Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news to help you be your best today and tomorrow.
1. This is what facetime Melbourne’s big winner walked away with
All fingers were crossed, breaths were held and some even said a quick prayer in the hopes that they’d walk away one of facetime Melbourne’s lucky winners.
Held last week at the Emerald Peacock, the event was not only an opportunity to socialise with peers and be among the first to try the KarryOn Kocktail, it was also a chance to walk away the winner of one of 12 generous prizes.
First, there was the Lonely Planet book giveaway, which saw eight attendees who found their ‘perfect postcard match’ receive a guide book from the iconic brand.
2. Travellers urged to book with Agents after scam website tricks Aussie holidaymakers
Travellers are once again being urged to find and book with a reputable Travel Agent after a fake deal site allegedly scammed holidaymakers out of thousands of dollars.
A Channel 7 report aired last week highlighted the potential dangers of securing trips online when two Aussies said they’d been scammed into booking and paying for phony trips.
The report alleged that website, My Holiday Club, operated under a stolen ABN and issues fake travel deals to holidaymakers such as Marina Seeman, who thought she was buying an Emirates flight to Lebanon only to find out her flight details weren’t valid.
3. New Caledonia says bonjour at Rendenzvous
Australian wholesalers have traded the winter blues for the magnificent blue waters, white sands and French infused cuisine of New Caledonia, as part of New Caledonia’s annual Rendezvous Workshop.
Following on from the success of last year’s event, this year’s workshop has been designed to provide a platform for face-to-face introductions, enabling wholesalers to discover new products and discuss possible business opportunities with local suppliers, all in the spectacular surroundings of New Caledonia.
Product managers and travel trade have already kicked off the week-long event with a pre-famil through the cosmopolitan capital, Noumea and pristine Isle of Pines. A post famil itinerary will follow and cover the rugged wilderness of the North and the untouched Loyalty Island of Mare.
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4. Nicole Kidman helps Etihad deliver a world first
Aussie actress Nicole Kidman is taking her duties as the face of Etihad to the next level by starring in the airline’s fully immersive virtual reality movie.
In addition to being the first time an airline has filmed and previewed a 360-degree virtual reality film, Kidman is the first Hollywood actor to take part in a new-tech flick.
The five-minute feature titled ‘Reimagine’ takes its viewers on a fully experiential journey whereby Kidman walks them through one of Etihad’s new Airbus A380s as it travels from New York to Abu Dhabi.
5. DriveAway rewards Travel Agents
DriveAway Holidays is offering Australian agents a $100 Reward Incentive for every Peugeot leasing contract they book and pay for between June 1 and June 30.
The reward comes in the form of a $100 Visa debit card and is for new bookings only.
For more information call DriveAway on 1300-363599 or visit their website.
6. Agents cruise the mighty Mekong with Scenic
Scenic invited a lucky group of travel agents on board their very first ship in South East Asia – Scenic Spirit.
For eight days 32 agents cruised the mighty Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia, taking in the cruise line’s different Scenic Freechoice activities plus both destinations’ famous sites.
Among the highlights were visiting the famous Cai Be floating markets; exploring Dong Ha Hiep Island; taking in Cambodia’s Russian Market; and experiencing the Killing Fields.
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7. Sydney shines bright for Vivid Sydney
Don’t worry, this isn’t another Sydney VS every other city piece. We acknowledge that every spot across the country has its own unique assets but right now Sydney’s are shining brighter than the rest.
Destination NSW flipped the on switch for more than 90 light installations last week for the annual Vivid Sydney festival.
As per usual, colourful art beamed off iconic attractions such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House every night, giving the city a luminous edge during the darker autumn/winter period.