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. 26 hilarious Travel Agent moments from 2016
Some went to Japan, others explored Queenstown’s adventures. A fair few attended conferences while others went on virtual tours. There were octopus hats, Tom Cruise sunnies, epic selfies and more.
2016 has proved to be another busy year for the travel industry with no shortage of famils, conferences and events where cameras have oh-so-conveniently captured some incredible moments.
KarryOn flipped through its folder of shame (jokes, it’s not that bad) and found some epic pics that we just had to share.
2. 2016 will go down in travel history as the year…
Some will remember 2016 as the year of political confusion or the year that displaced and killed thousands in Syria and Iraq.
Some say it should be removed from history for taking away so many music and entertainment icons while others trash it for breaking up Brangelina.
2016 has without a doubt been filled with many unforgettable moments, especially in travel.
3. La La Land will leave you longing for L.A.
It’s a soft seduction, one that beckons you in way you won’t see coming until it’s too late and you’re laying in bed, holding your iPhone firmly over your face while searching ‘flights to L.A’.
If you’re expecting Ryan Gosling to be the reason you walk out of Hollywood’s newest musical, La La Land, flustered then you’d be right but also a little wrong.
The movie, swinging into Australian cinemas on Boxing Day, follows Gosling and Emma Stone’s characters on a charming and incredibly romantic journey where ones dreams either become a reality or live out in the unattainable imagination.
4. 8 best Christmas travel movies of all time
If you live in the Southern hemisphere, feeling festive can quickly become ‘festy’ when it’s 39 degrees and you’re sweating like a Tiger prawn on a sun lounger.
So sit back, crank up the air-con and get cosy with our pick of the best Christmas travel movies to get you feeling all warm and fuzzy.
5. Iconic Sydney travel agency undergoes a makeover
Just in time for Christmas, an iconic Sydney-based travel agency is getting a makeover with its first re-brand in 50 years.
From her on out, Travel Specialists Mosman will be known as Mosman Travel, a name change that owners believe better represents the business.
Managing Director Sharyn Kitchener explained that after speaking to clients, it became clear that many existing customers, new and old, already thought of the company as ‘Mosman Travel’ and that it made sense to adapt and simplify the name accordingly.
6. Hotels.com launches new Apple TV app
Who need a mobile, laptop or tablet to book a hotel room when you can just switch on your TV and open up to your Apple TV?
Hotels.com has found a new way to approach travellers with the launch of a new Apple TV app.
Released this week, the app features accommodation in a range of destinations and various activities from extreme adventure to shopping.
7. New vessel sails in Sydney’s harbour
Just in time for Christmas, Fantasea Cruising has added a new vessel to its water taxi fleet – a shiny new 16-seat boat.
Complete with bar fridge and toilet, the new water taxi will further increase Fantasea Cruising’s focus on servicing the small group market.
Fantasea Cruising CEO Anthony Hayes described it as the “most luxurious water taxi” on Sydney’s harbour and expects it will meet the growing need for small group VIP tours.
8. TravelManagers touch down with Japan Airlines in more ways than one
AFL Grand final or fly to Tokyo? Pfft, is that even a question to consider?
But lucky for a group of TravelManagers, they didn’t have to decide during a recent corporate education.
Flying to Japan with Japan Airlines, avid footy fans in the group were able to ease their sporting fever by live stream watching the game using the airline’s on board Wi-Fi.
But the real fun began once they arrived in the Land of the Rising Sun which was organised in conjunction with Accor Hotels, Preferred Hotel Group, Intrepid Urban Adventures and Japan Holidays.
Highlights of the trip included discovering Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo, experiencing private transfers and taking an ‘off the beaten track’ tour with Urban Adventures.
9. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
As wrap our last presents and bid farewell to another year, KarryOn would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.
The office will be closed from tomorrow (24 December), but it’s okay because we’ll be back with all the latest travel news and industry stories on 3 January.
See you all in 2017!
Xoxo The KarryOn Team
This week’s competitions
Enter to WIN $1,000 cash prize from Collette
Who will be the 2017 Collette Christmas Carol Carpool Karaoke Champion? Collette have teamed up with KarryOn to bring you some festive fun!
12 days of Christmas, $12,000 worth of prizes to win
To celebrate the debut of Visit California’s new training app, the bureau is having a ’12 Days of Christmas’ campaign, which gives Agents the chance to win more than $12,000 in prizes.