Goway is celebrating having booked 500 group vacations worldwide in the past year – a milestone the tour company says marks its Groups Only division’s most profitable period to date and showcases the burgeoning demand for custom group travel experiences.

“Group travel is one of the hottest trends in the industry right now,” says Goway’s groups VP Shirley Rourke,” adding, “We expect interest in group travel to continue to grow.”

Rourke says Goway has seen particular growth in women-only group travel, culinary tours, multi-generational family travel, heritage and ancestry travel, and group trips for special events.

“We’ve also seen increased interest in multi-country itineraries – travellers want to visit exciting places, but they also want to share the experience with friends, family, and like-minded explorers,” she says. “Add in the cost savings, safety benefits, and ease of planning, and you can see why group travel is such an appealing option for so many people.”

Goway’s group department counts 40 specialists among its ranks, who can help craft customized group trips to over 115 countries worldwide based on the tour company’s extensive product line and supplier connections.

Rourke points out that agents can make great revenue on group bookings, including cash rewards as part of the GowayPro loyalty program, which also helps travel advisors qualify for a free FAM.

To celebrate its groups milestone, Goway is offering a complimentary Welcome Reception in destination to all new groups who book before April 30.