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. Leaders of the Aussie travel industry talk Trump and tourism
Yesterday, Donald Trump, the president-elect, met with Barack Obama at the White House, and the world continued to run without any significant hiccups, bar a handful of protests in a few US cities.
And back down under, leaders in the Australian Travel Industry aren’t really expecting that much to change at all in the aftermath of Trump’s win – at least when it comes to the USA remaining an attractive holiday destination for Australian travellers.
2. Flight Centre plays Trumpcard to continue Aussie love affair with USA
Fresh off the back of Trump’s surprise Presidential election win, Flight Centre has today launched a new bonus package for Aussie travellers dubbed ‘The Travel Trump Card’.
Let’s face it. The outcome of the United States presidential election is unlikely to end the Aussie love affair with US holidays.
Tom Walley, General Manager of the Flight Centre Travel Group’s Australia leisure travel businesses, today predicted that the US would maintain its appeal as a holiday destination.
3. Melbourne girl murdered whilst volunteering in Africa
A 20-year-old Melbourne woman, Elly Warren, has been raped and murdered in Mozambique whilst travelling and volunteering as a swimming teacher to African children.
Elly had been backpacking in Mozambique in southern Africa on a gap year for three months before the fatal night when she was snatched on her way back to her beachfront backpacker accommodation by an unknown assailant.
She was allegedly raped, killed, and then dumped in a toilet block.
4. Uniworld launch Our Best Offer Ever promo
There’s now another reason to cruise with Uniworld, thanks to the launch of its Our Best Offer Ever, an exceptional new promotion for new and returning guests on select 2017 itineraries and departures in Europe and Russia. Members of the River Heritage Club, Uniworld’s loyalty program, will receive double their regular cruise benefit.
“2017 is set to be an exciting year for Uniworld with the launch of new itineraries, a new themed cruise and a beautiful new Super Ship. With so much to look forward to we were inspired to share the celebration with our guests and treat them to even greater value on many of our most popular itineraries, especially our loyal River Heritage Club members .”
Fiona Dalton, Managing Director, Uniworld Australia.
Uniworld guests automatically become esteemed members of the River Heritage Club upon completing their first voyage, eligible for a number of member-only savings and on-board benefits—including this unprecedented Our Best Offer Ever promotion.
5. Swissôtel Sydney Introduces ‘Lunch with Benefits’
A new concept designed for professionals who are big on hunger but short on time, Swissôtel Sydney’s ‘Lunch with Benefits’ is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a quick power lunch with work colleagues and associates that is sure to impress all.
Set within the luxury five-star hotel Swissôtel Sydney, in the heart of the city’s business and cultural centre, and offered on weekdays from 12-3pm, the new ‘Lunch with Benefits’ at Swissôtel Sydney is a healthy lunch concept served in less than 45 minutes for the modern businessperson who wants to combine healthy eating with making a great impression in a suitably chic and professional atmosphere.
Lunch with Benefits’ features a choice of three healthy and tempting dishes that change each week. The dishes use only the finest sustainable and seasonal produce sourced by the hotel’s Executive Chef Joshua Askew.
6. Dubai partners with Sunrise Weather team for a visit
In an increasing effort to attract more Aussies over to the UAE, Dubai Tourism has launched a family campaign in partnership with Channel 7 breakfast show, Sunrise.
The new campaign will see Sam Mac and the Sunrise Weather team visit Dubai to take part in all the fun of the newly opened IMG Worlds of Adventure, Legoland and Bollywood theme parks.
In addition to the broadcast partnership, four families will have the chance to win a trip to Dubai worth over $20,000 to join the Sunrise team in experiencing all the fun and adventure the city has to offer, such as the Aquaventure water park, Desert Safari Activity, Ski Dubai and At the Top, Burj Khalifa.
The competition is open until Friday 18 November 2016, and full details can be found here.
7. Sydney’s cherished “sandstones” to be transformed
An application has been lodged by Pontiac Land Group for the $300m transformation of Sydney’s cherished “Sandstones”, the Lands and Education buildings, into one of the finest luxury hotels in the world
The adaptation of the two buildings, which occupy two city blocks in the Sandstone Precinct along Bridge Street, will guarantee their preservation and set a new benchmark for hotels and hospitality in Australia
Pontiac Land Group, a Singapore-based privately-held company whose portfolio includes iconic heritage redevelopments, luxury real estate, art and world class architecture, was awarded the rights to a 103-year lease by the NSW
8. Hong Kong’s NP 360 cable car to get new rope
One of Hong Kong’s major attractions, the Ngong Ping 360 (NP 360) cable car, will be suspending its services for a rope replacement project from early January to early June 2017.
During the suspension period, Ngong Ping Village will remain open and visitors can take public transportation or join NP360’s privileged bus tour to the Village.
Ngong Ping 360 is the ideal springboard to exploring Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest outlying island.
9. German National Tourist Offices kicks off its Roadshow
The GNTO, otherwise known as the German National Tourist Office, has kicked off its annual Roadshow this week, visiting Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney for a series of exciting events to promote Germany to the Australian travel trade and media.
Twelve partners were involved in the Roadshow and the delegation welcomed 85-100 travel agents to ‘Ancient to Modern’ themed events in each city. Guests dressed in medieval costumes and enjoyed nibbles, drinks and theatre style presentations to showcase a taste of ancient and modern German culture.
The major prize on offer at each event was an exciting trip to Germany sponsored by Lufthansa German Airlines.
Australia is an important market for Germany with 757,897 overnight stays in 2015.
10. Singapore shows off its MICE offerings
Nineteen lucky meeting planners from around Australia and New Zealand recently hoped on over to Singapore courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore Airlines, and Destination Asia to discover what Singapore has to offer as a premier MICE destination.
Starting their journey with flying Singapore Airlines Premium Economy from Sydney and Auckland, the group had the chance to experience a range of activities designed to provide them with firsthand knowledge of what their clients could see and do in the Lion City.
The group spent a morning finding their zen at a Tai Chi session against the impressive backdrop of the Super-trees of Gardens by the Bay, cooking up a storm at Cookery Magic’s Pulau Ubin cooking class, and topped it off with the nail-biting adrenaline rush of the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix.
11. Travel Agents test out Japan’s Golden & Traditional routes
Japan is a fun, animated abundance of colours, flavours, styles and traditions. It’s one of the richest lands for tourists to discover and more and more Aussies are keen to take it in.
But which parts should they visit first? What should they save for a second visit? Or a third? Because you know what they say, one trip to Japan is never enough.
With so much to do and see – and so many things truly unique to the destination – Japan National Tourism Organization recently decided to help Agents understand the destination and its offerings a little better by sending them on one of two famils.
This week’s competitions
WIN a trip to Los Angeles
Thanks to L.A. Tourism and American Airlines, a holiday to Los Angeles valued at over $5,000 is up for grabs!
Sell Italy & See Italy
This is your chance to earn a place on a famil to Italy and Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways Alitalia and Trafalgar Travel.