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. And the winner of the Collette Carpool Karaoke competition is…
They hopped into their cars, found their favourite Christmas carol, switched on their mobile cameras and sang their little hearts.
Last year Collette helped the travel industry celebrate the holiday season with a Carpool Karaoke Competition, which required entrants to perform in their cars, upload their videos to Facebook and hope they delivered a winning performance.
Entries came rolling in but only one could be the winner and it was… Heather Horley from Ballina Cruise and Travel.
Heather won herself $1,000 cash, and that’s Collette’s Business Development Manager for North Coast NSW John Warburton presenting her with the cheque.
2. How orphanage tourism is actually hurting vulnerable kids
Travellers contemplating a visit to an orphanage on a trip overseas in the hope of giving something back are being urged to reconsider.
Speaking at a preview screening of Lion in Sydney yesterday, Rethink Orphanages co-founder Leigh Matthews highlighted the issues that surround orphanage tourism. The film is the story of a young boy from India who gets separated from his family, then spending time in an orphanage in Kolkata before being adopted by an Australian family.
3. Here’s what other Travel Agents had to say about that very honest video to travellers
It was innocently shot in one take and uploaded to Facebook as a joke among friends. Western Australia’s David van der Meer never meant for the video to go viral but that’s exactly what happened.
Within hours of hitting the web, Van der Meer’s very honest response to travellers who book online was watched thousands of times and the count has only continued to climb since.
Today, less than a week after being published, the one-minute skit of the Helloworld South Perth consultant reminding a ‘caller’ (there was nobody on the other end of the phone) how vital Agent are, has been viewed some 120,000 times, received 1,194 shares AND the comments are in the hundreds.
4. Trafalgar assures Agents with Definite Departures
Trafalgar is making it easier for Agents to secure more 2017 bookings in Europe and Britain with an unprecedented 86 percent of departures now definite for this year.
Consultants can also utilise the Early Payment Discount (EPD) of 7.5 percent (valid until 23 February 2017) to sell more tours, which is combinable with Trafalgar Frequent Traveller discounts to enable another five percent saving.
Trafalgar’s CEO, Gavin Tollman, said there’s no doubt “Britain is back and Europe remains ever-enchanting” with demand for 2017 being “enormously encouraging” with “solid growth across the entire portfolio”.
5. Underwater search for MH370 called off
The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH370 may go down as one of the great mysteries of the 21st century as authorities officially end the underwater search.
Families of the 239 passengers and crew, who went missing a little under three years ago when the Boeing 777-200ER fell off the radar, may never know what happened to their loved ones after being notified this week that investigation teams had called it quits by order of Australian, Chinese and Malaysian governments.
The aircraft was one hour into a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it disappeared over the South China Sea. It was tracked by Malaysian military for another hour, but eventually lost contact somewhere near the Andaman Sea.
6. The Amalfi Coast is on sale
It’s on everyone’s bucketlist and now it’s on sale. Casa Angelina on Italy’s Amalfi Coast is offering discounted room nights for the European Spring and Autumn with prices starting from AU$439 per night.
Aussies can secure a special offer at the gorgeous property, which overlooks expanses of the Mediterranean Sea, when making a new booking confirmed by 15 May 2017 for minimum 2-night stay from 5 April to 31 May 2017; and Autumn bookings confirmed by 15 October 2017 for minimum 2-night stays from 1 October to 27 October 2017.
Exclusive inclusions are a 10 percent discount on best available rates; early check-in or late check-out; 20 percent discount on dinner at Un Piano Nel Cielo Restaurant; and complimentary bottle of Casa Angelina Champagne and in-season fruit platter in room upon arrival.
For more information contact The Unique Tourism Collection on info@uniquetourism.com.
7. One stop to Barcelona for Aussies
Australians will have an easier time flying to Barcelona these holidays thanks to Cathay Pacific’s new four-weekly seasonal direct service between Hong Kong and the Spanish city.
Commencing 2 July 2017 until 27 October, the service give Cathay Pacific the most non-stop flights to Spain from Asian than any airline and offer Aussies a one-stop option to the European hot spot.
Hong Kong-Barcelona flights will be operated by the Airbus A350-900 aircraft and will depart Hong Kong on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 00.20 to arrive in Barcelona at 7.35am. It will then return from Barcelona at 13.50 to arrive in Hong Kong at 08.05 the following day.
8. Thailand gets ready to hit the road in Australia
Agents will learn all about creative tourism and unique Thai local experiences at this year’s Amazing Thailand Roadshow being held in Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney between the 8th and 15th May.
Additionally Agents will be able to chat to over 50 Thai hotel and tourism operators from across the country and learn about TAT’s five new online training modules, bringing the total number of modules up to eight. There’s also an enticing incentive coming – so watch this space.
This year’s dates are: Auckland, Sky City Auckland Convention Centre (8 May); Brisbane, Hilton Brisbane (10 May); Melbourne, Cargo Hall & Showtime South Wharf (11 May); and Sydney, Dolton House, Hyde Park (15 May).
Invitations will be sent out in March and invitees should RSVP by 15 April. For more information, please email: info@thailand.net.au.
9. Moana arrives in Aulani
Disney’s newest heroine, Moana, has arrived at ‘Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa’, where she’ll be part of a range of exclusive fun-filled Moana-themed activities including Hawaiian storytelling time, a special makeover, character greetings, and more.
During the meet and greet, guests will have the opportunity to take a photo with the teenage girl during select meeting times; Uncle’s Kahakai Canoe Race will see guests hear tales about the importance of the canoe before participating in a canoe race at the lagoon; and the Moana makeover will allow kids to receive a Moana-inspired makeover though styled hair, manicures, pedicures, makeup and themed costumes.
In case you haven’t watched it yet, Moana depicts the mythical story of an adventurous teenage girl, set in the South Pacific, which sees our heroine team up with the demigod Maui on a daring mission to fulfil her ancestors’ unfinished quest as she sails among the islands of Oceania to save her people.
10. The Art of Banksy exhibition extended in Melbourne
Image: The Art Of Banksy Melbourne/Facebook
Due to popular demand, The Art of Banksy exhibition has extended its stay in Melbourne until Tuesday 31 January.
Known as one of the leading contemporary artists of his generation, The Art of Banksy exhibition is the only chance to see this amazing collection of Banksy’s artwork in Australia.
The exhibition features a collection of 80 original works, which are all currently on display at The Paddock, Federation Square.
Click here for more information.
11. Agents were on top of the world in Nepal
A group from TravelManagers Australia were invited to witness cremation ghats and the Aarti ceremony, trek from Pokhara to Sarangkot and enjoy traditional Nepalese food during a recent famil to Nepal with Crooked Compass and Nepal Tourism Bureau.
The 10-day trip saw consultants enjoy unforgettable and inspiring experiences of historical, cultural and geographical significance.
Highlights of the trip included visiting Pashupatinath – the most sacred Hindu shrine in Nepal; an elephant safari in the jungle; and meeting locals at the colourful markets.
Click here for more information.
Competition of the Week
WIN 1 of 3 copies of ‘New York: Through a Fashion Eye’
Fashionista’s of the world rejoice! Fashion illustrator Megan Hess is bringing New York fashion to you and we’re giving you a chance to WIN her latest book.
Click here to enter.