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. $70,000 worth of prizes for Agents to WIN from G Adventures
‘Boom boom boom, let me here you say way-ooh (way-ooh)’, because G Adventures’ Uber Massive Incentive is back for another year with $70,000 worth of prizes for Agents to win.
The adventure travel company released details of the hugely popular annual incentive today and there’s plenty for Aussie and Kiwi Agents to get excited about.
2. Want to visit the USA? Here’s how Agents can get there with Excite Holidays
Want to party in West Hollywood? Enjoy the sun in Hawaii? Visit ghost towns in Nevada? Or how about discover the USA southern states?
Excite Holidays is giving Travel Agents the chance to tick one of the four experiences in the USA off their bucket list this year, as part of its new USA mega campaign launched today.
To be in the running, Agents need to make a booking in the select USA destinations – West Hollywood, Nevada, Hawaii or the Southern States. One booking will give them one entry into the draw.
3. Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting – how one Agent responded
The US city of theme parks, cruising and sun – Florida – was shaken over the weekend, when five people were killed in a shooting at Fort Lauderdale Airport.
According to reports, the gunman, who has now been identified as a former member of the US military, flew into the international gateway from Alaska.
Esteban Santiago disembarked the flight and picked up his checked luggage, which is believed to have been concealing his weapon.
4. 600 flights cancelled in Turkey
Image: Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)/Facebook
Some 600 domestic and international flights to and from Turkey’s largest airport have been cancelled today as a result of heavy snowfall in Istanbul.
According to local media, a blanket of up to 40cm of snow has covered the city, forcing airlines to re-route and cancel services until it clears.
5. New website & a new positioning for Seniors Holiday Travel
The New Year has prompted Seniors Holiday Travel to shake business up a little with a fresh new website and positioning.
Changes were unveiled this week and according to the agency, are designed to appeal to a wider demographic.
At the centre of changes is the new website, which now has user-friendly functionality and is packed with information, member benefits, exclusive deals and even a blog to help consumers research their next trip.
6. Trafalgar targets the travel decision makers
Trafalgar has teamed up with fashion and lifestyle publication, Marie Claire, to reach today’s women with “an on-trend collaboration”.
The ‘From Italy with Love’ campaign will feature throughout January 2017 with a wealth of compelling video, social and print content on Marie Claire’s on and offline publications.
Charting the story of an immersive Italian journey, the campaign invites readers to discover their ‘inner belissima’ as they follow friendships formed on a voyage of exclusive Trafalgar local encounters such as access to the Vatican after-hours.
Trafalgar’s CEO, Gavin Tollman, said the collaboration with Marie Claire is an example of Trafalgar’s commitment to innovation and to engaging with a wide range of travellers.
7. Encore! Encore! Encore
A luxury vessel, a best-selling soprano singer, a bottle of champagne and hundreds of spectators – they were just a few of the festive features in Singapore last week when Seabourn formally introduced its newest ship, Seabourn Encore, to the world.
International recording artist, Sarah Brightman, presided over the naming ceremony for the 600-guest ship by sending a bottle of champagne smashing against the bow and kick starting celebrations.
According to Seabourn President Richard Meadows, Encore “marks the start of a new era of ultra-luxury cruising”, with a modern design and new features on board such as The Retreat – a secluded sanctuary for guests to relax in private cabanas; Sushi – Seabourn’s first sushi restaurant; as well as the new Spa and Wellness with Dr Andrew Weil experience –a holistic spa and wellness offering.
8. Helloworld Mackay & Mt Pleasant welcome new General Manager
helloworld Mackay and Mt Pleasant have a new General Manager on board, Mark Walter, who brings with him outsider experience and a fresh perspective on the business.
Walter recently spent five years as CEO of a mining company based in Mackay, in his new role, starting 3 January, he’ll be responsible for furthering business strategies.
John Cooney, Director of Helloworld Mackay & Mt Pleasant said the business was looking forward to having Mark on board.
Walter replaces Steven Boxall who departured in September 2016.
9. It’s a ‘World of Wonder’ at discounted prices
How do you feel about $4,190 per couple off a 15-day river cruise around France in a balcony and flights included? Or paying seven nights for a 10-night river cruise?
They’re just a few of the savings your clients can pick up off Scenic during its ‘World of Wonder Sale’.
Running for eight weeks from now until 28 February, the offer is valid on 2017 tours across a range of Scenic destinations including Europe and South East Asia River Cruising, Canada, China, India and Australia.
Click here for more information.
10. Want to bite into those delicious looking tacos below? Here’s how you can…
Two weekends of food like that? YES PLEASE!
Los Angeles’ 15-day food festival called ‘dineL.A.’ is back this year with specially-priced lunch and dinner menus.
The event running from 13 to 27 January, sees up to 300 restaurants throughout Los Angeles give visitors the chance to experience local dining at special prices – it also creates an opportunity to dine their way through the city’s diverse neighbourhoods.
Venues include newcomers such as Geoffrey Zakarian’s Georgie, Greg Bernhardt’s Paley, Tony Esnault’s Spring, to timeless spots including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and Suzanne Goin’s Lucques.
The event is presented by American Express and diners can visit the dineL.A. website to book reservations.
