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. WATCH: The Flight Centre Captain & Graham Turner try out the new HQ slide
The Flight Centre Global HQ official opening party in Brisbane yesterday will go down in history as one Agents will never forget… but it’s not because of the alcohol consumed or any next-day-cringe-worthy activity.
No, this one will go down as the day Graham Turner aka Skroo Turner, surrendered to his staff and agreeing to take a ride down the office slide.
In case you missed it, yesterday Flight Centre officially opened its new global headquarters based in Southbank, Brisbane.
2. European treats up for grabs from Rail Plus
Picture yourself dressed to the nines and sipping a glass of champagne in your own limousine. Now picture that limousine pulling up to a luxurious English high tea.
Rail Star is giving Travel Agents the chance to bring that image to life during its second annual Rail Plus Eurostar Ambassador Program.
To be in the running, Agents have until midnight on 14 November to visit the Rail Plus website and complete a training module. They then have to take a quiz on Eurostar’s celebrated product.
3. Qantas’ new logo is here & it’s a beautiful thing
Qantas last week revealed an update to its iconic Kangaroo logo as part of preparation for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner entering its fleet a year from now.
And already the new Qantas logo is live and in operation at qantas.com.au and across its other Social media channels.
The logo change is actually only the fifth time the red-and-white image on the tail of Qantas aircraft has been updated since it was first introduced in 1944. The last update was in 2007 to coincide with the introduction of the Airbus A380 to the national carrier’s fleet.
4. Carnival Spirit stays in Sydney & expands in Asia #WLCLSummit17
Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled its latest program of cruises from Australia, revealing that Carnival Spirit will continue to be based in Sydney full-time in 2018.
The cruise line has decided the ship will no longer spend the northern summer in China, as announced earlier this year, but will return to Australia immediately after her scheduled drydock in Singapore in May 2018.
Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke said the decision was based on the current success and popularity of the cruise line’s operations in Australia and associated capacity needs.
5. So you think you can be a Norwegian Cruise Line entertainer?
When Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) revealed plans to open up a Sydney-based office, it never came with a warning that entertainers, dancers and singers would come along with it.
Might’ve put a little make up on if we’d known that the cruise company was planning on attracting thousands of entertainers (and you know they’re almost always very sexy) to the city today to fill roles across its portfolio.
Auditions kick off today and will continue in Adelaide at Gravity Dance on 5 November, Brisbane at Mad Dance House on 7 and 8 November, as well as Melbourne’s Patrick Studios on 9 and 10 November.
6. INCENTIVE: WIN $500 with Brand USA
Brand USA with Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority are giving Agents the chance to WIN AU$500, simply by becoming a Las Vegas expert.
Running for four weeks from 31 October, the incentive is open to consultants to all Agents, current or new registered users of the Discovery Program – Brand USA’s official training course.
To participate consultants must complete the ‘Regional Expert’ badge (if not already completed), before moving onto the Las Vegas Specialist Badge. Once the Las Vegas Specialist Badge is complete, agents will automatically go into the draw to win a AUD$500 Visa Prezzy Card.
Click here to find out more.
7. 5 new experiences in Asia with Contiki
Contiki is giving your clients more choice in Asia, with five new itineraries and four new destinations in its 2017 Asia program.
Next year, the youth tour operator will take its #NoRegrets mantra and experiences to India, Malaysia, Bali and Singapore for the first time.
Additionally, Contiki has created five new itineraries ranging from nine to 14 days, including the 12-day ‘City to Slopes’ trip in Japan visiting Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and Hakuba ski fields.
There’s also the new nine-day ‘Laos & Cambodia Uncovered’ itinerary taking in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vinetiane, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as well as the eight-day ‘Northern Thai Highlights’ featuring a traditional long tail boat, guided bike tour of Ayutthaya and a trip on the River Kwai.
8. Spencer Travel sticks with Tramada
Spencer Travel is staying committed to Tramada System at least for another five year.
The agency renewed its long term partnership with the travel management technology company because after a market review, it was deemed to be “a far superior product compared to anything else available in the market”, according to Founder and Director, Penny Spencer.
“Tramada Systems is always looking for what’s next,” she said. “Based on their track record for innovation we look forward to seeing the new functionality, products and practices the next five years bring to the tramada® environment.”
Spencer Travel first selected tramada® as their Travel Management Solution in 2004 and has been a loyal customer ever since.
9. CEB boosts flights to popular PH destinations
Cebu Pacific is adding to its network in the Philippines with additional frequencies starting during fourth quarter of 2016 to meet growing demand in domestic travel.
CEB’s flights between Manila and Cauayan will increase from four times weekly to daily. The airline will also increase services out of Manila on the following routes: Manila-Bacolod (from 49 to 52 times weekly), Manila-Busuanga (25 to 28 times weekly), Manila-Cagayan de Oro (54 to 59 times weekly), Manila-Cotabato (9 to 10 times weekly), Manila-General Santos (28 to 31 times weekly), Manila-Legazpi (29 to 39 times weekly), Manila-Naga (11 to 14 times weekly), Manila-Pagadian (9 to 11 times weekly), and Manila-Zamboanga (25 to 33 times weekly).
Travellers from the Visayas region can also take advantage of additional flights between Cebu and the following destinations: Bacolod (additional 10 times weekly service), Butuan (three times weekly), Cagayan de Oro (6 times weekly), Davao (seven times weekly), Dumaguete (three times weekly), General Santos (twice weekly), Iloilo (once a week), Puerto Princesa (eight times weekly), Siargao (twice weekly), and Zamboanga (six times weekly).
The airline also increased its flights from Mindanao, adding thrice weekly frequencies between Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi for a total of 10 weekly flights, and an additional weekly frequency between Davao and Bacolod for a total of four weekly flights.
10. Discover more of Japan with Wendy Wu Tours
Japan is a patchwork of tradition, ultra-modern convenience and natural beauty, threaded together into a dynamic society populated by some of the warmest people on the planet.
And joining an organised tour to the Land of the Rising Sun is definitely a great idea for those that want to get under the skin of a nation that blends tradition, nature and urban convenience into its own unique rendition of Asia.
Wendy Wu Tours run a number of unique tours in Japan that look beyond the iconic sights, taking guests to parts of the country and through experiences that are not only more authentic, but more memorable. Which isn’t surprising at all, given that Wendy Wu Tours are the experts in Asia, and know Japan like a samurai knows his sword!
11. 11 things we’re glad we didn’t miss out on at Helloworld OMC
Over 500 helloworld Owner Managers, staff and preferred suppliers travelled to Singapore from Australia and New Zealand to collectively bring to life this year’s three day conference and we’re glad we didn’t miss out on this…
12. American Airlines’ 777-300ER inflight experience
Since its inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles back in December 2015, American Airlines has been committed to ferrying Australian travellers across the Pacific in absolute comfort and style.
And it’s a commitment that hasn’t waned, with the airline recently injecting US$3 billion into upgrading its cabins and airport facilities, offering more in-flight entertainment options, redesigning its menus, and refreshing its Admirals Club lounges worldwide – all in an effort to give Australian travellers the best flying experience on its daily SYD-LAX service.