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The Daily Travel Agent Bite: Mon 31 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. #WLCLSummit2016 closes in ‘spooktacular’ fashion

carnival karryon

The three-day World leading Cruise Lines Partnership Summit 2016 onboard Carnival Spirit closed yesterday morning in ‘Spooktacular’ fashion at dawn in Sydney Harbour with a narly posse of aqua witches greeting the superliner as she slipped into the city on the eve of Halloween.

Sporting black hats, flowing capes and flying brooms, the Paragliding, water-skiing and wakeboarding witches swooped on the ship by sea and by air, creating a mind blowing sight for the 200 Travel Agents, partners and local and international World Leading Cruise Line leaders and staff attending the Summit as well as their fellow 2400 cruising punters onboard.

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2. What a horror! Flight Centre opens new global headquarters

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It was a frightening affair for those who attended the official opening of Flight Centre’s new global headquarters in Brisbane’s South Bank today.

In true Flight Centre-style, the opening was a grand affair featuring more than just a ribbon and scissors, but with at least one witch, a group of Crayons and a Harry Potter.

That’s right, the big HQ opening was Halloween-themed, and staff did not hold back for the big event.

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3. Australians still really want to work at Virgin Australia

Travel Agent Virgin Australia

Where do Aussies really want to work? At one of our country’s most exciting airlines, Virgin Australia.

The carrier beat its biggest competitor, Qantas, plus dozens of other businesses to be named Australia’s Most Attractive Employer for the third consecutive year in the 2016 Ranstad Awards.

According to the HR company’s survey, some 51.34 percent of Aussies said they’d like to work with Virgin because of its working atmosphere, good work-life balance and strong management.

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4. Qantas launches new route from Brisbane to the South Pacific

Travel Agent papua-new-guinea

Qantas is making it easier for Brisbane’s business travellers to fly to Papua New Guinea, with a new daily service between Queensland’s capital and Port Moresby.

The new service, which launched over the weekend, replaces Qantas previous Cairns and Port Moresby flights and is operated by the 174-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Accommodating business travellers, the plane features 12 business seats and flights are timed to arrive in PNG at midday, giving professionals ample time to attend meetings in the afternoon and early next day before returning the following afternoon.

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5. P&O opens up new worlds at #WLCLSummit16

Travel Agent pacific-dawn-waterslide-rendering

P&O Cruises will open up new worlds for its guests next year, with the launch of Australia’s first virtual reality experience at sea as well as the cruise line’s first port in the remote Kimberley region.

As part of an exclusive partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia, P&O will unveil a PlayStation®VR experience which will take guests to extraordinary new worlds at sea. The technology will roll out across the fleet over the next 12 months, starting with Pacific Jewel later this year.

P&O also announced at the World’s Leading Cruise Lines Annual Summit, that will make its first call to the Kimberley, adding Kuri Bay – a remote coastal bay north of Broome boasting magnificent red rock escarpments and a turquoise bay – to its cruise offerings from Fremantle.

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6. Schoolies, not just a promo but a chance to WIN

schoolies-promo

Around 30,000 Schoolies will make their way to the Gold Coast in around three weeks’ time and one will be leaving in a brand new Jeep.

One lucky schoolie will be driving away in a slick new Jeep Compass and will also win a Fijian holiday for their parents simply for booking through schoolies.com, with the big prize being announced at the start of the 2016 celebrations on 19 November.

According to CEO for schoolies.com Matt Lloyd, this is the biggest prize on offer in the company’s 28-year history and has contributed to strong bookings for this year.

Figures indicate that around 30,000 students will be heading to Gold Coast in 2016 for schoolies, while others are planning getaways to Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, Lorne and the Sunshine Coast.

 

7. 11 things we’re glad we didn’t miss out on at Helloworld OMC

HelloWorld Owners & Managers Conference 2016 (Singapore) | VOUX photography & film

Over 500 helloworld Owner Managers, staff and preferred suppliers travelled to Singapore from Australia and New Zealand to collectively bring to life this year’s three day conference and we’re glad we didn’t miss out on this…

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8. American Airlines’ 777-300ER inflight experience

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Since its inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles back in December 2015, American Airlines has been committed to ferrying Australian travellers across the Pacific in absolute comfort and style.

And it’s a commitment that hasn’t waned, with the airline recently injecting US$3 billion into upgrading its cabins and airport facilities, offering more in-flight entertainment options, redesigning its menus, and refreshing its Admirals Club lounges worldwide – all in an effort to give Australian travellers the best flying experience on its daily SYD-LAX service.

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What are your thoughts on today’s travel news?