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. If you ever need advice on selling cruise, maybe contact these award-winning Travel Agents
If there’s a question on how to boost your cruise sales in the neighborhood, who you gonna call? These Travel Agents!
Last month we found out who were among the best cruise sellers in Australia and New Zealand, and now we know who really are the best of the best aka winners at this year’s Cruise Industry Awards.
Held in Sydney over the weekend, some 500 industry members pushed past the 40-degree heat and slipped into cocktail dresses and suits for the annual CLIA dinner.
2. Substance leaks into Hamburg Airport
German authorities were called in to investigate a substance leak at Hamburg Airport, which caused eye irritation and breathing issues for some 50 travellers.
According to The Australian, the substance was leaked through air conditioning vents and resulted in the temporary closure of the gateway.
A Hamburg Fire Department spokesperson assured media that the leak was not a terror attack and said police have so far located a pepper spray container.
3. What’s Oprah doing with a cruise line?
*Places palms together and bows head* “please let it be another iconic ‘you get a car, you get a car, you get a car’ moment, but replace car with cruise”.
Unfortunately it’s not, but someone will get a cruise, Oprah!
The entrepreneur, philanthropist, former talk show host and media mogul is heading out to sea with Holland America as part of O, The Oprah Magazine‘s inaugural cruise feature.
4. AirAsia X is flying to Hawaii
Less than a month after receiving approval to fly to the US, AirAsia X has confirmed it’s taking its cheap flights to Hawaii.
And when we say cheap, we mean Economy fares as low as $156!
Or if you prefer a little extra comfort, there’s Premium Flatbeds selling from $849.
5. This video will give you all them L.A. feels
You won’t need any tissues, but you may have a hard time wiping that little smile off your face (and shake off that desire to fly to L.A.) when you watch Discover Los Angeles’ newest video campaign.
Released this week, the first two clips are short and have absolutely no dialogue, but they’re perfect because they use visual metaphors to evoke an emotion of an L.A. moment.
It’s the first time the tourism organisation has focused on eliciting feelings among potential visitors without selling the city.
6. Visit USA expos are back next week!
America, America, America! With visitor arrivals from Australia rising, there’s no better time for Travel Agents to really to get to know the United States of America at this year’s Visit USA Expo.
The annual event will arrive in Brisbane (2o February – Brisbane City Hall), Melbourne (21 February – Plaza Ballroom Regent Theatre), Sydney (22 February – Hilton Hotel Ballroom) next week followed by Adelaide and Perth in March.
There’s still time to RSVP to chat to some 50 USA based tourist offices and suppliers and go in the running to win some incredible prizes, including air tickets to Los Angeles with Delta Air Lines and Virgin Australia.
Click here to RSVP.
7. Ensemble Travel’s management team expands with a highly respected commercial analyst
Ensemble Travel Group has expended its management team with the appointment of highly respected commercial analyst David Smith as Director Service Delivery.
David brings over 15 years of practical knowledge gained in sales and distribution teams of airline, travel and retail industries. He was most recently Commercial Analyst at CT Partners. He has also held senior roles at Jetset Travelworld, Qantas, Flight Centre, Air New Zealand.
“Ensemble’s membership base in Australia and New Zealand has grown rapidly and will continue to do so throughout 2017, and David’s appointment reflects our commitment to securing the best in the business to support our members,” Ensemble Senior Vice President and General Manager, Trish Shepherd said.
“David’s experience in successfully negotiating and implementing complex deals as well as his extensive network of contacts further strengthens Ensemble’s ability to deliver outstanding value and advantage in this market.”
David starts in the role today (Monday 13 February 2017).
8. APT packs New Zealand brochure with ‘amazing sightseeing options’
APT has released its New Zealand 2017/18 brochure, with what the company described as exceptional accommodation, amazing sightseeing options and remarkable air deals giving agents a compelling reason to book clients now.
Popular land touring itineraries including the 23-day ‘New Zealand Splendour’ and the 18-day ‘Royal Tourer New Zealand’ are back, as are APT’s rail & cruise journeys and the 25-day ‘New Zealand Voyager’ ocean cruise.
As part of APT’s New Zealand Superdeals, guests who book before July 31, 2017 can fly international return for free on selected departures of the ‘New Zealand Splendour’, ‘Magnificent New Zealand’ and ‘Royal Tourer New Zealand’ tours. Companion Fly Free deals are also available on a range of New Zealand tours of varying lengths.
9. Small Luxury Hotels of the World travels to Sydney & Melbourne
Travel Agents were given the chance to really get to know some of the finest boutique properties around the world at the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Sydney and Melbourne events earlier this month.
The annual roadshow updated consultants with news from respective hotels and resorts including Hotel Lord Byron, Rome and Hotel Regency Florence; The Arch London; Nira Caledonia, Edinburgh; Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach; and Hotel Belles-Rives and Hotel Juana, Antibes.
10. Amadeus rings in the Chinese New Year with Travel Agents
Amadeus hosted its seventh annual Chinese New Year dinner in Sydney last week, with over 230 Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai travel agents and suppliers in attendance. An event for more than 30 customers was held in Melbourne on 31 January and for the first time the Amadeus team will celebrated with customers in Perth over dinner on Friday.
Sydney guests enjoyed a traditional Chinese New Year banquet at East Ocean restaurant, with some lucky agents taking home door prizes including a Microsoft Surface Pro and a PlayStation 4. Amadeus partners Nexus Holidays and Consolidated Travel also generously donated prizes.
Amadeus Managing Director Tony Carter commented: “We look forward to hosting our Chinese New Year events each year. They are always lots of fun and we enjoy celebrating this vibrant festival with our valued Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai customer community. On behalf of all the Amadeus team we’d like to wish all our customers and partners good luck, good fortune and good health for the year ahead.”
