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. World Travel News: London attack & South Sudan plane crash
The last 24 hours have been filled with grief and shock as five people were killed in an attack in London and 43 plane passengers ‘miraculously’ survived a severe crash landing in South Sudan.
People standing on London’s Westminster Bridge say they’ve never been more afraid than when a car ran down pedestrians on the famous site before crashing near the House of Parliament and entering Parliament grounds with a knife.
The attacker fatally stabbed one police officer before he was shot down.
2. If this cruise line is good enough for James Bond, then it’s good enough for anyone
When he isn’t investigating a murder in New York City, escaping ambushes in Austria and flirting with the ladies, James Bond prefers to have his ‘martini shaken, not stirred’ on an Azamara Club Cruises vessel.
Or at least that’s what one man who once portrayed 007 likes to do.
The cruise line’s Captain Johannes Tysse revealed at an event in Sydney this week, that Roger Moore (Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, etc.) once boarded an Azamara ship in Norway as a guest and disembarked as a fan.
3. Why is the hotel industry disappointed with Jetstar?
Australia’s peak accommodation representative body, Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), has expressed disappointment in Jetstar;s decision to partner with Airbnb, which it described as an unregulated short-term accommodation provider.
TAA’s CEO Carol Giuseppi said while the industry has no issue with “genuine sharing… the sector has become increasingly dominated by commercial operators with multiple properties that involve no sharing”.
“They contribute little to taxes or jobs, and bypass many health, safety and development regulations. That’s why so many cities around the world are moving towards greater regulation of accommodation listings with Airbnb.”
4. INCENTIVE: WIN a week-long stay at a 5-star Fiji resort
Aqua Expeditions has announced an incentive prize to Fiji for the first Agents to book a seven-night Jean-Michel Cousteau charter on Aqua Mekong or Aria Amazon for 2017 and 2018.
The leading luxury river cruise operator recently announced a new collaboration with renowned champion of ocean conservation and environmental protection, Jean-Michel Cousteau, offering travellers a series of cruises in 2017 and 2018 hosted by the famed explorer on the two vessels.
The first Agent to book a seven-night full charter cruise hosted by Cousteau in 2017 and 2018 will each be rewarded with a week-long holiday for two people at the 5-star Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji.
Due to increased demand, Aqua Expeditions has also announced it will now offer three and four-night itineraries for those people wishing to take up a shorter duration on their Mekong or Amazon cruises.
Click here for more information.
5. Delve deeper into South America with APT in 2018
First time visits to Easter Island and Bolivia, special itineraries that focus on in-depth exploration and a stay in one of the world’s leading green hotels are highlights of APT’s South America touring program for 2018.
Available for bookings now, the new APT South America 2018 program will see the introduction of three new Small Group Discovery tours for groups of 20 guests or less that will stay longer in each destination, allowing travellers to delve deeper into the culture and natural beauty of each.
For example, the 13 day Brazil and Argentina Discovery, priced from $8,695 per person twin share, includes three nights at Iguassu Falls, allowing for a visit to both the Brazil and Argentinian sides of the World Heritage Listed National Park, and three nights in Salvador, Brazil’s “Capital of Happiness”, which appears on APT itineraries for the first time in 2018.
For travellers looking for a broader overview of South America, APT’s popular South America Inca Journey is a 23 day itinerary from Santiago to Arequipa in Peru. In 2018 this classic itinerary takes in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Iguassu falls before landing in Lima bound for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
6. LAST CHANCE to save on G Adventures trips to Central America
If Central America is on the bucket list then now’s the time to book, as G Adventures’ Central American offer nears its 31 March 2017 expiry date.
The Uncover Central America sale has already contributed to a 50 percent increase in sales for the region compared to last year, according to the tour operator, because of the fantastic savings on “compelling destinations”.
The Uncover Central America campaign offer will be available until March 31 2017 and includes departures up until December 31 2017.
7. Meet your California Advisory Board
While they’re not here to necessarily save the world, they have come together to assist Visit California with its local marketing efforts and retain its position as one of the leading tourism marketing organisations represented in Australia and New Zealand.
The team is called the California Advisory Board and it’s made up of Wadad Moore, Partner Marketing Manager – Qantas; Amanda Bolger, Senior Manager, PR and Publicity – Qantas; Gregory Lording, Group General Manager of Wholesale – Helloworld; Jenny Hosie, Director of Integration – Seven West Media; Craig Gibbons, Regional Director Australia & New Zealand – LATCB & LAX Airport; Sue Bennett, Editorial Director; Life Media & Events – Fairfax Media; Megan Smith, Head of Consumer PR – Expedia.com.au; Jo Palmer, Managing Director – Gate7 & Kristy Muedell, Head of PR, Gate7.
Board members were selected for the instrumental role they occupy in the Australian travel and media industries and for their unique and expert perspective within the tourism marketing space.
California Advisory Board members will meet three times annually to formulate strategies focused on strengthening the California brand and increasing visitation.
8. Helloworld Agents on Safari in Africa
Helloworld’s Award Winning Frontline Agents were recently treated to a safari in Africa courtesy of Qantas Airways.
Agents enjoyed the fantastic services at the QF Business Class Lounge in Sydney then experienced Qantas’ Premium Economy cabin to Johannesburg return. Partnering with The Africa Safari Co. the itinerary included Zimbabwe with a visit to Victoria Falls, the Chobe National Park in Botswana and finished up in Johannesburg were they were treated to a guided tour of Soweto.
The winning Agents were announced and awarded at the 2016 Frontliners Forum in Brisbane, the top achievers were recognised from both the helloworld Branded and Associate networks in areas including Rookie of the Year Award, Team Spirit Award, Rising Star Award, Pursuit of Knowledge Award, Customer Service Award, Hero Corporate and Hero Retail Awards and Top Revenue Award.
The 2017 Frontliners Forum will be held in November in Tasmania with the highest achievers will again be recognised across various categories.
9. Travel Agents take a tour of Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity Cruises recently hosted a tour for Agents onboard Celebrity Silhouette while the ship was in Fort Lauderdale.
This stylish ship features the serene Canyon Range spa, an iconic lawn with a chic cabana style setting and world-class dining experiences including the unique Qsine restaurant that offers guests an interactive iPad menu.
Agents were in town for the launch of Celebrity Edge a revolutionary new ship set to change the way guests experience the world with expanded staterooms, a ship-climbing Magic Carpet platform and stunning suites.
10. Travelling with Trafalgar is all this & more
There are only a limited number of days and weeks we have off each year, which means that who we choose to holiday with is one of the most important travel decisions we can make.
And as an agent, who you choose to send your clients away with is also just as important. Choose wisely and you’ll have clients for life. Choose wrongly, and you’ll probably never hear from them again.
But choose Trafalgar and you’ll be making the best decision for both you and your clients. After all, this is a travel company that lives by the motto of authentic, effortless and fun, and pretty much covers the entire globe – 230 itineraries on six continents and counting.