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. MAS’ new CEO commits to new routes, new tech & better relations with Agents
Malaysia Airlines’ recent change in leadership will result in stronger ties with trade, new routes and new technology, according to the airline’s new CEO, Peter Bellew.
Bellew stepped into the head role late last week, to replace outgoing Group Managing Director and Chief Executive, Christoph Mueller, who resigned on 10 March. Mueller gave a notice period until 9 September 2016, but has taken leave from 1 July 2016. He will remain available to the company until the end of his notice period.
In a statement, the new head honcho he plans to renew focus on the company’s ‘Going Forward’ plan, which is designed to rebuild the carrier’s business and reputation, which have struggled since 2014’s two aircraft incidents (MH370 and MH17).
2. Another state for Aussies to add to the US bucket list
Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, Florida, Houston, Washington DC, Georgia… the US bucket list is about to get a little longer with the addition of this destination.
Idaho’s tourism leaders have officially turned their attention to Australian holidaymakers in a bid to tap into the fast growing international market.
Hoping to get a share of the 1.5 million Australian arrivals, the state’s tourism bureau has appointed AVIAREPS Oceania to represent the destination around Australia.
3. USA is ‘All within your Reach’ with Expedia TAAP
Brand USA and Expedia TAAP announced the launch of their huge “All within your Reach” campaign, designed to reward Travel Agents for selling USA.
The promotion offers 140,000 travel points to the top producing TAAP agent to the USA, every week for six weeks. All Expedia TAAP agents are eligible to participate and simply need to start booking the USA through TAAP.
The winners of the incentive will be announced after the results have been tallied at the end of each week.
4. INCENTIVE: Win back the entire cost of a Polar berth
Peregrine Adventures is celebrating the launch of its 2017/18 Antarctica trips with an incentive that will see one lucky travel agency win back the entire cost of a Polar berth.
Launched today, The Big Polar Payout is available to any store in Australia or New Zealand that books and deposits for a Peregrine Adventures or Intrepid Travel Polar trip before 31 August 2016. There are also weekly prizes of icy cold Friday drinks up for grabs.
To enter, register and complete the Intrepid Group’s online Polar sales training by clicking here. To help Agents sell, Peregrine is offering travellers up to $8,300 off select Antarctic voyages for the 2017/2018 season. The offer is available until 30 September 2016 – or until places are sold out.
5. Scenic’s plan to sell more France
Scenic is celebrating all things France this month with a number of initiatives designed to drive sales and increase agent education around Scenic’s France river cruise product.
First (and foremost), there’s an incentive to win a luxury all-inclusive France river cruise valued at over $15,000. To be in the running, Agents need to book and deposite a Scenic France river cruise between 1 July and 31 August 2016. The more bookings made, the more chances there are to win.
Throughout the month, there’ll also be ongoing education around Scenic’s France product and USPs, which will be driven by Scenic’s sales development managers who will be hosting breakfast training sessions with agents around the country, and Scenic reservations staff who will be engaging agents on consultations.
Other elements of the France sales push, include sponsoring SBS’s Taste Le Tour with Gabriel Gaté – coverage of the 2016 Tour de France; plus from 9 July, Getaway will be running a recap of Jamie Durie’s Bordeaux river cruise for four weeks.
6. Wonderful Indonesia’s mission across Aus continues
In a bid to attract 20 million arrivals to Indonesia by 2019, the country’s tourism leaders have embarked on a wide-scale sales mission across Australia.
So far the Sales Mission has visited over 140 Agents in Melbourne and Hobart. Later this month, they expect to reach more with events at Amora Hotel in Sydney on 20 July and Hyatt Hotel in Canberra on 22 July.
Guests will be invited to join the delegation for cocktails before a press conference and tabletop presentations take place. There are plenty of door prizes up for grabs, including a free stay at Bali Tropic Resort, including return airfare.
To register interest to attend email: info@vitomelbourne.com.au.
7. Buffalo Tours chases MICE with dedicated events team
Buffalo Tours is chasing MICE business with the launch of a new MICE division called ‘Buffalo Events’.
The expansion comes after receiving customer demand to provide small group specialist event services focusing on unique experiences and CSR objectives.
“Our team of experienced MICE staff is committed to providing excellent customer service and delivering bespoke tailored events that are on point for our clients’ needs, while maintaining our commitment to responsible tourism.”
Sarah Randall, Buffalo Events Regional MICE Manager
8. Starwood wraps up Pacific roadshows
Starwood Hotels & Resorts wrapped up another of its Pacific roadshows, after visiting clients and Agents in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne last month.
Over 980 people attended over the four days to learn about the latest news and offerings from hotels across Asia Pacific and North America.
Representatives from hotels from over 30 regions were available to answer questions in a relaxed and informative setting over lunch or evening cocktails. Major prizes were also generously provided by various Starwood hotels and resorts and airline partners including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, AirCalin, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Malaysian Airlines, Fiji Airways and Thai Airways.
9. LAST DAY to WIN with Etihad
Today’s the last day to get your entries into Etihad’s ‘Your flight, our shout‘ incentive.
The major cash giveaway ends today at midnight. To be in the running sell an Etihad flight and then click here to enter the game of chance.
