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. Tsunami warning after 7.4 magnitude quake hits Japan
Travellers and locals in Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture in Japan have been urged to move to higher ground after a 7.4 magnitude quake off the east coast of Honshu triggered tsunami warnings.
So far only two people have suffered from minor injuries, and the Japanese Government has advised that there is no danger at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, despite cooling system disruptions earlier today.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) continues to advise Australians to ‘exercise normal safety precautions’ across the country.
2. Comparing suppliers just got easier at Travellers Choice
Which supplier offers better commission? Which supplier has a wicked incentive running at the moment? And more importantly, which supplier has the best product for your client?
Travellers Choice members will have an easier time answering the questions above through the group’s new preferred supplier comparison tool.
Launched this week, TC Hub is a new extranet solution that allows consultants to compared side-by-side key elements of preferred suppliers’ offerings. This includes comparing elements such as products, destinations, commission levels and incentives.
3. Aussies, “don’t be deterred by the recent New Zealand quake”
Australian travellers shouldn’t let the 7.8 magnitude quake which hit New Zealand last week deter them from following through with holiday plans across the Tasman, according to DriveAway Holidays.
Kiwis throughout the South Island were awoken a little after midnight last Monday when a powerful tremor hit, killing at least two people and causing damage to several buildings.
Despite the severity of the shake and a number of strong aftershocks, tourism leaders in New Zealand have assured internationals that the country was well prepared for the natural disaster, so-much-so that all airports, key cities and main roads have been operating as usual since the initial quake.
4. “An attack could occur anywhere at any time”
Australians have been warned to exercise a “high degree of caution” when travelling through Indonesia, because according to The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), “an attack could occur anywhere at any time”.
In an update from the government body, travellers have been reminded of an ongoing terrorist threat in the country, particularly Jakarta and Bali.
While the overall advice for Indonesia remains at “exercise high degree of caution”, DFAT is urging travellers to “pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks”.
5. You won’t believe who Seabourn got to speak on one of its cruises…
This is totally unexpected, seriously interesting and actually kind of cool – Australia’s former Prime Minister and the first (and so far only) female to lead our country is heading out to sea with Seabourn…
… and cruisers will actually be able to engage with her.
Julia Gillard joins a lineup of other distinguished speakers and personalities on select Seabourn itineraries, where she’ll not only speak on her life experiences but even answer a few cruisers’ questions.
6. Hey NT, guess what’s coming back…
IHG is making a comeback in the Northern Territory through a new agreement to refurbish and rebrand the current Lasseters Hotel Alice Springs into Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters.
Scheduled to reopen in December this year, the signing marks the company’s re-entry into the NT and the return of the Crowne Plaza brand to Alice Springs.
Located adjacent to key Alice Springs visitor attractions, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters will remain one of the town’s largest hotel, offering guests quality, convenient accommodation. It will have 205 guest rooms in addition to a variety of facilities and amenities including a resort pool, spa and sauna, state of the art fitness centre, casual dining in Tali a la carte restaurant and access to a variety of food and beverage options within the Lasseters casino including the Goat & Bucket, the Juicy Rump, Tempo, Casbah and the Juicy Sports lounge.
7. Boutique, eco-friendly & authentic in South America
Adventure World is building on its diverse portfolio of boutique properties and eco-friendly lodges in South America with the release of its new 2017/18 Adventure World South America brochure.
Accommodation options include deluxe mountain lodges in Peru where, after a day spent exploring, trekkers along the Lares or Salkantay Treks can relax and unwind with comfortable beds, personal Jacuzzis, massage treatments and indulging in some of the best Peruvian cuisine. On the Peruvian Amazon clients can opt to stay in unique treehouse style accommodation whilst in the Atacama Desert clients can star gaze into the night sky with a deluxe camping package.
In addition to its South America portfolio, the brochure also includes a diverse range of options in Mexico and Central America where clients can enjoy unique hacienda stays plus an extensive range of expedition options throughout Latin America and Antarctica with GSA National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions.
Click here to view the brochure online.
8. Singapore Airlines reduces Jakarta services
Singapore Airlines has been forced to reduce its services to Jakarta, in order to accommodate runway maintenance work at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The airline, which has been operating 63 flights per week to Jakarta since July 2013, will cut five weekly services – SQ962 and SQ963 – on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The change will come into effect on 1 December 2016. Singapore Airlines will contact customers with affected bookings to accommodate them on other flights.
9. The digital side of Oaks Hotels & Resorts gets a renovation
Oaks Hotels & Resorts has completed what it has described as a ‘significant digital project’ with the launch of a completely redesigned website.
The site’s overhaul was unveiled this week and features a new intuitive design and an enriched booking experience to make overall functionality easier for users.
A mobile responsive and state-of-the-art booking engine makes it easier for potential guests to make reservations, while educational and inspiring content was uploaded to offer travel inspiration.
Click here to check out the new website.
10. MTA Agents explore Espana
It’s home to one of the sexiest languages in the world (according to KarryOn) and this group of Mobile Travel Agents (MTA) members were given the chance to really get to know it during a recent famil.
Hosted by Virtuoso supplier Valesa Cultural Services, the in-depth study tour of Spain saw consultants travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Malaga, Sevilla and Ronda over 10 days.
The itinerary was structured to visit to several of Spain’s most popular eastern coast tourist areas including Púbol, Portlligat and Figueres on the Costa Brava and Marbella and Puerto Banús on the Costa Del Sol. Highlights included cookery classes and wine tasting in Catalonia, a visit to Salvador Dali’s museum, a full day touring in Madrid, the Picasso Museum in Malaga – even a flamenco dance lesson at the world-famous Museo de Flamenco in Sevilla.
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.
WIN wedding celebrations in Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is inviting Australian couples to celebrate their memorable wedding moments in Thailand through a new competition.
Couples need to send their best couple moment pictures and describe their interesting couple story to: info@thailand.net.au, and tell the tourist bureau why Thailand is your dream wedding destination.
One couple will then be selected to win a wedding package including two roundtrip economy ticket (Bangkok Airways) from Australia to Thailand; two roundtrip domestic economy tickets to the wedding destination; one deluxe room for five nights in Bangkok and Samui; transportation; meals; spa treatment; rental of Thai costume and wedding dress; VDO presentation and photography on the wedding ceremony; professional wedding organiser; and hairstylist and make up artist on the wedding day.
Entries need to be in before December this year with travel for 8-13 February 2017 (wedding ceremony is on 10 February 2017).
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.