An overview of Explore as a company and how to sell our products. For more detailed training contact 0870 333 4801

1. Agent Manual 2007/08

4. Top 10 Reasons to Book Your Customers with Explore 1. Small Groups Besides minimising the environmental and cultural impact, we believe small groups enable a far deeper and more interactive experience – something mainstream tour operators struggle to offer. 2. The Tour Leader All of our trips are led by a specially trained Explore Tour Leader. The expectations we have of them are uncompromisingly high: extensive overseas experience and a cultured enthusiasm for travel are essential qualities. Successful candidates undergo the most intensive training in the business. 2

5. 3. Fewer Footprints Treading carefully on our planet whilst appreciating and supporting the communities we visit has been central to the kind of exploratory travel that Explore pioneered 26 years ago. This fundamental philosophy has changed little over the years: we still travel in small groups and plough back as much as we can into the local economies. Explore has a 3 star Responsible Tourism Status, The maximum amount awarded by AITO 4.Travel Like a Local Smaller groups also mean greater flexibility when it comes to transport. The mode of transport will reflect the essential nature of the tour – a caique for a week’s island hopping in Greece; 4WD for wilderness expeditions and wildlife viewing; a compact coach for cultural itineraries along a good network of roads. In fact we often use more than one type per trip, including elephants, camels and of course on foot! 3

6. 5. Accommodation The variety of our accommodation around the world is huge. We will always prefer conveniently located, small, comfortable, clean and friendly places – locally run and with plenty of character – to the large globally owned establishments. Often, our chosen accommodation will actually be an essential ingredient of the tour, such as the teahouses in our Everest Teahouse Trek. 6. The Explore Experience First and foremost it’s about people: your travelling companions, the Explore team, an enduring experience you strike in a remote village. A trip with Explore is also a relaxed but carefully planned adventure holiday, with none of the hassle associated with independent travel – nor the impersonal regime of mass tourism. 4

7. 7. Tour Variety No matter what sort of experience your customer is after we can cater for their dreams. Our trips can include culture, discovery, ethnic encounters, wilderness experiences, wildlife, natural history, multiple activities, walking, trekking, cycling, voyages, rail journeys and much, much more. 8. Destinations Explore operates in over 140 countries around the world: from Egypt to Ecuador, Canada to Cambodia, Thailand to Tibet and Swaziland to Sweden. Wherever your customers want to go we can take them. Let them experience some of the most amazing holiday destinations in the world. 5

8. 9. Choice - Brochures 10. Our Service to You: Your agency will earn excellent rates of commission and receive unparalleled customer service from our dedicated agency sales team. 7 adventure packed brochures. 400+ Tours. A huge variety of itineraries, activities, destinations and cultures. Same fundamental ethos: One World, Explore It. 6 Greg & Fiona Cheryl, Ross & Louisa Michelle

10. Multi-Activity Tour Same great tours with multiple activities and excursions for the physically active adventurer. Culture & Discovery Experience the local cultures and sites – not necessarily physically demanding Wilderness Experience Ultimate adventures in remote locations. May have to ‘rough it’ at times . Wildlife & Nature Visiting the world’s greatest game reserves and focusing on wildlife and the wonders of nature. Ethnic Encounters Meet and sometimes stay with traditional local people or tribal groups. Luxury Option Same great tours with top quality interesting accommodation River/Sea Journeys Easy going river exploration or sea adventures on ships, sailboats, ferries or tall ships. Accommodation is usually onboard. Rail Journeys Discover fantastic destinations by rail, with a good balance of free time and planned exploration. Walking & Trekking Walking or trekking is the main focus of these tours. Easy Walking/Exploring Typically includes days of easy or moderate walking – other activities are usually available for non-walkers. Cycling See the sights and scenery on these, often relaxing, trips revolving around cycling Central Location for Excursions Based around a single or twin-centre location, within reach of specific places of interest and activities. Worldwide Brochure – Page 2 Inside Cover Use these helpful symbols to find the right tour for your customer 8

11. Worldwide Brochure – Pages 18 & 19 Use this page to quick reference tours and find the right Explore trip for your customers Page Numbers Single Supplement Available Activity Keys – what to expect on each tour Tour Length - Days Explore Tour Code Months of Operation 9

12. Worldwide Brochure – Understand the tour pages Tour Name Activity Keys Tour Length & Type of Accommodation Tour Reference Months of Operation Map showing tour area plus extensions and modes of transport Info on possible tour extensions is highlighted in the text . Tour Factfile – giving info on itinerary of tour, day by day . Info on ‘In Style’ option 10

18. Special Interest In-depth tours that provide all the benefits of the classic Explore itineraries but with more of a focus on special interests. History Tours In this brochure our focus is on history, we provide 7 fascinating adventures worldwide all accompanied by guest lecturers, experts in their field. The history tours provide a unique insight into a region’s past, often including little-known sites that see few regular travellers. Astronomy & Eclipse Tours In this brochure our focus is on eclipse and astronomy, with a compelling range of tours worldwide. For the 1 st August 2008, we have selected some of the best viewing locations in Asia, so your customers will have the opportunity to combine a unique celestial event with an exploration of a fascinating region of the world where lands of ancient cities, empty deserts and beautiful scenery are populated by diverse and ancient cultures. 16

20. Tour Info Page Tour Title and Ref code Download and print tour dossiers Check tour price and availability Quick look at tour itinerary and map Click here to switch to ‘Land Only’ itineraries Tour Picture Gallery 18

22. Pricing Tour prices are per person and represent the basic cost of the tour at the time of publication of the brochures. It is the nature of Adventure travel that prices from time to time may vary because of alterations to flights, transport or other ground related costs. Price Surcharges – The price should not alter once you have booked; unless there has been a change in airline fuel surcharges, government taxes or dues relating to embarkation, disembarkation or security. Where this is the case, additional costs will be passed on in the form of a surcharge. Please see ‘Surcharge Conditions’ in the booking conditions. What’s Included in the Price – XL prices include flights from London UK Airport Departure Taxes Transfers (for those travelling on the group flight) Transport Accommodation Meals (see tour itinerary for meals available on particular tour) Professional Tour Leaders Local Crew Sightseeing and Visits Local Payment – A separate local payment is payable on many tours. This is shown clearly within the individual tour dates and prices in the brochures and pricing supplements. The Local payment forms part of the overall selling price of the tour, but is paid as a separate amount to the tour leader on arrival at the joining point abroad. In some cases it will be used for a specific purpose on the tour; in most cases it is used by the tour leader or local ground agent to cover a proportion of the local operating costs. Single Room Charge – Although not available in the selling price of the tour, the option of paying for a single room is available on many tours and is shown separately within the dates and prices below each tour where applicable. What’s NOT Included in the Price – Visa Fees, vaccinations, passports, international departure taxes, insurance, excess baggage charges, optional tours and excursions, hotel porterage, meals other than those stated as included, all items of a personal nature. Tips for personal service are not included and are usually expected. Loyalty Discounts, i.e. 5% for 5 trips, are offered to all our clients; however the cost of this discount is split 50/50 with our sales agents when the tours are booked through the agent. ‘ Land Only’ Itineraries Land Only dates & prices for all of our tours are available on request. These indicate prices starting from the first city or joining point abroad and exclude connecting flights to/from London. This also enable your customers to combine various Land Only arrangements on two or more tours, or combine one of our tours with your customers’ own independent flight arrangements. Clients booked on Land Only arrangements should also note that normally the transfers between the airport and hotel (at the start and end point) are not included. The Nitty Gritty 1 20

23. Flights How Explore works with airlines – As a rule we work with airlines on an allocation basis. This means that we request a block of seats for each destination and for all departure dates way in advance of the brochures being published. Due to the ever changing nature of the airline business, however, there may be occasion where allocated seats are no longer available. This could be for a number of reasons including the airline withdrawing the flight from their schedule or smaller aircraft being used on a particular route. When this happens we find alternatives – either alternative flights with the same carrier or similar flights with a different carrier. Sometimes in the event of Explore finding alternative flight arrangements certain additional flight supplement costs can be charged to the customer. Please recommend to your customers that they book 7-8 weeks prior to departure to reduce the potential inconvenience and extra cost of not being on the group flight. Accommodation Hotels – Small hotels are not always geared up to ‘western’ standards, and at times facilities can be less than salubrious: But there are compensations – a closer sense of reality, a better feeling of locale. We have no desire to stay at larges-scale tourist complexes nor experience the cosseted fantasies of ‘deluxe’ hotels. Our Hotels are divided into two classes: H+ - usually twin bedded rooms, normally with private facilities. H – usually twin bedded rooms, sometimes three or four bedded rooms may have to be used. Normally with shared facilities Local Style Accommodation – On some tours and night stops we may use more local family run guesthouses, rest houses, apartments, residencias, jungle lodges, private homes, basic huts in tribal villages, longhouses or mountain refuges. Our Local Style is divided into two classes: L+ - usually twin bedded rooms, maybe some 3-4 bedded. Normally shared facilities. L – could be twin bedded but more usually multiple share or dorm style, sometimes mixed sex, sleeping arrangements. Usually shared facilities. Camping – We provide all the necessary camping equipment; your customers may need to bring a sleeping bag or mat and other personal gear as detailed in the trip dossier. We use two person tents unless stated otherwise. Generally camp meals are included while camping or trekking and are usually prepared by our own cook or leader. On some trips your customers may be expected to erect their own tents and help with camp chores. On a few trips we sleep under the night sky. Our Camping is divided into two classes: C+ - designated campsite, usually with fixed WC/Shower. Possibly with fixed pre-erected tents on certain tours C – natural, rough, wild, bush camp. Limited or no facilities. Temporary WC. Usually need to pitch own tents. Pre & Post Tour Accommodation We can now book accommodation for your customers before and after the start of their Explore tour. The accommodation will be at the original hotel used for the start of the Explore tour. These Pre and Post Tour Packages (PPTP) are available on many of the Explore itineraries. The packages can also include transfers to and from the airport for an extra fee. Please enquire about PPTP next time you are booking an Explore tour for your customers. The Nitty Gritty 2 21

25. Visit Us Nelson House 55 Victoria Road Farnborough Hants GU14 7PA Call Us Reservations 0870 333 4801 Marketing (01252) 379518 Email Us Reservations [email_address] Brochure Requests www.trade-gate.co.uk Contact Me Greg Thurston – Sales Manager to request training, to request a discount, to discuss marketing ideas or any other issues you have Tel: (01252) 379511 Email: gregt@explore.co.uk 23