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. Blocked again. Trump’s ban hits another brick wall
It’s back to the drawing board for US President Donald Trump, after his revised travel ban was blocked mere hours before it was scheduled to launch.
Not one, but two US Federal Judges (in Hawaii and Maryland) put a hold on the new executive order, saying it discriminates against followers of Islam.
According to Hawaii’s District Judge Derrick Watson, “any reasonable, objective observer would conclude” that the purpose of the revised ban was to target Muslims by suspending their entry in the United States.
2. British Airways & a Spice Girl – an unlikely, but bloody hilarious pair
“I’m trying to check-in this gentleman from Seattle. He’s just got another three hours to go looking at the security camera and then he’ll be ready to fly.”
How would you react if you heard customs staff say that about you? It happened to one guy, and surprisingly, he didn’t even flinch!
The man was of course the target of a prank set up by British Airways, a Spice Girl, an athlete and a comedian.
3. Another year, another financial record & more Fiji Airways staff BONUSES
The money keeps rolling in over at the Fiji Airways Group and it’s staff members are set to reap the rewards, AGAIN!
Fiji Airways, Fiji Link and Pacific Call Communications made a pre-tax profit total of F$84.5 million (AU$53.3 million) for the year ending 31 December, up 20.5 percent on the prior 12 months.
According to the Group, revenue reached around F$825.3 million and was achieved by carrying total of 1.4 million passengers throughout the year (up from 1.3 million).
4. Excite-ing new search is here
Excite Holidays is promising to make Agents’ workloads more efficient through the introduction of a new search system that allows consultants to use one bar for all their search needs.
They can now search by hotel name, location or place of interest. The improved filtering allows them to refine their search and make it as detailed as they please. Another bonus? Results are updated in real time, so there is no need to hit the search button more than once!
The Excite Holidays team have been working tirelessly to make the new search bar convenient and easy to use, whilst delivering the results Agents want quickly and concisely. Not only is the search bar more efficient, but it looks better than ever.
5. Virgin Australia unveils cheap Cook Islands fares
Virgin Australia is having a seat sale on flights from Melbourne and Brisbane to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
Economy Class tickets to the island paradise can be picked up from as little as $359 from Brisbane and $355 from Melbourne.
Click here for more information on deals from Brisbane and here for Melbourne.
6. Fly to Paris from $1,499 return
Flying to Europe is getting cheaper every day thanks to airlines such as Emirates and their competitive prices.
The Dubai-based carrier is currently offering return Economy Class fares to the City of Lights from just $1,499 return or to Copenhagen from $1,459 return for people travelling in groups of two- to- nine-people.
For those who prefer a little luxury, return Business Class airfares start from $8,019 to Paris, $7,919 to Copenhagen and $7,939 to Rome and $8,099 to Dublin (also for those travelling in groups of two- to- nine-people).
Sale fares are available on selected flights for bookings made between 9-21 March, and for select travel periods.
7. La La Land is being brought to life in concert at L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl
Lionsgate is bringing the critically acclaimed film, La La Land, to life at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl with the world premiere of La La Land in Concert: A Live-to-Film Celebration.
Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz will conduct a 100-piece symphony orchestra, choir and jazz ensemble, which will accompany the film’s original voice recordings with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.
The Hollywood Bowl event is the first of several La La Land concerts, with other to follow around the country.
8. Agents get down & dirty with Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines hosted 14 Flight Centre NSW product managers, area leaders and consultants over the weekend to a team bonding morning at RAW Challenge Doyalson.
Agents got down and dirty as they navigated their way through a 4km military inspired obstacle course compromising of over 40 obstacles. From hurling over fences to running through mud pits and carefully navigating balancing beams.
Consultants took all the obstacles with great endeavour and together navigated through the course. After three gruelling hours, Agents relaxed with a sausage sizzle and drinks.
9. Inaugural Magellan Corporate Forum kicks off
Magellan Travel Group’s inaugural corporate forum got off to a spectacular start this week, with a warm welcome event hosted by Qantas Airways.
Magellan Corporate Members were treated to a private function at the Qantas Corporate Campus, a welcome message from QF Head Of Agency Partnerships – Rob Harrison and a fascinating tour of the QF Integrated Operations Centre (IOC).
The forum includes presentations from Magellan corporate preferred partners such as Serko, Uniglobe, Qantas, Amadeus and many others, with the objective to highlight the value of preferred partners and the opportunities the company will pursue in partnership with them.
10. Celebrate Ireland with these incredible savings from Collette
Today the world turns green and the Guinness flows. But over in Ireland, this doesn’t just happen once a year – it’s a daily celebration. And what’s not to celebrate about this ancient, charming and green land?
It’s got culture, natural beauty and history in droves, plus it’s home to such internationally revered drinks such as Jameson whiskey. And that’s not saying anything about the incredibly warm and friendly locals you’ll meet as soon as you step off the plane.
But there’s even more reason to celebrate the land of leprechauns and pots of gold today, with Collette slashing prices on its tours in Ireland. These savings are so good, in fact, that they’re enough to make a leprechaun jump for joy and finally get your clients to tick Ireland off their bucket lists.
11. 5 New Caledonian food experiences you’ve gotta sink your teeth into
New Caledonia isn’t like other Pacific island nations. Sure, like them, it has some of the freshest fruit, veggies and seafood in the world. But it also has something special that makes it truly unique.
That something special is the fusion of sophisticated French cuisine with traditional Kanak food culture – a combination that’s literally mouth-watering.
And then there’s the fact that you’ll be able to enjoy all this amazing food in an island paradise that’s as close to heaven as you’ll find on earth.
12. Go for gold and let Travelmarvel take you to the Logies
As proud sponsors of the 59th TV Week Logies, Travelmarvel are thrilled to be inviting four star agents to join them at the 2017 awards.
This year’s Logies will be held as always at the Crown Towers Palladium Ballroom in Melbourne on Sunday 23 April 2017 and feature all of the glitz and glamour of Aussie TV’s hottest celebs.
There will be joy and emotion on the night; there will be tears and some sniffling from those that didn’t win, and there will be…