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. India’s Tourism Minister retracts ‘no skirts’ comment
Image: Natalia Deriabina / Shutterstock.com
India’s Tourism Minister has defended and adjusted his ‘no skirts’ warning for female tourists, saying it was taken out of context and that he’s not trying to dictate what women wear.
Mahesh Sharma was talking to journalists late last week when he said a ‘list of dos and don’ts’ will be handed out to foreign tourists at airports and would include advice such as what females should avoid wearing.
Although he insisted that the comments were made our of concern, he was criticised by several news sources and was even the subject of an open letter from Indian columnist and author, Ira Trivedi, who dubbed his recommendations to women as “degrading”.
2. Virgin Australia economy passengers fly with a little extra legroom
Can’t afford Business? Premium all sold out? Really don’t want to fly in regular ol’ Economy because you want a little extra legroom?
Virgin Australia feels your pains, which is why the airline has introduced new Economy Space+ where passengers receive 25 percent more legroom than those in the main Economy cabin.
Gotta love that.
3. MICE industry mingles with Chefs, hoteliers & footy at ‘Meet Hawai’i’
Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) wrapped up the second annual Meet Hawai‘i Roadshow in Melbourne last night, where key Hawai‘i industry partners met with local MICE industry professionals.
Literally kicking off at the University of Hawaii v University of California Berkeley college football season opener at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, exhibitors and clients enjoyed a VIP event before getting down to the serious business early this week.
Kerri Anderson, Country Manager for Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania said this year the event, held in both Sydney and Melbourne, offered a mix of networking and learning opportunities.
4. Wholesalers ‘discovered Vanuatu’ at Tok Tok 2016
Tok Tok has wrapped up for another year, with attendees meeting with Vanuatu’s leaders, suppliers and over 40 accommodation providers.
Speaking at the opening event the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu and Minister of Trade, Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Joe Natuman reiterated the importance of tourism to the island nation.
Mr Natuman highlighted a number of significant projects currently underway which are geared towards growing Vanuatu’s tourism industry including the beautification of Port Vila’s harbour waterfront, an upgrade to Port Vila’s roads and a new wharf being built in Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo. All projects are expected to be completed next year.
5. Adventure World launches its largest Africa collection in 35 years
2017/18 will be the year of Africa for Adventure World, which this week unveiled its largest collection for the continent in over 35 years.
The program features 120 pages of unique programs and suggested itineraries, including Adventure World’s classic ‘tried and tested’ best-selling itineraries coupled with a comprehensive collection of lesser known boutique game lodges and safari experiences.
New for next year is the ‘Pioneer Safari’ in Kenya, suited for clients looking to combine two exceptional safari experiences – the incredible Masai Mara teeming with wildlife, and the remote Lewa Wildlife Conservancy renowned for its phenomenal game viewing including both black and white rhino.
Also new for 2017 is the ‘Untouched Selous & Ruaha’ reserve program, which will take guests into two of Africa’s largest faunal reserves located in the south of Tanzania.
6. AFTA teams up with Google for Agent webinar
Travel agents can access a specifically tailored webinar, brought to consultants by AFTA and Google, to uncover and better understand how to leverage business online strategy using Google tools and resources.
The first webinar will be on ‘Winning Micro Moments’ on 7 September from 11.30am. It will run for 30 minutes and offer a snapshot on how consumer behaviour has changed.
The webinars will be strictly limited in capacity however each session will be recorded and available to view the day following.
Click here to register.
7. Contours Travel to host Antarctica workshops in Melbourne
Contours Travel is aiming to give Agents a little extra knowledge on one of the world’s most unique destinations through a one-off workshop with Ocean Expeditions focusing on Antarctica.
Running on 8 September from 6.30pm at the Contours Travel office on Victoria Street, the information evening will cover Antarctica basics – such as where most expeditions start and end – as well as delve into the many sights and sounds featured in the region.
Those interested in attending the workshop will need to email contours@contourstravel.com.au with an expression of interest as soon as possible.
8. Utah showcases active living in Australia & NZ
The Utah Office of Tourism has arrived Down Under to showcase the destination’s active lifestyle to key trade partners and media through a series of hosted events as well as a consumer activation initiative Climb Your Way to Utah, which will see a nine metre high climbing wall constructed at Druitt Landing in the Darling Harbour precinct.
The group visited key trade and media in Auckland on 29 August and will tonight visit key partners in Melbourne and Sydney on 1 September. The consumer activation event Climb Your Way to Utah will take place Friday, 2 September and Saturday, 3 September between 11.00am and 5.00pm at Druitt Landing in the Darling Harbour precinct.
Visitors interested to try their hand on the climbing wall and share their experiences on social media will have a chance to win spot prizes and go in the draw to win a gift card for $8200 from Expedia to book the trip of their choice to Utah.
9. DOUBLE COMMISSION on Rezdy opera bookings
Rezdy has entered a new partnership with Opera Australia that allows Agents to buy tickets to all shows next year, while receiving double commission on any 2017 show booked during September.
Among the shows scheduled for 2017 include La Boheme, Carmen on Sydney Harbour and Two Weddings, One Bride.
Rezdy CEO, Simon Lenoir, said seeing the opera in Australia is a “cultural highlight” for both locals and international visitors and “we’re thrilled to be able to provide the opportunity for agents to offer this experience to their clients via the Rezdy Marketplace”.
10. Sydney Airport celebrates three years of Air India services
Sydney Airport celebrated the third anniversary of Air India’s inaugural direct service from Delhi to Sydney this week, which has significantly boosted tourism and trade between the two destinations.
The occasion was celebrated with a social media competition offering two return Air India tickets to Delhi, as well as balloons and cupcakes at the airline’s check-in counter.
As Australia’s tourism, business and economic centre with the highest number of residents with Indian ancestry, Sydney is an ideal destination for Air India and demand for the service remains strong, according to the gateway.
