Home Travel News

Weekly Travel Agent Bites: 28 June

Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best.

Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best.

1. YOU’RE INVITED: To get a taste of Vegas at an exclusive meet & greet with Chef Roy & Jordan Bruno

HcLEnQAaibbP5ptzm2I00piq8t1LAb4_ELCIN2UCURf97_0DiTDBjsemAxHiKynNtVvdSFWyfeEabJCGOj73MauTSv6EuRFES871j5QF0DimISVPwXG38MK5crIdInTcTNHBpb-omuN7NaoUgs6EgqGDNHopfVWnW8jz5l0=s0-d-e1-ft

Over the last few years, Las Vegas has redefined the destination’s gastronomy and wine experiences, now serving up the most comprehensive collection of celebrity chefs, world-class restaurants and Master Sommeliers in the world.

For two days Sydneysiders are invited to experience this transformation firsthand, as part of a new collaboration between the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA); Executive Chef Roy Ellamar of Harvest by Roy Ellamar at Bellagio Resort & Casino; and My Kitchen Rules (MKR) semi-finalist and cookbook author, Jordan Bruno.

You’re invited to a meet and greet with Chef Roy and Jordan on 30 June from 3.30pm to 4.00pm at the Overseas Passenger Terminal Forecourt (RSVP to nbrown@visitlasvegas.com) before joining consumers for a taste of Vegas from 4.00pm to 7.00pm. Click here for more information.

Read on

 

2. YOU’RE INVITED: To learn about Bali & Lombok at The Wonderful Indonesia Sales Mission

bali-indonesia-1

Discover what’s new in Bali and Lombok when over 20 hotels, boutique villas and tour operators from Indonesia visit Sydney and Brisbane from 4-6 July.

The delegates include eleven hotels and villas from Bali including the new Park Regis in Kuta, the Pramana Hotel and Resort Ubud who will launch their Jungle Club in 2018 and the 5 Star Anvaya Beach Resort recently voted by luxury magazine, Indonesian Tatler as having the country’s best Indonesian restaurant.

The Wonderful Indonesia Sales Mission will be held in Sydney on Tuesday 4th July at the Amora Jamison Hotel and in Brisbane on Thursday 6th July at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane. RSVP here for Sydney and here for Brisbane.

Contact Visit Indonesia Tourism Office Sydney for a list of particpating companies.

 

3. TravelCube names Dubai famil winners

TravelCube

Ten top-selling Travel Agents are off on a luxurious Arabian adventure in October after winning coveted spots on TravelCube’s Dubai on Sale incentive.

The exclusive five-star famil will see agents fly Emirates to Dubai to soak up the fast-evolving destination’s culture, shopping and nightlife, along with mega-attractions such as Dubai Parks and Resorts and IMG Worlds of Adventure (the planet’s largest indoor themed entertainment destination).

TravelCube awarded places on the trip to the 10 agencies that created the most Dubai room night bookings during April and May, with winners including: Allround Travel Centre, Flight Centre North Essendon, Helloworld Laurieton, RAA Mile End, Pakenham Travel, Cronulla Travel, Weber & Turner Travel Associates, Flight Centre North Rocks, Flight Centre Neutral Bay and Travel Avenue.

Congratulations!

 

4. Visit California Week 3 Dash for Cash winners are…

California DASH

Are you one of the lucky Agents taking home $200 for completing the California STAR training platform this week?

Congratulations to: Stephanie Phillips – Flight Centre; Vanessa Hagger – Qantas Holidays; Brittany Harrison – Student Flights; Emma Minuzzo – Phil Hoffman Travel Stirling; Beate Carr – MTA Travel; Krasinda Osborne – Escape Travel Secret Harbour; and Sandy Sirianni – MTA Travel.

There’s only one week left for your chance to take home the big bucks. Complete the program by 30 June to ensure you’re in the running.

Congratulations!

 

5. ‘Tok Tok Vanuatu’ tradeshow registrations now open

about-vanuatu

Registrations are now open for Vanuatu’s Tok Tok 2017 tradeshow to be held from 31 August to 1 September, 2017 at Iririki Island Resort and Spa, with flights supported by Air Vanuatu.

Attendees from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Europe, USA and Asia will have the opportunity to see firsthand key infrastructure developments including the beautification of Port Vila’s waterfront and boardwalk; upgrade of the Port Vila wharf; and a range of exciting new properties which have opened in the past year.

Three pre-tour options to the islands of Tanna, Espiritu Santo and Efate, will be available from 28 August, providing a great opportunity to explore more of Vanuatu. Click here for register before 7 July 2017.

 

6. Spaces still available for CLIA Masters Conference

genting-dream-karryon

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia is urging all Ambassador-level accredited Agents, or those who are currently working towards their Ambassador accreditation to register quickly for their 2017 Masters Conference to be held onboard Genting Dream in September.

Participation fees for the 2017 event are $1,880 per person twin share excluding airfares. Please enquire for group discounts. Single and non-delegate rates are also available.

Joel Katz, Managing Director CLIA Australasia said: “CLIA’s Masters Conference aims to develop Travel Agents’ advanced marketing and sales skills to help increase their cruise sales and grow their business. It’s great to see so many Australian and New Zealand travel agent members working towards their Masters accreditation, and we encourage those thinking of participating to reach out to past Masters participants for feedback.”

Click here for more information.

 

7. New website, new brand & new deals through Travel at 60

unnamed

Travel at 60 has quietly launched a new website with the dual purpose of housing the company’s growing travel deals and publishing inspiring travel content for the world’s most enthusiastic travelling cohort, the baby boomer.

Replacing the old site, travelat60.com, the new website has already received a high number of views with more than 420,000 deals searches on site and more than 60,000 deals viewed individually. The website has generated travel leads on more than $3 million dollars worth of travel bookings in the month of June so far, up approx 50 percent on May’s volumes.

“It is exciting to see our community engaging with the great deals from a wide range of travel suppliers,” said Rebecca Wilson, the founder and CEO of Travel at 60.

“Proudly, we are now working with many of the most reputable travel companies in Australia, at retail, wholesale and operator levels to bring our large, actively travelling and time-rich over 60s great deals on tours, cruises, and package holidays. And everything we do is measurable.”

 

8. Package AirAsia through Asia Escape Holidays

AirAsia-Flight-Attendants-600x383

AirAsia has landed and is available to book via Calypso, meaning Travel Agents now have instant access to routes and air availability across AirAsia’s extensive network with Asia Escape Holidays.

AirAsia fly from Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. The low-cost carrier’s wider network includes Bali, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam , Cambodia and Laos.

Fares available include Economy (with or without 20kg checked baggage); Premium Flex (20kg checked baggage); and Premium Flatbed (40kg checked baggage).

 

9. Rocky Mountaineer prepares for 2018 with new culinary & outdoor adventure packages

8. Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer has launched the sale of its 28th season with two unique packages in addition to its best-selling holidays.

Available to book now, both packages include an unforgettable journey through the Canadian Rockies in the lap of luxury. Onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s glass-domed fleet, guests can enjoy stunning views, three-course dining and free-flowing, prize-winning Okanagan Valley wines. However, alongside the accommodation and tours traditionally included in Rocky Mountaineer’s packages, supplementary activities or meals have been added which are tailored to the two new themes.

Those with a thirst for adventure can book the Journey through the Clouds Outdoor Adventures package, with water and mountain activities including guided hiking in Jasper and voyageur canoeing on Lake Louise. Meanwhile, foodies and wine connoisseurs could enjoy culinary walking tours in Vancouver or exquisite pairing menus on the First Passage to the West Culinary Exploration package.

2018 Rocky Mountaineer brochures are available now, click here for more information.

 

10. Scenic launches first Pre-Release for South East Asia River cruising

Travel Agent

After an overwhelmingly successful 2017/2018 season, Scenic has launched its first ever Pre-release for South East Asia River cruising featuring a brand new Cruise and Tour, the 11-day Luxury Mekong and Temples Discovery.

This new itinerary includes seven nights cruising the Mekong on board the luxurious Scenic Spirit, and includes three nights in Siem Reap, the jumping off point to visit Angkor Wat, the magnificent 12th Century World-Heritage listed temple complex and also the location of an extraordinary Scenic Enrich event, a magical themed gala dinner at Kravan Temple, with a show featuring Apsara dancers.

Price for this new 11-day Luxury Mekong and Temples Discovery start from $5,975 per person twin share, including a saving of up to $500 per person. There is strictly limited availability on the pre-release pricing and prices will increase upon the release of the full brochure.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news? Share your thoughts below.