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The Daily Travel Agent Bite: Mon 10 Apr

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. Egypt declares a ‘state of emergency’ after deadly Palm Sunday attacks

Egypt

Image: @CGTNOfficial/Twitter

A day of prayer and remembrance turned into one of devastation for hundreds of Christians in Egypt when suicide bombers targeted two Coptic churches on Palm Sunday.

Some 44 lives were lost and dozens more people injured yesterday in twin explosions at Mar Guirgis (St George’s) Church in Tanta and Mar Morkoseya (St Mark’s) Church in Alexandria.

According to reports, the men wearing explosive vests belonged to a group of Islamic extremists targeting religious minorities in the country.

Read on

 

2. Tropical Cyclone Cook passes Vanuatu & heads for New Caledonia

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu Header

Vanuatu is believed to have made it out of Tropical Cyclone Cook with little-to-no damage over the weekend, despite heavy rain and strong winds hitting the Penama, Sanma, Malampa, Tafea and Shefa provinces.

According to Vanuatu’s Meteorological and Geo-Hazards Department, the category two cyclone delivered winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour to the South Pacific nation, which brought down several trees and caused power cuts in parts of Port Vila and Efate island.

Although the worst seems to have passed, authorities say people living near rivers and along the coast could still be at risk of experiencing flash flooding, ABC News reported.

Read on

 

3. River cruising for millennials – U by Uniworld – is now on sale

U by Uniworld

It’s the new cruise brand promising to make river cruising cool enough for younger travellers and its itineraries are now officially on sale.

U by Uniworld went on sale last week with nine European trips offering 21-45 year olds access to a “fresh approach to experiential travel”.

The younger off-shoot of the luxurious Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has packed its trips with quintessential millennial desires such as onboard mixology classes, plenty of time to meet and hang out with locals and try authentic food. Plus there’s guided bike tours of top historical sites, adventure activities through UNESCO World Heritage Sites and much more.

Read on

 

4. Cathay takes scientifically crafted Betsy Beer on board flights from Australia

Cathay Pacific 2

The Hong Kong carrier has announced Betsy Beer will be served to Business Class passengers on board Cathay Pacific flights from Australia, departing Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns – to Hong Kong from 7-30 April.

The special brew is named after ‘Betsy’, Cathay Pacific’s first aircraft, a Douglas DC-3 which flew passengers around the region in the 1940s and 1950s, Betsy Beer will be launched in Australia following global success in the UK and abroad.

Using a combination of science and traditional brewing methods, Betsy Beer, which Cathay Pacific has produced in partnership with Hong Kong Beer Co, is created with a combination of Hong Kong and European ingredients, aroma and necessary carbonation to taste great both in the air and on the ground.

 

5. Go Wild in Africa with G Adventures

G Adventures Africa

G Adventures has launched its Go Wild in Africa campaign, offering savings of up to 15 percent across select tours throughout the region.

The sale ends on 30 April 2017 and includes departures through to 15 December 2017. Among the savings is 15 percent off the eight-day Botswana & Falls Adventure, which includes a journey through the wildlife and vibrant colours of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.

There’s also 10 percent off select Classic and Active Africa trips such as the Mt Kilimanjaro Trek – Machame Route and the Culture & Wildlife of Uganda & Rwanda itinerary.

 

6. Wendy Wu Tours’ Global Director of Sales visits Australia

Wendy Wu Tours

Wendy Wu Tours recently welcomed London-based global sales director John Warr in Australia for a whirlwind tour of partnering consortia’s in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane along with head of Sales Vara Glover.

Meetings included itravel, Helloworld, TravelManagers, Flight Centre, ETG, Magellan, Travel Partners and Travellers Choice.

Mr Warr said he was touched by the warm welcome and impressed with the desire of all partners to work closely with Wendy Wu Tours and to raise the brands’ profile amongst agents, and members and to discuss ongoing strategies face to face.

 

7. Viking Agents cruise the Mediterranean on first ocean group famil

Travel Agent Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises recently hosted a group of Agents and their guests onboard Viking Star to experience the first six days of the 13-day Mediterranean Odyssey ocean cruise from Barcelona to Rome.

During the trip, the group experienced a taster of the popular itinerary with cruise included excursions to Toulon’s Old Quarter a walking tour of Monaco and a visit to the leaning tower of Pisa. Optional excursions were also offered including The Gothic Quarter and Catalonian Cuisine in Barcelona or a Tuscany wine and Merenda tasting in Florence.

“We see great value in hosting famils allowing an opportunity to demonstrate to our agents and media the enriching and immersive experience which Viking offers,” said Liz Sawers, Director of Sales for Viking Cruises, Australia and New Zealand. “Famils allow us to showcase our unique destination focused itineraries and give agents a first-hand understanding of the Viking difference.”

 

8. You only turn ONE once!

Travel Agent My Travel Group 2

Celebrations continue for the My Travel Group first Birthday festivities with members of the group coming together to enjoy a commemorative and very suitably decorated cake last week in Melbourne.

Modelled on the My Travel Group distinctive orange suitcase it was both good looking and delicious!

Congratulations My Travel Group!

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