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. That moment when Australia’s Foreign Minister was almost hit by a Qantas plane
Uhhh, is she going to move? She realises there’s a plane directly behind her right? Who positioned her there? But seriously, is she going to move?
They’re the questions the will likely run through your mind while watching Julie Bishop’s recent Sky News interview, during which she’s almost hit by the wing of a Qantas plane.
In the three-minute clip posted to Twitter, Australia’s Foreign Minister is giving the station a live interview from one of the country’s gateways, when a Qantas aircraft appears in the shot and moves towards the camera.
2. Ski bums rejoice!
Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand are making it easier for ski bums to hit the slopes with night services between Queenstown and Australia for the 2017 ski season.
Commencing late June, Virgin will operate night services from Queenstown to Brisbane on Friday and Sunday, while Air New Zealand will fly ski bums from Queenstown to Sydney on Saturday and Sunday.
Airfares for some 38 return services per week will go on sale from tomorrow.
3. How did Bicton Travel end up celebrating Christmas with 600 clients on a cruise?
When the team at Bicton Travel sat down to plan this year’s Christmas party, we bet they never thought they’d end up on a two-night cruise with 600 of their clients.
That’s exactly what happened over the weekend, and the agency’s Founder, Carole Smethurst, couldn’t be happier about it.
The multi-award winning agency said it received several requests after hosting a similar, but shorter trip back in 2014. Smethurst said guests had so much fun that they kept asking for a follow up and an extra night.
4. This company is aiming to be a top 3 travel insurance provider
Zurich Insurance Company is hoping to expand its portfolio and become one of the world’s top three travel insurance providers, through the purchase of Cover-More Group Limited.
Revealed this week, the parent company of North Sydney-based Zurich Financial Services Australia Limited, has proposed the 100 percent buyout of issued share capital in the ASX-listed company for AU$1,95 cash per share.
According to a statement from Zurich, the acquisition of Cover-More would represent an important step by the business to expand its portfolio of products and services to become a top three global travel insurance provider.
5. Gate 7 signs up to sponsor Project Karma for a second year
Anti child exploitation charity, Project Karma, are excited to announce a second year of sponsorship from Sydney travel and tourism marketing agency, Gate 7.
The donation from Gate 7 was announced following a presentation by CEO, Glen Hulley, on the progress project Karma made throughout 2015 via Gate &’s Support.
Glen says: “2015 was a big year for us in building and consolidating relationship with law enforcement agencies, refining our sustainable ‘Sentinel’ model and convicting criminals in both Thailand and Bali”.
6. INCENTIVE: Excite Holidays’ 5-day Christmas giveaway
Are you ready for some ho-ho-holiday giveaways?
Excite Holidays is back with its Christmas Giveaway, where Agents can win some amazing prizes every day this week.
To be in the running, all consultants need to do is visit the Excite Holidays Facebook page and take part in the daily poll. Simply choose a favorite option by clicking ‘like’ or ‘love’ and they will go into the draw. A winner will be randomly selected from the winning poll each day.
Daily prizes will be awarded, leaving the best prize till last! On Friday, one lucky winner will receive a two nights’ stay in one of Australia’s most desired destinations.
Click here to start voting.
7. INCENTIVE: Myer card bonus for Agents
TRAVEL Agents who book a lease on a Peugeot vehicle in Europe by 31 December with globalCARS will receive a $100 Myer gift card on top of their normal commission.
Director Andrew Morgan said that the last minute offer was to attract Agents’ attention to the record low $29-a-day rate, which also carries other bonuses for Aussie self-drive visitors to Europe.
For leases of 21 days or more there’s a bonus of 15 free days on more than 40 different models of brand new Peugeot cars or free collections and drop-offs in locations outside of France – savings of up to $1080 dollars.
8. Etihad wins top Airbus A380 accolade
Airbus has presented Etihad Airways with the award for ‘Top Operational Excellence’ for A380 operations in 2015-2016.
The Etihad Airways A380 fleet recorded a remarkable 99.63 per cent operational reliability between January 2015 and October 2016, the highest of all 13 airlines which operate the Airbus A380 aircraft.
Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Engineering, said: “Our entire team is totally focused on achieving the highest levels of reliability across our fleet. The A380 has been a fantastic addition to our fleet over the past two years and this award demonstrates excellence and the success of our ongoing close cooperation with Airbus”.
9. ’12 Days of G Holiday Deals’ are ba-ack
G Adventures’ ‘12 Days of G’ promotion is back for the fifth consecutive year, offering deals on travel to 12 different destinations in the lead up to Christmas.
In a new twist on the popular promotion, the tour operator has added a bonus that will, in effect, enable travellers and Agents to help the company create 12 Days of Good for local communities around the world.
From December 13 to 24, travellers will be able to save on experiences in fantastic travel destinations where the adventure travel company’s not-for-profit organisation, Planeterra, has partnerships with sustainable tourism projects.
For travellers and Agents looking to take advantage of holiday savings, G Adventures is offering discounts of 15 percent on 80 different trips to 12 countries, with travel before 31 July 31, 2017. Details will be unveiled on the G Adventures website and Facebook page beginning December 12.
Click here for more information.
10. This is what Seabourn’s Encore looks like
Seabourn has unveiled first images of its newest all-suite vessel, Seabourn Encore, which set sail for the first time from Italy earlier this month.
The 600-passenger vessel is currently making her way to Singapore where she’ll officially be christened before spending almost two months cruising from Australia.
When Seabourn Encore arrives down under on 22 January, she will be the youngest ultra-luxury ship to visit Australia, but will sadly have to return to Europe in April 2017.
Click here for more images.
11. itravel celebrates end of year with a touch of Christmas
Wrapping up another prosperous year, itravel held their Christmas celebrations in Sydney’s gorgeous Cockle Bay Wharf.
The 2016 Achiever Award winners were announced for both mobile and franchise who produced exceptional sales, with itravel The Junction awarded office of the year. Special recognition was also given to 15 mobile agents who had reached their five-year milestone.
“It’s amazing to see how our network has grown over the years. With more stores and mobiles on the way 2017 will be even bigger and better!” itravel Director Steve Labroski said.
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