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. Indonesia’s plan to get Australians beyond Bali
Why do Aussies go to Indonesia more than once, but only visit Bali?
We don’t have an answer to the big Bali question (except the obvious – beaches, parties and familiarity), but it’s a travel habit Indonesia hopes to shake for its biggest international market.
Speaking at a sales mission in Sydney last week, the destination’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Maritime Services, Okto Irianto, said while Indonesia attracts record number of Aussie arrivals every year, they all tend to do the same thing when they get there.
And while he’s not complaining about the interest in Bali, he was wondering why Australians “who visit Indonesia more than once, like 10 times even, are only going to Bali every time”.
2. Kiwi Agent named ‘most admired’ for Virtuoso in APAC
Virtuoso shook up its annual Awards this year by introducing a new category designed to recognise the group’s ‘most admired’ consultants across the world.
The ‘Most Admired Advisor’ category was split into different regions, giving five consultants the chance to win in 2016.
A Kiwi had the honour of receiving the inaugural award for Asia Pacific and it was… Carol Morgan from Voyage Affaires in Auckland.
3. Move aside London & Spain, here’s another European gateway for Aussies
While Qantas works on launching direct flights between Perth and London, Scoot has just opened up a new European gateway for Aussie holidaymakers.
While London reigns as the number one point of entry for Australians heading to Europe, the past few years has seen airlines (such as Cathay Pacific) offer more choice through direct services into new gateways.
Scoot joins that category of airlines with the announcement of its first European service with direct flights between Singapore and Athens.
4. SureSave rolls out clearer insurance guide
Did you know that around 30 percent of Australian travellers don’t know what they’re covered for in their travel insurance police?
*Guiltily looks away*
Or that 53 percent admit to having a ‘general idea’ about what’s covered by ‘skimming’ their policy?’
5. YOU’RE INVITED to dream big with Visit California
Travel Agents are invited to get their RSVPs in for next week’s Visit California’s 2016 ‘Dream Big’ Roadshow, which will see 40 California travel industry representatives educate attendees on the depth and diversity of experience in the Golden State.
California will be brought to life in fun and interactive ways such as talk show-themed agent expo evenings, wine bottling sessions, scavenger hunts and “Shark Tank” media pitching competitions.
The Roadshow will be held in Auckland (22 August), Melbourne (23 August), Brisbane (24 and 25 August) and Sydney (26 and 27 August).
Spaces are limited so click here to register if you are a Melbourne Agent, or click here to register if you’re from Brisbane.
6. Rezdy teams up with Scotland’s Experee
Global tour and activity booking software company, Rezdy, has boosted its international distribution network through a new partnership with Scotland-based tour and activity online travel agent Experee. The partnership expands the reach of Australian suppliers who have partnered with Rezdy, by providing Experee’s customers with the ability to easily search and instantly book a wide range of Australian day tours and activities.Rezdy CEO, Simon Lenoir, said whether Experee customers are looking for whale migration or to indulge in local brewed beer tasting, they can find it through the company’s database of experiences.
7. Bora Bora gets a bit of an upgrade
Several hotel upgrades are planned for Tahiti’s Bora Bora, including a new Conrad Hotels & Resorts, which will takeover the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa.
The property will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before re-opening as the stunning Conrad Bora Bora Nui in early 2017 – the first Conrad hotel in Tahiti.
The Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is also set to undertake renovations from September this year and will receive four new two-bedroom overwater villas with private pools.
Meanwhile, Le Meridien Bora Bora has just completed a refurbishment with a focus on refreshing its bungalows and food and beverage outlets, including a revamp of its picturesque Miki Miki and Pool bars.
8. 3 new cruisers for Le Boat in 2017
Le Boat is expanding its fleet with three new Horizon models next year after successfully selling-out the new luxury vessel this year.
The Horizon 2-S will be the same size as the original but sleep up to five guests with a smaller front cabin and will be available throughout France, Holland, Ireland and Italy; while the Horizon 3 will be a larger vessel with three ensuite cabins, accommodating up to seven guests, and will be available in France, Germany and Ireland.
The Horizon 4 will be the same size as Horizon 3 but configured to sleep up to nine people with four en suite cabins. It will be available for cruises throughout France, Germany and Holland, as well as on the River Thames in the U.K.
Bookings for the 2017 season from 1 September 2016.
9. New Great Train Journeys brochure showcases Belmond collection
Belmond’s growing collection of luxury experiences are on full display in Rail Plus’ newly-released 2017 Great Train Journeys brochure.
The latest program dedicates eight pages to Belmond’s product suite, including Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Belmond Grand Hibernian (Ireland), Belmond British Pullman, Belmond Northern Belle (England), Belmond Royal Scotsman, Belmond Afloat in France (fully crewed barges), Belmond Road to Manadalay, Belmond Orcaella and the Eastern & Oriental Express.
Featured for the first time is Belmond’s Andean Explorer – South America’s first luxury sleep train – which from May 2017 will operate four itineraries, including a full-day journey from Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire, across the high plains of the Andes and on to the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Rail Plus has redesigned its 2017 brochure with journeys now grouped geographically and each page offering consultants a prominent product summary.
Order the new brochure through TIFS or click here to download a copy.
10. WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi famil
If $999 flights to Abu Dhabi weren’t enough to encourage you to sell Etihad Airways to your clients, then how about a trip to Abu Dhabi?
Etihad Airways along with Virgin Australia and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has just launched an Agent incentive, giving consultants the chance to WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi’ famil running this October.
To be one of 50 on the captivating, cultural and adventurous trip, Agents simply need to book Etihad Airways or Virgin Australia to Abu Dhabi or as a stopover to Europe.
P.S. Royal Caribbean team joins the frontliners
The Royal Caribbean sales team was out in force at the the Helloworld Frontliners Forum in Brisbane last week.
The team can be seen in the image attached enjoying the Ovation of the Seas photo experience – from the top of the North Star.