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. Turkey Update: flights delayed & travel tips
Image: BBC News
Travellers have been warned of potential delays and cancellations from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport after an attack that left 42 dead and 239 injured.
Triple-explosions hit the international gateway yesterday when three attackers arrived in a taxi, began firing at the entrance and then detonated bombs strapped to their chests.
Around 60 emergency vehicles were called to the scene to collect 239 injured people, 41 of which are now in intensive care, BBC News reported.
2. Jin Air is coming to Australia & its first flights are to Cairns
Queensland can expect to welcome more visitors from that fast growing Asia market with new direct flights between Cairns and Korea.
The state’s tourism leaders with Tourism Australia have entered a new agreement with Korea’s budget airline, Jin Air, for new seasonal services to the tropical destination.
Commencing December this year, the carrier will operate twice-weekly flights between Incheon Airport and Cairns’ international gateway.
3. Want to try a Qantas lounge? Purchase a day pass
Ready to upgrade your airport experience to one of luxury and complete relaxation in a Qantas lounge, but aren’t sitting on the right tier in the loyalty club to do so?
Well here’s a bit of good news.
Qantas is trialing a new ‘day pass’ system that gives its lower tier loyalty members the chance to try its domestic and international lounges on their next trip.
4. P&O dedicates a website to Agents
P&O Cruises has launched its first dedicated Travel Agent website, designed to make it easier to sell a P&O holidays.
‘Flagship’ was created specifically for Aussie and Kiwi consultants and acts as a central hub for information on all P&O products.
Additionally, the site comes with a new online education program called ‘Flagship College’ where Agents can build their P&O knowledge and earn accreditation points. Other highlights of the site include a renamed incentive program called ‘Flagship Achievers’ that lets Agent earn points for every dollar of revenue booked.
Use your POLAR Online log-in details to sign into Flagship.
5. Amadeus wins Red Hat innovation award
Amadeus has been awarded ‘Cloud innovator of the year’ by Red Hat, for a project it describes as providing ‘a wonderful example of what is possible with open source’.
Amadeus Airline Cloud Availability was developed over the last year, using Amadeus Cloud Services technology. The solution solves the challenge of ever increasing flight search volumes.
Amadeus’ Vice President Architecture, Quality and Governance, Dietmar Fauser, said the company is proud to have received the award, which recognises the company’s technology as ‘shaping the future of travel”.
6. Travelmarvel’s 2017 China program is here
Travelmarvel has expanded its China portfolio for 2017, with increased departures of popular itineraries and three new tours.
Travel Agents can now offer their clients a choice of seven itineraries, which feature river cruise, rail and land journeys including combination departures to Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The company has added two extra departures to its most popular china itinerary – the 13-day Imperial China tour, which takes guests from Beijing down the Yangtze river and to Xi’an plus more. New journeys include the 29-day Iconic Asia trip combined with Vietnam, Cambodia and China; a 14-day Across the Roof of the World rail journey; and the 24-day Kingdoms of Asia trip from Beijing to Osaka.
7. Agents try out Carnival’s new ship
A group of Australian Agents were given the chance to try out Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship, Carnival Vista, while she cruise around parts of Europe on a one-week itinerary.
When they weren’t exploring Naples, Rhodes and Crete as part of Carnival Vista’s maiden season of Mediterranean cruising, the group of 14 key cruise Agents were watching ‘Captain America’ on the first IMAX Theatre at sea, cycling high above the ship’s top deck on SkyRide, sliding down the 138-metre-long multi-sensory Kaleid-O-Slide, and watching the latest Playlist Productions’ America Rocks! and Flick: The Power of Motion Pictures.
Other highlights during the seven-day cruise included the multi-dimensional Thrill Theater experience, the Cuban-inspired Havana Bar and fine dining in Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.
Click here for more images.
8. Sydneysiders celebrate Christmas in winter
Snow flakes fell on Sydney’s busy business district yesterday as part of Trafalgar’s latest consumer promotion.
With the use of a giant snow globe, Christmas decorations and elves, the morning event at Martin Place gave locals a taste of Europe during the festive season.
The stunt drew large crowds, with many posing for photos in the snow globe and others learning about the company’s Autumn Winter Spring programme.
9. You could be an Etihad WINNER
There’s less than a week left for Travel Agents and their customers to book an Etihad flight and be in the running to WIN back the cost that fare.
One winner has been announced every day since the incentive launched three weeks ago.
To be in the running, Travel Agents need to book their clients on an Etihad flight – flights booked have to be for travel until 31 December 2016 and Agents must enter the game of skill on winwithetihad.com.au before 4 July 2016.