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-ment Day: What does this mean for tourism?
In case you haven’t heard, America has elected a man with no political experience, no sophistication of thought, and almost no hair to lead them and the rest of the free world for the next four years.
Already, some Americans are looking at Canada, and even Australia and New Zealand, as potential new homes, determined not to live in a country governed by a man who has an almost natural habit of offending anyone and everyone he comes across.
He’s even managed to offend the ASX, with the Australian market’s SPI 200 futures index going down 1.8 per cent as soon as it appeared that Trump would trump Hilary in American politic’s night of night.
2. Trump win sparks mass exodus in US
Although it may seem like some kind of a bad dream, the reality is that Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States. And not everyone is happy about that at all.
Only moments after 3pm yesterday, Canada’s official immigration website crashed due to server load – the result of millions of American users visiting the website in search of information on how to leave the USA after it became clear that Trump would win.
3. Oops! Did Jetstar just forget to pick up its bags?
Jetstar is currently being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau after the budget airline forgot to unload a container of luggage after landing in the Gold Coast before flying to Sydney.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is claiming that the extra luggage was noted by ground crew in Sydney upon the aircraft’s arrival on 29 October, and that the container was not included on the cargo manifest.
However, Jetstar is insisting that it was aware of the extra cargo shortly after leaving Gold Coast after baggage handlers alerted the pilot of the A320.
4. helloworld congratulates Avis Scholarship winner
As we reported yesterday, the 2016 Avis Travel Agent Scholarship winner was none other than Barbara Baron from Sylvania Travel and Cruise in NSW, which happens to be one of hellowold’s Associate Network stores.
So naturally, David Padman, Head of Associate, Corporate and Affiliate Networks at helloworld felt it right to congratulate Barbara on her amazing achievement in securing the 2016 scholarship.
“This is a huge honor to be awarded, and to be recognised in the crucial area of customer service is just outstanding. Customer service is an area we are dedicated to at helloworld and for one of our Associate Network stores to be recognised at this level is sensational.”
David Padman, Head of Associate, Corporate and Affiliate Networks, helloworld.
Barbara was awarded the coveted scholarship in a hotly contested field of finalists including, Joanna Tatton, Cruiseabout Noosa (QLD), Jeanette Lasek, Travel by Design (NSW), Melissa Pointon, MTA Travel (NSW), and Janene Ferguson, helloworld South Melbourne (VIC).
5. Singapore Airlines delays its new plans
Unfortunately, plans for Singapore Airlines to start operating a new three-times-weekly Singapore-Jakarta-Sydney service starting on 23 November 2016 has been delayed due to runway maintenance works at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The Indonesian authorities had earlier issued the Singapore Airlines with written approval, and the airline had secured the necessary airport slots. But now they will have to push the launch date back.
Singapore Airlines will begin contacting customers with bookings on this route and help put them on other flights, apologising for any inconvenience caused.
6. Burma is back in Busabout’s 2017 programme
Busabout has launched its Asia 2017 programme and the third of its kind in this amazing continent.
New for 2017, Busabout has responded to popular demand with the re-introduction of Burma as a destination on the 11-day Burma Adventure, plus a new Thai Island Moon Party itinerary.
Busabout is also giving agents the chance to win an Asian adventure of their very own. Simply visit the new Facebook page dedicated to agents, give it a like and take the Busabout Shoutabout Travel Quiz to be automatically entered into the draw to win an adventure on the brand new Thai Island Moon Party.
7. Save with TTC this week
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is offering some insanely cool deals this week, with savings to be had on tours to New Zealand, Bali, and Vietnam, and many more destinations.
For example, clients can save up to $500 per couple on AAT Kings’ 17-day Kia Ora New Zealand Guided Holiday departing 3 December 2016. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit aatkings.com *Conditions Apply
Bali obsessed customers can save from $109 per person on Contiki’s NEW and improved 8-day Bali Island Hopper trip when booked by 22 November 2016. For more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 266 845.
And pho lovers can save 15% off their Vietnam Adventure with Busabout. For more information and a range of other Europe trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/.
8. British Airways releases early bird fares
A new range of early bird special offers on flights from Australia to the UK, Europe and Asia has been released by British Airways, with return fares in World Traveller economy class to Asia starting from $768*, and $1,374* to the UK and Europe.
With an impressive range of great low fares across all cabins, British Airways is offering a truly smart way to travel to London, the UK and over 110 cities in Europe
These special offers are available for booking from now until midnight on 30 November 2016.
9. Amadeus reports a 14.2 percent revenue increase
Amadeus has reported some significant results in its latest financials, recording an impressive 14.2 percent revenue increase. This gives the Amadeus IT Group, S.A., a leading technology partner for the global travel industry, an adjusted profit of €738.1 million in the nine months to September 30, 2016.
Amadeus’ strong financial performance and growth is a result of organic growth in both Distribution and IT solutions businesses supported by the contribution of last year’s acquisitions, including Navitaire.
Amadeus also successfully renewed or signed content agreements with 17 airlines in the quarter, including EasyJet and had the world’s leading travel search engine, KAYAK, implement their Amadeus Master Pricer with Instant Search Technology.
10. Flight Centre employees grab some Californian sun
Three groups of Flight Centre employees recently got a good dose of Californian sun on a famil to the sunshine state, where they got to explore Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Palm Springs.
All three groups enjoyed plenty of delicious meals throughout the three days as well as site tours of a number of hotels to sell to the Australian market.
Highlights of the famil include an aerial tram tour, a calming beach yoga session, surfing lessons, and a LA Kings ice hockey match at The Staples Center.
11. 7 hidden gems in Los Cabos for you to discover
Besides being a mecca for food and adventure, and despite everything you may think you know about the destination, Los Cabos has that special quality of still being able to surprise.
Sure, there’s its inherent natural beauty – found in its sandy beaches, crystalline water and rock cave formations. But then there’s also its hidden gems, that, quite frankly, are its real draw cards.
So with that in mind, here are seven hidden gems for you to discover in Los Cabos.
12. Europe’s most hipster cafes & where to find them
You love them, we love them – does anything beat the minimal design, creative vibe and downright delicious coffee of a hipster cafe?
And you better believe Europe does them WELL. Ready to discover our favourite hangs? First, let’s cover the basics:
Menu musts – Flat whites, cold brew coffees, great baking
Décor Musts – unfinished materials, small signage, retro furniture, white décor
Patron musts – glasses, vintage clothes, skinny jeans
Discover these popular hipster-hangs next time you’re travelling in Europe…
13. WIN a trip to Los Angeles
Thanks to L.A. Tourism and American Airlines, a holiday to Los Angeles valued at over $5,000 is up for grabs!
14. Sell Italy & See Italy
This is your chance to earn a place on a famil to Italy and Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways Alitalia and Trafalgar Travel.
