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. The winners of the Club Med Travel Agent survey are…
They gave their feedback along with 470 other Travel Agents, they were placed in a draw and then a few weeks later they were winning a $100 voucher EACH!
Club Med has revealed the winners of its recent Travel Agent Survey (66 questions wowza) and they are… Monique Cook from Helloworld Mornington Cruise and Travel (VIC); Scott Docherty from Flight Centre Miranda (NSW); Kirsten Ault from Flying Colours Travel (VIC); Rachael Pearce from Ract Helloworld Devonport (TAS); and Cassandra Zayonce from TravelManagers (QLD).
Congratulations!
From the survey, Club Med was proud to say that 74 percent of Travel Agents position Club Med as Premium offer and 97 percent think that all-inclusive is the best feature of Club Med Resorts, 74 percent that activities is the best feature and 70 percent the Kids club.
2. Thailand advisory ahead of the late King’s Royal Cremation
Travellers have been asked to be on their best behaviour during the Royal Cremation period of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which is scheduled for 25-29 October, 2017.
During the five days, tourists attractions across Thailand will be open as usual. This is with the exception of Bangkok’s Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which will be closed from 1-29 October, 2017, as they will be the venue of the Royal Cremation.
However, the Tourism Authority of Thailand would like to recommend that any visitors with travel or tourism plans reconfirm with agents and check local media regularly as well as follow the advice of the local authorities for announcements and updates. They should also be aware that in some areas transportation could be affected. Tourists and visitors have also been asked for their understanding and patience should they experience delays or some routes may be closed to traffic.
Many Thai people will be wearing black clothes as a sign of mourning. This is not required of visitors but if possible, they should wear respectful clothing when in public.
3. New Cuba voyage for Scenic
With little more than a year until Scenic Eclipse makes her debut in Cuba, Scenic has announced a new voyage to the iconic Caribbean nation.
The 14-Day Cuba in Depth cruise, which departs Miami on 5 October 2018, has been added to the schedule following increased demand from travellers eager to visit the country.
Fares start from $15,595* per person twin share for the round trip voyage, which will call at Havana, Isla de la Juventud, Cayo Largo Sur, Cienfuegos, Casilda, Santiago de Cuba and Antilla.
The cruise will include several overnight calls, providing guests with more time on the ground and opportunities to experience Cuba’s bustling nightlife in iconic Cuban cities such as Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Antilla.
4. Silversea plans to lengthen its Spirit
Luxury travel innovator Silversea has unveiled plans for its first-ever ship lengthening. The turn-key transformation of Silver Spirit will take place early next year at the Palermo shipyard of Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and number one by diversification and innovation.
Starting in early March, Silver Spirit will be lengthened by inserting a prebuilt 49-foot-long midsection housing 6 Silver Suites, 26 Veranda Suites and 2 Panorama Suites. Technical upgrades will also be implemented.
As the ship’s extensive redesign takes its inspiration from the innovations of the line’s new flagship, Silver Muse, creative dining concepts will be incorporated, and stylish décor enhancements will be made to existing suites and throughout the public spaces and outdoor areas, providing an increased level of comfort and spaciousness.
5. This is what a World Dream looks like
The official river conveyance of World Dream took place last money, marketing the official start of the ship’s journey from the shipyard to her homeport in Guangzhou, China and Hong Kong.
Expected to begin service on 17 November 2017, the vessel is part of Dream Cruises’ commitment to the Pearl River Delta as major cruise hub in the Asia Pacific.
After World Dream’s official handover ceremony from Meyer Werft to Dream Cruises scheduled for 26 October, the ship will begin her epic ocean voyage that will take her from Germany to Gibraltar, through the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal, across the Indian Ocean with visits to Sri Lanka and Singapore before ending at her new dual homeports in Hong Kong on 17 November and Guangzhou, China 19 November.
6. Check out the ‘Japan Official Travel App’
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) launched the Japan Official Travel App, the new app for overseas tourists in Japan.
The free app aims to make travelling in Japan hassle-free for visitors, and provides valuable tools such as tourist information, public transport route guidance, free Wi-Fi spot and ATM locations, a listing of hospitals that support foreign languages and safety alerts for natural disasters.
JNTO will continue to expand the content within the app to include information on rural areas, with the aim of bolstering regional tourism.
The app is available for both iOS and Android, and supports English, Korean and Chinese.
7. DriveAway supporting the Superhero Walk 2017
For the past two years DriveAway Holidays have sponsored a great cause in the annual Superhero walk. The Superhero walk raises funds for kids doing it tough and each year a different cause putting a spotlight on causes you may have never heard about yourself.
In 2017 the superhero walk is committed to raising $10,000 for Bear Cottage, which provides a week’s respite for a family who is caring for a child with terminal illness.
Support this cause with DriveAway today and donate here.
8. P&O contributes $50,000 to support children in Vanuatu
Image: P&O Cruises
The P&O Pacific Partnership today announced a $50,000 special contribution to Save the Children Australia to support their emergency efforts as thousands of residents are forced to evacuate Ambae Island in Vanuatu following the eruption of the Manaro Voui volcano.
The contribution will be used to support three evacuation centres on neighbouring islands, for water purification units and for personal hygiene kits for women and children.
The evacuation of Ambae’s entire population has been dubbed Vanuatu’s ‘little Dunkirk’ as boats and light planes have been used to transport residents to evacuation centres in a constant shuttle in recent days.
P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell approved the special contribution from the P&O Pacific Partnership within an hour of Save the Children calling for support of their evacuation activities.