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. NZ All Stars is back – will you be on one of the famils?
The last time Tourism New Zealand hooked up with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia, some 400 Agents were given the opportunity to travel across the ditch.
Now, the mega-incentive NZ All Stars is back and according to organisers, this year there’ll be even more opportunities for consultants to experience New Zealand.
Whether it be through a series of events, training in Australia, incentives or… you know what we’re about to type… famils!
2. New air links between Australia & China, it’s almost like a weekly trend
Image: Hainan Airlines/Facebook
By now you should have learned and memorised the facts – tourists from China are the fastest growing market to Australia. They’re spending A LOT of money when they get here, making them a huge source for the Australian economy.
That’s why the Australian government continues to team up with their counterparts in China to find new ways of attracting the country’s 1.35 billion citizens.
One of the biggest agreements between the two governments was the decision to double gateway capacity before the end of this year. This involved opening up new cities in both destinations.
3. 79-year-old woman dies of natural causes on P&O ship
Sadly, a 79-year-old woman passed away on P&O Cruises’ Pacific Jewel over weekend, while on a family holiday with her daughter and grandson.
The ship was docked in Cairns as part of the 10-day ‘Barrier Reef Discovery’ itinerary, when Margaret Carlson’s passing was reported.
Police called to the vessel told media that early investigations ruled out anything suspicious and said Carlson passed away from natural causes, News.com.au reported.
4. Qantas, Radisson Blu & Captain Cook Cruises turn pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Travel companies such as Qantas, Radisson Blu and Captain Cook Cruises are turning pink this October, to show their support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
From 1 October, Qantas Group employees will FlyPink by swapping their normal gold epaulettes (shoulder stripes) for pink epaulettes.
Last year, only pilots took part in the initiative, but this year they’ll be joined by Qantas and QantasLink cabin crew who will swap their silver wing badges for pink, customer service agents in our airports and lounges will wear pink ribbons and ground crew will wear pink caps.
5. The dates for Luxperience 2017 are…
Image: Oneill Photographics.
Ahead of next week’s Luxperience 2016, the organisers of the luxury experiential travel event have already announced the dates for 2017.
So, save the date for the sixth installment, which will be held from 17 to 20 September next year.
The early announcement will give those who missed out on this year’s Luxperience a chance to secure their spot. It will once again be held in Sydney, with the location to be announced soon.
6. Women in Tourism lunch is back
Do you have a crisis of confidence? Confidence is the topic for the next Women in Tourism lunch where the panel will discuss; what it is, why you need it and how you can get more of it.
The next Women in Tourism lunch on October 28 at the Australian National Maritime Museum will focus on answering questions around confidence.
Based on the results of a *recent survey, this is how women feel in relation to self-confidence in the workplace.
7. Contiki explores the Adriatic
Contiki made a whole heap of changes last week, including the introduction of four new Adriatic trips to its 2017 European program.
The brochure, which is out now, offers young holidaymakers trips on and around the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, visiting Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovinia, Montenegro, Albania and the Greek Islands with four new itineraries; Adriatic Unearthed start Split, Adriatic Unearthed start Rome, Adriatic Horizons and the Adriatic Spir.
The four new Adriatic adventures follow Contiki’s ‘In-Depth Explorer’ pace, which means less time travelling, more time exploring amazing destinations and more local cuisine and delicious included dinners at hand-picked local restaurants. Included optional experiences are central to the new itineraries, with the trips visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Bay of Kotor and Plitvice Lakes, Vatican City, Venice, Florence and Pompeii. Some of the amazing optional activities available include a guided tour of Vatican City, a Gondola ride in Venice, a private boat trip on the Amalfi Coast and an authentic Ionian dinner experience in Corfu.
8. Change of date for INDABA 2017
There’s been a slight change to the schedule for INDABA 2017, with the annual gathering now being held from 16 to 18 May next year.
The change comes after a large-scale global event was announced at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on the same week that South African Tourism had previously announced for INDABA 2017.
Whilst plans are still underway, a few more changes to the show will be announced in due course. These will include communication on an enhanced hosted buyer programmes, and an event calendar tailored to allow time for exhibitors and buyers to do business and optimise networking opportunities.
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