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. Qantas’ new Brisbane lounge will ‘Quench’ your thirst for health & luxury
Is it a health retreat? Is it a mini resort? No, it’s Qantas’ new Brisbane International Lounge featuring a whole lot of natural light, hydrating beverages, locally produced food and low slung lounges.
Unveiled today, the Lounge is the first in a series of new facilities opening up at the gateway in the coming months as part of a multi-million dollar upgrade.
Described as ‘a stylish new space to relax, work and dine’, the new lounge is based on the carrier’s winning concepts in Hong Kong and Singapore with food and interior design influenced by the local region.
2. Can you feel the travel frenzy? It’s ‘clicking’ closer
Click Frenzy is the self proclaimed ‘virtual door-busting, 24 hour stampede across cyberspace’ aka the mother of online discount shopping and it’s currently counting down the hours to its inaugural travel frenzy.
A ‘stampede’ of around a million Australians are expected to open their browsers this evening onto the discount site to secure travel savings of up to 70 percent across 100 various travel brands.
Big names like G Adventures, AccorHotels, Scenic, Peregrine and more have signed up to take part in the ‘ 24 hour stampede across cyberspace’. Along with a few online booking sites such as Booking.com, Webjet.com.au and Hotels.com.
3. G Adventures’ new trips are like a pair of Yeezy Boost 350 – they’re Limited Edition
They may not sell out in 12 minutes like Kanye West’s Adidas collaboration (or maybe they will, don’t know yet), but G Adventures is promising once-in-a-lifetime experiences through its new Limited Edition collection.
Unveiled today, the new program is made up of ‘one-off trips’ around small or major events that are truly unique to a destination.
For example, travellers can attend a Halloween party at Bran Castle in Romania during the seven-day ‘Halloween in Transylvania’ trip, or they can jam at a Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica during a four-day ‘Jamaica Reggae Sumfest Experience’ (uh, dancehall nights and reggae parties – sign me up).
4. YOU’RE INVITED: For nibbles & drinks with GNTO
The GNTO has extended an invitation to the Australian travel trade industry to join the board for nibbles, drinks and a theatre-style presentation on the ancient and modern German culture.
In addition to having an enjoyable evening, attendees will also be in the running to win prizes including a trip to Germany sponsored by Lufthansa German Airlines.
Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their best medieval costume and to register there attendance as it’s first come, first serves.
Dates are: 7 November 6-9pm Melbourne Cricket Ground; 8 November 6-9pm Brisbane German Club; and 9 November 6-9pm InterContinental Sydney.
5. Upcoming TIME graduation is ‘oversubscribed’
TIME has advised that the Graduation and Networking Wednesday 26 October 2016 is totally oversubscribed.
According to Founder, Penny Spencer, the popularity and support for these events proves that there’s a “need for a programme such as TIME”.
Click here for future dates, but keep in mind that attendance to TIME Functions is by invitation only. For those interested in becoming Mentors or Mentees on the program should contact the Program Manager: time@travelindustrymentor.com.au
6. 110 AAT Kings employees meet in Sydney
Some 110 AAT Kings employees made their way into Sydney for the company’s annual staff conference.
Held at the brand’s new depot at the brand’s new head office in Alexandria, the conference consisted of workshops, presentations, group training and a concluding awards ceremony.
Framing the conference seating area was the brand new ‘Sydney By Night’ double decker which is set to officially hit the town from 1 November.
7. Helloworld Agents mix the Med with Korea
Helloworld Agents recently had the opportunity to combine the Mediterranean with Seoul during a Princess Cruises famil.
Beginning with a stop in Seoul, the group were able to experience a Korean BBQ and the city by night. They then flew onto Rome for a night before heading to Piraeus Port in Athens to embark on their beautiful home for the next seven nights, Royal Princess.
The cruise had them travelling from Athens to Rome via Santorini (Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), Corfu (Greece), Sicily (Italy) and the island of Elba (Italy) – which was the first time Princess Cruises had visited this port.
Click here for more pictures.
8. 4 reasons why it’s totally normal to be excited about TMS talent
TMS Talent have been serving the Aussie travel industry for over two decades, but an injection of new ideas and technologies into the company within the last two years heralds an exciting new period of expansion.
Having the support and expertise of a leading recruitment and HR firm behind you – who specialise in the travel and tourism industry – is vital in helping you find the right job.
But nothing ever stands still in the travel industry, and sometimes an injection of new ideas, technologies and experienced personnel is needed to take things to the next level – especially when it comes to the world of HR and recruitment.
9. Los Angeles 3.0: These new hotels will suit every kind of traveller
Nothing ever stays the same in the City of Angels, and the USA’s second largest city is currently in the midst of a hotel revolution, with scores of new hotels – over 30! – opening in LA in the next few years.
Los Angeles has something for everyone – you just need to know where to go! From Hollywood, to Downtown, to the beach neighbourhood of Venice Beach, you certainly won’t be running out of hotel options anytime soon…
Here’s a guide on where your clients should stay in LA depending on what they’re interested in.
10. WIN a Sony Action Cam from Avalon
Avalon Waterways invites travellers to experience the views they deserve when sailing Europe’s rivers and they are now giving you the chance to WIN a Sony Action Cam.
Arrive in a new port each day, Avalon gives you the freedom to cruise your way and unlike other cruise ships, Avalon Waterways has designed its staterooms so beds face the window and the incredible sights river cruising is famous for.
What’s new for 2017?
11. WIN 3x Cheese Hampers or 20x double passes to Heidi
The world famous and all-time favourite children’s story, Heidi, is coming back to the big screens and Switzerland Tourism is giving you a chance to WIN a double pass!
A film by Alain Gsponer based on the novels written by Swiss author, Johanna Spyri, Heidi is about an orphaned girl who spends her happiest childhood days with her eccentric grandfather Alpöhi in a remote alpine cabin in the mountains of Graubünden in eastern part of Switzerland.
Along with her goat-herder friend, they look after her grandfather’s goats and enjoy the freedom in the mountains.
12. 5 reasons discerning travellers choose Barge Travel Connection
Step onboard a luxury barge and cruise past quaint medieval villages and scenic vistas along some of Europe’s most spectacular canals, having an experience you’ll never forget!
There’s your stock-standard river cruising, and then there’s luxury barge cruising – a unique way of sailing through the heart of Europe on charming barges that are small enough to accommodate between just four and 24 passengers.
Barge Travel Connection, the newest brand from travel wholesaler Entire Travel Connection, specialise in crewed canal cruises in Europe, partnering with hand-picked local suppliers to take guests on an intimate journey through France and the rest of the European continent as they sip on exquisite wine, feast on high-end cuisine, and explore Europe’s cultural landscape – it’s a floating paradise par excellence!
13. Uniworld’s regal journey along the dazzling Danube
Follow in the royal footsteps of the archduchess Maria Theresa in the heart of Europe in 2017, and celebrate the Austrian princess’ 300th birthday in true class and style along the Danube.
A floating princess’ castle, an exclusive ‘Morning with the Masters’ at Vienna’s Kunthistoriches Museum, and, of course, Uniworld’s reputation for being all-inclusive – if these reasons aren’t enough to convince you to set sail with the leaders in luxury Europe river cruising in 2017, then we don’t know what will!
Oh, wait, here’s one more reason: you’ll get return Economy airfares from just $899 and from $4,299 in Business class on cruises of 7-12 days. This deal is valid on Uniworld’s exciting 8-day ‘Enchanting Danube‘ itinerary from Budapest to Passau, until 31 October 2016.
14. Selling Asia has never been so easy with #TheNewWu
Exotic and alluring, excellent value-for-money, friendly people, and the food – my god the food! Asia offers just about as many travel experiences as there are scooters on the streets of Ho Chi Minh.
But there’s no reason why selling Asia should be as complex as trying to cross the street in a busy Vietnamese city.
Nuh-uh-uh!