Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best.
1. Excite Holidays presents Singapore Tailor Made
Excite Holidays, in conjunction with Singapore Tourism Board, have launched a new Singapore Tailor Made campaign, showcasing the destination’s incredible experiences, activities, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to Travel Agents.
Running over the next two weeks, the content will feature a mix of modern and traditional architecture, world-class eateries, out-of-this-world shopping precincts and endless activities.
Additionally, the curated website features a variety of activities, experiences and foodie delights that are sure to please. Designed especially for Agents, the website aims to inspire Agents and give them the chance to create a tailor-made Singapore experience for their clients.
A two-page downloadable guide has also been compiled for consultants to use as a quick and easy reference. Click here to access the website and the guide.
Excite Holidays is also offering Australian and New Zealand agents the opportunity to earn 500 rewards points for every night booked in Singapore, between Monday 3 July and Sunday 16 July.
2. The winners of Wendy Wu Tours’ ‘Cock-A-Doodle-Wu’ competition are…
Wendy Wu Tours has revealed the winners of the Cock-a-Doodle-Wu Incentive, who received a share of $12,000 in prizes and $20,000 in vouchers.
And the lucky winners are… Tara Kane, Escape Travel Caloundra (Week 1); Angela Sanders, Flight Centre Miranda (Week 2); Kina Sheck, Flight Centre Uni Hill (Week 3); Ella Salter, Flight Centre North Park (Week 4); Claire Horton, Top Deck Travel, Adelaide (Week 5); and Rochelle Cox, Flight Centre Katoomba (Week 6).
And the winner of the Grand Prize – a Pandaw Cruise along the Irrawaddy – was Kina Sheck at Flight Centre Uni Hill.
Congratulations all!
3. Final Dash for Cash winners are…
Visit California has wrapped up its ‘Dash for Cash’ training incentive, during which Agents who completed the tourism board’s training program went in the running to win $200.
Seven Agents were picked to win the cash each week over four weeks, with the final group of winners announced last week.
And they are… Kate Anson, Flight Centre Broad Meadows; Kalpana Chotai, Travel Counsellors; Jo Grundy, YOU Travel New Lynn, NZ; Stephen Benfell, APX Travel Management, NZ; Alyce Birchall, Richmond Travel Centre; Janelle Karbowiak, MTA; and Debbie McCamish, Helloworld Emu Plains.
Congratulations!
4. Travellers Choice member meetings get personal
Travellers Choice management will conduct a series of meetings around the country this month to explain how a new “persona analysis” initiative is giving the network unprecedented insight into its members’ individual needs.
Managing Director Christian Hunter – who will present alongside Chair Trish Ridsdale at meetings in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – says the concept involves the development of a series of “personas” based on key criteria such as industry experience, customer mix, turnover and marketing activity.
Member Agents can then be mapped into clustered groups, allowing Travellers Choice to deliver support services specifically tailored to meet each group’s needs.
“Developing these personas not only allows us to optimise the level of support we offer, it also helps our management team assess the different ways our business strategies can impact individual members.”
Travellers Choice member shareholders attending this month’s meetings will also receive an update on the company’s current performance, and have the opportunity to discuss issues relevant to their own businesses and the broader travel industry.
This year’s meetings will commence in Perth (4 July), followed by Adelaide (5 July), Melbourne (6 July), Sydney (7 July) and Brisbane (9 July).
5. Qantas Holidays launches new Maldives Luxury Collection brochure
Qantas Holidays has launched its first brochure under its new “Luxury Collection” brand featuring the Maldives.
With a number of new destinations to be introduced over the coming months, the brand new Maldives brochure features 31 stunning properties from Noonu Atoll in the north to Addu Atol in the South, offering an array of accommodation options for even the most discerning of clients.
Whilst the Maldives is renowned as a honeymoon destination, it is also the perfect holiday escape for families with selected resorts offering four bedroom villas, to cater to family needs.
As a bonus for eligible customers, bookings made through Qantas Holidays for the Maldives can earn 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer Point per $1. The full Maldives product range is also available to book through Viva! Holidays in Australia, with travel agents benefiting through earning TRIP Dollar$ for all Maldives packages booked through either Viva! Holidays or Qantas Holidays.
Click here to check out the brochure online.
6. Scenic launches 2018 Canada, Alaska & USA brochure
Scenic’s 2018 brochure on 5-star luxury tours to Canada, Alaska & USA has just landed, with the new 21 Day Breathtaking Alaska & Canadian Rockies journey, an intimate cruising experience on the 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn.
New unforgettable and exclusive once-in-a-lifetime Scenic Enrich experiences include a helicopter flight, sleigh ride, snow shoe and ice bubble viewing at Alberta’s Abraham Lake on the 17 Day Winter Wonders and 12 and 14 Day Christmas in the Rockies tours.
Great Earlybird deals for Canada, Alaska & USA are available now. Book a number of journeys including the popular 22 Day Magnificent Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Cruise or the new 21 Day Breathtaking Alaska & Canadian Rockies and fly return from just $995 with savings of up to $5,950 per couple. Book the 17 Day Winter Wonders or 12 or 14 Day Christmas in the Rockies journeys and save up to $1,000 per couple.
Book now and pay your tour in full by 31 October 2017 to secure an additional discount of $600 per couple for all tours of 19 days or longer or discount of $300 per couple for tours of 9 to 18 days.
Click here to check out the brochure.
7. Back by popular demand, Travelmarvel’s Russia River Cruising
Since the release of Travelmarvel’s stand-alone brochure in 2017, the cruise line says interest by travellers has continued to rise for the company’s Russian cruise and land journeys. This has promoted the line to release a new Russia brochure for 2018.
The program highlights three popular itineraries, as well as the introduction of the MS Kronshtadt river ship. On board one of three full charters, guests will enjoy the exceptional facilities of this refurbished ship and its larger size, as well as the personal service that comes with two Cruise Directors.
Among the itineraries is the 11-day Treasures of Russia Cruise is the lead-in itinerary, priced from $5,795 per person, twin share. Sailing from St Petersburg to Moscow via Lake Lagoda, Lake Onega, White Lake, the Volga River and the Moscow Canal, guests will be able to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Russia as they glide along the beautiful countryside. While cruising, guests will enjoy all meals, transfers, tipping and port charges included, as well as small group shore excursions with local guides.
For a limited time, Travel Agents can offer a special a Fly Free deal, with free return economy flights available with Singapore Airlines or an airline of Travelmarvel’s choosing.
Click here for more information.
8. Insight Vacations launches 2018 Europe preview collection
Insight Vacations, has revealed its 2018 Europe Preview collection with eight new tours including more immersive and engaging activities, such as authentic farm-to-table restaurants and dining in local homes.
Among the itineraries is the nine-day Flavours of Europe discovery journey, which allows guests to experience the essence of Europe as they travel through bustling Rome and Paris with visits to the Cinque Terre and the snow-capped peaks of Switzerland, new experiences include a taste of the Parisian way of life, as guests enjoy an intimate gourmet walking tour of a local Paris neighbourhood.
Sure to be another favourite, the 11-day European Flair itinerary takes guests on a fairy-tale journey through Amsterdam’s canals, Salzburg’s ‘Sound of Music’ hills and Italy’s most revered cities, a highlight of this trip will be the unique experience of meeting a castle owner on the romantic Rhine for a taste of the regions famous wines.
The launch of the preview collection allows Agents to secure their client’s ultimate holiday now, with the bonus of a price guarantee with 2018 tours at 2017 prices when booking now, an additional 10 percent Early Payment Discount and additional savings for previous Insight guests with an additional five percent off.
9. Trafalgar extends its ‘Sun-Kissed September Sale’
Due to incredible demand, Trafalgar has extended its Sun-Kissed September sale until 24 July 2017 – so there is still more time to savour the European Summer.
Guests can save 10 percent off when they book any remaining Europe and Britain 2017 Trafalgar or CostSaver September departure. But get those bookings in quick as dates are selling out.
With mild weather and fewer crowds, September in Europe makes way for authentic experiences and a taste of local life in a different light. Whether guests are taking in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, admiring the majesty of the Rhine River cruising past Germany’s medieval castles, travelling to the imperial cities of Morocco, visiting 12th century mosques or taking in la dolce vita in the great Italian cities of Venice, Rome and Florence – the warmth of a truly European welcome awaits.
Click here for more information.
10. TIME program intake #27 takes off
At a lively event in Sydney, the Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) presented its 27th Program intake of mentees to the TIME network, and announced a pair of scholarship recipients.
The event was hosted by TIME program partner Excite Holidays at Vicolo Cafe & Restaurant, and attended by 60 VIP guests from across the travel industry. The event’s keynote speaker, Vanessa Richards – Head of Marketing Excite Holidays, spoke of learning from rock stars, to building special teams at Excite Holidays, leadership and the importance of mentoring.
Significantly, a pair of TIME scholarship recipients were announced. Dany Girgis from Sure Thing Travel was named the 2017 (former) TICA scholar. And the recipient of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Scholarship is Melissa Alexiou – Air Traffic Management Information Specialist at Airservices Australia.
Click here for more information about the Travel Industry Mentor Experience, or contact program manager, Marie Allom: time@travelindustrymentor.com.au
