We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Australia is ‘on again’ for Bali visa-free travel
We were on for visa-free and then we were off and then we were on again and then we were off, but guess what? We’re on once again.
It seems that after two false starts, Australian travellers will finally get that visa-free travel to Indonesia that was promised a year ago.
If you’ve been keeping up, for around 12 months now the Indonesian government has struggled to maintain a yes or no on whether or not to allow Australians visa-free travel to the popular tourist destination.
2. TTC names its next Million Dollar incentive winner
Trafalgar Australia Managing Director, Cameron-Smith flew to Brisbane to personally deliver the big cheque to The Travel Corporation’s next Million Dollar incentive winner.
Peter Fiske, of Clayfield Travel Professionals became $10,000 richer in the giveaway.
With still three months to go of TTC’s Great $1m Giveaway, the biggest incentive in the independent travel company’s history, there are still plenty of opportunities for agents to snare their share of the six-figure prize pool with $10k and $25k windfalls up for grabs in addition to the whopping $50k grand prize.
All bookings made on participating TTC brands before 30 April 2016 put agents in the running.
Click here for more information and full terms and conditions.
3. Australia’s top cruise sellers are…
We know which cruise lines Australians love to holiday with, and now it’s time to find out which travel agents are helping these travellers book their ultimate cruise getaway.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia Awards finalists have been revealed, acknowledging the best agents and agencies when it comes to cruising.
According to CLIA Australasia Commercial Director, Brett Jardine, scores of entries were received this year, reflecting the growing interest in the sector.
4. Greece enters a 24-hour strike
Travellers are being advised that taxis, buses and other modes of public transport may come to a standstill as Greece enters a nation-wide strike.
The mass walk off commenced midnight (local time) on 3 February and will cease at midnight on 4 February.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFTA) is urging Australians to check with tour providers and transport officers for information on potential disruptions.
5. Hong Kong Airlines commits to Queensland
Hong Kong Airlines’ has committed itself to the Queensland market by extending its new Gold Coast and Cairns service from seasonal to year-round.
The announcement comes less than a month after launching the new Hong Kong-Gold Coast-Cairns flights – it’s first services to the Sunshine State -, which the carrier firmly believes will enhance tourism and business relations between Asia and Australia.
The year-round extension will come into place from 27 March 2016 with the triangular service operating every Tuesday and Saturday.
6. WIN a cruise AND earn bonus commission
Win a trip on Harmony of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean is giving agents across Australia four really good reasons to sell its 2016 European cruises.
The company this week launched its giant European travel incentive, offering three cruise prizes on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. PLUS there’s bonus commission on all European bookings throughout the promotion period.
To be in the running, agents need to book clients on any Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises or Azamara Club Cruises 2016 Europe sailing. They’ll then go into the draw to win a European cruise holiday for two on the same cruise line booked.
For those who book on Royal Caribbean, will go in the running to win a Europe cruise of up to seven-nights in a Balcony Stateroom on the line’s biggest and brand new megaliner, Harmony of the Seas. The Celebrity Cruises’ winner will be taken on a European cruise of up to nine nights for two in a Balcony Stateroom on Celebrity Equinox. The Azamara winner will win a seven-night European voyage for two in a Verandah Stateroom on the newly revitalized Azamara Journey.
All winners will be flown to Europe in Premium Economy with Singapore Airlines and receive various shore excursions.
Plus, for every booking made in February for a Europe 2016 cruise, travel agents will automatically earn bonus commission: $50 for Royal Caribbean, $100 for Celebrity Cruises and $150 for Azamara Club Cruises; and three runners up will receive a litre bottle of Mumm Champagne.
7. Sabre launches innovative flight app
Sabre teamed up with Austrian Airlines to launch an innovative new app, which enables real-time NOTAM, weather and flightplan updates throughout the lifecycle of the airline’s flights if air-to-ground communication is available in the cockpit.
The app gives access to digital flight planning information anytime, anywhere. This will help to further improve the safety of flights, by providing pilots with the necessary information to track and avoid bad weather. Airlines will also be able to adjust fuel calculations based on this data.
A beta test was conducted on the product back in November on tablet devices. Through integrated systems and real-time downloads of the latest flight data, Austrian Airlines has been able to achieve a common view between pilots and dispatchers, enabling greater efficiency in flight planning.
Following a successful trial, the airline will roll out the new technology to its entire flight staff of 950 in the coming months, and will start using the mobile recalculation capabilities to realise additional fuel savings and operational efficiencies.
8. Scenic Eclipse now on sale
Scenic may have only just announced its expansion into ocean cruising, but it’s ready to start selling off the high-end adventure product.
2018/19 itineraries for the world’s first discovery yacht, Scenic Eclipse, went on sale this morning with strictly limited preview pricing.
The ship launches on 31 August 2018 with 114 all-verandah suites, two helicopters and a submarine. She will sail from Istanbul to Venice before sailing to The Americas, Antarctica, Europe and the Mediterranean. She’ll also head up to the Arctic and Norwegian Fjords.
In The Americas she’ll offer two itineraries to Cuba, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador as well as the Chilean Fjords.
There will be three different itineraries, taking in the pristine wilderness of the Great White Continent. Guests can explore the vast white icescapes of Antarctica, or choose to discover one of the most unique biodiverse environments South Georgia, and the historic Falkland Islands in the utmost safety and comfort.
In Europe and the Mediterranean there’ll be six trips from the romance of Venice and the exotic delights of Turkey to the crystalline waters of Greece and the windswept British Isles, while the Arctic and Fjords offers spectacular scenery and natural wonders on six different cruises that include the Viking trail from Norway to Quebec; Iceland and the Northern Lights; and Atlantic Canada.
The preview brochure offering 18 different itineraries is available online.
9. More to Marvel in India
Travelmarvel has opened its 2017 bookings for its India program featuring seven departures.
According to the company’s General Manager, David Cox, India has experienced strong sales for the company and is a destination that is “increasing in popularity amongst Australians”.
Cox said the company has carefully designed its tours to be as authentic and untouched as possible while offering “exceptional value for money”.
The most popular itinerary is the 20-day Colours of India; comprising a seven day land tour of the ‘golden triangle’ cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and a 13 day lower Ganges river cruise aboard the custom-built 22-suite RV Rajmahal. This stylish vessel first set sail in 2014.
The river cruise sails from Patna all the way to Kolkata. Guests enjoy an authentic glimpse of the real India, stopping at several villages along the way. Priced from $8,995* per person, twin share, highlights include the chance to explore the Nawab’s Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad; a cycle rickshaw ride to see some of Bengal’s most unique temples; and a special lunch at award winning restaurant Oh! Calcutta. Guests also stay at Kolkata’s stunning Taj Bengal.
10. You’re on live with the Cruise Team
Need urgent information about cruising but you’re already on the phone with another company and you don’t have time to wait for an email?
No worries, the Cruise Team is there to assist you live through its new live chat system.
Available to all agents industry wide, the function is now available through the company’s website from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
The ‘live chat’ tab is located on the top right side of the Cruise Team’s website. The assistant behind the computer can help with any support for existing bookings, payments and documentations as well as cruise queries.
New quotes or bookings should continue to be directed to The Cruise team via email or phone.
P.S. Earn 15% commission with World Journeys
Travel agents can pack away a little extra cash this month by booking clients on any of World Journeys’ 2016 range of hosted journeys.
The offer is only available in February, but according to the company’s Director Chris Lyons, agents will need to get in quick because departures are filling up quick.
All of World Journeys’ hosted journeys are guaranteed departures and guaranteed to be hosted. They include four- to- five-star accommodation and cater to 24 people in a group.
Several Journeys offer solo travellers the ability to travel at the ‘share twin’ rate if booked at least six months in advance, and clients who have travelled on one of these Journeys before can save $400 per couple off the tour cost.
Destinations in 2016 include: Cuba, Ethiopia, Japan, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Persia & the Silk Road, South America and Vietnam & Cambodia.
P.P.S. Australia’s get a Touch of Ireland
Dublin-based destination management company, A Touch of Ireland, has appointed Tourism Portfolio to handle all its sales and marketing in Australasia.
The announcement comes as tourism from Australia to Ireland rises, with some 40 percent more Australians visiting the destination in 2015.
A Touch of Ireland specialises in organising travel, events and special group tour experiences to the country and works with some of the world’s most respected brands, including Fendi, Hewlett Packard, Kraft Foods and Heineken.
Founder Sue Uda says “the land of saints and scholars” offers the demanding Australian and New Zealand MICE markets an “alluring combination of natural beauty, mythical culture, a relaxed philosophy and a cool funky edge.
P.P.P.S. Fijian resort named world’s leading boutique property
Taveuni Palms Resort, Fiji Islands has been named the “World’s leading luxury boutique island resort”at the 22nd annual World Travel Awards™ held in Hong Kong.
Owner, Colleen O’Neill said the team are excited and proud to have won the award, which only serves to demonstrate the property’s focus on “exquisite cuisine, personal service, and genuine Fijian hospitality”.
Taveuni Palms has three luxury villas, the Beach Villa, Horizon Spa Villa and the Grand Villa. Each villa is on its own private acre of absolute beachfront and boasts its own private pool, beach and personal staff of seven.
All spacious villas feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, are air-conditioned and include super king beds, Pure Fiji toiletries, bathrobes, outdoor honeymoon showers, full entertainment centre (TV, DVD, stereo and iPod loaded with 1000 songs), library of DVD’s, CD’s, books, board games, large outdoor furnished deck, daybed sofas and hammocks.
P.P.P.P.S. Qantas Wanderlust Sale kicks off
Qantas has launched its ‘Wanderlust Sale’ today, with discounts on international and domestic fares.
Economy fares from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Santiago start from $1,299* or to Hong Kong from $699.
Melbournians will love flying to Singapore from $689 or Shanghai from $729. Better yet why not visit America’s south with flights to Dallas Fort Worth selling from $1,119.
From Sydney, travellers can book a US getaway from $1,149 to LA or $1,299 to San Fran. Or there are tickets to London available from $1,749 in Economy or $3,959 in Premium Economy.
Click here to check out more.
Sale dates are 4-15 February at 11.59pm (AEDT), unless sold out prior. Selected travel dates and days between February and December 2016 apply.