Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Programs Offered by Tour Design

Does the cost of our tour include the registration for World Youth Day?

 
No, it does not. Your group coordinator must register you with the National Office in Sydney, Australia once that process is in place. Check out the status of the registration on the web at www.wyd2008.org.

Can I use my credit card to pay Tour Design deposits and final payments for WYD 2008?

The pricing given does not include credit card charges which are approximately 3% of the value of the transaction. The price quoted is based on payment by cheque. If you wish to use your credit card, a 3% fee will be automatically added to the transaction amount. 

How do I pay for my deposits for WYD?
You will pay your local group coordinator. Keep in mind please that the payment schedule is detailed to match the demands of the airlines and hotels. These dates are when the payment must reach Tour Design; therefore, your coordinator will probably ask you to adhere to schedules at least two weeks in advance of the dates printed.

Is there any incentive for us to have our initial deposits in by the end of October, 2006?

Yes, there is a huge incentive! You will receive one ballot for every 25 members of your group. These ballots will all go into a hat and two winners will be drawn on October 31, 2006. The winners will win free airfare from Toronto to Sydney, round trip. 

World Youth Day is not until July of 2008.  Why should we book now?

Fran Bulley, Maggie Boyd and Patrick Tsung traveled to Sydney in November of 2005 in order to secure accommodation for World Youth Day. We spent 12 days looking at dozens and dozens of hotels and youth hostels. We choose carefully considering location, standard of accommodation, access to public transit, amenities in the hotel to meet the needs of our pilgrims and of course, always cost!  We managed to secure six youth hostels and more than 11 hotels that met our standards. Once these are sold, we are unable to secure any additional downtown space. Once the space is sold, we are unable to increase any allotments so if you want to be downtown with all the benefits of these properties, you must book early. Your initial $100 deposit per person is always totally refundable. 

Do I have to fly with my group?

Yes, there are no deviations allowed on the outbound portion of your airline ticket. All members of the group must travel outbound together. 

Is there any flexibility in my return date?

Yes, if you let us know by December 7, 2007, it is possible to extend your stay for two months past the date of departure at a cost of CA$100.00 per person. The return will be extended from your final departure city before returning home. Therefore, if you are in Sydney, the ticket is extended in Australia; if you are in Hong Kong, the ticket is extended from Hong Kong. If you do not have a firm idea of when you want to return, we will simply book your return for 60 days past the date the group departs to travel home. If prior to this date, you wish to change the return, you will call the airline yourself and arrange for a different return date. There will not be any change in fare as long as space is available in the same class as the ticket is booked. We are only able to extend the ticket for 60 days. A stay in excess of this can be arranged by the traveler with the airline directly while overseas. 

How do I go about arranging to have my return extended?

You must first advise your group coordinator for his or her permission and then you would contact Doris at dto@glpworldwide.com and she will make all the necessary arrangements. 

What will the weather be like in Sydney?

You are now in the southern hemisphere; therefore, seasons are reversed. It will be winter in Sydney. You can expect sunny, warm days similar to what we experience in Canada in early May (8 - 14 C) and cool nights (3 - 7 C). No snow or ice in Sydney. The further north you go in Australia, the warmer it becomes. For instance, in Cairns, it will be warm and sunny, beach weather in the high 20’s C. 

Once our group arrives in Sydney, will Tour Design be on site to help us?

Yes, as in the past, Tour Design will have staff – minimum of six and maximum of 10 depending on the size of our group - on site to make sure that all the needs of your pilgrims are met. During World Youth Day, we will have nightly general meetings at a central location to answer any questions you have on the events of the next day. Also, we very much welcome everyone’s input as many of the coordinators will have more valuable information to offer to our staff as well. 24-hour phone contact will be arranged so you never need to worry. We are there to ensure that all of your needs are handled efficiently and with a smile!

What are the meals like that are included?

Some locations offer cold breakfast daily and some offer full hot buffet breakfast. As a rule, most youth hostels offer a cold breakfast and the hotels vary. Dinners this time are pre-arranged at several locations around Sydney. Meals are excellent. The deluxe packed lunches will be a real treat. 

Do I need any other travel insurance?

No, once in Australia, you have unlimited coverage to return home in the event of any medical related emergency for yourself or your immediate family. You have unlimited hospital/medical coverage, air flight accident and baggage insurance. The insurance premium is based on age and duration of the trip. If you are over 59 years, there will be a supplement for your insurance. For participants over 74 years, you must complete a questionnaire on your medical background to obtain insurance. In order to keep the premium as reasonable as possible, the maximum you will get back prior to departure is $1500. If you have specific concerns about insurance, please direct them to Fran at Tour Design as your group coordinator is unable to answer in depth questions on insurance. If a claim on cancellation insurance is made and it is for a medical reason, it must be supported by a doctor’s certificate. You must provide your coordinator with your date of birth or we are unable to issue your insurance.

Do I need a passport?

Yes, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your departure from your last gateway city. With your registration, we ask that you let us know if you are not a Canadian citizen. 

Do I need a visa to go to Australia?

Yes, you need a visa to go to Australia and Tour Design will take care of issuing this visa for you. In order to do this, we need a copy of your valid passport. When registering be sure to provide us with the exact name as is on your passport, first name, middle name, last name. 

Do I need a visa to go to Hong Kong?

No, as a Canadian citizen you do not need a visa to go to Hong Kong.  If you wish to extend your stay and go into mainland China, you will need a visa and that can be arranged in Hong Kong.

Australia is an amazing destination.  You are going to have a trip of a lifetime.