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. This will make you reconsider using your mobile on a plane again
We all have some level of addiction to our mobile phones. Some of us can’t even bear to part with it when we have no reception at 32,000 feet in the air (*raises hand* guilty).
But if there’s one thing that’ll convince you to leave the device in your carry on (at least for a domestic flight), it’s finding out that it might be the cause of an in-flight fire.
Sorry, not might, it actually CAN be the cause of a fire because it actually happened.
2. STA Travel is giving away an entire Contiki bus… kind of
We were fooled by the title too! STA Travel isn’t actually giving away an entire Contiki but they are giving out free seats on an European trip.
The youth travel group is launching a major promotion in Sydney by offering giving away seats on an entire 14 tonne shiny Contiki bus to fun, like-minded people.
For a spot on the for ultimate #STATravelSquad trip around Europe – starting in London and including stops in Barcelona and Paris – travellers need to be the first 30 people in line outside the STA Travel George Street store in Sydney on 8 July 2016.
3. Norwegian launches Aussie website
As part of the cruise line’s plans to build its Australian business, Norwegian Cruise Line has set up a new website tailored to Australian audiences.
The site displays fares in Australian dollars, has up-to-the-minute product information on availabilities and special offers plus there’s a ‘find a holiday’ search tool that allows users to plan their perfect trip.
Itineraries, pricing and bookings for NCL’s 2016/2017 worldwide itineraries are available via the website now, with pricing and bookings for Norwegian Jewel’s inaugural Australasian season – with sailings commencing October 2017 – available from Monday 4 July 2016.
4. Starwood becomes first USA hospitality company to enter Cuba
Starwood has made its historic debut in Cuba this week by opening the doors to Four Points Havana – the first US hospitality brand to open in the country.
A spacious 186-guest room property, the hotel features 1,000 square feet of market-leaving meetings facilities, full-service dining at Don Quixote, breakfast and lunch service at El Olivo, and poolside light bites.
Amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre, a business facility and a fully equipped spa, offering a variety of massage treatments and a sauna and steam bath. The hotel features the brand’s signature Best Brews offering refreshing local beers Cristal and Bucanero at the hotel’s lobby bar. It also offers Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. The new Four Points is located in Havana’s Miramar district – a business and financial centre which houses many international embassies.
5. The second most popular destination in the world for business travel is…
Image: Korea Tourism Organisation/Facebook
Yep, we’re skipping right past first place and looking at the guys shining (almost) just as bright behind him – the second most popular destination in the world for business travel is…
Korea (to be more specific, South Korea).
The nation received the ranking from the Union of International Associations (UIA), which determined it was an attractive place for business events and travel due to its cultural appeal and growing MICE capabilities.
6. Agent wins wedding anniversary holiday from TravelCube
Lisa White from Our Vacation Centre in Queensland has decided to use her five-night holiday for two at the luxurious Kamandalu Ubud from TravelCube to celebrate her wedding anniversary.
She won the major prize in TravelCube’s Asia on Sale incentive – which ran for six-week period in May and June – by booking the most room nights across the company’s extensive portfolio of Asian properties.
Every week during the incentive TravelCube also gave away accommodation prizes to qualifying agencies, with winners including: Flight Centre Albury; Flight Centre Dubbo; Travel Associates Egan & Turner; iTalktravel Bribie Island; Flight Centre Groups SA/NT; Helloworld Cronulla Travel.
7. Amadeus hosts TIME for 23rd induction evening
TIME hosted its 23rd induction this week at the Amadeus offices in Sydney.
The evening included a line up of speakers, including executives from TravelEdge, Amadeus and Virgin Australia.
Click here for more pictures.
8. Agents explore Hong Kong
Travel Agents from Students Flights and Escape Travel experienced the best of Hong Kong in three days during a recent Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Tourism Board famil.
The group of eight travelled from the Gold Coast to Hong Kong where they enjoyed the hospitality at Novotel Nathan Road Kowloon and Novotel Century Hong Kong.
Highlights of the trip included tours of the backstreets of Hong Kong; local street eats; and riding the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.
The famil helped promote Hong Kong Airlines’ new Hong Kong-Gold Coast-Cairns flights.
Click here for more pictures.
9. THREE DAYS LEFT to WIN with Etihad
There’s now less than three days for Travel Agents and their customers to book an Etihad flight and be in the running to WIN back the cost that fare.
One winner has been announced every day since the incentive launched three weeks ago.
To be in the running, Travel Agents need to book their clients on an Etihad flight – flights booked have to be for travel until 31 December 2016 and Agents must enter the game of skill on winwithetihad.com.au before 4 July 2016.