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The Daily Travel Agent Bite: Tues 7 Mar

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.

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. Trump’s travel ban is back, but it’s different

Donald Trump

President Trump surprised a nation, nay, the world when he signed off and immediately implemented a travel ban in January this year, which caused mass confusion among travellers, refugees and migrants from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The imposed order applied to anyone from Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Libya and Sudan, even if they’d been living in the US and just happened to be out of the country when the new executive order was signed.

Americans protested the decision, world tourism leaders urged the President to reconsider and eventually a US District Court Judge managed to block it.

Read on

 

2. “Guests were not placed in danger”: Dreamworld Australia

Image: Dreamworld Australia/Facebook

Image: Dreamworld Australia/Facebook

Dreamworld has assured travellers, future patrons and media that there was no danger yesterday when a ride’s auto-stop feature was engaged with eight guests on board.

The park, which is still recovering from last year’s Thunder River Rapids incident during which four people were killed, went into PR-mode early yesterday when reports of eight passengers stuck near the top of the Buzz Saw ride started to leak.

The Gold Coast theme park stressed in a Facebook update that there was no problem with the ride and that the engagement of the auto-stop sensor “is a regular and essential part of operations”.

Read on

 

3. Selling East Africa just got easier for Travel Agents

BIFNP Silverback Gaze - Photo - Lets Go Safari

It is hard to feel confident selling Africa if you have not been and experienced it yourself.

That is where Travel Agents will rely on the expertise of Tourism Boards, wholesalers, dedicated Travel Agent portals for destinations and valuable trade shows and expos.

At the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) in Uganda recently, the East African Tourism Platform (EATP) launched its new East Africa Portal, designed to make selling the destination easier.

Read on

 

4. Limited space remains for Scenic’s 2018 Russia & Portugal cruises

Scenic

Due to unprecedented demand, pre-release rates on most departures for Scenic’s 2018 Russia and Portugal cruises have sold out.

Travellers are being encouraged to book now to secure low rates and their preferred suites and departure dates.

Among the itineraries is the 15-day Imperial Russia cruise starting in Moscow and ending in Stalingrad. Plus there’s the popular 11-day Unforgettable Douro cruise showcasing Portugal’s scenery, culture and history.

 

5. Swiss Travel System launches new platform

csm_Startseite_Glacier_Express_2_1c10aa6b76

Switzerland Tourism advises that Swiss Travel System AG has launched a new website, specially designed for Agents, trade and media partners to refer to when familiarising themselves with the services of the Swiss transportation provider.

Visitors to the site will be able to obtain useful information including the Swiss Travel System Sales Manual and factsheets regarding product range, prices and various services.

Images, videos, maps and logos are also available for download and distribution as well. The News Centre on the homepage will provide updated information on the public transportation network.

Click here to check it out.

 

6.  Oman’s Secret is out tonight on the ‘Travel Guides’

Oman

With its stunning land-and-seascapes, rich cultural heritage, its reputation for stability and openness, stunning resorts and hotels and vast range of activities, Oman is undoubtedly Arabia’s best-kept secret.

Tonight on Channel 9’s ‘Travel Guide’ program, ordinary Australians are sent to review and experience the Sultanate of Oman and give their frank personal assessment of accommodation, meals and activities.

Mona Tannous, Country Manager for Sultanate of Oman Tourism in Australia and New Zealand said: “This is invaluable exposure for a destination like Oman. We sent these families and couples–some with little exposure to foreign cultures- with the hope of helping dispel negative perceptions of the region by showing it is an accessible, safe and friendly destination with spectacular natural beauty, history and culture.”

Tonight’s show sees guests experiencing water activities at the beautiful beach setting at Shangri La’s Al Jissah Resort and Spa in Muscat, a visit to the sculptured desert sands staying at the Desert Palm Resort and a trip to Muttrah Souq – one of the oldest in the region to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Oman.

Travel Guides screens on the Nine Network tonight at 9.00pm.

 

6. Aeromexico adds new routes to the US

AeroMexico

Aeromexico has announced it will fly two new routes in the United States including daily flights on the Mexico City to Detroit route starting 1 April and the Monterrey-Detroit route starting 1 May.

Also, starting July 1st, the carrier will offer six direct flights per week between Guadalajara and San Jose, which will become the sixth destination Aeromexico serves in the State of California.

These new routes will be operated using Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft except for the Monterrey-Detroit route, which will be operated with Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft.

 

7. The Hilton Sydney has been described in one way you’d never expect

Hilton Sydney

Some say it’s beautiful, others appreciate its cleanliness. Some love how fancy and spacious it is and then there are those that say it’s friendly, conveniently located and hospitable.

But it’s not everyday you hear a 5-star property like The Hilton Sydney described as a “general assembly of the United Nations”.

Allow me to give you some context.

Read on

 

8. Germany clocks up over 80 million international overnight stays

Germany

Oh Germany how you capture our hearts! 2016 saw a steady increase in Aussies staying overnight in the European country, to some 756,700.

The figure was just a small contribution to the total 80 million overnight stays by overnight visitors for Germany last year, a record result.

Iris Gleicke, German Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, explained: “We have achieved record highs for incoming tourism for the seventh year in a row, which reflects the strength of our tourism industry. Two of the basic prerequisites for this achievement are tolerance and cosmopolitanism, being open to the world. We will not allow xenophobic loudmouths to ruin our country’s good reputation!”

 

9. Helloworld for Business with Carlton IN Business

helloworld

Helloworld for Business, as the naming rights partner for the Carlton IN Business networking program were invited to conduct their recent Victorian Agent Forum in the setting of the Dick Pratt President’s board room at the Carlton Football Club.

Attendees were also treated to an intimate discussion with Carlton Football Club CEO, Steven Trigg, along with an exclusive tour of the club’s facilities.

“What a great opportunity to have our quarterly Agent Forum in such illustrious surrounds. Our Agent Forums are networking sessions that give us a chance to touch base with the HWFB network and focus on what challenges and opportunities are in the market and what trends are on the horizon. Getting to team that with a tour of an AFL club is just a bonus.”  Kate Cameron, National Manager, Helloworld for Business.

 

10. Agents have an Excite-ing time in Fiji

feature

In collaboration with Tourism Fiji and Virgin Australia, Excite Holidays was thrilled to treat a group of its agents to a culturally rich and authentic experience in Fiji earlier this month.

Jetting into Nadi, the group were transferred to the beachfront Radisson Blu Fiji Resort on Denarau Island by Tourism Transport Fiji, before enjoying a relaxing dinner and a good night’s sleep ready for the week’s activities.

Over the next few days, the group enjoyed scenic tours of the rugged coastline and stunning waters. Chauffeured to and from their lavish accommodation, the group stayed at the 5-star Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on the Coral Coast, the popular DoubleTree by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island, as well as the Mamanuca Group’s Sheraton Resort & Spa on Tokoriki Island, Mana Island Resort, and Castaway Island Resort, all of which boast the perfect mix of traditional and modern luxuries.

Click here for more images.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news?