Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best.
Read on for this week’s travel news that Travel Agents need to know:
1. DriveAway rewards Agents with $10,000
Through 2017, DriveAway has been running an incentive with Flight Centre Travel Group to reward for the hard work that their Agents put in, both for the industry and for self-drive bookings.
Each DriveAway booking provided an amount of entries for the incentive, with European Leasing bookings providing agents with the biggest opportunity of winning, with a total of five entries to WIN.
Kate Anthony from Student Flights was the lucky winner who won $10,000. When DriveAway asked Kate what she might use the money for, she mentioned a much needed holiday would be in the works!
Runners up for 2nd and 3rd prizes were Loretta Sullivan from Escape Travel Willows and Simon Darmanin from Flight Centre Kellyville.
2. Helloworld Business Travel and Serko deal turns 21
Helloworld Business Travel (HWBT) is delighted with the success they have shared with Serko through their combined technology partnership and offering, celebrating the signing-up of the 21st HWBT agent to the deal.
Over 30 percent of the network has now adopted Serko’s corporate Online Booking Tool (OBT) solution and the partnership looks to continue in strength as Serko release their premium platform, Zeno, in the coming months as well.
From the initial Agents using Serko, the HWBT network has increased its online technology adoption by an impressive 60 percent in just seven months. That includes a number of Agents who have taken up the branded mobile app – a cost effective and great way to stay connected with the traveller 24/7 that presents a modern service offering.
3. Celebrity Cruises unveils ship designed for the Galapagos Islands
Celebrity Cruises unveils another revolution in ship design, announcing Celebrity Flora, designed expressly for the Galapagos Islands, launching May 2019.
One of the most energy-efficient ships of its size sailing the Galapagos, the 100-guest Celebrity Flora will offer seamless sea-to-shore transportation, and includes anchorless technology – maintaining the ship’s position while protecting the sensitive sea floor.
Innovative outward-facing design gives guests 360-degree views of the islands, while an open-air stargazing platform, personal suite attendants, new dining venues, and expert-lead ecological seminars will round out the modern luxury vacation experience.
4. Viking launches new Bali cruise extensions
Viking Cruises has launched three new Bali cruise extensions to its 17-day Komodo & the Australian Coast and the 13-day Bangkok, Bali & Beyond ocean itineraries in 2018 and 2019.
The new extensions include the 3-day Bali, the 4-day Ubud, and the 5-day Bali & Yogyakarta.
The 3-day Bali allows guests to admire traditional Balinese architecture of Taman Ayun Temple, a magnificent 17th-century temple complex and visit the Ulun Danu Temple, built on small islands in a serene lake with a stunning backdrop of mountains.
During the 4-day Ubud trip, holidaymakers will discover Ubud’s well-preserved cultural heritage and stunning landscape of verdant forests and rice terraces, while on the 5-day Bali & Yogyakarta guests will visit the Keraton, a grand royal palace, UNESCO-listed Prambanan and Borobudur Temples.
5. Regent Seven Seas Cruises names new ship
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience™ announced the name of its new ship, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2020.
The second Explorer-class ship will embody and enhance the elegance, style and luxury that brought forth the high-end features and amenities that have made sister-ship Seven Seas Explorer renowned as The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience™ with her launch in 2016.
“The naming of a ship is an important milestone in maritime tradition and it is my pleasure to announce that the name of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship to launch in 2020 is Seven Seas Splendor,” said Jason Montague, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
As part of the naming process, Regent Seven Seas Cruises sought suggestions from its valued travel agents, loyal guests and employees for the ship’s name in a sweepstakes held in September. Seven Seas Splendor was chosen among nearly 2,600 unique names from more than 14,000 submissions.
6. Beyond Travel doubles Scandinavia product for 2018
Due to demand Beyond Travel is again expanding its range in 2018 and has 25 pages dedicated to the region in its recently released 2018 Russia & Beyond brochure.
New for 2018 is the 12-day ‘Grand Tour of Iceland’ escorted tour, which currently comes with a $700 discover more travel voucher per couple when booked and deposited by December 29, 2017. There are eight departures across June, July and August, with prices starting from $8695 per person twin share.
Also new is the nine-day ‘Intimate Norway tour’. A great value option for independent travellers, the package includes 4-star hotels, ferry, coach and rail tickets and features six nights in the Fjord region plus Bergen and Oslo. Priced from only $3,040 per person, the tour departs daily in summer. Book by February 28, 2018 and receive a bonus $200 per couple discover more travel voucher.
7. AAT Kings celebrates consecutive wins
For the third year in a row AAT Kings is celebrating a double win at this year’s 2017 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards which were held on Saturday 11th November at a ceremony in Alice Springs.
The AAT Kings team is delighted with its achievements this year, taking home the highest accolade once again in these two categories; Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services and Major Tour and Transport Operators.
AAT Kings took home a fourth consecutive win for Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services for its Uluru Barbecue dinner which guests can enjoy under a canopy of stars after a magical sunset over Uluru. At the same time, AAT Kings continues to celebrate with a fifth consecutive win as Major Tour and Transport Operator recognising major contribution to tourism through a combination of touring and transport services.
Winners of the Brolga Awards business categories will go on to represent the Northern Territory at the Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Perth on Friday 23rd of February 2018.