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. Middle Eastern airline takes the piss out of Trump’s electronics ban
Unlike other Trump travel bans, the new inflight electronics restriction wasn’t going away before Saturday’s launch. Airlines knew it, passengers knew it, so it was time to get creative.
In case you missed it, on Wednesday last week the Trump administration announced a ban on electronic devices larger than smartphones on US-bound flights from 10 Middle Eastern and African cities.
That essentially meant that business travellers and holidaymakers flying from or via these cities would need to check-in their tablets, DVDs players, laptops and cameras.
2. Which celebrities did TravelManagers book for its national conference?
TravelManagers heading to this year’s National Conference in Darwin are in for a treat with a ‘Red Shark’ and a decorated serving soldier in the Commonwealth speaking at the three-day September event.
Naomi Simson aka Red Shark from the ‘Shark Tank’ series has been booked to give a keynote speech and the 2017 conference along with this generation’s most decorated serving soldier in the Commonwealth, Benjamin (Ben) Roberts-Smith.
According to TravelManagers, the pair will inspire and provide insights into leadership and success while focusing on this year’s theme – ONE.
3. LAST DAYS to enter G Adventures’ UMI
There’s only four days left for Travel Agents to be in the running to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip through Uganda and Rwanda with G Adventures.
The tour operator’s UMI in the June incentive ends on 31 March and will see 12 major prize winners head off on an African Jungle adventure with flights included.
Places on the UMI in the Jungle will be given to the six top sellers as well as six randomly picked agents, meaning that Agents who enter the incentive in the final week and make a booking can still be in with a chance to win.
To be one of the six top sellers, agents must earn incentive points by booking travellers on G Adventures trips. One incentive point will be awarded for every G Adventures passenger booked on a trip, five points for every passenger booked on a Jane Goodall Collection trip and ten for every G Expedition Polar booking valued over $10,000.
The 12 major prize winners will be announced in April. Agents must be registered with G Adventures’ sales platform, Sherpa, to be in the running.
4. Aloft Perth opening date will be…
Holidaymakers and business travellers heading to Perth in May this year can be among the first to stay at the new Aloft Perth, which opens 26 May this year.
Bookings for the new Marriott International property have no opened, with some 224 sleek and colourful guestrooms now on sale.
Aloft Perth General Manager Stephen Morahan described the hotel as “modern” with “local influences throughout”.
Each room in the property includes plush beds, airy ceilings, 55” televisions, walk in rainfall showers and more. Guests will enjoy access to the restaurant, have the option to revitalise in re-charge gym, refresh in the Splash swimming pool, mix and mingle in the Re:mix lounge and W XYZ bar.
5. Experience the ‘Real Thailand’ with Venture Holidays
Venture Holidays has launched its new Thailand program featuring a new section on experiential tourism.
Highlights of the new brochure include Thai cooking schools; cycling tours; homestays; trekking and soft adventure; and extended touring.
In addition, sightseeing includes some old favourites as well as new and inspiring sightseeing tours such as the Tastes of Bangkok Transport trip, A Stroll Through Bangkok’s Chinatown with Dim Sum and Buddhist Alms Giving & Flower Market.
6. International tourism hits a new record in Dubai
Russian and Chinese visitors have helped push Dubai’s international tourism figures to new heights, with the destination reporting four times the rate of overseas arrivals for the first two months of the year compared to the same period last year.
Over three million visitors trekked to Dubai during January and February, which local tourism leaders say was supported by growth in all key markets especially China and Russia.
Backed by focused destination marketing campaigns across strategic feeder markets for the season, Dubai Tourism’s promotional efforts in China for Chinese New Year and Russia for the pre-spring break were strongly stimulated by the positive regulatory changes allowing both countries visa-on-arrival status into the emirates.
7. Lindblad Expeditions strengthens its national sales team
Lindblad Expeditions has appointed seasoned travel professional Justin Southern to the role of Sales Manager for VIC, TAS, SA and WA; ultimately boosting its national sales force.
With over 20 years’ experience in the travel and hospitality industry, Southern brings his wealth of knowledge to Lindblad. A qualified UAV (drone) pilot, Southern’s belief is that travel is not just about experiencing new cultures and customs; but that it is also centred on sharing these moments through photography. Along with his skill in photography, Justin has also led many groups to incredible destinations such as Alaska, Turkey and Borneo; ultimately strengthening his new role with Lindblad Expeditions.
More specifically, with Southern’s nine years of experience as a State Sales Manager for Travelcube Pacific and experience as an Account Manager for United Airlines, he will no doubt assist Lindblad in continued growth and success across the Australian market through his knowledge and passion for adventure travel.
8. Last minute ‘Go Solo’ offer with Rocky Mountaineer
Solo travel continues to rise and Rocky Mountaineer is making it more affordable for singles with a special Go Solo offer available from now until 15 May 2017.
Single travellers can pay the per person double occupancy rate on April and May departures – offering more value for passengers to enjoy relaxing in luxury with unparalleled views.
The offer is applicable for select travel dates in April and May 2017, and must be requested at the time of booking. This offer is applicable to qualifying Rocky Mountaineer packages of five or more days, has no cash value, and is non-transferable. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion in market. Other restrictions may apply.
9. Lucky Agents get an exclusive viewing of ‘Beauty & the Beast’
Five consultants were given the chance to view a ‘tale as old as time’ ahead of the rest of Australia at a special advance screening of the live action movie ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
Hosted by Disney Parks & Resorts at the Sydney Theatre in Sydney, the lucky Agents were selected for being avid readers of Disney Destinations’ popular travel trade e-newsletter, Word of Mouse.
The exclusive Sydney screening of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, helped kick-off an array of year-long celebrations to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris including the debut of a new parade, featuring a Fire-Breathing Dragon; a spectacular new Night-Time Extravaganza featuring fireworks, lasers, dancing fountains and stunning projection effects; as well as new Star Wars inspired experiences including Star Tours.
10. Travel Counsellors experience the best of Fiji
A group of Travel Counsellors Agents from all over Australia recently experienced the multifaceted wonders of Fiji on a familiarisation trip that provided ample opportunities to experience the varied reasons Australian travellers head to (and keep returning to) Fiji.
Travelling to Fiji on the Matai Mega Famil organised by Tourism Fiji and a range of hotel, cruise and tour partners, the group enjoyed plenty of quality time with Fiji on this trip that ran from March 6 – 12.
Split into several different groups, the itineraries covered diverse facets of Fiji travel including adventure, cruising and family travel. While the itineraries varied, each had many things in common – namely Fiji’s warm hospitality, rich cultural traditions, fresh seafood cuisine, luxury accommodation and balmy weather.