area surrounding the famous Spanish Steps in Rome is a shopper’s dream come true. If it is shopping you want to do, then the Simply Italy tour is for you.

Contiki’s Europe Winter 2009-2010 brochure can be viewed at http://contiki.com/ebrochures. It includes 20 unique tour itineraries ranging in duration from six to 26 days.

About Contiki: Contiki boasts over 45 years of expertly designed vacation experiences for students and young professionals ages 18-35. Choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada & the USA. Go Contiki. Get Experienced.

CONTIKI NOW OFFERING AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES AND EXCITING EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT ASIA

Leading Youth Travel Agency Launches Online “Asia River Run” Contest

ANAHEIM, Calif., July 28, 2009 – Traveling to Asia has become just seamless and hassle-free. Contiki Holidays, the worldwide leader in vacation packages geared for 18 to 35 year olds, is excited to announce the launch of a series of trips in Asia and its online contest, “Asia River Run.”

Currently, eager travelers between the ages of 18-35 can visit www.contikirivergame.com and enter to win a 10-day Vietnam Contiki tour for two.  The winner and a guest will spend 10 days traveling through Vietnam and experience the dramatic scenery, culture and nightlife via Ho Chi Minh City (Siagon), Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Halong Bay.

The object of the “Asian River Run” is to earn points by keeping your boat afloat while picking up travel buddies, as you cruise down a wild river in Asia.  At the end of the game you can check the leaderboard, see how you compare to other top players, and complete an online entry form. You increase your chances of winning by referring friends to the competition.  Each friend who plays the game earns you an additional entry into the grand prize drawing.

For those wishing to travel to other parts of the world’s largest continent, Contiki offers seven different trips through Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.  Asia tours offer authentic activities including:

• An overnight cruise on a Junk boat in Halong Bay, Vietnam

• Snorkeling and relaxing on the pristine beaches of Nha Trang, Vietnam

• Learning how to cook local Thai cuisine in Chang Mai, Thailand

• Visiting the vine-covered Ta Prohm temple, as seen in Tomb Raider in Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Long tail boat tours around Bangkok, Thailand

• Engaging in the ritual of offering alms to the monks in Luang Prabang, Thailand

• Taking a bike tour around the Hoi An countryside or the Forbidden City in Hue, Vietnam

Each day on a Contiki Asia vacation includes plenty of free time to do your own thing, explore the indigenous culture and sights, or kick back and relax.  Travelers can choose optional activities and create a customized vacation.  From 4-wheels to 2-wheels to 0-wheels (we’re talking paddles and outboard motors), there are up to ten different types of transportation involved in a Contiki Asia trip.  In addition to the contest, Contiki is offering $100 off Asia trips seven days or longer.  That’s almost a whole day for free!

“While Contiki has distinguished itself as the premier operator for touring Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, we have kicked it up another notch with our expansion into Asia,” says Greg “Fish” Fischbein, President of Contiki Holidays.  “We regularly review our traveler feedback and seeing Asia ‘Contiki-style’ topped their list for new destinations.  The initial Asia sales have been even greater than we expected and the response from our travelers confirms that this exotic region will continue to grow for years to come.”

For more information call 1-800-Contiki (266-8454), visit your local travel agent or check out www.contiki.com.  Brochures are available at http://contiki.com/ebrochures.

About Contiki

Contiki boasts over 45 years of expertly designed vacation experiences for students and young professionals ages 18-35.  Choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada & the USA. Go Contiki. Get Experienced.

Contiki Offers Kickbacks on Group Travel

Group Programs Offer Cash-Back Incentives, “Age Flexible” Travel

ANAHEIM, CA – Contiki Holidays, the industry leader in expertly designed vacations, has developed two programs that offer both large and small group incentives for booking travel abroad. The programs, which are utilized by a wide-array of organizations including study abroad, culinary, religious and alumni programs, offer cash-back incentives and free travel for group leaders.

Contiki’s custom group travel program is designed for groups of 20 or more people and provides complimentary spaces for trip leaders. In conjunction with the program, Contiki is flexible with its 18-35 year old age range limit and allows students under the age of 18 and chaperones over 35 to travel with the group. A Contiki group specialist also works with the leader(s) to create a customized itinerary that aligns with the interests of the travelers. Each custom program includes hotel accommodations, daily transportation, a Contiki tour manager and breakfast daily. In addition, Contiki offers activities such as dinners, sightseeing tours and excursions that can be added on to any itinerary.

To meet the needs of smaller groups, Contiki offers incentive travel for members of alumni associations, sororities, fraternities and student clubs traveling with five to 20 people. This program blocks space on regular Contiki tours and provides the group with marketing support to help promote their selected trip. As a bonus, Contiki donates $75 – $150 to the group or charity of their choice for every person that books with the group. Once the group has reached 10 people, a free spot is given to the trip organizer and each traveler receives $25 – $50 in vouchers good for optional activities like sky diving, white water rafting, and wine tasting.

“Contiki will continue to put the most flexible options and valuable incentives in place to support group travel to many of the most beautiful and historic destinations in the world,” said Greg “Fish” Fischbein, President of Contiki Holidays. “Our group specialists are highly-trained experts experienced in delivering packages that reflect the interests of each group and delivering to that expectation with the utmost professionalism.”

To learn more about group programs with Contiki Holidays, visit www.contiki.com/groups.

About Contiki

Contiki boasts over 45 years of expertly designed vacation experiences for students and young professionals ages 18-35. Choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada & the USA. Go Contiki. Get Experienced.