More than 50 top Canadian agents. More than three dozen suppliers. And two great countries to visit.

Goway Travel staged its annual Corroboree event in Toronto on Wednesday, holding hundreds of meetings to go over the top things to do Down Under. They also had suppliers meet with consumers and had one of their top Australian specialists talk about the best things to see and do in Australia and New Zealand.

“The event is meant to inspire agents to promote, offer and sell Down Under," said Shirley Rourke, Goway’s Vice President, South Pacific. “We find agents will respond to clients who ask about Down Under but they don't always promote it or mention it."

"It's a destination that's on everyone's bucket list,” Rourke told TravelPulse Canada. “We're trying to move it onto everyone's to-do list."

The event is usually held in Canada every year but switches between Vancouver and a city in Eastern Canada. Goway is staging a similar event on Thursday in Chicago for American agents, she said.

Rourke said Air Canada flies to Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Goway also works with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia. All three airlines had representatives at yesterday’s Toronto session.

Asked how business is going, Rourke said the numbers are steady.

“The great thing about Canadians is we stay a little longer. So the Aussies and Kiwis love Canadians. And they love Goway."

"I think travellers are looking for authentic experiences, so we're seeing an uptake in that type of trip and in cultural experiences. Also, they want active experiences; hiking, learning to surf, riding in a hot air balloon,” she said.

Rourke noted that Goway will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020.

Tourism Australia representatives on hand for the Goway event said Canadian visits in June were up 10% over June of 2018. With Air Canada, you can fly to Auckland, catch another carrier to Australia, and then fly home via Air Canada, he said.

Following the sessions with agents, Goway Australia specialist (and Australia native) Anthony Saba talked to members of the public about Goway’s Down Under offerings.

He said many folks talk about the time and distance, but that it’s a relatively easy flight. It’s best for travellers to give themselves an easy schedule on the day they land so they can get over their jet lag.

Saba said he thinks November to March is probably the best time to visit (late November is good because many Americans are home for Thanksgiving), but that there are great things to see and do all year-round in his native country.

Some folks think Australia is expensive, but the Australian dollar has fallen lately. And restaurant prices in Australia include all taxes. Not only that, but tips aren’t usually expected at a restaurant.

Rather than try to see the whole country, Saba said he recommends folks who take a two-weeks visit see maybe three or four destinations.

Saba said Goway can customize trips to suit any customer, from fully independent visits to escorted tours and adventure trips. He also outlined some of the many special programs Goway has to offer, including their exclusive “Holidays of a Lifetime” packages, which can accommodate up to 30 guests. They also can help with motorhome rentals, coach tours or rail trips such as The Ghan, which runs from Darwin to Adelaide, or the Indian Pacific, which goes from Perth to Sydney.

Another great Goway product is the Stays of Distinction program, which offers lodging at some of the most luxurious properties in the world. They can even set you up for a longstay so you can “live like a local” and spend one or two months in Australia (and perhaps escape the Canadian winter). Packages are available for as short a stay as two weeks, and they can even welcome you with groceries in some locations and offer 24/7 travel advice.

Saba said Goway offers customers stability, trust, knowledge and a great reputation. Many of their Australia experts grew up in Oz or have lived there in the past.

“These aren’t people who started in the industry last year,” he said.

“We stand by our product, and we stand by our destinations.”