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. Velocity Frequent Flyer and flybuys has announced an Australian-first partnership
Velocity Frequent Flyer and flybuys, today announced an Australian-first partnership that will open up brand new travel opportunities for shoppers.
From today, members of flybuys and Virgin Australia’s loyalty program Velocity Frequent Flyer can link their memberships enabling them to transfer their flybuys points to Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and earn Status Credits with Velocity Frequent Flyer when shopping at Coles, Coles Online, Liquorland or First Choice Liquor by presenting their flybuys card.
2. Virgin breaks ground in Dallas
Yesterday, sporting cowboy boots, a hat and riding a horse, Branson rolled into Dallas to literally break ground at the future home of Virgin Hotels Dallas, cheered on by 500 locals and the Dallas Maverick cheerleaders.
The new hotel, scheduled to open its doors at the end of 2018, will boast over 200 chambers, a pool deck and bar, a rooftop lounge, and the brand’s flagship space, The Commons Club.
3. More airlines ban the new Samsung Galaxy
Another four airlines have banned the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from their aircraft over safety concerns.
Etihad, Fiji Airways, Royal Jordanian and Hong Kong Airlines join Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Tigerair Australia, Qantas and Jetstar in banning the smartphone from flights, whether they’re in check-in or carry-on.
Travellers have been urged to leave the devices at home and contact Samsung to have the smartphone replaced.
4. Wendy Wu sticks with TravelManagers
Wendy Wu Tours has renewed its agreement with TravelManagers Australia as preferred supplier to Asia.
General Manager, Andrew Mulholland, said that with TravelManagers’ network of more than 490 Personal Travel Managers nationwide and their extensive expertise, he looked forward to solid growth in WWR’s range of destinations throughout Asia across many touring styles.
He added: “We are committed to driving continuous growth for TravelManagers and I am confident that our renewed partnership will only enhance current remarkable offerings. We are excited to have TravelManagers as part of the Wendy Wu family”.
5. WIN a Sony Action Cam from Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways invites travellers to experience the views they deserve when sailing Europe’s rivers and they are now giving you the chance to WIN a Sony Action Cam.
Arrive in a new port each day, Avalon gives you the freedom to cruise your way and unlike other cruise ships, Avalon Waterways has designed its staterooms so beds face the window and the incredible sights river cruising is famous for.
What’s new for 2017?
6. WIN 3x Cheese Hampers or 20x double passes to Heidi
The world famous and all-time favourite children’s story, Heidi, is coming back to the big screens and Switzerland Tourism is giving you a chance to WIN a double pass!
A film by Alain Gsponer based on the novels written by Swiss author, Johanna Spyri, Heidi is about an orphaned girl who spends her happiest childhood days with her eccentric grandfather Alpöhi in a remote alpine cabin in the mountains of Graubünden in eastern part of Switzerland.
Along with her goat-herder friend, they look after her grandfather’s goats and enjoy the freedom in the mountains.
7. TravelCube expands Mantra Group collection
TravelCube has entered a new partnership with Mantra Group that gives Travel Agents immediate access to the best available rates at more than 60 of accommodation group’s properties across Australia.
The new deal also includes TravelCube sister company GTA, which will use its global sales network to deliver international inbound business to Mantra Group’s Australian properties, particularly from key markets across Europe and the Middle East.
John Stucci, TravelCube Vice President Sales & Marketing, Pacific, said the new deal dramatically expands the number of Mantra Group properties available through the TravelCube booking site, and guarantees Agents will now see the best available rates each day across a selection of Mantra Group’s property portfolio.
8. More Australians are heading to China
With all these extra routes opening up between Australia, and China, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that more Aussies visited the country this year compared to last year.
The number of Australian passport holders visiting mainland China from January till the end of August in 2016 was 297,000, compared with 283,000 over the same months last year.
According to Helen Wong Tours’ Managing Director, there’s an increase in Australians wanting to learn more about the historically rich country as well as its swift contemporary changes in major cities.
“From our brochure, the Yangtze cruises aboard Victoria Cruises are very popular, a trend which is sure to continue with the growth in popularity of cruises,” she said.
9. AAT Kings takes ‘Sydney by Night’
AAT Kings has introduced a new evening tour called ‘Sydney by Night’, which offers travellers the chance to explore the Harbour City’s top attractions in their full night time glory aboard a special double-decker coach.
What makes this coach so different from the rest? It has a see-through roof to provide visitors with unrivalled views of Sydney’s sky and iconic sights such as the Rocks, Milsons Point, Sydney Opera House and more.
The three-hour tour launches on 1 November 2016 and starts at 7.00pm daily. The trip includes photo stops, treats at the world-famous Aussie pie at Harry’s Café de Wheels and wrap-up drinks at The Glenmore, an institution in Sydney’s pub scene.
10. Wholesalers & operators feel the need for speed in Vegas
Over the course of the last two weeks a group of the top wholesale & tour operator partners in Australia & New Zealand converged in Nevada to take part in the 2016 Nevada Governor’s Tourism Summit, which was held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.
The summit was an opportunity to learn about international tourism trends, market updates and at the same time put our Aussie & Kiwi contingent in an opportune position to meet with more than 400 other Nevada based destination & supplier delegates over the two and a half day summit.
Prior to the conference the partners in attendance attended one of two FAM tours put on by Travel Nevada – ‘The Parks & Nature FAM program saw the group explore the natural side of Nevada but not before they started with racing their chosen car at Speed Vegas; and ‘The Ghost’s and Ghaunts’ program saw some of the group explore the “spookier” side of Nevada with overnight stops in Las Vegas, Carson City, Tonopah, Rhyolite that inspired many an eerie tale.
11. River cruising from a unique point of view
Imagine waking up every morning to some of the most gorgeous riverside vistas in the world, whether it be in Europe or Southeast Asia. And imagine being surrounded by pure luxury and comfort.
Avalon Waterways have perfected river cruising in relaxed luxury, offering guests a unique holiday experience that caters to them. And unlike other cruise companies, their beds face the view, not the wall.
Plus Avalon Waterways offers a $4,000 per couple air credit on selected cruises that can be used on an airline of their choice, and on dates of their choosing.
12. 4 reasons why it’s totally normal to be excited about TMS talent
TMS Talent have been serving the Aussie travel industry for over two decades, but an injection of new ideas and technologies into the company within the last two years heralds an exciting new period of expansion.
Having the support and expertise of a leading recruitment and HR firm behind you – who specialise in the travel and tourism industry – is vital in helping you find the right job.
But nothing ever stands still in the travel industry, and sometimes an injection of new ideas, technologies and experienced personnel is needed to take things to the next level – especially when it comes to the world of HR and recruitment.
13. Los Angeles 3.0: These new hotels will suit every kind of traveller
Nothing ever stays the same in the City of Angels, and the USA’s second largest city is currently in the midst of a hotel revolution, with scores of new hotels – over 30! – opening in LA in the next few years.
Los Angeles has something for everyone – you just need to know where to go! From Hollywood, to Downtown, to the beach neighbourhood of Venice Beach, you certainly won’t be running out of hotel options anytime soon…
Here’s a guide on where your clients should stay in LA depending on what they’re interested in.
14. 5 reasons discerning travellers choose Barge Travel Connection
Step onboard a luxury barge and cruise past quaint medieval villages and scenic vistas along some of Europe’s most spectacular canals, having an experience you’ll never forget!
There’s your stock-standard river cruising, and then there’s luxury barge cruising – a unique way of sailing through the heart of Europe on charming barges that are small enough to accommodate between just four and 24 passengers.
Barge Travel Connection, the newest brand from travel wholesaler Entire Travel Connection, specialise in crewed canal cruises in Europe, partnering with hand-picked local suppliers to take guests on an intimate journey through France and the rest of the European continent as they sip on exquisite wine, feast on high-end cuisine, and explore Europe’s cultural landscape – it’s a floating paradise par excellence!
15. Uniworld’s regal journey along the dazzling Danube
Follow in the royal footsteps of the archduchess Maria Theresa in the heart of Europe in 2017, and celebrate the Austrian princess’ 300th birthday in true class and style along the Danube.
A floating princess’ castle, an exclusive ‘Morning with the Masters’ at Vienna’s Kunthistoriches Museum, and, of course, Uniworld’s reputation for being all-inclusive – if these reasons aren’t enough to convince you to set sail with the leaders in luxury Europe river cruising in 2017, then we don’t know what will!
Oh, wait, here’s one more reason: you’ll get return Economy airfares from just $899 and from $4,299 in Business class on cruises of 7-12 days. This deal is valid on Uniworld’s exciting 8-day ‘Enchanting Danube‘ itinerary from Budapest to Passau, until 31 October 2016.
16. Selling Asia has never been so easy with #TheNewWu
Exotic and alluring, excellent value-for-money, friendly people, and the food – my god the food! Asia offers just about as many travel experiences as there are scooters on the streets of Ho Chi Minh.
But there’s no reason why selling Asia should be as complex as trying to cross the street in a busy Vietnamese city.
Nuh-uh-uh!