MD of The Innovative Travel Company, Robyn Galloway says she has some serious concerns around Gallipoli 2015 and some of the logistics involved. 

Innovative Travel has been operating tours for Anzac Day for the past 20 years and it is obvious there will be some very different logistics surrounding the Anzac 2015 commemorations. 

It is important to note that as yet no official policy has been announced by the NZ Government and that press stories around the event have been picked up from the Australian media and released in the NZ causing some confusion although given the time constraints policy should be released soon, says Robyn.. 

Judging from the interest, it is apparent there will need to be some kind of pre selection ticketing process for entry to the Peninsula in 2015.   I am concerned there is a certain amount of naivety shown by some companies who have decided to operate tours without being fully aware of the actual logistics and that clients are booking onto some tours without either the consultant or client being fully informed. If the correct disclaimers around ticketing and possible delays are not in place, it leaves retailers open to receiving some serious complaints.

On a normal day it takes approximately 4 hours for a coach to travel from Istanbul to Gallipoli; on an average Anzac Day this increases to 6 hours; for an event the size of Anzac Day 2015, this is likely to increase to anywhere over 7 or 8 hours.

Innovative Travel is operating two fully escorted tours to Anzac Day including a 3 night stay at the Gallipoli Peninsula so that clients have a real chance to experience the Gallipoli Peninsula, along with some shorter options.

On the plus side if NZ clients decide to book over the internet with an overseas company there could be worse complications; this is certainly an event that clients should be booking through a proven New Zealand wholesaler, which is selling point for consultants says Robyn.