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. How will the US election impact the Aussie travel industry?
In less than 24 hours, the results of the 2016 US presidential election will most probably be known. So what will a win for either Trump or Clinton mean for the Australian travel industry?
On the economic front, a win for Trump could spell serious consequences for trade-focused economies such as Australia, as well as trigger stock market falls of five to 10 percent globally, according to experts.
A Trump victory could also cause the American dollar to fall too, which isn’t actually a bad thing for Aussies heading over to the USA anytime soon. Indeed, some experts are tipping the Australian dollar could soar to well over 90 cents against the greenback if Donald gets the keys to the White House, which would give Aussie travellers about 15 to 20 percent extra bang for their buck!
2. CU in the NT: Have we seen it all now?
There’s never a dull moment up in the NT it seems according to new merchandise store ntofficial.com. Have we seen it all now when we ‘CU in the NT’?
Judging by this new online merchandise store who cheekily claim ‘The Top end is different from the bottom end’ it seems we may all be exposed to rather more than we bargained for if we head north rather than south wearing one of these catchy numbers.
No doubt taking inspiration from the world famous Territorian newspaper ‘The NT Times’ and their outrageous headlines, ntofficial.com features a range of t-shirts and singlets that carry a Kangaroo, Crocodile or Barramundi together with the memorable slogan on each.
3. Qatar entices travellers to stopover in Doha with free transit visa
Do you have five hours to burn during a stopover to Europe? Don’t waste them at the airport, get out and see Doha.
That’s essentially the message the country’s tourism leaders are pitching to travellers through a new complimentary transit visa, which gives travellers up to 96 hours to explore the capital city.
Launched earlier this month by Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the transit visa is free for all nationalities with a stopover of five hours or more at Hamad International Airport.
4. Ryanair diverts plane after ’10 minute brawl’
We’ve heard of inflight situations that resulted in entire bucks parties being escorted off planes, disputes over seat reclining and even various celebrity disruptions.
However, this one might be among the worst incidents to ever occur in the air.
A Ryanair flight was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Pisa, Italy last week when a brawl broke out on board that saw an elderly woman get hit in the head and a flight attendant slapped.
5. Are Economy passengers paying extra so First Class can drink champagne?
“Do you ‘really’ want to pay for someone else’s champagne?”, AirAsia says you are.
Whether it’s true or not, it’s something most Economy passengers probably have never really considered… that they’re forking out extra dollars just so those peeps in First Class can have their fully lie-flat beds, champagne and other perks.
Again, not sure this is entirely true – have you looked at the cost of those First and Business Class fares, I think it covers a fair bit – but AirAsia is pitching itself to travellers as the ‘smarter’ option for travellers because of its choice to omit First Class cabins from its planes.
6. Scenic takes travellers to the snow & markets this Christmas
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Scenic has you covered with its new Magical Wonders of Christmas in Europe and Canada brochure, including a number of festive cruises and land tours.
Tours range from the 15-day Christmas Markets River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on 30 November taking in the traditional markets of Vienna, Rothenberg, Nuremberg and Cologne, to the 16-day Christmas Wonderland trip from Amsterdam to Budapest, departing 14 December, during which guests celebrate Christmas Day in the city of Dürnstein in Austria.
Travellers can also enjoy a traditional white Christmas in the Canadian mountains on Scenic’s Christmas in the Rockies itinerary, beginning in Victoria or Vancouver and enjoying one-night aboard the ‘Snow Train’ from Vancouver to Jasper.
Click here to check out the brochure.
7. Relais & Châteaux appoints local MICE representatives
Luxury Association, Relais & Châteaux expands its Australian Global Sales Office with the appointment of Fusion Marketing to exclusively represent its 14 members in Aust, NZ & Sth Pacific to the MICE market.
This builds on the established leisure tourism sales representation of Anthony Knox & Associates, who continues to represent global sales for all 540 Relais & Châteaux members.
Fusion director, Mary-Jane Devine, said: “it is very exciting to represent such a luxurious selection of hotels, resorts to the MICE market building on their exceptional service standards in stunning destinations. We look forward to working with our MICE clients to showcase the Relais & Châteaux – Aust, NZ & Sth Pacific.”
8. The world’s largest ships meet for the first time
They may be siblings, but the three Oasis sisters only met for the first time this month.
The rendezvous of the three largest ships in the world – Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas – was organised as a salute to Harmony of the Seas on the eve of her debut in her new permanent homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
Each ship features features seven themed neighbourhoods and a number of spectacular amenities, adventures and thrills, including the lush and tranquil Central Park with nearly 12,000 plants and trees, FlowRider surf simulators; a thrilling 25 metre long zip line that races guests nine-decks in the air, luxurious multi-level loft suites with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, the outdoor AquaTheater that hosts dazzling high-diving, aquatic and acrobatic performances, a Boardwalk with a hand-carved carousel, and The Rising Tide Bar, the first moving bar at sea.
9. 8 adventures you must experience in Los Cabos
Calling all thrill-seekers, adventure junkies, and those with a penchant for raising their adrenaline levels on their next overseas trip: Los Cabos wants you to come and visit – like, right now!
Easily reachable from Los Angeles and San Francisco in two-hours by plane, Los Cabos is an adventure playground up there with the best of them.
Plus, located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, it also just happens to be one of the most gorgeous parts of the planet! So there’s that too…
10. Isn’t it time you fulfilled your travel dreams with Globus?
With more than 88 years of experience leading travellers on exceptional journeys all around the world, Globus has refined first-class touring into something that’s truly exceptional.
At Globus, it’s all about crossing off those travel bucket-list experiences and destinations you want to check off – wherever in the world they may be. And with an unmatched international reputation as a global tour operator, you just know you’ll be in good hands.
From offering guests exceptionally high levels of service, superior accommodation located close to all the action, VIP sightseeing, delicious meals and unique local experiences, Globus is forever raising the bar on what you can expect from a tour company.
11. 5 reasons to spend Christmas & NYE in New York with Trafalgar
NYC is a fantastic destination all year around, but there’s just something even more magical about the Big Apple when the snow starts to fall and Christmas cheer infiltrates the city’s avenues, bars and cafes.
For one, is there nothing more beautiful than a white Christmas? And for two, well, it’s New York City – enough said, right?
Well, just in case these two reasons aren’t enough to convince you to head over this year, then get this: Trafalgar’s 11-day Christmas Magic & New York New Year guided holiday (from 23 December 2016 to 2 January 2017) is currently on special for the incredibly great price starting from A$5,499 (conditions apply).
12. Achieve a better work/life balance with Travel Counsellors
Spend more time with your family, earn better money, and set your own hours – these are just some of the benefits you’ll receive as a home-based agent working with Travel Counsellors.
Travel Counsellors are the original pioneers of the home-based travel agency, with over 20-years of experience perfecting their business model and setting trends in the industry along the way.
They also comprise the biggest network of mobile travel professionals globally, with almost 1,600 agents currently working as Travel Counsellors.
13. TTC’s Great Escape by the numbers
What numbers are you thinking about now? The minutes until your lunch break? The days until the weekend? The emails in your inbox?
Here’s a few other numbers to get you counting starting with 113 – the number of lucky agents who will be making a Great Escape with TTC next March.
There are five weeks left to register (if you haven’t already) and two more chances to win a wildcard FOC place.
This week’s competitions
WIN a trip to Los Angeles
Thanks to L.A. Tourism and American Airlines, a holiday to Los Angeles valued at over $5,000 is up for grabs!
