APT has introduced Sri Lanka, Tibet and Japan to a new Asia programme for 2019-20.
The Asia River Cruising and Touring brochure features 11 luxury and essential holidays to Vietnam and Cambodia, China, Japan and Sri Lanka.
Small group discovery tours to Sri Lanka, China and Tibet are offered to the UK trade for the first time with two itineraries.
A 16-day Spirit of Sri Lanka trip for a maximum of 16 guests leads in at £5,295 per person twin share. Included is a Jeep safari to spot local wildlife including elephants and leopards.
An 18-day China and Tibet river cruise and tour caters for up to 20 travellers from Beijing to Shanghai with prices starting at £6,895pp.
Highlights include a visit an unrestored section of China’s Great Wall, an opportunity to learn about giant Panda breeding, a three-night stay at Tibet’s InterContinental Lhasa Paradise and a three-night river cruise aboard the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer taking in China’s Three Gorges.
Four departures to Japan are included between May and November on a 15-day itinerary from Tokyo to Osaka.
Prices start at £8,895pp for the tour for a maximum of 30 guests taking in Mount Fuji, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. Features range from sushi making to Shinto blessings, sake tasting and an evening of traditional entertainment where guests can meet a traditional Geiko or Maiko – Geisha or apprentice Geisha.
Several new sightseeing experiences across its luxury river cruises and tours include sharing meal at celebrity chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam House restaurant in Saigon, replacing a more formal degustation menu previously offered.
Travellers to Beijing are granted exclusive access a section of the Forbidden City not open to the public, the living quarters of the Emperor Qianlong.
APT’s Japan tours offer a new Taiko drumming performance in Kyoto with dinner and drinks.
Agents can offer clients free premium economy on select luxury departures to Vietnam and Cambodia for bookings made by February 28, 2019.
Discounts of up to £2,900 per couple on Essential river cruise holidays to Vietnam and Cambodia are available.
The lead-in price for the brochure is a 15-day Essential Vietnam and Cambodia river cruise at £2,695pp with the launch discount.
Agents booking from the brochure can win a seven-night Mekong river cruise holiday for two people, including return economy flights.
APT’s incentive was originally launched to support Clia UK & Ireland’s #ChooseCruise campaign and covers bookings made by November 30. The closing date for entries is now December 7.
APT UK and Europe managing director Paul Melinis said: “Asia is a popular destination for UK travellers right now.
“We’ve responded to this demand by offering more tours, more choice and more new highlights in a bid to help our travel industry partners benefit from what we see as an exciting opportunity.
“We are already one of the most successful river cruise operators on the Mekong and this remains the focal point for our Asia programme.
“Enhancing our cruise offering with a portfolio of exceptional land journeys is a natural next step and we are excited to introduce new intimate tours that take in Sri Lanka, Tibet and Japan.
“We’ve taken care of every last detail throughout this brochure to ensure our holidays deliver the APT difference. We hope our travel agent partners will enjoy selling our new portfolio of journeys to the region.”