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. Air crash expert says “MH370 was flown into the water”
Malaysia Airlines’ Flight MH370 has been to subject of various rumours and theories since it mysteriously disappeared over two years ago while travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.
Unsurprisingly, everyone wants to know what happened to the 777-200ER and the 227 passengers and 13 crew members on board.
Some islanders in the Maldives believe they spotted the Boeing on 8 March 2014 flying lower than most commercial aircraft; a Malaysian satellite expert claimed the plane sank in one piece in the Indian Ocean; and there’s been around four object discoveries suspected of being linked to the plane.
2. 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.
3. Qantas steps up its lounge game in regional Australia
Los Angeles lounge upgraded, Perth space renovated, work underway to improve the Brisbane lounge and plans are underway for new space in Heathrow.
With a few of Qantas’ main hubs taken care of, the Flying Kangaroo has turned its attention to regional gateways.
The carrier revealed plans today to open a new Regional Lounge at Western Australia’s Karratha Airport in early 2017.
4. Women left frightened after fake PNG hostage situation in resort town
Four women were found frightened and two injured in a fake hostage situation that shut down part of a Papua New Guinea resort town and forced a cruise line to recall passengers.
Police surrounded and stormed into a building in the popular PNG tourist area of Alotau after receiving calls of an armed robbery at an airline office, ABC News reported.
Officers threw tear gas into the office before marching in where they believed a hostage-taker was holding several airline employees.
5. Bali flights resume this morning
[Travel update] Our flights to/from Bali will recommence this morning. Customers affected overnight are being moved to alternative flights.
— Jetstar News (@JetstarNews) August 1, 2016
Jetstar has confirmed it will resume flying to and from Bali this morning as volcanic ash begins to clear.
Yesterday, the Qantas’ off-shoot, Virgin Australia and Tigerair cancelled flights to Denpasar after the volcano in Lombok erupted.
This morning, Jetstar tweeted that its services would recommence this morning, while Virgin Australia and Tigerair are expected to decide this morning.
6. INCENTIVE: Sell your way onto a Royal Caribbean ship
The month of August is going to be a beneficial one for Travel Agents, with Royal Caribbean offering the chance to win priority selection for ship tours this coming wave season.
To be in the running, Agents need to complete their Essentials Training for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises via training program Cruising for Excellence. Once consultants reach the Admiral Status, they will earn the priority spot for tours on Ovation of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice and Azamara Journey.
If that’s not enough to entice consultants, they can also earn up to 20 CLIA Accreditation Points by completing the training.
Click here for more information.
7. Emirates sends a second A380 to Perth
Emirates has sent its second jumbo A380 aircraft on the Perth-Dubai route, adding almost 100,000 additional seats per year between the two destinations.
EK424 departs Dubai 10.10am, arriving in Perth at 12.50am the next day. EK425 departs Perth at 6.00am, arriving in Dubai at 1.00pm same day.
The A380 flies with 14 First Class Private Suites; 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class; and 429 seats in Economy Class. Passengers have access to over 2,500 channels of the latest movies, TV shows, music and games as well as access to wi-fi.
8. Travelmarvel packs more highlights into Africa in 2017
A new itinerary featuring all the must-see sights of Southern Africa and an extension to the Okavango Delta are just some of the highlights of Travelmarvel’s latest Africa touring program.
Available in travel agencies, the new Travelmarvel Africa 2017 brochure offers a choice of nine tours ranging from 12 to 30 days. Journeys cover South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania.
The latest addition to the portfolio for 2017 is the 13-day Southern Safaris, a journey featuring three nights each in Cape Town and Greater Kruger National Park, and a night in Johannesburg in South Africa; three nights in Livingstone, Zambia to take in the breathtaking Victoria Falls; and two nights at the Chobe Bush Lodge in Botswana.
Travelmarvel has also extended its portfolio of tour extensions, offering the chance to explore Botswana’s flood plains and experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a new four day journey through the Okavango Delta. Guests stay at the safari-style camp Moremi Crossing comprising luxury tents located on raised decks with views across the floodplains of Moremi Game Reserve.
Click here for more information.
9. How Agents can make lifelong commissions on their clients calls
Travel Agents are already earning commission on airfares, hotel rooms, car hire and cruise holidays, but did you know they can also make commission on their client’s phone calls?
*Phone rings* – “hello this is cash calling”.
OneSimCard has officially dialed into Australia, not only with the promise of cheap international rates and reliable roaming, but lifelong commissions for consultants.
10. Visit USA gives a thumbs up for regional expos
Thumbs up for Visit USA after a round of successful Travel Agent regional Expos, the group’s first regional gatherings in over two years.
Held last week in the Gold Coast and then Newcastle, around 180 consultants mingled with 15 USA experts to receive destination updates, product knowledge and some even received special prizes, including return flights with Fiji Airways to LA.
Today, the Visit USA Expo will arrive in Campbelltown, Sydney. It will be held from 5.30pm to 8.00pm at the Campbellton Catholic Club.
Click here to make a last minute RSVP.
