Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Don’t cry a river, go on holidays! Post break-up holidays are on the rise
How can you mend a broken heart? Al Green desperately asked the question back in 1971 and it seems like people have finally stumbled across the answer – travel.
People around the world are sick of being a ‘Broken-Heart Girl’ like Beyonce and are done with crying over a box of chocolates while watching misleading sappy Soap Operas.
They don’t want to mope around feeling ‘incomplete’ like the Backstreet Boys and obsessively texting their former flame with questions like ‘tell me why I can’t be there where you are’.
2. Contiki will ROCK Around the World with Agents in… Portugal & Spain
Contiki’s popular Rock Around the World incentive is back and this year it’s taking Travel Agents to two of Europe’s top sellers…
… Portugal and Spain.
In its 20th year, the trade famil is promising to be one of the biggest yet with 20 consultants flying to the other side of the globe where they’ll not only get a taste of the Portuguese and Spanish culture but also local sounds at the three-day NOS Primavera Sounds music festival in Porto.
3. Sell cruise & go in the running to WIN a cruise
If your 2017 bucketlist consists of relaxing on the pool deck, dining at a celebrity restaurant and spending money that isn’t yours, then you might want to look at selling a few more P&O itineraries.
The cruise line has launched its 2017 Flagship Achievers incentive program, giving Travel Agents the chance to WIN a three-night Australia Day cruise for two on newcomer Pacific Explorer.
As well as the cruise, the winner will also receive a $1,500 Visa Gift Card for flights and transfers, dinner at Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill and $300 onboard spending money per room.
4. New Country Manager heads up Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
The Walshe Group has appointed Jennifer Gaskin to the role of Country Manager for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
Gaskin brings with her nine years’ experience in journalism, public relations and marketing. She was most recently Marketing Communications Manager with Excite Holidays, and previously worked as a Features Writer for National Geographic Kids and Making Magazine.
She said: “I am very excited about leading the TCA Abu Dhabi account for The Walshe Group, and to work towards promoting Abu Dhabi as an exciting tourism and MICE destination.”
5. Have you enrolled for Wuniversity yet?
Travel Agents are being reminded to enroll and complete Wendy Wu Tours’ latest online training program, Wuniversity, and not only become a Wendy Wu specialist but potentially win a trip to China.
The program covers the operator’s extensive product range and destination knowledge through revamped content, collateral and videos and is designed to assist consultants in making sales.
For a limited time, Wendy Wu Tours is offering the first 30 agents to make five bookings through Wendy Wu Tours between January 1 and March 31 and complete Wuniversity the chance to experience the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors of China first-hand – in China.
Click here for more information and to enroll for Wuniversity.
6. Registrations open to the annual Travel Directors info sessions
Travel Agents with questions on Travel Directors’ 2017 product can have them answered during this month’s information sessions.
Registrations for the annual event have opened. This year, the information sessions will stop by two new cities including Canberra and the Gold Coast.
The day time events are open to any Agents looking to increase their knowledge and seeking in-depth information on a range of destinations, including the exclusive journeys that the operator runs.
Click here for more information and to register.
7. Amiana on the Bay appoints new General Manager
Roland Svensson has been named General Manager of Vietnam resort, Amiana on the Bay, lapping the waters of Nha Trang Bay.
Mr Svensson has a wealth of hotel and resort experience, having worked in a number of international properties including Radisson Royal Palms Port Douglas, Myanmar’s Novotel Mandalay, Thailand’s Royal Garden Resort Hua Hin and Singapore’s Möevenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa.
Svensson said: “I am thrilled to join Amiana which has a reputation of being one of the finest luxury resorts in Vietnam and I am very excited to continue to work in a beautiful country like Vietnam – a place with tremendous potential in tourism.”
8. Why were the style police at a Spencer Travel function?
Don’t you try and attend a The Spencer Group of Travel Companies event in casual clothing!
That’s what some 100 people learned this week at a supplier thank you function where the ‘style police’ were on hand to ensure everyone was dressed in style.
The event was held at the Royal Motor Yacht Club at Point Piper were they were treated to a beautiful view of the city, great food and wonderful wine.
Click here for more images.