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. Virgin Australia adjusts Brisbane, Sydney services to launch Melbourne-LA & Perth-Abu Dhabi
Virgin Australia has adjusted its Australian network today to introduce two new direct services from Melbourne to Los Angeles and Perth to Abu Dhabi.
Announced this morning, the airline will fly direct from Melbourne to LA to meet demand for trans-Pacific flights while also increasing the already feisty competition between Australia and the USA.
In case you’re well out of the loop, there’s been a gritty airline price war on trans-Pacific services over the last year, thanks to new airlines (such as American Airlines) kick-starting flights to and from Australia and others adding new destinations (like Qantas adding San Francisco).
2. Magellan pumps up the volume for more growth
After successive years of increased turnover and profit since the group’s inception eight years ago, The Magellan Travel Group is looking to the year ahead to further grow their market share in the leisure and corporate travel space.
KarryOn caught up with Group CEO Andrew McFarlane and Chairman Andrew Jones at their annual (and first ever offshore) conference at The Hilton Hotel in Auckland to find out more.
With 200 members and suppliers in attendance, this year’s conference themes honed in on ‘belief’ and ‘passion’ with an array of speakers and workshops to inspire, educate and entertain.
3. Flight Centre’s new business fast tracks travel start-ups
Its almost like a weekly requirement over at the Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT), that the company expand its network by either adapting, buying or launching a new business.
Today, the company announced the launch of a completely new business designed to help FLT find and assist selected start-up travel companies take off fast.
The new business comes less than a month after FLT announced a new arrangement with Live Nation, changed the name of My Adventure Store, purchased 49 percent of Ignite Travel Group and tweaked its Aunt Betty product.
4. Malaysia Airlines commits to Adelaide with new Business Class
Malaysia Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to South Australia as competition to and from Adelaide increases with new airlines entering the market.
This month, the airline upgraded its Business Class product on flights to Adelaide, giving passengers access to latest inflight technology and comfort.
Speaking at a VIP launch event with Travel Agents, Malaysia Airlines’ Sales Manager VIC/TAS/SA/NT, Felicity Allan, said the new product emphasises the importance of Adelaide to the airline’s network.
5. Cruise lines agree, this is attracting new cruisers
They have the power to sell out stadiums, influence fashion, educate the next generation and now, they’re attracting new cruisers.
Who are these mighty beings we speak of?
Why celebrities of course.
6. Agents reap the benefits of Vanuatu’s online training incentive
Study, hard work and a little bit of creativity has paid off for a group of 16 Australian travel agents who each won a place on a week-long famil to Vanuatu after successfully completing Vanuatu Tourism Office’s (VTO) online training incentive programme.
To be eligible for a place on the famil, agents had to complete five modules of the online training and achieve ‘Vanuatu Specialist’ status. Next they submitted 25 words or less on how they would ‘Discover What Matters’ in Vanuatu and winners were selected based on the most creative responses.
The group, which flew with Air Vanuatu, visited Port Vila on the main island of Efate conducting site inspections and gaining first-hand experience of Vanuatu’s capital, after splitting in half to explore both Tanna and Espiritu Santo. Eight agents ventured to Tanna; visiting the awe-inspiring, active volcano, Mount Yasur and traditional cultural village, and eight travelled to Espiritu Santo; visiting the sparkling Champagne Beach and deep blue waters of Nanda Blue Hole. Both groups had the chance to visit key properties, further developing their product knowledge of Vanuatu.
Click here for more pictures from the famil.
7. TIME announces a new sponsor
Penny Spencer Chair of TIME has announced Magellan Travel Group as its newest Silver Sponsor.
Magellan joins a lineup of impressive sponsors and supporters, including Gold Sponsors – KarryOn, Amadeus, Excite Holidays and Virgin Australia; Silver Sponsors – Avis Australia and Spencer Travel; as well as Gold and Silver Partnerships with The LIDO Group, Pan Pacific Hotel Group, ATMC and HSMAI.
The Board of TIME are very grateful to the Magellan Travel Group for their vision in supporting the Program to be able to build a platform to help develop and grow the Leaders of the Future.
8. ANA & Sabre co-host agency seminar
All Nippon Airways (ANA) recently co-hosted a joint agency seminar with Sabre, to what shaped up to be a very informative and exciting day.
A group of 45 agents were hosted to a lunch seminar at Rydges Sydney Airport where attendees were shown a Sabre product presentation and an ANA product presentation, followed by an aircraft inspection to view the ANA B787-900 Dreamliner.
9. Agents Sno’n’Ski in New Zealand
Sno’n’Ski took nine lucky Travel Agents across the ditch for a four-day packed adventure of ski runs, breathtaking scenery and Kiwi hospitality in Methven & ski Mt Hutt.
The trip described as “an absolute blast” included a stop at Rakaia Gorge where the group jumped on the Discovery Jet and were whipped along the braided river beneath the dramatic scenery of the Southern Alps. There were delicious, locally sourced meals and NZ wine as well as VIP door-to-door experiences.
The finals days were spent between the slopes, where weary muscles were rested at the mid way bar in exchange for a beer (or two) and in town at the Heritage centre where Canterbury’s rich history was on display and had everyone entertained with interactive exhibits. At night there was no shortage of great dining options, and local bars, before heading back to Southern X Lodge to rest tired muscles and full bellies.
10. Travel Counsellors explore The Philippines & triumph at Trivia
It has been a busy month for Travel Counsellors, with a group of Agents having the time of their life in The Philippines, while others triumphed at a night of Trivia with Etihad Airways.
It all started earlier in the month when MW Tours took a group of the group’s members from all over Australia on a sunshine-filled famil to The Philippines. Agents took in popular sights in Manila, Cebu and Boracay during the seven0day trip while enjoying the nation’s culture and cuisine.
As the travelling Agents returned, another group made their way to Platform 28 in Melbourne’s Docklands where they competed and won a bottle of champagne at an Etihad Trivia Night.
Click here for more pictures from the famil.
