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. Flight Centre slip n slides into the silly season
Looking more like a scene from Wolf of Wall Street, Flight Centre converted a hallway in its new Brisbane digs to a waterpark wonderland on Friday with the annual Slip n Slide.
Forget the boozy Christmas lunches, or Friday work break up drinks, this is possibly the coolest Christmas tradition (don’t kid yourself you were all secretly wishing you could convert your office to a Slip n Slide arena too).
A tradition that is coming on to 10 years in the making now, the event was created to allow the employees a bit of fun in the send off for silly season, and for those who actually tackled the soapy runway, did so in their slipperiest attire.
2. First Thor & now Aquaman – should we start calling Queensland the Comic Capital of Australia?
In 2016, the God of Thunder aka hottie Chris Hemsworth brought his mighty mjölnir to Queensland and next year, Jason Momoa will do the same with his lengthy trident.
Last week, the Sunshine State took one step closer to becoming the comic capital of Australia by securing itself a second comic movie in two years.
Warner Bros. confirmed it will film its first solo Aquaman movie on the Gold Coast in the coming year, just as Marvel and Disney wrap up shooting the third Thor movie, Thor Ragnarok.
3. British Airways in talks to avoid Christmas strikes
British Airways has resumed talks with its cabin crew union, Unite, in a bid to avert any strikes over the holiday period.
Late lat week, the union said its members had voted in favour of a strike and was looking at Christmas and New Year as potential industrial action dates.
However, a spokesperson for the the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) confirmed British Airways and the union have returned to negotiation table and are keen to reach an agreement that would avoid any travel disruptions.
“I am delighted that British Airways has heeded our called for talks,” Unite’s General Secretary, Len McCluskey, said. “It is only by getting round the table that we can find a solution to my members’ concerns.”
4. Aussie watchdog proposes to deny Virgin Australia regional alliance
The Aussie consumer watchdog has flagged concerns over Virgin Australia’s proposed regional Charter Alliance, saying it would reduce competition in Western Australia.
In a proposal to block Virgin Australia’s alliance with Virgin Australia Regional Airlines and Alliance Aviation Services, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) claimed that the arrangement would reduce the number of fly-in-fly-out providers in Western Australia from four to three as well as eliminate competition to just two suppliers.
ACCC Commissioner, Sarah Court, said public benefits of the alliance would be outweighed by “significant public detriment”, particularly reduced competition.
5. Etihad to codeshare with Lufthansa
Etihad has inked a new agreement with Europe’s largest airline, Lufthansa, to codeshare on services between the UAE, Germany and South America.
Commencing January next year, Lufthansa will place its ‘LH’ code on Etihad Airways’ twice daily non-stop flights between its home base of Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt and its twice daily non-stop services between Abu Dhabi and Munich, the biggest city in southern Germany.
The UAE’s national airline will, in turn, put its ‘EY’ code on Lufthansa’s long-haul, non-stop intercontinental services between its home base of Frankfurt, the business and commercial capital of Germany, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as well as Bogota, Colombia.
Additionally, airberlin, which is partly owned by Etihad, has signed a wet-lease agreement with the German airline to hire out 33 of its aircraft to Lufthansa’s low-cost carriers, Eurowings and Austrian Airlines.
6. roomsXML wins at the World Travel Awards
roomsXML has received the travel industry’s version of an ‘Oscar’ by being named ‘Worlds Leading Hotel Booking Solutions Provider’ at this years World Travel Awards.
Prakash Bang, roomsXML Founder and Executive Chairman, attributed the win to ongoing investment in product development as well as enriching the user experience.
Mark Luckey, MD roomsXML Pacific added that the award reflected on the company’s product, price, technology and its “awesome global customer service team”.
7. Infinity Holidays unveils new brochure
Infinity Holidays is promising to immerse travellers in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos’ rich cultures with its new Vietnam and Cambodia brochure.
Being dispatched to local travel agencies from 10 January, the program features tours with visits to stunning ancient temples of Angkor in Cambodia as well as the the vibrant street markets of Vietnam.
Click here to check out the brochure.
8. Universal upgrades the movie-going experience
Deluxe recliners, enhanced projection, immersive surrounded sound and state-of-the-art screens have been fitted in all 18 of Universal CityWalk’s AMC Theatre as part of a multimillion dollar upgrade.
Unveiled in time for the festive season, the bold revitalisation is designed to elevate the movie-going experience.
The recent upgrade to the IMAX theatre features next-generation 4K laser projection and 12-channel sound systems to provide audiences with sharper, brighter, clearer and more vivid digital images than ever. Plus there’s the addition of the Director’s Lounge Cocktail Bar—an all-new dedicated and stylish second level retreat, flanked by the upper level theatres.
9. Another year of success for Treasures of the South Pacific
Over 40 travel wholesalers and online Travel Agents (OTA) joined the Treasures of the South Pacific (TOSP) members in Sydney earlier this month to raise a toast to a successful 2016.
TOSP presented a recap on activity to-date and exciting plans for 2017. Guests also had the opportunity to squeeze in some last minute networking before the holiday season officially kicks off.
Treasures of the South Pacific brings together the national tourism offices from Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu and other hidden treasures of the South Pacific. The events are also supported by South Pacific Tourism Association and Pacific Island Trade and Invest.
Dates for Travel Agent training events for 2017 will be released in the first quarter.
10. United wraps up trivia season in Newcastle
United Airlines’ 2016 trivia season concluded its popular annual trivia nights in Newcastle – wrapping up the series after a strong run through Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Parramatta, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.
Some 130 Travel Agents were tested on their knowledge of various landmarks and destinations across the US, as well as being quizzed on products offered by United – including the anticipated Polaris Business class product, which went live on 1 December 2016.
Lisa Dunn, consultant from Andy’s Travel World, was the overall winner of the night, walking away with an unforgettable trip to California and Nevada, where she will have the opportunity to explore the iconic attractions of San Francisco, and travel to Reno, to experience the natural beauty and adventure of Lake Tahoe.
11. Flighties enjoy the glitz & glam of L.A.
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board partnered with Universal Studios Hollywood and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism to bring 13 of Flight Centre’s top selling travel agents to L.A, as a result of an incentive program organised by all three entities.
The Agents began their stay in Los Angeles at Loews Hollywood, located in the heart of Hollywood. While in Tinseltown, the group explored the neighbourhood’s dining scene and also watched the musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, at the historical Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
In Downtown L.A. they admired the contemporary art at the popular Broad Museum before visiting the Grand Central Market. The group travelled onward to Universal Studios Hollywood to do the VIP Experience which includes a more in-depth tour of the studio’s backlot and unlimited front of line access for all attractions, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and AMC’s The Walking Dead.
The tour continued with a visit to Santa Monica via L.A.’s new Metro. They checked out the Shore Hotel and practiced yoga on the beach, shopped at Santa Monica Place, visited the local Farmer’s Market, and rode the iconic Ferris wheel at Pacific Park. Continuing with the car free theme, Agents took to two wheels and cycled along the world famous ocean front bike path and toured the historic Annenberg Community Beach House for a glimpse into old Hollywood, before tasting their way through local sweet shops in Santa Monica’s neighbourhoods on the Sweet Spot Bike Tour.
This week’s competitions
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.