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The Daily Travel Agent Bites: Fri 4 Nov

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.

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. itravel expands its network through affiliate program

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itravel is expanding its network through a new affiliate program itravel link, giving stores and mobile agents the ability to trade under their own brand while utilising itravel’s buying power.

Link is a simple, low-cost, unbranded partner program, which allows independent travel agents to utilise itravels’ preferred land and air commissions, and be rewarded for their sales through override payments.

“Link is about a partnership to help you grow your business,” itravel Director, Steve Labroski, said.

For more information contact Steve on (02) 9280 0008 or steve@itravel-au.com.

 

2. Qantas’ new Business Class PJs

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Qantas has redesigned the iconic Business class pyjamas, available on flights progressively from 7 November, for customers travelling on international flights, following the update of the airline’s flying kangaroo logo.

A few week’s ago KarryOn reported on Qantas’ new First Class pyjamas designed by Martin Grant and today the airline has revealed its new Business Class unisex sleepwear.

The cotton rich long-sleeved pyjamas have been redesigned by Qantas to feature a new raglan-style top with a seam from the underarm to the collar bone and draw-string pant in a more relaxed fit.

Read on

 

3. Parents are tagging along to schoolies with their kids

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Teen 1: “Hey Becky, can you chill with the butt shaking? My parents are like literally right over and they’re watching.” Teen 2: “Ummm, what are your parents doing at schoolies?”

Mighty good question there Teen 2, what are parents doing at schoolies?

I mean, it’s one thing to go on holidays with your dad when it’s just the two of you and he’s willing to pay… but schoolies? It’s so something Regina’s mum would do.

Read on

 

4. Freestyle’s Simon Clancy to run on the runway with a red wig

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When Sydney Airport opens its runway to the public for the first time this Saturday, the travel industry’s Simon Clancy will be there to mark the road.

Freestyle Holidays’ Product Manager was one of 100 people chosen to be among the first to jog along Sydney Airport’s runway in this weekend’s charity event.

Starting at 9.00am, the Sydney Airport Runway Run will launch the 2016 Sydney Airport Community Christmas Giving Appeal, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). The charity aims to assist sick children and their families over the holiday period.

Read on

 

5. 90 free cruises up for grabs!

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Fantasea Cruising is celebrating its 90th birthday this year, by giving 90 travel industry partners free Sydney Harbour cruises.

Fantasea’s parent company’s Marine Director, Angus Campbell, said the group is excited to be engaging with the travel industry like never before and would like to thank them by offering free sailings.

“We are therefore pleased to offer our industry partners such flexible ways to share Sydney Harbour with their guests,” he said.

For more information, email info@fantasea.com.au.

 

6. Aussies lured by elegant European voyages with Cunard

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Australians and New Zealanders are flocking to Europe in record numbers to join a Cunard cruise, according to the cruise line.

The luxury line revealed that bookings for its 2017 Europe program are up almost 60 percent on the same time last year.

With Cunard’s £90 million remastering of Queen Mary 2 representing one of the biggest investments in luxury travel, and Queen Victoria undergoing her own refurbishment prior to the European summer, Cunard Senior Vice President Simon Palethorpe said there was an expectation that 2017 would be a bumper year.

Read on

 

7. Hawaiian Airlines resumes services to West Maui

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Hawaiian Airlines is heading back to West Maui, with fares for Honolulu International Airport to Kapalua Airport flights on sale now.

The carrier will fly daily between the two gateways starting 18 January on the 48-seat ATR-42 turboprop. Hawaiian’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Ingram, said the airline is delighted to restart its Kapalua Airport services and make it easier for travellers to fly between O‘ahu and West Maui.

Meanwhile, today the carrier also unveiled its second of three Airbus A330 aircraft (pictured) featuring a decal of the demigod Maui from the forthcoming Walt Disney movie, ‘Moana’.

 

8. Excite sends Agents to Fiji

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Excite Holidays has given away eight spots on the exclusive Fiji famil along with tropical-inspired daily prizes over the past three weeks.

The prizes are part of the travel company’s Fiji giveaway, running in conjunction with Tourism Fiji and Virgin Australia.

To win a spot on the famil, Agents needed to book Fiji through Excite Holidays and flights with Virgin Australia. The winners were announced on Excite Holidays’ Facebook page.

 

9. Helloworld Agents fly British Airways Business to London

Travel Agent helloworld

British Airways and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts recently hosted a famil trip to London and Singapore for top selling Helloworld for Business agents.

The group flew British Airways Club World Business class on BA’s 777-300 to Singapore and the A380 to London, while spending their nights at the Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard London, where they became acquainted with the London Bridge/Southwark area, and were still within walking distance to London’s many famous attractions.

Upon arriving in Singapore, the group was then hosted by Shangri-La Singapore and Hotel Jen Tanglin, also visiting Hotel Jen OrchardGateway with its amazing pool (pictured) and view of Singapore skyline.

 

10. Travel Agents wowed at South African Tourism Roadshow

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Over 1,000 travel agents across Australia and New Zealand were taken on an interactive, educational and entertaining journey through South Africa at the South African Tourism Road Show, sponsored by South African Airways, which travelled to Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and concluded in Auckland last week.

The Road Show, aimed at educating trade on South African products to build confidence in selling the destination, saw attendees set off from province to province across the country with their “Tour Guide” for the evening – South African Comedienne Tumi Morake.

Agents were able to get a taste not only of the country’s finest cuisine and wine, but also of the nation’s diversity, value for money and warm and welcoming locals whilst also being connected with 15 South African operators and 11 Australian and New Zealand wholesalers to gain further invaluable insight and product knowledge.

Click here for more pictures.

 

This week’s competitions

WIN a year’s supply of Panda Cookies from Wendy Wu Tours

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#Thenewwu is here and Wendy Wu is giving you the chance to WIN a year’s supply of Panda cookies! Say what? That’s 365 packets of delicious panda cookie goodness…

Read on

 

Get lost in L.A. and WIN

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Thanks to L.A. Tourism and American Airlines, a holiday to Los Angeles valued at over $5,000 is up for grabs!

Read on

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news?