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The Daily Travel Agent Bite: Wed 24 Aug

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.

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. Qantas’ rippa profits – THE BEST profits in Aussie aviation & one-off staff bonuses

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Qantas you beaut! In less than five years the Flying Kangaroo went from sitting in the red financially to reporting its best results in its entire 95-year history.

No wait, not just the best results in its own history BUT the “best result in AUSTRALIAN AVIATION history, full stop” – borrowing a few words from Joyce.

The carrier today reported an underlying profit before tax of $1.53 billion, up 57 percent on last year.

Read on

 

2. Qatar Airways joins Emirates & Etihad in Australian sports

Picture taken at the SCG during Sydney Swans sponsorship Press conference announcing QATAR Airways as a sponsor..

Emirates and Etihad are doing it, now Qatar Airways has stepped on to the field and is looking to score a few goals (or bookings) amongst Australian sports fans.

The Doha-based airline signed a new sponsorship agreement with AFL’s Sydney Swans this week, to become the team’s ‘Official International Airline Partner’.

Along with the title, Qatar Airways will receive prominent branding at the Sydney Swans’ home games and training, which will expose the brand to thousands of sporting fans around the country.

Read on

 

3. Kids, cruise & corporate – 3 areas of opportunity

Travel Agent cruise4

Recognising and developing areas of opportunity and growth is just one part of adding value to a business, which is way TravelManagers is paying special attention to three key areas…

… kids, cruise and corporate.

Operations Manager, Pru Gallagher, told attendees that the group’s recently acquired Travel with Kids (TWK) specialist program is such as an “important part to the business”, that the company has decided to spruce it up a little.

Read on

 

4. Carnival Spirit to set sail for Thailand & Vietnam

Travel Agent Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line has announced a special voyage to Singapore for Carnival Spirit, which will take in five ports including Airlie Beach and Darwin in Australia, Bali in Indonesia as well as the ship’s maiden visits to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam (for an overnight stay) and Ko Samui in Thailand.

Departing Sydney on 3 May, the ship will arrive in Singapore on 22 May after treating guests to a full entertainment program featuring Academy of Fun knowledge-building sessions, a 1980’s themed Throwback Sea Days and special Q&A sessions, ship tours and even a crew talent show.

Carnival Spirit will arrive in Singapore on 22 May where she will enter dry dock.

 

5. Tahiti on show at French Travel Workshops

Travel Agent Tahiti

The Islands of Tahiti will be providing some tropical charm alongside the French flair already on offer during this year’s French Travel Workshops hosted by Atout France.

Tahiti Tourisme will be joined at the events by Air Tahiti Nui, cruise operators Aranui Cruises and Paul Gaugin Cruises, as well as accommodation providers including Pearl Resorts and South Pacific Management hotels.

More than 1,000 agents are expected to attend this year’s two events taking place at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on 6 September and the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on 7 September.

Click here to register.

 

6. TravelManagers travel in a throng of tuk-tuks through Bangkok

TravelManagers

The streets were shut down as around 200 personal travel managers (PTMs) and suppliers travelled via tuk-tuk from the Renaissance Hotel in Bangkok to their cocktail party in Heaven on Zen over the weekend.

It was a sight to see as a herd of tiny vehicles moved in single form around the city. Some pedestrians may have thought celebrities were in town, and certainly those in the tuk-tuks felt a little noble during the short but memorable journey.

The cocktail party wrapped up day two of the group’s annual conference, which included supplier sessions as well as the unveiling of the company’s new website and consumer marketing campaign.

Click here to check out more pictures.

 

7. Consultants get their ‘snow fix’ in Queenstown

Snow, scenic beauty and more snow – Infinity Holidays Travel Agents were given their ‘Snow Fix’ for the year, during a recent Haka Tours famil in Queenstown, New Zealand.

The trip kicked off in a unique way, with a special photography session by Travelshoot to capture some fun memories in photogenic spots. This was followed by an icy-cold jet boat ride of Shotover Jet and luging at Skyline Queenstown before enjoying three days of skiing at three different mountains – Cardrona, The Remarkables, and Coronet Peak.

The group said they loved the action-packed adventure, especially the Travelshoot’s insider knowledge and wine tasting at Perky’s Bar.

 

8. Glowing caverns & hobbit taverns leave Agents enchanted

Travel Agent Travellers Choice agents visit Bilbo in Hobbiton_Kirra Holidays famil_2016 -mres

You don’t need to be a hobbit to find your way into fantastical subterranean wonderlands in New Zealand. Just let the dark waters of the Waitomo River carry you into a sparkling glow-worm grotto and you’ll understand why six Travellers Choice agents believe the destination is “100% pure magic”.

The Waitomo Glow-worm Caves – located just over two hours from Auckland – weren’t the only unforgettable experiences enjoyed by the consultants during a recent five-night exclusive famil of the North Island organised by Kirra Holidays and Air New Zealand.

Travel Agent Travellers Choice agents board floatplane__Kirra Holidays famil_2016

The group witnessed Rotorua’s boiling mud pools, explored Lake Rotoiti’s coves on luxury catamaran Tiua, bathed in the Manupira Thermal Pools, dined at a traditional hangi and of course, took a tour of Hobbiton before enjoying lunch next to The Green Dragon, a replica of the inn featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

 

9. Are you G Adventures first Responsible Travel Ambassador?

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A nation-wide quest is currently underway for a Responsible Travel Ambassador, and G Adventures and KarryOn are coordinating their search efforts as we speak.

The winner will not only win full bragging rights at the appointment of such a title, but they’ll also score an epic G Adventure 10 day Nepal Adventures Tour – plus flights – where they’ll experience the colourful chaos of Kathmandu, the serenity of the Himalayan walking trails, and a 4×4 expedition in search of tigers.

Enter here

 

10. WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi famil

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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.

Read on

 

P.S Qantas welcomes Olympians home in a big way

Qantas

Channel 7’s morning crew, Jessica Mauboy and hundreds of fans were awaiting Aussie Olympians as touched down early this morning.

The special Qantas service carrying all of our sports stars attracted everybody keen to welcome them back, including the PM, Bill Shorten and even Matilda.

You can catch the big arrival party on Facebook or check out the snap on the carrier’s Snapchat.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news?