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. This airline won’t allow you to choose your own seat
Window? Aisle? Emergency exit row? Choosing your own seat is all part of the flying experience, so then why has Hawaiian Airlines taken this option away on one of its popular routes?
Starting from now, passengers flying between Honolulu and Pago Pago in American Samoa will no longer be able to pre-select their seats. Instead, passengers will be seated on the plane according to the dictates of staff who try to ensure that weight is evenly distributed throughout the aircraft.
Specifically, the policy requires that there are only a limited number of adults per row, and some sections on the plane reserved for children or left empty.
2. Another airline joins the Star Alliance as a ‘Connecting Partner’
A Chinese airline has sneaked its way into the Star Alliance without becoming a full-blown member.
It’s actually not as controversial as it sounds. Juneyao Airlines joined the airline alliance as a ‘Connecting Partner’, which lets customers tap into the carrier’s offerings such as its 1,700 flights from Shanghai, its Lounge access plus other Priority privileges.
Similar to members, ‘Connecting Partners’ are carefully selected by the group, and must adhere to high operating standards.
3. That Singapore Airlines full flat-bed in Business Class is coming to Brissie
First it was extra services, then it was a new lounge and now Singapore Airlines is treating travellers from Brisbane with full flat-bed seats in Business Class.
The airline continues with its upgrade plans for Queensland’s capital, by operating the Boeing 777-200ER on overnight flights from the city to Singapore.
The aircraft change will give customers from Brisbane access to complete comfort in Business Class fitted with 26 full flat beds in a 1-2-1 format. Additionally, the aircraft can fit 245 passengers in Economy Class in a 3-3-3 configuration.
4. How to get a Seychelles luxury experience only 5hrs from Sydney
Where can you lay on an almost private, pristine beach, enjoy varied activities, try world class dining and live it up in five-star luxury, without travelling more than five hours outside of Sydney?
In Fiji.
Yes, only around five hours outside of Sydney and just 15 minutes by helicopter from Nadi is VOMO Island, a luxury, family-friendly accommodation that after two extensive refurbishments, is being compared to some of the world’s top resorts in the Maldives and the Seychelles.
5. Adventure World goes big in Canada & Alaska
There’ll be no shortage of options for your clients look for an icy getaway, with Adventure World’s new 120-page 2017/18 Canada, Alaska & High Arctic brochure out now.
The tour operator’s largest brochure ever for the region is equipped to handle extra demand for Canada, which is tracking a 29.6 percent increase in arrivals compared to the last year.
Adventure World has also dialed up the number of active adventures in the collection with more cycling, trekking, kayaking, heli-hiking and NEW heli-fishing experiences.
Agents can now order the brochure from Brochure Flow.
6. Learn about the Solomons & WIN an iTunes voucher
The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau is offering industry staffers the opportunity to win an AU$50 iTunes card simply by registering for the tourist office’s Solomon Islands Update Webinars taking place on 18 October 2016.
Sessions are timed from 8.30am and 9.30am Eastern Australia Summer Time (1030 or 1130 New Zealand Summer Time). The webinars run for approximately 20 minutes and also include a Q&A session.
Click here if you’re interested in registering. Spaces are limited so be quick.
7. Antarctica Expeditions are selling quick at G
Rooms aboard The G Expedition, G Adventures‘ Antarctica ship, are filling up quick, so quick in fact it’s already at 90 percent capacity for the coming season.
This year, there are limited spaces left for travellers to tick off the bucket-list destination, with the ship carrying only 1,400 travellerseach year, with 12 separate expeditions ranging from 11 to 22 days.
Adrian Piotto, Managing Director G Adventures Australia and New Zealand, said he is excited by sales numbers for the upcoming Antarctic season after a very successful 2016 season.
8. Malaysia Airlines unveils a new range of wine & champagne
Malaysia Airlines has unveiled a new range of wine and champagne to be offered to its First Class and Business Class customers travelling between London and Kuala Lumpur.
The new selection of international wines and champagnes are set to enhance the First and Business Class flying experience. This already includes a fine dining Chef-on-Call menu, consisting of a wide selection of 25 dishes ranging from Malaysian favourites, Chef’s recommendations, healthy and light meals.
The new wine and champagne range has been especially selected for serving at 40,000ft, since taste buds are reduced in the pressurised cabin, meaning wine doesn’t breathe in quite the same way as it would on the ground.
9. Helloworld Agents hit Hawaii
A group of Queensland and northern New South Wales Helloworld Agents have just returned from an unusual famil – a self-drive tour around the Hawaiian island of Oahu taking in some of the world’s best surf beaches and holiday resorts.
As the guests of DriveAway Holidays and Hawaiian Airlines, the group enjoyed staying in busy Waikiki soaking up Honolulu’s great night life. And checking out the great bargains at Hawaii’s shopping plazas when not touring around the island.
Have you taken a self-drive around Hawaii?
10. 5 Aussie road trips you’ve just gotta drive
Embarking on a great Aussie road trip should be a rite of passage for all Australians. After all, it’s our vast southern land – easily navigable by road – that attracts visitors from all around the world to our shores.
From misty rainforests, arid deserts, sparkling oceans abutting stretches of sandy beach, and quaint country towns, Australia’s diverse topography is legendary, and its multi-dimensional nature is definitely worth exploring – easily done on a self-drive holiday!
Hiring a car or motorhome and getting behind the wheel allows you to cover vast distances in your own time, and gives you the freedom to stop and appreciate the continent’s beauty from whichever angle takes your fancy.
11. WIN Westfield Gift Cards with Trafalgar
Trafalgar are giving you a chance to WIN simply by checking out their new brochure and seeing for yourself just how easy and enjoyable travelling with Trafalgar can be.
Showcasing a brilliant range of effortless, authentic and fun travel experiences, Trafalgar’s 2017 Europe and Britain programme sets the global standard for travel for 2017.
PLUS, Trafalgar are offering an unprecedented air deal of return flights for only $499 on all 2017 Trafalgar Europe or Britain guided holidays – but only until 23rd October, or until sold out.
12. So, what’s new with Wendy Wu Tours?
*Cue Chinese gong* Wendy Wu Tours has entered the ring and she’s totally awesome, launching a new trade website, scouring the region for exciting new tours, and much more, all part of its #TheNewWu campaign.
Wendy Wu Tours – Australia’s leading Asian tour operator – isn’t a company to sit on its laurels.
In a quest to continually improve its Asian tour game, the company that lives by the motto “make booking Asia easy” has been busy tweaking its fully inclusive tours to help Travel Agents sell their impressive range of authentic Asian travel experiences with ease.