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. Find out who won flights from the Star Alliance at the NTIAs
There were more winners at this year’s NTIA gala dinner than ever before, and it’s all thanks to the Star Alliance.
The air alliance group gave 50 extra people the chance to walk away with something special on the evening through its new show-stopping ‘Scratch & Win’ promotion.
The promotion didn’t require attendees to do much, except peel open their Star Alliance-branded napkin holder and scratch a small silver square to reveal the winners.
2. 2 confirmed dead & 5 still missing in Amazon ship sinking
Two people have been confirmed dead and five are still missing after Aqua Expedition’s luxury ship, Aqua Amazon, blew up and sank over the weekend.
The river vessel was docked for a regular re-supply and re-stock when a fire broke out causing an explosion onboard. No passengers were travelling on the ship at the time of the accident, however, four crew members were initially reported missing and several others injured. The number of missing rose on Sunday when one more crew member and two external suppliers were unaccounted for.
In an update from the cruise line’s CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro, two of the victims have since been identified and recovered, while five more remain to be found.
3. The TripAdvisor effect
TripAdvisor has developed far beyond the humble review site it once was, and according to a new study, is having a considerable impact on the travel industry.
A new study conducted by Oxford Economics on behalf of TripAdvisor found the online website is not only helping travellers choose destinations and properties, it’s also expanding their options and driving bookings to smaller, lesser known areas.
The Global Economic Contribution of TripAdvisor study established a link between TripAdvisor content and destination choices by finding that the there is an increase in the number of trips taken to a particular destination as the content – such as photos, reviews, listings and information – for that destination increases on TripAdvisor.
4. Emirates management wins inaugural award
Emirates Airline has been awarded the inaugural Network Strategy award, at The Airline Strategy Awards run by the established air transport industry news and analysis provider Flight Airline Business.
The inaugural Network Strategy award recognises the management team that has demonstrated leadership in the design and implementation of leading-edge concepts and systems in the area of network planning and revenue management in an airline context. Network planning and revenue management are at the heart of an airline’s marketplace offering and profitability.
FlightGlobal Air Transport Editor, David Kaminski-Morrow, said Emirates has positioned itself as an “ubiquitous operation, akin to a modern day Pan Am, in the space of a single generation. It is a worthy inaugural winner of the Network Strategy award”.
5. Agents get their Kung Fu on in Hong Kong
Consultants got a little education in Kung Fu fighting during a recent escorted trip to Hong Kong with DMS.
Organised with Pacific World, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Grand Hyatt and Mandarin Oriental, the group were able to witness how the cosmopolitan city melds with local lifestyles and timeless traditions.
Highlights of the trip included interacting with the locals to barter, charm and navigate themselves to find the newest and most dynamic venues throughout the city. Plus there was a visit to Lantau Island to see Tian Tan Buddha and a specialised Kung Fu master class.
Click here for more images.
6. Rail Plus treats Agents to one of the world’s great train journeys
Any itinerary that combines business class on Singapore Airlines and a journey on the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is going to be memorable, but when you add in two of the world’s most celebrated hotels you know you’re experiencing something a little special.
That’s precisely what a group of Travel Associates agents were treated to recently, when Rail Plus partnered with Singapore Airlines, Belmond Hotel Cipriani and Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to create a luxury famil that began with business class flights to Milan and a high-speed excursion on Trenitalia to Venice.
The group enjoyed two nights in the floating city while staying at Belmond Hotel Cipriani – one of Europe’s most luxurious properties – then stepped aboard Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Santa Lucia station for a two day journey across Europe and on to London. The trip included a crossing of the English Channel on board Belmond British Pullman (sister train to Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), which Dunne recommends as an ideal option for clients looking to sample a luxury rail journey.
The trip ended in style, with the group spending its final two nights at The Ritz Hotel before returning home in the comfort of Singapore Airline’s award-winning business class.
7. Flighties share their charity pics
Flight Centre Agents have not only generously donated their Global Gathering time to charity, but they’ve kindly shared some of their pics from the experience.
Among them is Lenore (pictured centre above) who said the initiative was a humbling experience.
“Not only did it feel good to get involved but it was also very humbling to see what a package containing six meals looks like for the underprivileged… especial
“A nice reminder that we are indeed very, very lucky. Thank you for letting us be involved.”
Check out more of their pics here.