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The Daily Travel Agent Bite: Fri 28 Oct

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.

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. Qantas says “no” to the handlebar moustache

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A new set of uniform guidelines from the Flying Kangaroo, which bans handlebar moustaches and chewing gum, has angered some Qantas pilots who are claiming that the new standards are too strict.

The new guidelines were introduced to meet and uphold Qantas’ image as a “trusted, experienced ambassador of the Qantas brand,” and follows the unveiling of a new uniform design earlier in April this year.

Read on.

 

2. Melbourne Airport’s T2 exciting re-development

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Earlier this week, Melbourne Airport announced plans for an exciting re-development of its International Terminal 2 (T2).

The T2 re-development will capture the character of Melbourne in a way that truly showcases the sophisticated essence of the city, continuing the Airport’s transformational journey, which started with the successful opening of the new T4 Domestic Terminal back in 2015.

With the aim of becoming the chosen international gateway into Australia, the project will deliver a customer-centric experience to better cater for the expected 13 million people who will travel through the Airport by 2024.

Construction of the highly anticipated T2 transformation project is already under way with a staged opening from early 2017.

Read on.

 

3. Etihad Airways wins best video with Nicole Kidman

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Etihad Airways’ virtual reality film, starring Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman, has won Best Original Video at the 2016 APEX Awards which were presented in Singapore this week.

The five-minute feature, titled ‘Reimagine’, takes viewers on a multi-sensory journey following Miss Kidman through an Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 on a virtual flight between Abu Dhabi and New York.

Read on.

 

4. Scoot was in on the Bachelorette secret all along!

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The entire cast and crew of hit Australian television show, The Bachelorette, recently got to fly to Singapore with budget airline Scoot for the filming of the spectacular finale and rose ceremony of the show. So yes, Scoot knew who the winner was before anyone else!

The final episode of the show, which aired last night, was filmed at both the luxurious Sofitel Sentosa Resort and Spa, and at the roof top pool of the SO Sofitel in Singapore’s CBD.

Georgia embarked on two single Singapore dates with the remaining Bachelors – Lee and Matty. Both Bachelors pledged their devotion to Georgia, promising to be the most emotionally-charged rose ceremony of the season, at SO Sofitel in Singapore. In the end, if was Lee that won Georgia’s heart.

And for those who fancy their own Singapore love retreat, you’re in luck.

Scoot are offering a special deal of $30 off selected Economy, and $90 off selected ScootBiz fares from midnight 29 October (Singapore time) until 30 November 2016. The sale is valid on fares booked for travel between 9 January and 9 June 2017 after entering the promo code CHOOSE when booking.

 

5. APT sails back to Antarctica in style in 2018

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In epic news, APT will sail back to Antarctica in style in 2018 with a privately chartered expedition cruise using the luxurious Le Lyrial, the newer sister ship to the previously chartered Le Boreal.

The expedition cruise  features in APT Antarctica Luxury Expedition Cruising 2018 brochure, and can be booked from today. The ten-night cruise will sail from Ushuaia in Argentina, across the Drake Passage and to the islands at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Once in Antarctic waters, the ship’s captain will charter a flexible course to maximise sight-seeing opportunities. The journey also takes in the deserted whaling station at Deception Island and, weather permitting, a visit to an active scientific research station.

An expert expedition team, including naturalist guides and marine biologists, will lead daily zodiac excursions of no more than ten people per vessel, allowing travellers to see glacial landscapes, penguin rookeries, seal colonies and icefields up close.

For more information call APT on 1300 196 420, visit aptouring.com.au or see your local business development manager.

 

6. Book your way to New Caledonia

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New Caledonia Tourism wants you to come and visit, and they’re willing to help you get there!

Open to all retail Travel Agents, the uber-cool incentive allows you to book your way to New Caledonia by booking as many New Caledonia air tickets as possible.

The more flights you book, the greater your chances of winning some awesome monthly prices, including a famil to New Caledonia (10 spots up for grabs) as well as other prizes, such as bottles of campagne, movie tickets, and gift cards.

All you need to do is log your bookings on www.learnnewcal.com.au/log-bookings/, using your PNR number and your details.

 

7. New study: it’s all about personalisation

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A new global study conducted by Sabre Corporation has found that travellers are willing to spend an extra $100 on airline ancillaries to personalise their travel experience.

Sabre surveyed travellers from 20 countries about what they would spend and why. The results show that 80 percent of travellers purchased air extras on their last trip, spending an average of $62.  When asked if they would spend more to personalise their trip, the answer was “yes” – up to $99 if it improved their travel experience

The research was announced at the IATA World Passenger Symposium in Dubai, as part of a Sabre-hosted industry roundtable on how airlines and hotels can deliver more tailored offers and services to customers

 

8. P&O Cruises is ready to rock you!

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Yep, this is actually happening!

Australian singer-songwriter Ross Wilson, the former front man for local bands Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, will lead a legendary lineup – that includes Rugby League legend Eric Grothe and his band The Gurus and Danny Black – for P&O Cruises’ November Rock themed cruise, which is destined to be a hit.

Famous for hits like Eagle Rock and Come Said the Boy, Ross will perform in two dedicated concerts, supported by Hullabaloo, while a Q&A session hosted by radio presenter Rosie Beaton will give guests a fascinating insight into an Aussie rock legend.

Meanwhile guests can release their inner rock star in songwriting workshops with musician Peter Grose as well as rock karaoke and music trivia sessions with Rosie Beaton.

Pacific Dawn’s Rock n Roll cruise sails roundtrip from Brisbane on November 26, 2016 with fares available from $379* per person quad share and onboard credit of up to $300 per room.

For more information visit pocruises.com.au, call 13 24 94 or see a licensed travel agent.

 

9. Travel Counsellors wrap up national road trip

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The Travel Counsellors leadership team recently travelled around Australia delivering a series of state conferences aimed at bringing together Travel Counsellors working remotely on their own travel enterprises.

Attending conferences in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney between Friday 22 October and Wednesday 26 October, the management team presented an informative program aimed at imparting company updates to the conference attendees as well as motivation, inspiration and opportunities for personal development and networking.

“This conference was a really good way for me to take stock of where I’m at and refocus my attention on the areas of my business that need improvement. The Value Yourself workshop was a real eye-opener for me, and I intend to put this newfound knowledge into practice soon in my business.”

Rebecca Lipscomb, Travel Counsellor from Perth.

Delivered through a series of informative talks and workshops, the conference program was introduced and hosted by Travel Counsellors Managing Director David Hughes.
 

10. Amadeus & Derbysoft join forces

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Amadeus, the leading provider of advanced technology for the global travel industry, and DerbySoft, the market leader in hospitality distribution technology, yesterday announced an exciting partnership intended to help drive online bookings in the busy hotel marketplace.

The new partnership between will enable hotels – both big and small – to distribute their content to most metasearch engines and popular OTAs through their existing connection to the Amadeus GDS. This will not only enable hotels to amplify their distribution reach and target their content in each channel, but also benefit travellers in receiving a more personalised offer catered to their individual preferences.

 

11. Allianz warns Aussies to stay covered at sea

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Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) is urging Australian travellers to ensure they are covered on their next cruise holiday to avoid costly medical expenses if they are injured at sea.

According to AGA data, the number of Australians purchasing cruise-related insurance policies over the past two years has skyrocketed from just over 2,000 people in 2014, to well over 14,000 to date in 2016.

Over $50 million in cruise-related claims have been paid out to Aussie travellers from January 2014 to date. The most common claims were for medical and hospital expenses (over 17,000 claims), followed by claims relating to cancellation fees and lost deposits (over 7,000 claims).

Allianz Global Assistance General Manager Travel and Medical, John White, has warned Aussie travellers that Medicare or private health insurance won’t cover them on their cruise holiday, so they need to take out separate cover to protect themselves at sea.

 

12. Masters Agents Explore PNG on Pacific Eden

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Where were you last week? Well, we bet you probably weren’t in Papua New Guinea like this group of nearly 40 cruise agents from Australia and New Zealand.

These cruise experts got to sail the waters of PNG as part of the latest CLIA Australasia Masters Conference. The group set sail from Cairns on P&O Cruises’ Pacific Eden and spent seven nights cruising the Coral and Solomon Sea, while participating in a range of onboard conference sessions – all intended to sharpen the participants’’ sales skills.

The sessions, led by US-based travel industry trainer, business coach and motivational speaker Scott Koepf, focused on applying advanced sales and marketing techniques to the cruise retail industry. One of the participants, I Love Cruising Director Marketing Manager Tim Faircloth said the conference was very beneficial.

“I would recommend it to anyone in the industry looking to give their brand a distinct marketing advantage. The course content was relevant, engaging and cruise specific.”

Tim Faircloth, I Love Cruising Director Marketing Manager.

CLIA’s annual Masters Conference offers travel agents who have achieved CLIA Ambassador status and are currently employed by a CLIA Member Travel Agent the opportunity to advance their marketing and sales skills. Successful completion of a post-conference work-based assignment will earn participants the elite Master Cruise Consultant accreditation.

 

13. itravel agents give back in Fiji with Pinpoint Travel

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Eleven lucky itravel travel agents recently got to visit fabulous Fiji for an itravel exclusive famil accompanied by Pinpoint Travel Group’s Lisa Tappin.

The iteam flew Fiji Airways from Sydney, and were greeted upon arrival with flower lei’s and plenty of smiles before being escorted to the Double Tree Resort on Sonasali Island, a comfortable 25-minute private car transfer and short boat ride from Nadi Airport. The following day consisted of a delicious buffet breakfast before a site inspection at the Radisson Blu on Denarau Island before boarding the Fiji Princess for three nights of cruising, enjoying complimentary fruit, soft drink, beer & wine on board.

The final day of the famil was spent at Mulomulo School, where according to itravel Mobile Agent Joanne Agius, the iteam “volunteered to paint a village primary school office inside and out, and the highlight of the day was seeing the school kids; they were awesome!” They did a great job, and loved giving back to the local community and spending time with the young Fijian children.

The itravel exclusive famil was full of incredible experiences, and the itravel team had a great time exploring Fiji with Lisa Tappin of the Pinpoint Travel Group, and cannot wait to pass on their brand-new expertise on Fiji to their valued clients.

 

14. WIN A YEAR’S SUPPLY OF COOKIES FROM WENDY WU TOURS

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#Thenewwu is here and Wendy Wu is giving you the chance to WIN a year’s supply of Panda cookies! Say what? That’s 365 packets of delicious panda cookie goodness…

You have seen the Wu crew reps out on the road, handing out panda cookies as they go, and we know just how popular they have been with many of you taking to our agent Facebook Page requesting your own personal stash,  so we’ve gone one better with a whole year’s supply up for grabs!

Read on.

 

15. WIN A HOLIDAY TO LOS ANGELES WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES

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Thanks to L.A. Tourism and American Airlines, a holiday to Los Angeles valued at over $5,000 is up for grabs!

The prize includes flights from Sydney to Los Angeles with American Airlines, as well as a six night stay in three unique L.A. neighbourhoods, such as Koreatown, Hollywood and Venice Beach.

Click here for more information on this fantastic prize!

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news?