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. “It was embarrassing” – actress mortified after being weighed at airport
Checking into a flight can be a stressful situation, especially when you’re worried over the weight of your bag. But imagine being forced onto the scales before boarding a flight to see if you’ll be allowed to fly?
British actress, Lisa Riley, recently spoke on the UK chat show, Loose Women, about a mortifying experience she had at an airport in Kathmandu.
According to the actress, she was forced to stand on airport scales usually reserved to weigh bags to see if she would be allowed to fly.
Read more.
2. Singapore Airlines flies to another Californian city…
Singapore Airlines has just launched a direct service linking Singapore and San Francisco, making it now possible to start and end an American itinerary in the City by the Bay.
The inaugural flight departed Singapore Changi Airport at 9:25am local time on Sunday and arrived at San Francisco Airport at 8:50am local time yesterday morning. And to celebrate the occasion, passengers were treated to an assortment of food and beverages prior to boarding their flight.
Read more.
3. Qantas to help keep race-goers fed and watered
Qantas will help customers travelling from Melbourne to freshen up after race-day events at the Spring Racing Carnival this year.
Qantas will operate a “Spring Racing Revitalisation” pop-up inside the Qantas Club at Melbourne Airport, which will bring indulgences like massages that are usually offered in Qantas’ First Lounges and Botanica cold-pressed juices offered on flights in Business.
Read more.
4. Are you ready to rock with Tourism Ireland?
Registrations are now open for Tourism Ireland’s biannual Roadshow, ‘Ireland Rocks.’
Making its way around Australia and New Zealand starting on 14 November, the Roadshow will give agents the chance to meet with 13 Tourism Ireland delegates who represent a full range of tourism experiences that customers can experience on a trip to the land of leprechauns and Guinness.
It will also give agents the chance to be charmed by Grammy nominated artist and former INXS frontman, Ciaran Gribbin, who will be providing entertainment throughout the mini-tour.
Both Australia and New Zealand have seen phenomenal growth in the last number of years, with potential for huge growth in the future. Between 2010 and 2014, visitors from Australia to the island of Ireland have increased by more than +40 percent. 2015 was another record year for visitors from Australia and New Zealand, with approximately 200,000 people visiting.
Register your interest for the Roadshow here.
5. Fancy a half-price Air Asia flight?
Budget carrier Air Asia is offering up to 50 percent off its flights to both short and long-haul destinations across its extensive network.
The epic sale is applicable on flights operated by AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK), AirAsia Thailand (FD), AirAsia Indonesia (QZ), AirAsia Philippines (Z2), Malaysia AirAsia X (D7), Thai AirAsia X (XJ) and Indonesia AirAsia X (XT).
The discount is available on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app from 24 October 2016 (0001h, GMT +8) to 30 October 2016 (2400h, GMT +8) for travel between 9 January 2017 and 18 June 2017.
6. Lux* South Ari Atoll launches in the Maldives
Fancy a bit of lux-ury on your next holiday to the Maldives? Well you’re in luck!
World-renowned luxury resort and hotel operator, LUX* Resorts & Hotels, have injected US $26 million into its new five-star resort, featuring a contemporary atmosphere while protecting the cocooned tropical island atmosphere.
According to Paul Jones, CEO of LUX* Resorts & Hotels, “the creation of a new LUX* South Ari Atoll has been as much about the transformation of the property as it has been about the enhancement of the guests’ experiences.”
For more information visit www.luxresorts.com
7. Adelaide to host World Routes in 2019
Come 2019, the City of Churches – aka, Radelaide – will welcome more than 3000 delegates from major airlines, airports, tourism and aviation businesses from all over the world for the prestigious World Routes forum – the first time it has ever been held in Australasia.
The three-day forum will be the biggest conference EVER to be held in South Australia, which is expected to inject more than $20 million into the State’s visitor economy.
During the forum, international airports will pitch to airlines for new route opportunities, making it the perfect opportunity to showcase Adelaide to top-ranking global decision makers.
The World Routes Convention event has previously been hosted in cities such as Chicago, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi and Berlin.
8. G Adventures names its 2017 top destinations with a difference
If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and discover something a little different, then you may want to take a page from G Adventures’ book.
The world’s leading small-group adventure tour operator have just announced their top four travel hotspots with a difference for 2017, and boy are we excited to check them out for ourselves!
Making the cut this year were the Balkan beauty Montenegro; misunderstood Iran; nature loving Greenland; and the exotic and incredibly alluring ‘Stans – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
For more information or to book a trip to any of the above destinations, call 1300 796 618 or visit www.gadventures.com.au
9. Sunshine Coast shows off its food attractions
The Sunshine Coast’s vibrant food and dining scene was recently showcased at the annual ‘Sunshine Soiree.’
Business Events Sunshine Coast (BESC) were joined by 14 Sunshine Coast business event operators who each presented their conference and incentive products and services to some 35 Brisbane conference and event organisers.
According to Simon Latchford, CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast, the Sunshine Coast is Queensland’s leading ‘food tourism’ destination, and initiatives such as ‘Sunshine Soiree’ are hoped to showcase the region’s attractiveness to the MICE space.
10. What the hell is that giant, pink-cheeked kitten doing with those Travel Agents?
Fair question.
The answer – her (guessing she’s a she) name is Kuronyon and she’s the official mascot for the Tateyama mountain range in Japan.
The group of Agents met her on day two of their ‘Traditional Japan’ famil hosted by Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).
In addition to getting up close and personal with the fluffy and colourful creature, consultants were given the opportunity to experience the sacred mountain (one of three in Japan) at various heights.
Fortunately for them, the journey didn’t require much hiking, but rather some handy buses, trains and cable-cars.
Click here for more pics from the Japan famil on KarryOn’s Instagram page.
11. An Excite-ing famil in Palm springs
A lucky bunch of ETG Travel Agents recently got to experience a week of sun, fun and amazing times on a Soul & SoCal famil, thanks to Excite Holidays in conjunction with Greater Palm Springs, Visit Huntington Beach, American Airlines, and Driveaway Holidays
After flying into LAX with American Airlines, the agents then travelled to Greater Palm Springs, where they stayed at The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells and embarked on a hot air balloon over the surrounding desert amongst other exciting adventures.
In Huntington Beach, the agents slept at the Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel and got to learn how to surf, as well as take part in yoga classes on the beach. Come nightfall, the agents got to make s’mores on a beach bonfire and “sample” the local nightlife.
12. 5 reasons why Heidi has it so good in stunning Switzerland
Heidi, the movie, is introducing Switzerland and the Swiss way of life to millions of viewers around the world. But how accurately is it representing the Land of Milk and Honey?
Pretty well, we’d have to say!
I mean, if we could be any character and live in any imaginary world, then it’d have to be Heidi in her native Switzerland – is there no better candidate?
Read more.
13. WIN a year’s supply of Panda cookies from Wendy Wu Tours
#Thenewwu is here and Wendy Wu is giving you the chance to WIN a year’s supply of Panda cookies! Say what? That’s 365 packets of delicious panda cookie goodness…
You have seen the Wu crew reps out on the road, handing out panda cookies as they go, and we know just how popular they have been with many of you taking to our agent Facebook Page requesting your own personal stash, so we’ve gone one better with a whole year’s supply up for grabs!
Read more.
14. 8 incredible must-see festivals in Asia
Incredible, mind-blowing and beautiful.
Festivals in Asia is something you should see once in your life, and we’ve rounded up the eight most spectacular events you should add to your bucket list.
Read more.
15. WIN A HOLIDAY TO LOS ANGELES WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES
Thanks to L.A. Tourism and American Airlines, a holiday to Los Angeles valued at over $5,000 is up for grabs!
The prize includes flights from Sydney to Los Angeles with American Airlines, as well as a six night stay in three unique L.A. neighbourhoods, such as Koreatown, Hollywood and Venice Beach – click here for more information on this fantastic prize!