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. Trump’s travel restrictions make shock waves around the world
Okay, so Trump is actually following through on his crazy ideas and turning them into actual policy, and they’ve already majorly disrupted the travel industry.
It’s only been a week since Trump gained the keys to the White House, and in that short time he’s already fundamentally changed American foreign policy – especially in regards to the movement of people around the world – and I for one am scared.
He’s banned funding to developing countries that allow women to take control of reproductive fate, started planning a southern wall between the US and Mexico to keep out the “murderers, gang members and rapists”, and continues to make anti-Chinese remarks that may lead the world into a new World War.
2. Celebrities promote USA & Australia relations amidst Trump drama
Celebrities gathered in Los Angeles over the weekend to promote relations between Australia and the USA despite President Trump’s attempts to encumber select nationalities, including some Aussies with dual-citizenships, from visiting the ‘Land of the Free’.
Dozens of famous faces, such as Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and Richard Wilkins, walked the Qantas-branded red carpet to showcase their support for closer trans-Pacific ties at this year’s G’Day USA Gala Dinner.
The high-profile annual event organised by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Tourism Australia, is designed to foster deeper economic ties between the two destinations and promote Australian capabilities in the United States.
3. Don’t forget the iPad at home! American Airlines is introducing BYO entertainment
American Airlines is following Alaska Airlines down the path of BYO entertainment by ditching back-seat monitors on its new aircraft.
The airline revealed that its new Boeing 737 Max aircraft, including the first four arriving later this year, will be free of entertainment screens, meaning guests will have to bring their own devices on board if they want to stay entertained mid-flight, Skift reported.
The decision comes after internal research found seat-back monitors will be obsolete within a few years, and nearly 90 percent of the airline’s passengers are already bringing their own iPads and electronics with them on holidays.
4. Venture Holidays focuses on Gili Islands & wellness
Venture Holidays is focusing on Gili Islands and wellness more than ever before in its newly released 2017/18 Bali brochure.
New to the program is a five-day Bali Health & Wellness package as well as a ‘Resort and Rejuvenate’ section featuring a number of Bali’s famous spas
A new favourite for sightseeing is a Wine Appreciation Lunch with a Sommelier, where guests will participate in a one hour wine appreciation class and learn about local Balinese and Indonesian wines. Plus there’s a new emphasis on the Gili Islands with stunning properties available there like Hotel Vila Ombak Gili Trawangan and Karma Reef Gili Meno.
Click here to download a copy of the new Bali brochure.
5. APT announces first expo dates for 2017
APT is getting ready to hit the road and is inviting travellers to join them at a series of expos and information sessions.
Travel Agents can register their clients to the free events and any booking taken on the day will be made under the consultant’s name and will attract full commission.
Commencing this week, presentations will cover popular APT destinations and programs including Europe river cruising and Small Group Discovery tours, Asia river cruising and touring, Small Ship cruising, Kimberley and Outback Wilderness Adventures and Canada & Alaska cruises and tours.
Dates are: 1 February, Rydges South Bank Brisbane; 14 February, The Westin Sydney; 28 February, Grand Hyatt Melbourne; 7 March, Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart; 8 March, Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston; 9 March, Hyatt Hotel Canberra; 15 March, Crown Perth; 11 April, Crowne Plaza Adelaide.
Click here to register.
6. Air India joins Star Alliance network members in Heathrow
Star Alliance member Air India has moved all its operations at Heathrow Airport from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2 where it joins fellow Star Alliance members in the network’s home terminal.
According to Star Alliance CEO, Jeffrey Goh, the long-term plan has been to re-locate all 24 alliance members flying out of Heathrow under the Terminal 2 roof, which has now been achieved.
The check-in layout and concept in Terminal 2 is designed to give travellers greater control of their journey through a combination of increased automation and common check-in. There’s 81 multi-airline check-in kiosks throughout the terminal as well as shared counters for bag drops off.
7. Limited time offer on Oceania voyages
Oceania Cruises is celebrated the release of its new Best of Europe 2017 campaign by offering limited time discounts on 36 voyages, travelling to over 200 different ports across Europe.
Valid until 31 March 2017, offers include OLife Choice with FREE Internet, plus choose from any one – free Shore Excursions, free Beverage Package or free Shipboard Credit.
There’s also a bonus US$250 to spend onboard and 50 percent reduced deposits valid on 36 select European itineraries departing from March to December 2017, and ranging from seven- to- 58 nights.
Click here for more information.
8. ANA dresses flight crew in Star Wars-inspired gear
You’ve seen the special All Nippon Airways Star Wars-inspired livery before and may have even had the chance to greet the life-sized Yoda sitting in First Class.
Now All Nippon Airways (ANA) is stepping up its relationship with the Disney franchise by introducing C-3PO-inspired aprons on its special C-3PO ANA Jet.
That’s right, your cabin crew will be walking around serving meals on the droid-themed plane in the gold number below, which creatively features the circular disc found on the popular Star Wars character as well as his internal wiring.
9. P&O is halfway to a million on Facebook
P&O Cruises ticked off a major social media milestone late last week, when it reached and exceeded 500,000 fans on its Facebook page.
It took some eight years for the cruise line to reach the half a million target, which was achieved through various competitions, videos, pictures, exclusive offers and more.
P&O says the record reflects the passion P&O’s guests have for Australia’s largest cruise line.
10. Race car driver learns to pilot a British Airways jumbo jet
From racing on land to racing in the air, well, kind of, Formula 1 star Jenson Button learned to pilot a British Airways A380 aircraft via a flight simulator.
The former World Champion spent 90 minutes perfecting take-off, cruise and landing the world’s largest commercial aircraft, proving he’s a master behind any wheel.
The simulator at British Airways’ state-of-the-art Flight Training Centre near London’s Heathrow Airport – where the airline’s 4,200 professional pilots are trained – uses cutting edge motion, audio and graphics technology to deliver a completely immersive experience