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. WIN ticket packs for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is celebrating a new behind-the-scenes Wonder Woman exhibit in its DC Universe: The Exhibit by giving Travel Agents the chance to WIN five free ticket packs (each pack contains two tickets plus Warner Bros. merchandise).
To be in the running, you need to be one of the first five Agents to email in 25 words or less why Warner Bros Studio Tours are the most exciting behind the scenes Hollywood experience around. Send your email entry to – marketing@aptms.com.au
The new Wonder Woman exhibit is open now and showcases a variety of memorable set design elements from the film, including a recreation of the Amazon armoury, complete with costumes, props, and décor; the relic display with Diana’s sword; the No Man’s Land vignette, with gas masks and Dr. Maru’s Laboratory; and the ornate London department store set with original costumes and props from the sequence in the movie where Diana, Princess of Themyscira is transformed into Diana Prince.
2. EARN 500 rewards points with Excite Holidays
Excite Holidays, in collaboration with Destination DC and Brand USA, are thrilled to announce the launch of their Washington DC: Capital of Cool campaign.
For two weeks, they will showcase to Agents all the amazing experiences, incredible architecture, quirky street art and world-class eateries on offer in this exciting destination.
The curated and downloadable destination guide features a variety of hotels, activities, eateries and unique experiences on offer in these six unique neighbourhoods. The guide has been created especially for Agents and has something to suit every type of traveller, no matter when then choose to visit or how long they choose to stay.
Click here to access the destination guide. Excite Holidays are also offering Agents 500 rewards points for every night booked in Washington DC between Monday 31 July and Sunday 13 August 2017.
3. There’s still time to WIN a spot on an epic famil to New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand has extended its training incentive for another week, giving consultants extra time to study and potentially WIN.
To be in the running, consultants need to become a Bronze New Zealand Specialist by completing 10 modules in the 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme.
The incentive will now end on 7 August.
Click here to sign up.
4. YOU’RE INVITED to the Tourism Philippines ‘Trivia’ Roadshows
The Philippine Department of Tourism ‘Trivia Night’ Roadshows are less than two weeks away! The first event kicks off in Sydney on the 8 August 2017, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland on the 9, 10 and 11 respectively.
The events will provide Agents with the chance to win a free trip to one of the Best Islands in the World, plus tips on selling this incredible, award winning destination.
Agents can register their attendance for events using the following links: 8th August 2017 – Doltone House, Sydney; 9th August 2017 – The Langham, Melbourne; 10th August 2017 – Hilton, Brisbane; and 11th August 2017 – The Langham, Auckland.
At each of this year’s roadshow events, a team of up to three Travel Agents, will have the opportunity to win a trip to one of the following breathtaking islands: Palawan, Boracay and Cebu. The lucky Agents will be able to enjoy a range of activities on offer including relaxing, swimming, hiking, snorkelling and many more.
5. Airtrain launches new Travel Agent website
Airtrain has launched a travel agency website to provide a new and seamless booking process to help their customers and travellers better manage their airport and hotel transfers.
The new website enables all Agents to make reservations, manage bookings, and view Airtrain products and timetables using an instantaneous booking process that sends e-tickets directly to customers; rather than distributing paper tickets or stocking pre-paid tickets.
Airtrain’s CEO, Chris Basche, said the development of the industry website is meeting the increasing demand the travel industry in south-east Queensland has for Airtrain services.
6. Virgin Australia streamlines its Melbourne-HK service
Virgin Australia has updated its flight schedule for Melbourne to Hong Kong flights to ensure a consistent departure time for each flight.
From 30 October through to 24 March 2018 (the Northern Winter season), VA87 will depart Melbourne at 10.55am and arrive in Hong Kong at 5.35pm. Virgin Australia will continue to operate five return services per week. The return flight time of 7.50pm from Hong Kong remains unchanged.
Virgin Australia commenced operating flights to Hong Kong on 5 July, bringing strong competition to the route and reducing airfares by more than 30 per cent.
The new schedule will be on sale shortly.
7. Cebu Pacific to increase operations on its Sydney-Manila service
Cebu Pacific will be increasing flights between Sydney and Manila, on the back of strong demand and commitment to the Australian market.
The carrier will be increasing its flight frequency from 1 December 2017 to 31 January 2018, where smart travellers will be able to utilise the summer break to escape to the exotic islands Philippines, many of which rival the likes of Bali and Phuket.
“Cebu Pacific continues to soar high for both passenger and cargo traffic on its Sydney – Manila service,” Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution of Cebu Pacific.
“The additional frequency between the destinations reflects our commitment to reinforce the Cebu Pacific effect across one of our strongest international markets. We want to continue to offer our year-round low-fares that are affordable, accessible and available to a greater number of travellers.”
8. Wendy Wu Tours becomes Global Executive Partner of CLIA
Asia specialist Wendy Wu Tours is pleased to announce the global partnership of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), joining as an Executive Partner.
Wendy Wu Tours offers an extensive selection of Cruise Extension products, opening up huge opportunities for Travel Agents to grow their commissions and better service their clients with additional land touring at the start or end of their cruise.
Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, Andrew Mulholland, said: “We’re excited to start our relationship with CLIA, and through the organisation, open up a world of touring opportunities to cruise specialists across Australia”.
“Adding on land to the start or end of a cruise itinerary is a terrific way for Travel Agents to grow their business into new markets.”
9. Ecruising partners with Cruise Seminars
ecruising.travel has announced a new partnership with the Australian owned and operated Cruise Seminars company to facilitate seminars, conferences, training and courses on cruises.
The events offered by Cruise Seminars are specifically tailored for people from industries requiring continuing professional development along with offering courses for personal enrichment and knowledge.
Ecruising Founding Chairman Brett Dudley, said: “It was an ideal match for us to work with Cruise Seminars as we can manage the reservations for both the cruise and on board events through our dedicated groups department, allowing the client to only have to deal with one channel of communication”.
10. DriveAway switches on more one-way motorhome rentals in Europe
DriveAway Holidays is excited to announce a new partnership with Anywhere Campers, allowing the company to offer more flexible and affordable one-way motorhome rentals in Europe.
Booking a motorhome with DriveAway and Anywhere Campers means travellers can pick up a motorhome from absolutely any European location, at any time – and the cost is included in the package.
Believe it or not, some one-way rentals are cheaper than picking up and returning to the same location, with a one-way rental between Frankfurt and Paris starting from AU$222 per day (for a 10 day rental). These prices include everything from delivery/collection fees, additional drivers, bedding kits, kitchen kit, GPS, camping set and much more – there’s nothing more to pay.
Click here for more information.
11. Cover–More & Zurich announce new mental illness cover
Cover-More Group has announced new mental illness cover in their travel insurance policies for Australia and New Zealand. The move follows Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (Zurich) becoming Cover-More’s underwriter in Australia and New Zealand on 1 June after Zurich Insurance Group acquired Cover-More in April 2017.
The new mental illness cover is one of a number of changes to policy benefits and policy wording that Cover-More and Zurich have developed to offer Australian and New Zealand travellers greater protection when they head overseas.
Under the new policy, Cover-More has removed the general exclusion for mental illness from all their travel insurance products in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, if a traveller experiences a serious mental health condition for the first time e.g. first onset of anxiety or depression before they travel or while overseas, cover is provided for amendment and cancellation, and medical expenses respectively if their condition is serious enough that they need professional support.
In the pilot, a traveller with an existing mental illness condition, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can apply to Cover-More for cover just like someone with a physical medical condition. The assessment process is straightforward and there will be one of two outcomes depending on the nature and severity of their condition—cover offered with the payment of an additional premium and in some more serious cases, no cover will be able to be provided.