TORONTO — Globus and Cosmos are giving agents some extra help to close early sales with a new promotion that includes savings on European and North American tours.

When clients book by Nov. 26, 2019, they’ll save 10% on every European and North American Globus itinerary for 2020 (excluding Escapes by Globus).

When they book value-brand Cosmos by Oct. 22, 2019, their European and North American tours will be reduced by $50.

The offer applies to groups as well as individuals.

“This is a great opportunity for agents to pique their clients’ interests for next year while giving them the widest range of choice possible,” said Stéphanie Bishop, managing director for the Globus family of brands in Canada, parent company of Globus and Cosmos.

In other Globus news, in celebration of World Environment Day, the company has announced plans to increase sustainability efforts, reduce waste and contribute to ‘The Ocean Cleanup’, a non-profit focused on ridding the world’s oceans of plastics.

As part of its efforts, Globus family of brands is encouraging travellers to choose e-documents over printed travel itineraries, prior to their vacations. When they choose the eco-friendly option, the company will donate funds to The Ocean Cleanup.

“It’s never been more important for companies to take a role in cleaning up our planet while also reducing and recycling waste,” said Scott Nisbet, chief executive officer and president of the Globus family of brands. “Now we’re asking our travellers to join us by favouring electronic travel documents over paper ones. When they do, our planet benefits.”

Over five trillion pieces of plastic currently litter the ocean, which, if left to circulate, will impact ecosystems, our health and economies. The Ocean Cleanup has developed advanced technologies to eliminate these plastics, and has plans to cleanup 50% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in five years.

Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways, part of the Globus family of brands, added that it’s up to river cruise companies to preserve the environment around us. “We have taken great strides to improve monitoring and measurement to reduce our environmental impact, to save water, to limit waste and to foster a sustainability culture among our crew and guests,” she said.

As part of these efforts, Avalon’s fleet of Suite Ships use LED lightbulbs, which consume 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and implement propulsion systems that use 20% less fuel than other river cruise ships. The ships also feature upgraded sewage treatment plants that ensure clean water is discharged back into rivers, as well as low-flow toilets and tap flow restrictors to help guests limit water consumption.

“In the past two years, we have reduced paper waste by 80%,” said Hoffee. “We’ve done this, in party, by favouring electronic media. For instance, onboard we no longer deliver city maps to staterooms each day, Instead, we encourage our guests to use our new AvalonGO app, while off the ship we prioritize e-brochures over printed brochures. And now, we hope our contributions to The Ocean Cleanup will encourage even more guests to choose e-documents.”

For more information go to globusjourneys.com/Globus-Cares/ and theoceancleanup.com.