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. Aussies change the way they book their US accommodation
There’s been a slight shift in the way Aussies bound for the US are booking their accommodation, according to new research.
A study conducted by Visit USA found more Australians put their faith online last year compared to the prior 12 months.
Of the 81 percent of Aussies who booked their lodging before departure in 2015, the most preferred method of booking was through an OTA, folowed by direct and then a traditional Agent.
2. Qantas meets demand for Bali
Qantas has increased its summer flight schedule to Bali to meet expected demand for the popular holiday destination.
The seasonal Sydney-Denpasar services will take-off daily from 18 December until 4 February, up from five.
The carrier will also operate on average five times a week from 5 February to 25 March 2017 on the same route.
3. Fiji scores itself another public holiday after first Olympic medal
Celebrations continue in Fiji after the destination scored itself its first Olympic gold medal last week AND another public holiday.
The country was crowned the first men’s Olympic Sevens champions late last week after taking down Britain 43-7.
The incredible defeat didn’t just make Fiji the winners of the inaugural tournament in Rio, but also the recipients of the country’s first-ever Games medal.
4. Kenya & Samoa welcome more Aussies
Kenya and Samoa don’t have much in common in terms of geography, culture or entertainment but they are both experiencing an increase in Australian visitation.
During the first six months of 2016, Kenya’s tourism leaders reported an 18.9 percent increase in Aussie arrivals compared to the same period last year, while Samoa recorded a steady eight percent climb for the month of April.
Kenya Tourism Board’s representative, Bart Druitt, said the news was a huge step forward for the Kenyan tourism industry.
5. GoHawai’i launches one-stop-shop app
Visitors to Hawai’i now have access to a one-stop-shop mobile reference guide to the Hawaiian Islands with the launch of the GoHawai’i app.
Hawai’i Tourism Oceania Country Manager, Kerri Anderson, said the app would make travel in the Hawaiian Island much easier for visitors – offering fast, accurate and trustworthy information – and some Hawai’i-inspired emojis that users can share.
The GoHawai‘i app offers valuable travel tips for each of the six major Hawaiian Islands: Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and the Island of Hawai‘i. App users will discover useful information to help them enjoy Hawai‘i’s wide variety of sites, activities, special events and cultural festivals statewide.
The app also includes “Locomoji” – Hawai‘i-inspired emojis that can be shared with family and friends.
Download the app for free in the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store.
6. Carnival hosts TIME guests
Carnival Cruise Lines hosted TIME Guests at a lunch last week where the line’s VP Australasia, Jennifer Vandekreeke, spoke about her career and those who had Mentored her along the way.
The function was emceed by Angela Middleton TIME Alumni who thanked Carnival Cruises Lines for hosting the event and spoke about the growth of the Program over the past six years.
People present included those who have supported and given their time to the Program over this time. TIME also said it was looking forward to welcoming its 24th intake of Mentees on 07 September 2016.
Click here for more pictures.
7. Dragonfly takes Aussie Agents to Africa
Destination Management Company, Dragonfly Africa, flew nine Travel Agents to Africa earlier this month for a special educational.
The group ticked Zimbabwe, Cape Town and Kapama Private Game Reserve offthe bucket list while sampling firsthand the advantages of using travel companies on the ground at the destination.
Agents were introduced to some of the amazing accommodation and unique experiences that Dragonfly Africa have access to when building bespoke itineraries for their clients.
8. WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi famil
If $999 flights to Abu Dhabi weren’t enough to encourage you to sell Etihad Airways to your clients, then how about a trip to Abu Dhabi?
Etihad Airways along with Virgin Australia and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has just launched an Agent incentive, giving consultants the chance to WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi’ famil running this October.
To be one of 50 on the captivating, cultural and adventurous trip, Agents simply need to book Etihad Airways or Virgin Australia to Abu Dhabi or as a stopover to Europe.
9. Ouch! Kiwi jumps off Venice bridge into a water taxi
Dare devil or a little too intoxicated? Which do you think was the motivation behind the Kiwi who jumped off the Venice’s Rialto Bridge and into a water taxi?
The 49-year-old New Zealander currently living in St Tropez in France was reportedly drunk when he decided to make the daring leap.
According to reports, the man was aiming to jump into the water, but instead landed on a boat.