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. Travel industry slams Webjet on another unfair television ad
Well it appears that the folks at Webjet are still happy to continue taking cheap shots at Aussie travel agents after rolling out another shameful TVC suggesting travel agent quotes are usually out of date.
The new TVC, entitled “Webjet – Never out of date,” was rolled out on free-to-air TV last week, and has since stirred up the Australian travel agent community who have taken to Webjet’s own Facebook page to air their grievances to what is the second attack on them since this year.
2. The Travel Corporation (TTC) brands recognised as cream of the crop
Champagne and party poppers are in order for tonight, tomorrow, and perhaps the rest of the week, after three of TTC’s iconic travel brands were recognised in the Travel + Leisure 2016 World’s Best Awards.
The Travel Corporation’s The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Lion World Travel were all voted into top positions by readers of Travel + Leisure. And by top positions, we mean four No.1 placements and 15 total acknowledgements – kind of like winning the Logies!
3. A new way for Agents to sell New Caledonia
Do you often find yourself struggling to convince your clients of the beauty and unique culture in New Caledonia?
Do you see the doubt in their faces when you attempt to explain that a destination that’s only three hours from Sydney is part French/part South Pacific, has incredible food, nice people and stunning sites?
Well, New Caledonia Tourism may have just launched the solution to your problems.
4. CostSaver takes its value tours to the Americas
CostSaver has officially expanded its business from Europe and into the Americas, with its first USA, Canada and Mexico program out now with stand-out value and a range of options.
The company, operated by Tafalgar, has fitted 14 different journeys into the inaugural Americas program, all of which feature hand-picked accommodation, must-see sights, all guided holidays as well as airport transfers.
Amongst the 14 tours, is the eight-day Mexico’s Great Copper Canyon trip taking in Mexico’s most memorable treasures. Canada’s scenic views are on display in the 10-day Wonders of the Canadian Rockies journey through Lake Louise, Jasper, Victoria and Vancouver, and the 19-day Canada from East to West trip taking in Niagara falls, Toronto, Quebec, Montreal and Vancouver.
5. How Philadelphia became the mural city of America
‘The Mural City of America’ – it’s not your average destination title, but it’s one Philadelphia holds dear because it not only attracts tourists both near and far, but reflects the city’s ongoing evolution.
In 2016, the second largest city on the East of the USA has around 4,000 murals painted across its streets.
6. New eateries open at LAX
Travellers will be able to experience a Los Angeles’ boulevard before stepping out of the airport, with the new ‘Sunset Boulevard’ dining concept arriving at LAX.
Westfield is introducing the new concept, which features a number of new restaurants including Blu20, a seaside-inspired venue selling beach bites and cocktails. There’s also the Point The Way Cafe and earthbar, which opened last month along with Osteria by Fabio Viviani, Starbucks Evenings, The Habit Burger Grill, The Marketplace by Wolfgang Puck, and Wahoo’s Fish Taco.
According to Westfield’s Vice President at LAX, Keith Kaplan, the Boulevard along with recent upgrades help bring “the best of LA” to the gateway.
7. Hamilton Island occupancy rate breaks records
Hamilton Island is celebrating its highest ever hotel occupancy levels of 93.2 percent during the 2015/16 financial year, up eight percent on the previous year’s record-breaking figure.
In line with more visitor demand, annual room revenue increased by 15 percent, while room nights sold increased 11 percent on the prior year.
Domestic bookings were led by Victoria (up 13 percent), NSW (up seven percent) as inbound bookings grew 23 percent from the UK, 20 percent from Japan and 18 percent from China.
Hamitlon Island’s CEO, Glenn Bourke, said the Island continues to achieve record breaking figures and sees the latest increase as reinforcing the destination’s position as one of the world’s premier holiday spots.
8. Film tourism boosts European rail bookings
European cities and countries that have made it to the big screens continue to play a significant role in attracting travellers from Australia and New Zealand, according to Rail Europe.
Manager Australasia of Rail Europe, Ingrid Kocijan, says there is no doubt that the upward trend in rail bookings to certain destinations is due to their direct involvement in major blockbuster movies or TV series.
Year-on-year records show that Rail Europe bookings for Spain increased by 15 percent from Jan-May this year, while Austria bookings went up by just over 10 perent. The biggest increase, however, came from rail package bookings for Switzerland, which recorded close to 80 percent increase during the same period.
Austria provided a number of spectacular filming locations for Spectre, the 24th series of the long running Bond Franchise, while Switzerland was featured in the true story of British ski-jumper Eddie Edwards, Eddie the Eagle and the critically acclaimed UK mini series of The Night Manager.
Then there was the filming of the fifth and sixth season of American fantasy TV series, Game of Thrones, which took place in the southern region of Andalucía and Navarra in northern Spain. Part of the latest Bourne Franchise, Jason Bourne, was also filmed in Spain, specifically in Barcelona.
