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. Hilarious tweets to come out of those Delta delays
The Internet, well the people that utilise it, have a wicked sense of humour.
Social media users have a knack for putting a hilarious spin on bad situations and making even the worst of times seem a little less disastrous.
Like remember those extensive Bali delays? While airlines were desperately trying to get their flights back in the air, Aussies trapped on the island adopted a positive outlook – that being #stuckinBali meant more time in paradise.
2. New ship, 24/7 room service & more of France for Uniworld in 2017
Uniworld has reaffirmed its commitment to France by announcing a new itinerary and a new ship for the European destination in 2017.
Speaking at the boutique river cruise line’s first Partnership Appreciation Evening in Sydney, Uniworld’s Managing Director, Fiona Dalton, said the company “genuinely values its friendship with France” and hopes to build on it in the coming year.
This will include the introduction of the luxury vessel, S.S. Joie de Vivre, a 128-passenger ship featuring two full-service bars, life-sized checker boards, a heated enclosed swimming pool and more.
3. CostSaver expands into the US, where to next?
It only took 10 months for Trafalgar’s off-shoot, CostSaver, to establish itself as a standalone brand, successfully conquer Europe and expand into a new region.
Last month (just two months shy of its one year anniversary), the company announced it’s first itineraries in Europe had performed so well that it was ready to expand into the Americas.
Speaking to KarryOn, Trafalgar Australia’s Managing Director, Matthew Cameron-Smith, said North America was always in the operator’s sights, but it was important to wait until “it was the right time” to launch.
4. Qantas & Sydney Airport support kids teaching kids
Sydney Airport and Qantas have teamed up to support school students to learn about the environment through Kids Teaching Kids.
Around 1,450 students at 72 schools across Australia will tackle a wide range of environmental topics, including biodiversity, waste reduction, alternate energy sources such as biofuels, and how the industry is addressing carbon emissions.
According to Sydney Airport’s Managing Director & Chief Executive, Kerrie Mather, the partnership will inspire future environmental leaders as students take on the role of teachers.
Sydney Airport will directly support over 800 students at 19 Sydney and regional NSW schools, while Qantas will support an additional 53 schools and 650 students outside of NSW.
Events will be held throughout the remainder of the school year including Kids Teaching Kids Week from 5 to 9 September.
5. TFE to open a new Adina Apartment Hotel in North Ryde
TFE Hotels will operate a new Adina Apartment Hotel in Sydney’s second biggest and fastest growing business and commercial district, Macquarie Park at North Ryde, for owner STARIN.
The property will offer sweeping views of Sydney’s city skyline from its 19 storeys. It will also include an infinity pool, gym and bar on the top floor.
There will be around 154 hotel apartments inside along with a ground floor reception, café and bar with an outdoor area and conferencing. Construction is starting now with planned completion end of 2017.
6. Evergreen adds new Tours in Africa
Evergreen Tours has added a new trip to its 2017 African Touring & Cruising brochure while also holding onto its pricing at 2016 levels.
Launching next year is the 16-day South Africa Explorer from Cape Town to Johannesburg that features three nights in Cape Town and Kruger National Park; two nights at Kuzuko Lodge in Addo Elephant Park and in the Drakensburg Ranges and more.
In addition to bringing back 2016 prices, the program also features popular tours such as the 18-day South Africa & Victoria Falls Tour plus the 20-day South Africa & Victoria Falls & Chobe Princess River Cruise based on the 18-day Tour but with two extra nights on a Chobe River cruise.
Click here to download a brochure.
7. You’re invited on a famil to Peru
Australian Travel Agents have been invited to experience the best of Peru during an 11-day famil with Eclipse Travel.
Seven consultants will be whisked away from 31 October to 10 November 2016 to explore the South American country’s rich history and ancient cultures.
Highlights of the trip include an exclusive Lima tour; seeing the colonial-era capital of Arequipa; venturing into the brightly coloured Santa Catalina Monastery; of course a visit to Cusco where an afternoon will be spent soaking up the city before stepping back in time in the Inca ruins.
For more information on the famil or to express your interest in joining, email: enquiries@eclipsetravel.com.au
8. WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi famil
If $999 flights to Abu Dhabi weren’t enough to encourage you to sell Etihad Airways to your clients, then how about a trip to Abu Dhabi?
Etihad Airways along with Virgin Australia and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has just launched an Agent incentive, giving consultants the chance to WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi’ famil running this October.
To be one of 50 on the captivating, cultural and adventurous trip, Agents simply need to book Etihad Airways or Virgin Australia to Abu Dhabi or as a stopover to Europe.
