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 a Canada Arctic Safari expedition for 2
Cruise Traveller is giving Travel Agents the chance to WIN a 2018 Adventure Canada Arctic Safari expedition for two people, including flights, with a total value of over $44,000.
The trip comes complete with a search for polar bears, whales, and walrus in their Arctic feeding grounds; viewing the magnificent fjords of Greenland’s coast; photographs of exquisite Arctic flowers at the height of summer bloom; and cross the Arctic Circle by sea – twice.
To be in the running to win, all consultants have to do is book a guest on any 2018 Adventure Canada expedition with Cruise Traveller. Each solo traveller booking counts as one entry and every couple is two entries. The bookings must be deposited by 30 November 2017. Click here for more information.
2. Aussie Agents score up to 20 percent off Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Leading accommodation provider Oaks Hotels & Resorts is offering a saving of up to 20 percent for Travel Agents across its hotel portfolio worldwide of 56 hotels and resorts spanning popular leisure and CBD destinations.
In addition, Oaks offers customised industry rates for those travelling within the next 30 days; simply email or call Oaks Hotels & Resorts to see if an increased discounted rate can be offered.
Savings of up to 20 percent are applicable on all ‘Best Flexible’ and ‘Bed & Breakfast’ rates and can be redeemed on oakshotels.com by using promotion code ‘TRADE’. Bookings are subject to availability and blackout dates may apply.
3. YOU’RE INVITED to Trafalgar’s Business with Breakfast
To kick off the new selling season, award-winning guided holiday operator Trafalgar will be hosting another popular Business with Breakfast series across the country providing valuable sales tips for Travel Agents.
This July, 12 exclusive sessions will run throughout six states including a full breakfast. These events are not your regular launch, covering the latest selling and travel trends for 2018, a discussion on Trafalgar’s new American products and for a lucky winner a Trafalgar holiday is up for grabs at each event.
Appearing in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, these exclusive sessions will run between 4 July – 12 July 2017. There’s no better way to start the day than with a hearty serving of tips and trends to deliver a healthy jump into 2018 sales with prizes to be won at every event.
Click here to RSVP.
4. YOU’RE INVITED to MEA’s second Leaders’ Breakfast
Meetings & Events Australia will host its second Leaders’ Breakfast 7.30am to 9.00am on 6 July 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Sydney.
The event will focus on the international events market and features Jan Tonkin, Managing Director of the Conference Company based in New Zealand and President of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), and Rod Cameron Executive Director of the Brussels-based International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) and Manager of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).
This facilitated session will consider the influence of conventions and meetings on destinations around the world and on organisations that conduct international conventions. Jan and Rod will discuss the latest trends in conference and event management and the evolution of major convention centres around the world.
To register for this event, click here.
5. Week 1 winners for California STAR’s Dash for Cash are…
The first winners of Visit California’s four-week ‘Dash for Cash’ incentive have been revealed, and they are…
Amelia Robinson – Helloworld Maroochydore; Georgie Murray – Phil Hoffman Travel; Jamie Mcleod – Flight Centre Gateways; Adam Hinds – Macleay Valley Travel; Kim Payne – Flight Centre Auckland; Erica Slutzkin – FBI Travel; and Ashlee Viro – Phil Hoffman Travel.
Each consultant won $200 bucks for simply completing eight of the California STAR modules before 30 June. There’s still three weeks worth of winners to be announced, so click here to download the app and learn.
6. CLIA partners with Breakaway Travelclub
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced a partnership with travel industry agency Breakaway Travelclub, which will give CLIA Travel Agent members in Australia and New Zealand with complimentary membership of Breakaway Travelclub.
The Breakaway Membership will be offered to all current and new CLIA members with benefits including 24/7 access to the official cruise industry Training & Accreditation Program; access to the exclusive CLIA Member Benefits Program, providing discounts on a wide range of everyday consumer brands; exclusive use of the CLIA logo identifying you as a cruise specialist in all your marketing material; and exclusive access to participate in CLIA’s Global Plan a Cruise Month promotion.
There’s also inclusion in CLIA’s Travel Agent search function; as well as exclusive member discounts on tickets for Cruise360, the largest and only official cruise industry conference, and the annual CLIA Awards.
Current CLIA Australasia members can access Breakaway Travelclub by signing up through the CLIA member portal, and following the prompts to the Breakaway Travelclub link. Non-CLIA members can sign up as a new CLIA member via the CLIA website, www.cruising.org.au, and will then be able to access their complimentary Breakaway Travelclub membership.
7. Hong Kong Airlines takes flight from Vancouver
Hong Kong Airlines officially enters the North America market this month with a non-stop daily service between Vancouver, Canada (YVR) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) taking off on June 30, 2017.
To commemorate the airline’s entry into the Canadian market, beloved Hong Kong-born martial artist, Academy Award-winning Hollywood actor and world traveler Jackie Chan will be aboard the inaugural flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver on June 30, serving as a Hong Kong Airlines ambassador. On July 2, Chan will also be at YVR to see-off passengers outbound for Hong Kong.
8. Andrew Mulholland appointed Managing Director, Wendy Wu Tours – Australia & NZ
Wendy Wu Tours has appointed Andrew Mulholland as Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand. Based in Sydney, Mulholland will continue working closely with global chief executive Joe Karbo to drive company growth, digital transformation and innovation across the entire company portfolio.
Mulholland has been pivotal to Wendy Wu’s success since joining in June 2016 initially as General Manager, and has been instrumental in achieving record growth in revenue of over 32% year on year. In addition Mulholland has been leading the business transformation team enhancing strategic direction and integration across the business.
Mulholland said: “Wendy Wu Tours is in a really strong commercial position. Escorted touring, our key market, is one of the fastest growing travel sectors and a key reason why we’re significantly expanding our range of tours. Mulholland continued, “It’s a privilege to be given this new opportunity with Wendy Wu Tours and to be leading our business through the next phases of digital transformation.”
9. South Africa geared up to assist tourists affected by Knysna Fires
South African Tourism has been in constant contact with emergency services as they continue to work around the clock to manage the break out of fires in Knysna following severe weather conditions in the Western Cape.
Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) has set up an operations centre at Pelican Lodge through its partner, Safari and Tourism Insurance Brokers (SATIB). The emergency number for the centre is +27 1000 70230 for medical emergencies, reporting missing people, lost passports, repatriations requests and trauma counselling services
Tourists needing accommodation over the next 72 hours can also contact Nicole or Belinda at Sedgefield Tourism Offices on +2744 343 200.