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. Contiki tackles Aussie Olympian’s trash talk with kindness
Contiki has had to come out and defend itself for a second time this year after another public figure likened the tour operator to a messy situation.
In an interview with SMH, Rugby Sevens Captain, Ed Jenkins, told the Sydney Morning Herald that his first tournaments were “like a Contiki tour”, in that the team would travel to one destination, “change from tournament to tournament”, run through moves, play rugby on weekends and then hop on a plane to repeat in another stop.
Sounds a little rushed and messy.
2. Delays expected as Delta recovers from power outage
Delta Air Lines passengers are being told to expect delays after a system outage forced the airline to ground services for up to six hours yesterday.
The carrier’s global systems were affected by the issue, which disabled airport check-in, passenger advisory screens, the airline’s website and smartphone apps.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled and delayed and thousands of holidaymakers affected as technicians worked to bring operations back online.
3. The Solomon Islands is literally changing the law for tourism
Solomon Islands’ tourism leaders are so determined for the island nation to become the next ‘hot spot’ of the South Pacific, that they’ve even changed the law to make it happen.
The Minister for Culture and Tourism the Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo told media in Sydney that the destination is working on a new legal framework that will support tourism initiatives and attract new investors.
The new national policy will be designed to “facilitate tourism investment, marketing, promotion and encourage the whole of government to support tourism infrastructure and and transport sector”.
4. Byron Bay Tourism Symposium ready for industry heavyweights
Destination Byron is ready to welcome delegates for the 3rd annual Tourism Symposium on Friday 12 August 2016 – all of whom will be eager to hear from the impressive lineup of industry thought leaders and influencers.
Not that anyone needs an excuse for a trip to Byron – But if you do, this is a fantastic last minute one.
This years event is being held at the newly opened deluxe beachfront resort Elements of Byron with the Symposium open to any individual or business interested in a greater involvement in the Byron region’s thriving tourism sector.
5. Travelmarvel announces dates from information sessions
Travelmarvel has announced a series of consumer ‘Information Sessions’ across four states, all of which are designed to bring its portfolio of premium holidays to life for prospective clients while also generating increased sales for travel agents.
The events are free of charge to attend and locations and dates are as follows:
Thursday 1 September 2016 at The Boulevard Centre Floreat
Tuesday 6 September 2016 at the Novotel Glen Waverley
Thursday 8 September at the Parkroyal, Parramatta
Tuesday 20 September 2016 at the Novotel Brisbane
The Information Sessions provide exclusive discounts and offers for attendees who book with their travel agent during or immediately after the event; they transfer client bookings made on the day back the travel agent; and clients are given the option of taking their Information Session discount voucher in store to book with their preferred travel agency. In addition, Travelmarvel also refers clients who may not have a travel agent to a preferred agency in their area.
Click here for more information and to register.
6. Travellers Choice frontline Agents entertain Queensland conference
When Marita Behrendorff turned up at Travellers Choice’s recent ‘Frontliners’ gathering in Brisbane she was looking forward to refreshing her product knowledge and connecting with key suppliers. Instead the Maryborough agent found herself playing The Entertainer as she revived her latent musical skills.
Behrendorff, owner of Aspire Travel & Cruise, was attending the annual conference along with 70 Travellers Choice consultants and 40 of the national retail group’s preferred suppliers.
One of the highlights of this year’s event, held once again at Brisbane’s View Hotel, was provided by AAT Kings, which converted one of its sleek coaches into a clever mobile piano bar, and invited agents to tinkle the ivories.
Agents attending this year’s event had the chance to win a range of prizes from suppliers, and Travellers Choice itself offered a door prize of a $200 gift voucher, which Managing Director Christian Hunter presented to Beth Paton from Discover Travel & Cruise Stafford and The Gap.
7. Travel Oregon brings the booze & laughs to Australia
If there’s one thing Aussies and Kiwis can relate to its beer, so when Travel Oregon announced the focus of their trade mission for 2016 was to bring craft beer producers Downunder, travel agent attendance interest spiked.
Bridgeport Brewing and Hopworks, two breweries and their Brewmasters from Portland, Oregon will join Travel Oregon, Travel Portland, Jupiter Hotel, Mt. Hood Territory, Tualatin Valley, the Oregon Coast, Brewvana and Ninkasi on an August trade mission that will showcase Oregon beer and food pairings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. The mission is a way for these Oregon partners to say “cheers” to the agents for all the business.
Participating in the trade mission is the Chair of the Board for US Travel and current CEO of Travel Oregon, Todd Davidson.
8. 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.
