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 NZ opens doors for Pumpkin Patch employees
When one door shuts, another opens and on the other side of that door is Flight Centre New Zealand waiting to give a few Pumpkin Patch employees a new career opportunity.
Earlier this month, the kids clothing line went into voluntary receivership after finding the apparel market to be “highly competitive and challenging”.
Struggling to find a buyer, the company is now being forced to close all stores, leaving some 145 people out of work.
2. Cuba’s tourism revolution well underway as Fidel Castro dies
On Friday, the world said goodbye to one of its most controversial leaders – Cuba’s former President Fidel Castro. Love him or hate him, El Jefe’s impact on the country’s tourism industry is undeniable.
The revolution of 1959 which saw Castro take power, saw the country’s tourism industry decimated as the US, the country’s largest inbound market, implemented its trade embargo. But gradually, Cuba resurged as a popular tourism destination for those in other parts of the world such as Europe, Canada and even far-off Australia.
When he came to power, Castro hoped tourism would fuel an economic recovery.
3. The winners of the 2016 NSW Tourism Awards are…
The best of the best in tourism from around New South Wales were recognised for their hard work and contribution to travel at the 2016 NSW Tourism Awards.
Held at the Luna Park Sydney in Milson’s Point last week, a little over 80 attractions, event organisers, venues, accommodation and operators were honoured at the event.
This year, Cameron Arnold was congratulated for his ‘Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to NSW’, while the ‘people’ voted for Australian Reptile Park in the Gold Coast for the ‘People’s Choice Award’.
4. Hotels affected by water rationing in Bolivia
Travellers have been advised that hotels, lodgings and restaurants in Bolivia have been affected by a water rationing put in place in response to severe water shortages.
According to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) update, many areas across the country, including La Paz and other major cities, are experiencing low water levels, which as resulted in a national state of emergency and large protests.
Holidaymakers are being encouraged to boil and filter their water before drinking.
5. Air New Zealand caters to Adele fans
Hello, we think it’s Air New Zealand you’re looking for…
The airline has announced it is adding more than 80 extra flights to and from Auckland to transport Adele fans from throughout the country to see the global superstar perform her first New Zealand tour.
The airline will operate extra services between Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown in the days leading up and following the singer’s sold-out shows in March 2016. Additionally, catering to demand, the carrier will use one of its 312 seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft normally dedicated to international routes on some Christchurch-Auckland services, with the rest operated by the A320 fleet.
Extra flights are on sale now.
6. Where we’ll be travelling to in 2017
Australian’s are heading to Cuba and Iceland, looking for adventure in Antarctica and South Africa and honeymooning in the Maldives.
Revealed in the 2017 Virtuoso Luxe Report Australia, these are the luxury trends being seen by the network’s Australian based advisors for the coming year.
The annual report, which for the first time included a breakdown from the Australian market, is the leading trend predictor for luxury and experiential travel globally.
7. Lost iPads & cameras helped raise $200,000 for charity
Our 2016 Lost Property Charity Auction is underway!
First up… 📷 🎧 🎮 🔌
Let the bidding commence: https://t.co/T9EMpsOwTp pic.twitter.com/2bhShtEnVJ
— Sydney Airport ✈️ (@SydneyAirport) October 10, 2016
Sydney Airport’s 2016 Lost Property Auction has raised over $200,000 for charity, with the funds to be distributed to Conservation Volunteers Australia, The Clontarf Foundation, The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation and Lifeline Australia.
Chief Executive, Kerrie Mather, said the gateway is thrilled to have raised so much for “four worthy charities focusing on the environment, health, education and families in need”.
The Lost Property Auction ran online last month, with around 5000 unclaimed items sold across categories including electronics, cosmetics, jewellery, clothing and accessories. The auction also featured unique items such as a remote control helicopter, drill, violin, microwave, telescope and mountain bike.
A collection of five assorted men’s watches was the most expensive item, with a closing bid of $2350.
8. It’s a WIN for Wendy Wu Tours
Wendy Wu Tours has won the Feefo Award for Excellence in Customer Service in the Small Size Company category at the 2016 British Travel Awards held in London earlier this month.
The escorted tour expert also won silver in the Best Small Holiday Company to East & Central Asia category. This is the fifth year running that Wendy Wu Tours have been British Travel Award Winners.
Joe Karbo, Group CEO said: “It’s always a privilege to receive an award acknowledging our customer service, because it’s been at the forefront of the business from day one which started with Wendy’s philosophy of providing excellence in whatever we do. Our staff take considerable pride in providing the best service possible for our customers, and I feel very proud of their achievement in winning this award.”
9. Cheers to another successful year of cruising
The Australian Cruise Association (ACA) invited a range of cruise professionals to a few rounds of drinks to celebrate the end of another successful year in cruising.
Held at the Port Authority of NSW earlier this month, guests toasted the ever growing industry as they enjoyed spectacular views over Barangaroo Reserve and out to Sydney Harbour.
ACA Chair, Stephen Bradford thanked CEO, Jill Abel and the Board for their hard work and extended his appreciation to all present including groundhandlers, STO representatives from throughout Australia, hotels and industry organisation, CLIA.
10. Agents fall for Virginia
Travel Agents, media and other tourism professionals gathered at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney earlier this month to welcome The Governor of Virginia, the Honorable Terry McAuliffe to Australia.
Guests were educated on the many and varied offerings for travellers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is known as the birthplace of America and the first established colony of the British Empire in 1607.
According to the state’s tourism leaders, Virginia is an essential addition to any trip to Washington D.C. or the East Coast, with Washington Dulles International Airport located in Chantilly, Virginia. Home to eight U.S. presidents Virginia offers fascinating historical destinations such as Historic Jamestowne or Colonial Williamsburg; must-see sites such as Arlington National Cemetery, George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon or Monticello, the primary plantation home of Thomas Jefferson.
Click here for more pictures.
11. 2016 Tourism Ireland sales mission
Tourism Ireland is thrilled with the success of the 2016 ‘Ireland Rocks’ Roadshow which took place across Australia and New Zealand from the 14th – 21st November. The Roadshow visited Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
A select group of twelve delegates represented a full range of tourism experiences in Ireland. The following leading travel industry suppliers were represented at the workshops: Belmond Grand Hibernian, CIE Tours International, Dromoland Castle, Epic Ireland CHQ, Extreme Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway, Griffin Group Hotels, Irish National Stud & Gardens, Manor House Hotels & Irish Country Hotels, Sheenco Travel, Titanic Belfast and Wilderness Ireland
During the seven-day sales blitz, these participants met hundreds of influential travel agents, tour operators and journalists, during specially tailored business-to-business workshop sessions and networking events – telling them all about what the island of Ireland has to offer holidaymakers from New Zealand and Australia. At each event consultants had the opportunity to earn a place on a familiarisation to Ireland with Tourism Ireland’s airline partner for the events Emirates, giving eight travel consultants the chance to experience all Ireland has to offer in 2017.
THIS WEEK’S COMPETITIONS
Pimp your scooter and WIN it!
Thanks to TravelCube and its new ‘pimpmyscooter’ promotion, one of these chic chariots – valued at $400 each – could soon be yours.
Lugging a heavy bag through an airport terminal can be a real drag… but not with a fabulous luggage scooter!
These nifty, light-weight contraptions combine a sleek carry-on bag with a top-quality scooter, allowing you to glide effortlessly past fellow passengers and get to your flight on time and in style.
To celebrate the launch of its fresh new brand, the company is giving away eight micro luggage scooters.
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.