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. Flight Centre does what we all have to do at some point – upgrades its phone plan
Fun, new office – check; new surfing partnership – check; international expansion – check; now it’s time for Flight Centre to upgrade its phone plan.
Flight Centre’s 1,150 stores country-wide are about to be hooked up with a new communications provider – Optus’ business division, Singtel.
The travel group signed a five-year agreement to migrate its contact centre solution over to Optus CCaaS platform. The process could take up to a year and will also comes with additional Optus services, global security and mobility, The Australian reported.
2. Who’s ready to party? Here’s where & when NTIA 2017 is being held
Calling all Travel Agents, you have around six months to emulate a lifestyle of opulence for this year’s National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) Gala Dinner.
The evening, during which consultants put away their travel boots in favour of diamante encrusted heels, ballroom gowns, Chanel clutches and Swarovski jewels, is almost upon us (22 July) and is expected to be bigger than ever before.
Why?
3. An underwater museum has opened in Europe & it’s a little creepy
On land museums can recreate forgotten worlds, remind visitors of ancient civilisations or even teach them about the origins of objects, languages, religions and culture.
But move them under the sea and suddenly they’re incredible while also, well, a little creepy.
It’s like watching the final scene of James Cameron’s The Titanic where viewers are taken on one last eerie tour of the iconic vessel sitting isolated 12,500 feet underwater in the North Atlantic Ocean – you’re amazed at how well the water preserved the ship over a century, but also can’t help but feel a little haunted by the images of its rusted remains (it also doesn’t help to have the underwater silence filled with the somber music to Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’).
4. And the winners of the DriveAway gift cards are…
Tasmanian Travel Agent Mike Pigden has won himself a $500 gift card after winning the DriveAway Holidays’ RACT incentive competition.
The incentive ran late last year and saw Lynne Bird and Linda Osborne-Magu each win $150 gift cards.
Congratulations to the winners!
5. P&O ‘Waves’ to Agents around Australia & New Zealand
Everyone loves a chocolate gold coin, which is why P&O Cruises hand delivered hundreds of the dollar-shaped treats to Agents across Australia and New Zealand during its recent Wave roadshows.
Held last week, the outing gave the P&O team the chance to update Agents in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland and celebrate the cruise line’s new $1 Deposit Sale.
The offer is just one of the packages available with the cruise line this Wave period, which also includes a new Premium Beverage Package on cruises of seven nights or more and a Soft Drinks Package on cruises of six nights or less.
Click here for more pictures.
6. Picture yourself sailing in Montenegro or Indonesia
The G Adventures 2017 Marine brochure is here and it comes with new sailing adventures for your clients in Montenegro and Indonesia along with long-time favourites such as river cruising and expedition cruising.
New trips are designed for travellers looking for a more leisurely, yet unique, experience. In Indonesia guests explore the coastlines of Bali and Lombok, visit the Gili Islands, Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Gili Gede and take snorkelling excursions, kayaking tours, beachfront bars and yoga sessions along with three meals a day.
The eight-day tour of Montenegro, starts sailing in May 2017. The trip, which begins in Croatia, sails along the Dalmatian Coast on the way to the spectacular Bay of Cotor checking out ancient fishing villages, a UNESCO World Heritage site and some of the area’s nicest beaches.
7. Fly to Europe from $599 return
Insight Vacations is making it easier for clients to travel to Italy with the launch of an air offer for only $599 return (including taxes), which is available on 15 unique itineraries, including those in Rome, Florence or Capri.
Insight offers a range of unique Signature Experiences, guests can discover the Treasures of Italy and gain VIP access into the Vatican Museum before enjoying a private after-hours Vatican dinner, cruise to the famous Isle of Capri and ride up to town by open-top taxi on an Italian Escapade and experience the Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily.
Another offer to celebrate is the brand’s $899 return airfare to Europe and Britain, when booked in conjunction with an Insight 2017 tour. Plus, for those looking for luxury from start to finish, take advantage of the Business Class airfare offer and fly for $4,999 to Europe and Britain with 2017 Luxury Gold escorted journeys including the popular, Ultimate Italy and French Elegance.
On sale from January 21 until February 23, 2017, these deals depart from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. The economy airfares (Insight Vacations) and Business Class (Luxury Gold) are available for travel between March 1 and October 31, 2017. Insight Vacations have expanded partnerships with renowned airlines Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Cathay Pacific.
8. Who’s hungry for some Tim Tam Toast?
Tim Tams – yes! But Tim Tam Toast… what?
Travelodge is celebrating Australia Day by turning Australia’s favourite treat, the Tim Tam, into toast.
The one-off breakfast was created by Travelodge’s Executive Chef and will see guests enjoy thick toast with a Tim Tam infused chocolately spread – so like Nutella but Tim Tam. It will be available at select hotels – Travelodge Wynyard, Travelodge Perth and Travelodge Docklands – across the country and only on 26 January.
Non-Travelodge guests will also be treated on the national holiday, with the hotel brand offering Tim Tam Toast to non-guests, who are always welcome for breakfast at Travelodge Hotels.
9. New dining options, refreshed rooms & transformed suites at…
There’s only three more months until guests at Hawai’i Prince Hotels Waikiki and Golf Club get to see the complete $55.4 million redevelopment of the property – the first extensive renovation in the hotel’s 27-year history.
So far, the property’s 563 oceanfront guest rooms and suites have been transformed, all-new dining options have opened and there’s a refreshed lobby. Still to come is the new infinity pool and outdoor entertainment area, enhanced meeting and wedding spaces and the new elevated personalised services culture.
Focusing on upgrading the services, Prince Waikiki will also offer an all-new experience with thoughtful design touches and new amenities. Guests will immediately feel a Hawai‘i sense of place at the hotel and discover the rich history of its location.