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New India extension tours, additional TTC training & more travel news

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.

Read on for this week’s travel news that Travel Agents need to know:

 

1.  TTC adds new e-modules to its training platform

TTC

TTC Agent Academy’s has built on its training platform through the introduction of a new TTC course featuring four fun and interactive e-learning modules highlighting The Travel Corporation’s immersive travel experiences.

The new e-learning modules include: The TTC Difference, TTC’s Lifestyles of Travel, TTC Cares – Making Travel a ‘Force of Good’ and The ‘Tools for Success’.

The TTC believes that Agents who complete the new TTC e-learning courses, will achieve satisfied clients, repeat business, increase their earning potential, and greater profitability with TTC’s industry leading commissions. Loyal Agents will also be given various selling opportunities, incentives and exclusive offers.

With the successful completion of all TTC e-learning modules, Agents can access downloadable certificate of accreditation that will enable them to more effectively sell all of the TTC brands within the group.

 

2. CLIA signs 2 new MoUs

Norwegian Jewel Norwegian Cruise Line in Sydney

As Australia and New Zealand head towards another bumper cruise season, with a record number of ships homeporting in and visiting the region, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced that it has signed Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) with the Australian Cruise Association (ACA) and the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) to work cooperatively to strengthen and support the development and growth of both the Australasian and New Zealand cruise industries.

In announcing these MoUs CLIA Australasia Managing Director, Joel Katz, said “In line with CLIA’s motto of One Industry, One Voice, these MoUs are a positive step forward in the development of the industry in this region, and are based on mutual cooperation and knowledge sharing, while keeping a focus on supporting industry growth.”

The MoUs provide the opportunity for CLIA, ACA and NZCA to work together in a spirit of cooperation and to develop a sustainable framework of shared objectives that support the goals of each of the associations.

 

3. Intrepid grows in the Americas with new DMC

Intrepid Travel

The Intrepid Group has chosen Costa Rica as the location for its Central America operations base with the aim of growing sustainable tourism beyond its borders.

PEAK Central America was opened by Intrepid Group CEO James Thornton in San Jose on Friday and is the latest addition to the company’s fast-growing global network of local destination management companies.

The new office will be the base for 12 operations staff and 70 tour leaders, with a further four operations staff to be based in a satellite office in Mexico City, which is currently the main point of arrival in Central America for more than 40 percent of travellers on Intrepid Group trips.

While Mexico is one of the world’s top ten tourism destinations, the carbon-neutral travel company chose Costa Rica’s capital as its Central America hub to capitalise on the country’s extensive ecotourism experience and commitment to the environment. Last year Costa Rica produced 98 percent of its electricity without fossil fuels.

The new destination management company, PEAK Central America, will operate tours in all eight countries in the region as well as running multi-country, cross-border itineraries.

 

4. Viking launches 6-day cruise extension in India

Viking India

Viking Cruises has announced the launch of a new six-day pre and post cruise extension including Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. India’s Golden Triangle extension is applicable on the 21-day Passage to India itinerary and the 16-day Across the Bay of Bengal itinerary.

The trip starts in Delhi and includes highlights such as a visit to the UNESCO-listed Red Fort and the Jama Masjid mosque. There’s a stop by UNESCO-listed grand city of Fatehpur Sikri and chance to experience the serenity of the Taj Mahal.

The 6-day pre or post cruise extension India’s Golden Triangle is priced from $2,539 per person.

 

5. On The Go Tours release new Asia brochure

On The Go Tours_Asia 2018-19 cover

On The Go Tours new Asia brochure is hot off the press featuring a brand new collection of private itineraries and additions to their exciting range of group tours.

Visiting Southeast Asia, China, Japan and South Korea, On The Go’s Asia brochure is filled with colourful pages showcasing their diverse range of guided tours, day trips, festivals and useful information to help plan a tailor-made holiday.

New to the portfolio of group tours is the Highlights of Thailand & Myanmar Signature tour. The 13-day guided itinerary starts in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, before heading up north to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to see Hill Tribe villages and ancient temples such as Wat Rhon Khung (White Temple). Travellers will finish the tour in the mysterious Myanmar for a week discovering Yangon, Mandalay, and cruising the Irrawaddy River.

On The Go Tours’ have also introduced a selection of brand new private itineraries, which will help travellers tailor-make their holiday to suit their interests, passions and time-frames.

 

6. Solomon Islands’ visitor numbers shattering records

Solomon Islands

International visitor arrivals to the Solomon Islands for September 2017 have, to quote CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto “gone off the Richter Scale” with the destination recording a close on 70 percent year on year increase.

Figures released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) show a total of 2397 international traveller visited the destination in September, a 67.8 percent increase over the 1428 recorded for the same month in 2016.

A delighted Mr Tuamoto said the figure represents the biggest-ever monthly intake the Solomon Islands has enjoyed since SINSO first started recording international arrival figures in 1990.

Figures for the nine-month period show the destination has now attracted a total 18,507 international visitors, a 10.48 per cent over the 16,831 figure achieved for January-September 2016 with each of the Solomon Islands’ main source markets recording solid year on year growth. Australian visitation again dominated, the 7317 total recorded for September representing a 7.41 percent increase of the 6812 recorded last year and accounting for 37.2 percent of all arrivals.

What are your thoughts on this week’s news? Share your thoughts below.