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. One reason Australia is pretty lucky to have Qantas around
What’s the most important thing about air travel? Is it customer service? It’s nice to be treated with respect, but it’s not completely vital.
Comfort? It’s great, but again, not entirely crucial.
Edible food? I think most of us could go without eating for a few hours (or bring our own food on board).
2. Two dead in courthouse attack in Turkey
DEADLY BOMB BLAST: Suspect reportedly on the run after 2 killed in Turkey https://t.co/nJSH5KbG1v pic.twitter.com/RYLIMM4Fq1
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2017
Two people are believed to have been killed and five others injured in an explosion outside a Turkish courthouse in the western city of Izmir.
According to CNN, a vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint out front of the courthouse, which resulted in an armed clash between attackers and security forces. The attackers then detonated the car bomb in an attempt to escape.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has advised Australians in the area to “remain vigilant and avoid the area while police operations are ongoing”.
3. How in the seas will this medallion revolutionise cruising?
It could pass as a piece of jewellery and can be worn as such, but this tiny, decorative piece is actually ground breaking technology that’s going to change the cruising experience.
I’m talking about the tiny round thing wrapped around that woman’s (above) arm like a bracelet.
Carnival Corporation – the mama brand of Carnival Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Seabourn, Princess Cruises, Cunard etc. – is taking the popular ‘good things come in small packages’ saying and applying it to the onboard experience by developing the ‘Ocean Medallion’, a small, wearable device that acts as a personal concierge.
4. Silver Nomads – a market of opportunity for Agents in 2017
Millennials are important for future profits, Gen X is great for larger, family bookings, but it’s the Silver Nomads, who often go under the radar, that are a major opportunity for Agents.
Especially over the next 12 months.
Why? Because according to a new study, people between 64 and 74 are travelling more now than ever before.
5. Advice for travellers in Sri Lanka
International travellers departing from Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport are being advised to arrive at the gateway five hours prior to their flight to avoid queues.
Possible delays are expected as the airport commences construction over the coming day, which will take place from 6 January to 6 April 2017.
For more information visit Smartraveller’s website.
6. Linda Hussey joins Uniworld
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has appointed seasoned travel professional Linda Hussey to the role of Sales Manager for WA and SA, boosting its national sales force. Linda commenced work with the luxury all-inclusive river cruise line in December 2016.
With over 20 years’ experience in the retail, customer service and sales sectors, Linda brings her wealth of knowledge to Uniworld. This includes her 10 years of experience at Qantas Holidays and most recently at King Tours and Travel where she held a Business Development Management role.
Fiona Dalton, Uniworld’s Manager Director of Australia, says of the appointment: “We’re thrilled to have Linda join the Uniworld team, bringing with her over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, helping to ensure our continued growth and success in the WA and SA market of Australia.”
7. APT commemorates 90 years with a ‘Celebration Sale’
Nine decades have passed since the first APT local bus route began in Melbourne.
That’s right, the cruise and tour operator, APT, is turning 90 this year and what better way to commemorate such an incredible milestone than by running a special sale.
The ‘Celebration Sale’ includes a variety offers such as free international flights, cabin upgrades, complimentary stopovers, and air credits available on APT’s most popular cruises and tours!
Running until 15 March, click here for more information, speak to your local business development manager or call 1300 196 420.
8. Intrepid’s $1 deposits
Intrepid is giving travellers the chance to lock in their 2017 travel plans without forking over the last of their savings with a special $1 deposit deal on all trips.
The offer is valid on new bookings secured before 15 February.
Click here for more information.
9. One thing new in travel in 2017 is…
Peru’s Belmond Andean Explorer may not have opened yet, but it’s already being recommended to travellers as a must-experience travel offering in 2017.
The sleeper train, currently being built in Australia and scheduled to track the Peruvian Andes from May, has been ranked 9th on Lonely Planet’s ’10 New in Travel Best New Opening of 2017′.
Travelling from Arequipa to Cusco via Lake Titicaca and return, the fully-inclusive journey will take in spine-tingling views of the Peruvian Andes from the comfort of refined en-suite cabins and an Observation Car with an open-air deck.
10. Agents go ‘Rogue’ with roomsXML
For the second year running, roomsXML treated 75 agents and guests to a viewing of Rogue One, the standalone Star Wars movie, at the Lido Cinema in Hawthorn, Melbourne.
Mark Luckey, roomsXML MD said: “You can’t talk about Star Wars without a long time ago quote… I still remember seeing Empire Strikes Back at the Elizabeth Cinema in 1981 so it was pretty cool to take my daughter along to this one. It’s come a long way and great to share it with my family and 75 guests”.
11. Gardua Indonesia moves to a new Sydney office
The Garuda Indonesia team based in Sydney invited a few industry friends around the check out their new office.
Administration, finance, ticket office and call centre staff relocated to Level 9, 15 Castlereagh St, Sydney late last year.
All phone numbers for the team remain the same and reservations can be contacted on 1300 365 330.
