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. Flight Centre mourns one of their own
Flight Centre is holding a Charity Auction tonight at Brisbane’s Story Bridge Hotel to raise funds for the family of Geeta Pandya, who passed away on 1 August after suffering a brain aneurysm a month prior.
Geeta was a beloved member of the Flight Centre Mount Ommaney store for over 10 years, known as a successful consultant whose smile was a welcoming beacon for every client and BDM who would walk in to the store.
Whilst she was best known for amazing saris she’d proudly wear at formal functions as well as her amazing Indian recipes, her greatest legacies are in her two beautiful children in Anand and Maansi, who wrote.
2. The Burnes effect: Helloworld is in a ‘solid position’
A merger, sporting agreements, staff changes and a new boss – a year of changes over at helloworld has delivered positive financial results and left the company in a “solid position”.
In the words of CEO Andrew Burnes, “it’s a good news story” for everyone at the evolving company with the business making a 1.7 million profit after tax for FY16, up 100.8 percent on the $201.1 million loss during FY15.
While it’s still a stretch from Flight Centre’s $246.7 million underlying net profit after tax, helloworld CEO Andrew Burnes said the result puts the group in a “solid position” with a “strong opportunity for growth”.
3. Air New Zealand treats staff to a share of record profits
Air New Zealand joins Qantas in the ‘best employer ever’ books this week, after confirming it is giving its staff a round of bonuses for their roles in delivering record results.
The Kiwi carrier today revealed record earnings, record net profit before tax, record net profit after tax and record customer satisfaction in its latest financial reports.
For the year ending June 2016, Air New Zealand saw its earnings rise by 70 percent to sit around $806 million, up from $474 million in the prior year. This contributed to the 40 percent jump in net profit before tax to $663 million and 42 percent jump in net profit after tax to $463 million.
4. Air China opens western China to Australia
Air China is the latest airline to contribute to Australia and China’s agreement to double gateway capacity between the two destinations before the end of the year.
This means opening up second and third tier gateways in the Middle Kingdom to Australia.
Late last year, Xiamen Airlines gave Aussies access to the country’s southeast coast with direct Xiamen-Sydney flights, while China Southern opened up Shenzhen to Sydney and mainland China to Adelaide.
5. Scenic launches SUB Hub for Travel Agents
Scenic has launched an online portal providing a range of tools to assist its travel agent partners in Australia and New Zealand to sell its luxury cruises and journeys.
Scenic HUB – Travel Agent Resource Centre, has been designed to increase speed to market of information allowing agents to access information and marketing materials immediately, and drive the use of online resources such as Express Book.
It’s a secure site that can be accessed at any time of the day and features information such as Scenic USPs; high level information on current Earlybird and Scenic Savings offers plus any additional special offers that are currently in market.
It also has a product information section with a library of documents relating to each destination; a marketing tools section with a library of resources agents can download to promote Scenic cruises and tours to their clients such as press releases, social media tools and radio scripts.
Click here to check it out.
6. Azamara CEO to host exclusive webinar for Agents
Learn about Azamara Cruises and what sets it apart from competitors from the man in charge, President and CEO, Larry Pimentel.
The cruise line’s boss will host an thirty minute ‘Insider Access’ webinar for Agents on 30 August at 8:30am AEST. It is aimed at agents who are looking to equip themselves with the knowledge to start selling Azamara Club Cruises, and will cover the basics of the brand and its unique points of difference.
A recording of the webinar will also be available to agents should they miss the live morning session. Click here to register.
7. Travelmarvel Cruises through three episodes of ‘Places We Go’
Travelmarvel is showcasing its European river cruises on popular Channel Ten travel television show, ‘Places We Go’ over the next few weeks, demonstrating to viewers the stylish ships, fantastic sightseeing and comprehensive inclusions on offer.
Travel Agents are urged to encourage clients to tune in to find out more about what it’s like to cruise aboard Travelmarvel’s popular European Gems departures. The segments feature across three episodes which will be broadcast on Saturdays at 4.30pm on 27 August, 3 September and 10 September.
Host Clint Bizzell spent a week filming aboard the Travelmarvel Diamond, sailing from Amsterdam to Nuremberg. Highlights of his journey feature on the show including an exploration of Amsterdam, the stunning scenery of the Rhine Gorge and watching the team as they sample the historic smoked beer of Bamberg.
8. Free massages & Muay Thai lessons in Martin Place
Travel Agents and consumers can get a dose of Thailand’s many wonders without leaving the country.
Thailand’s local tourism representatives are hosting a ‘G’Day Thailand’ event in Martin Place, Sydney where locals will have the chance to experience delicious Thai food, join cooking classes, receive a free massage and learn a few Muay Thai moves.
Running on 5-6 September, the event is free and also comes with the chance to win a return ticket to Thailand.
9. Are you G Adventures first Responsible Travel Ambassador?
A nation-wide quest is currently underway for a Responsible Travel Ambassador, and G Adventures and KarryOn are coordinating their search efforts as we speak.
The winner will not only win full bragging rights at the appointment of such a title, but they’ll also score an epic G Adventure 10 day Nepal Adventures Tour – plus flights – where they’ll experience the colourful chaos of Kathmandu, the serenity of the Himalayan walking trails, and a 4×4 expedition in search of tigers.
10. WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi famil
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.
P.S. Pink Party for Life Saving Foundation
Captain Cook Cruises is turning Sydney Harbour pink for a special three-hour High Tea at Sea on Wednesday 12th October in support of the McGrath Foundation.
Donating 50% of the ‘Turn Sydney Harbour Pink, High Tea at Sea’ fare plus all donations on the day from raffles and silent auctions, Captain Cook Cruises hopes to raise much needed funds to help the McGrath Foundation place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia and increase breast awareness in young people.
The Turn Sydney Harbour Pink, High Tea at Sea departs from Circular Quay Wharf 6 at 12.30pm, returning at 3.45pm. The menu features a variety of savoury and sweet treats and includes an extensive tea menu with 15 different teas to choose from, a glass of delectable pink bubbles on arrival and wine throughout.
P.P.S. Travel Counsellors escape the winter in Fiji
Travel Counsellors Australia were lucky enough to escape the Aussie winter recently for a warm, exclusive famil in Fiji.
Luxury resort accommodation, a river safari and a relaxing three-night cruise around the Yasawa Islands were included in the eight-day tour.
Attendees, David Jackson of Victoria said the trip gave him a renewed appreciation of Fiji and said he’d “definitely be recommending Fiji to my clients in the future”.
Click here for more pictures.
P.P.P.S. DriveAway changes credit card surcharges
In line with new regulations coming into effect on 1 September, DriveAway Holidays will reduce credit and debit card surcharges from two percent to 1.2 percent for all MasterCard and Visa transactions.
Surcharges on American Express transactions will increase from two percent to 2.9 percent on the same day.
More information is available from DriveAway Holidays on 1300 363 500.