Melbourne, October 15, 2019 – The Nordic specialist tour operator, 50 Degrees North, has launched a new travel brand in response to the recent Bentours collapse and the subsequent increase in demand for Scandinavian tours in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

NORD Journeys by 50 Degrees North (NORD' being from the old norse word 'norðr', meaning NORTH) will offer most of the products previously available at Bentours in order to ensure continuity in the travel market. This includes guaranteed coach departures, escorted small group tours, popular FIT tours across the region, self-drive itineraries and Norwegian coastal voyages.

Some of the most experienced former Bentours sales consultants have joined NORD Journeys and continue to provide true product expertise and local knowledge for both agents and clients. NORD Journeys will offer a high level of service – as 50 Degrees North has done for the last 10 years. A new website (nordjourneys.com), brochures, and a dedicated team of knowledgeable sales reps across Australia and New Zealand will be finalised soon. 

“We have launched this new brand in response to overwhelming demand in the Australian and New Zealand markets to fill the gap left by Bentours. Our teams in Melbourne and Lillehammer have been living and breathing anything Nordic for the past 10 years (and for most of us, our whole lifetime), so putting this product range together has been fairly easy and straightforward, and we have the strong support of our local suppliers back home in the Nordics”, says Tietse Stelma, 50 Degrees North Co-Founder and CEO.

What is the difference between 50 Degrees North and NORD Journeys?

50 Degrees North: High end, boutique, tailor-made FIT, special interest and small group tours for discerning travellers and agents. Many inclusions, high level of service and 4-5-star boutique properties. Prices are competitive, but travellers should understand that they pay a small premium for having itineraries tailor-made to their specific desires by expert destination specialists.

NORD Journeys: Guaranteed coach departures in Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland, the Baltics and Russia, escorted small group tours, popular pre-made FIT tours across the region, Christmas packages in Finnish Lapland, Kakslauttanen glass igloos, as well as self-drive itineraries and Norwegian coastal voyages. Fewer inclusions, and generally 3-3.5-star well-appointed and centrally located properties. The product will be competitive on price, more affordable and have set itineraries with pre & post options. Tailor-making will be offered against a set planning fee.

For 50DN tours and information, please visit https://www.fiftydegreesnorth.com/ 

Coming soon: https://www.nordjourneys.com/

Media Inquiries

Jayde Kincaid

Email: jk@fiftydegreesnorth.com

Mobile: +61-1300-422 -82

More about 50 Degrees North

50 Degrees North is a niche, independently owned and fully licensed tour operator specialising in Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the Arctic, the Baltics, Russia, Kamchatka and Mongolia – and from 2019, also Antarctica! 50 Degrees North is recognized for its local expertise, the originality of their programs and detailed, personalised operation. The company was established in 2010 and has offices in Melbourne, Lillehammer, and Vancouver. Co-founder and CEO, Tietse Stelma was appointed as Norway's Consul-General in Melbourne in 2018, in honor of the company's dedication and contribution to the destination.