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. What the hell is TTC’s John Veitch doing in this picture?
What’s going on in that image up there? Good question. We’d like the answer to that too.
I mean, it looks like TTC Australia’s CEO, John Veitch, pretending to be Steve McQueen from the 1960s classic, ‘The Great Escape’. Right?
Right. But umm… why?
2. British Airways’ complimentary upgrades to First are back
Find someone you adore, slightly lift your shirts and do a Jack and Karen tummy touch because not only is Will and Grace coming back (totally off topic but had to throw it in there), but so too are British Airways’ complimentary upgrades.
Available from now until 5 October 2016, customers who book a return Club World business class to Singapore, the UK and Europe on BA.com for travel from Sydney on or before 31 March 2017 will receive a complimentary upgrade to First.
The one-way upgrade is a great opportunity for British Airways to show off its First product, build its following and let its customers travel like the rich and famous without breaking the bank.
3. Hong Kong Airlines adds frequency to Australia & New Zealand over Christmas
Hong Kong Airlines is tapping into demand for travel between Oceania and Hong Kong with extra services during the upcoming Christmas and Chinese New Year holidays.
Commencing 9 December 2016, the carrier will increase frequency on services to Gold Coast/Cairns from three times to five times weekly. This will extend to daily during the Chinese New Year.
Over the same period, and less than one month after launching to the destination, the airline will fly 10 times weekly to Auckland, an increase from seven.
4. This is what Agents could WIN during Cruise Month
Have you ever attended a ship christening in the US? Well, you could be invited to one if you’re one of the lucky winners during next month’s inaugural Plan A Cruise Month.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) revealed details of the great prize pool on offer to Agents who book their clients during the first-ever month-long cruise promotion in Australia.
Throughout October, CLIA agent members will go in the draw for weekly prizes every time they make a deposited cruise booking, with four cruises and four double passes to the 2017 CLIA Cruise Industry Awards on offer. Prizes range from a luxury European river cruise to a short break, as well as an invitation to a ship christening in the US.
5. Royal Caribbean adds ___ to its South Pacific itinerary
Royal Caribbean has announced it will set sail to Tonga for the first time this wave season, with Radiance of the Seas calling at the port of Vava’u on 12 December and Nuku’alofa on 13 December.
The two new destinations will be part of a 13-night South Pacific, Fiji and Tonga journey, which begins in Sydney on 3 December 2016 and calls at the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia, Lifou in the Loyalty Islands, Suva and Lautoka in Fiji, as well as Tonga, before arriving in Auckland.
The two new destinations will bring a host of unique experiences to the table for Royal Caribbean – the islands of Vava’u are renowned for their coral gardens and sparkling lagoons, while Nuku’alofa, capital of Tonga and home to the only royal family in the Pacific Islands, is a thriving hub of island charm and regal tradition. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the islands further with a range of optional excursions, including whale-watching and snorkelling in Vava’u and a cultural tour in Nuku’alofa.
6. Cosmos packs 60 holidays into 2017 Europe brochure
The 2017 Europe Cosmos brochure is on its way to Agents as we speak (type) and it’s jam packed with 60 value holidays for your clients, including six priced from less than $1,000 per person.
With the program now on sale, travellers can book a seven-day Best of Netherlands trip starting in Amsterdam and stopping by Keukenhof, Delft, Rotterdam and Groningen from $999 per person; or there’s a nine-day Prague, Vienna & Budapest trip ticking off Munich and other great capitals of Europe from $999 per person.
Nine new tours have also been added to the 2017 brochure ranging from short holidays with a regional focus to grand multi-country itineraries of up to 31 days. Among them are the 12-day Viking Explorer travelling through the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, or the eight-day Discover Andalusia travelling through southern Spain to Seville, Granada and the Costa del Sol.
7. Tourico Holidays partners with Globalia in Spain
Tourico Holidays has announced a new distribution partnership with Globalia, one of the largest travel agency groups in Spain.
Globalia will now have access to Tourico’s massive inventory of over 100,000 worldwide hotels, as Spain’s inbound and outbound travel demand surges.
The new comes after Spain’s hotel reservations have increased by 34 percent in 2016. According to Tourico’s data, reservations to North America spurred much of the growth, increasing by 73 percent year-over-year. The Asia-Pacific market (+34 percent), Latin America (+25 percent), and Europe (+8 percent) also contributed to the significant overall growth.
8. APT takes the symphony out to the Kimberley
APT guests were treated to a truly unique performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra held at the Cathedral Gorge in the Kimberley.
The natural amphitheater proved to be the perfect concert hall during the performance, which was held during the operator’s five-day ‘APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures’ itinerary.
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures head Angus Tandy said the Orchestra were the realisation of a long-held ambition for APT to host a world-class musical event for guests in the gorge.
9. Luxperience inspired Personal Travel Managers
Nine of TravelManagers’ personal travel managers participated last week in the invite only, specialist luxury global three-day business exchange Luxperience. The only Australian forum of its kind, Luxperience 2016 connected over 300 experiential, unique and inspiring luxury travel products directly to over 450 high-end experiential travel buyers.
Luxperience promised to connect travel buyers with the most innovative experiential travel experts in the luxury market and Grandi was definitely not disappointed.
One of the attendees, Annalize Troost representative for West Pennant Hills, said: “The TravelManagers’ philosophy of providing exceptional personal service to create individual tailor-made client luxurious experiences resonates perfectly with Luxperience’s values. The luxury market fits with our ethos of bespoke travel arrangements and going the extra mile for our clients. I can’t wait to tell my clients all about the incredible new and exciting holiday experiences I’ve learnt about.”
10. Wendy Wu kicks off new major campaign
It started with the return of the company’s popular animation (she made her comeback on Friday) and continues on today, with a new major campaign.
The Asia company’s new-look 2017 brochures are on their way to Agents and come with the promise of making it easier for consultants to book Asia for their clients.
Agents can also expect a few treats of their own, with a few upcoming competitions – keep an eye on KarryOn to find out how you can be in the running.
Click here for more information.