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The Daily Travel Agent Bite: Fri 7 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. Cruises & air affected as Hurricane Matthew hits south-east USA

Travel Agent hurricane-matthew

Aussies travelling around the south-eastern USA have been advised of potential travel disruptions as Hurricane Matthew continues to pass through the region.

Described as the “fiercest Caribbean storm in a decade”, the category four Hurricane brought torrential rain and winds of up to 220km per hour to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia yesterday.

According to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), a state of emergency has been declared in some areas and evacuations have seen millions of residents travel inland.

Read on

 

2. What the duck is this goose doing on an Air New Zealand plane?

air-new-zealand

Your eyes are not tricking you, that is in fact a goose enjoying the inflight experience on an Air New Zealand flight.

His name is Dave and he’s part of Air New Zealand’s quacky new plan to change Australian travellers’ perceptions of where the airline can taken them.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, over the last 12 months, the carrier has drastically expanded its international network with flights to Houston in the USA and Buenos Aires in Argentina. There’s a new service to Beijing commencing in the coming months and the airline plans to operate to Vietnam for a second season next year.

Read on

 

3. Travellers don’t need to limit their choices in Europe with Busabout

travel agent busabout-feature

It’s all about free and flexible travel over at Busabout, which has introduced a new unlimited hop-on-hop-off pass for its guests.

Where once travellers had to carefully pick and choose their destinations, they’re now free to travel to all 46 destinations on the network as many times as they want. With the pass they have the ability to travel to their desired number of stops and then add on extras while they’re travelling.

Priced from $1,999, the Unlimited Pass was described by Busabout’s General Manager, Tina McIntosh, as “the utmost flexibility” for those working their way around the continent.

Read on

 

4. Get fit overseas without exercising

tid

Getting away to get fit isn’t restricted to exercise, according to a survey a by Travel Insurance Direct (TID).

Around 32 percent of travellers intending to take part in a “sweatcation” will be working hard on their soul.

Meditation classes are popular, so are ‘de-tox” holidays where travellers disconnect from technology or stick to a strict diet for an inner workout.

Read on

 

5. Entire Travel Connection launches new brand specialising in canal cruising

Travel Agent barge

Entire Travel Collection has launched a new brand called, Barge Travel Connection, which specialises in crewed canal cruises in Europe.

Unveiled late last month with its own website, the brand showcases a variety of charming hotel-barges, themed cruises, European countries and special offers.

According Managing Director Brad McDonnell, barge cruising is a unique experience accommodating from four to 24 clients and offers travellers a chance to “truly relax” with local wines, high-end cuisine and rich cultural experiences.

To celebrate the launch of Barge Travel Connection, Entire Travel Connection is giving Agents the chance to WIN a $100 voucher. Click here for more information.

 

6. Countdown to helloworld’s OMC is on

helloworld

In just two weeks’ time over 500 helloworld Owner Managers will descend upon Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore for the annual helloworld Owner Mangers Conference (OMC).

Larry Emdur will MC the conference with keynote speakers including helloworld CEO Andrew Burnes, business motivational expert Chris Helder, entrepreneur and entertainer Vinh Giang, Mark Jenkins from Resurg and Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Pottharst. There will also be breakout workshop sessions with topics including Human Resources, ResWorld and helloworld.com.au plus optional sessions on multi-store Franchising and Business Building/Networking.

Social networking functions will include a ‘Welcome to Singapore’ cocktails and dinner event at the S.E.A Aquarium and the prestigious closing night Gala Awards Dinner sponsored by Qantas.

 

7. Hawaiian Airlines’ fully lie-flat seats go on sale

hawaiian-airlines

Travellers can start booking Hawaiian Airlines’ new fully lie-flat seats on flights from Australia to Hawaii, with Premium Cabin fares going on sale this week.

The new class will be introduced on flights in December and will operate between Honolulu and Narita, Japan, Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.

Incorporating flowing curves evocative of the winds and the ocean, Hawaiian’s spacious Premium Cabin features 18 lie-flat leather seats that fold into 180-degree beds at a roomy 20.5 inches wide and 76 inches long. They’re aligned in a 2-2-2 configuration, giving all passengers aisle access.

 

8. Travel Agents get ‘nauti’

Travel Agent busabout-featur

Agents pulled out their ‘nautiest’ gear to help launch Busabout’s Europe 2017 programme at a nautical pirate theme party.

The brand hosted 11 trade events across major capital cities along with HAGGiS and Shamrocker Adventures

Click here for more pictures.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news?