Agent wrap: Travellers Choice ramps up member mentoring, A&K hosts top agents at Connoisseur Club + MORE
It’s Friday, which means two things: Travel Weekly’s agent wrap has arrived, and our editor has already made his way to the pub.
Travellers Choice launches Member Mentoring 2.0
Travellers Choice is now rolling out the second instalment of its Member Mentoring Program, with a number of enhancements designed to make the experience even more valuable for the group’s mentors and mentees.
Twenty Travellers Choice agents took part in the network’s inaugural six-month program, which saw mentors and mentees work together on a range of business and personal development issues.
General manager Sales Nicola Strudwick said some subtle but important changes have since been incorporated in the program in response to feedback from participants.
“In particular, we have refined the way we assess the skills and requirements of each participant, ensuring we get an even better match of mentor and mentee,” she said.
“At the same time, we are now providing extra guidance and support, especially during the initial contact stage when participants are exploring the most effective areas in which to focus.”
A&K hosts top agents at annual Connoisseur Club conference
Abercrombie & Kent recently hosted top agents at its annual Connoisseur Club conference.
Held this year in Hobart, the group stayed at the timber-clad, waterfront hotel Macq01, attended a forum on luxury travel and were treated to a private, after-hours visit to MONA with whisky tasting and a gourmet dinner.
Award-winning photographer, published author and host of A&K’s ‘Golden Eagle Festival Limited Edition Small Group Journey’, Palani Mohan, entertained participants with a presentation of his experiences in western Mongolia.
The conference concluded with an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the Raptor Refuge, south of Hobart, which is supported by A&K Philanthropy.
Temperance TIME for Fiona Dalton and Trish Shepherd
Travel industry Mentor Experience (TIME) mentors Fiona Dalton and Trish Shepherd are raising funds for TIME by abstaining from alcoholic libations for 90 days.
Dalton and Shepherd’s abstinence from alcohol will be followed closely by Martin Cowley and Steve Mackenzie, chairman and CEO of TIME sponsor The Lido Group, who undertook a similar activity last year. The pair from Lido set a goal of raising $3000, but exceeded that mark by some measure, ultimately reaching $3700.
Dalton and Shepherd plan to see the Lido team’s $3,700 and raise it to a neat $5,000. Both passionate advocates for making pathways to the ranks of travel industry leadership more inclusive, funds raised by the ladies will open doors to the program for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate.
Show your support here.
MTA meets Crooked Compass
Taking time to learn a little more about the amazing menu of travel experiences now on offer with boutique tour specialist Crooked Compass, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents NSW/ACT BDM Jackie Pennock and a group of MTA advisors recently met with company founder Lisa Pagotto in Sydney for a product update.
The venue for the event was the trendy INDU Sri Lankan restaurant.
TravelManagers extends Network Assistance Program
The conclusion of TravelManagers’ annual National Conference in Perth earlier this month marked 12 months since the introduction of the company’s Network Assistance Program (NAP), an initiative to support its business partners’ health and wellbeing.
TravelManagers CEO Joe Araullo said the program that provides support to personal travel managers throughout Australia has been such a success that its initial trial period has now been extended for a further 12 months.
“We’ve actually found that the uptake of NAP has been higher than expected, which indicates there may be greater benefit than we had originally foreseen and that an industry-wide need for this kind of support could be significant,” Araullo said.
“The program is available to all PTMs and while the service is offered on a confidential basis, the feedback from users who have voluntarily shared their experience has been very encouraging.”
New APX ambassadors return from Taipei
The annual APX staff ambassador program launched again last month, with staff nominating and voting for their colleagues who embody APX’s corporate values.
This year’s ambassadors are Aimee Donovan, Anthony Cornor, Debbie Fraser, Jamie Bishop, Jodi MacKinnon, Neihana Burke, Parvathy Menon, and Shannon Whitta.
The eight ambassadors, as well as APX’s Jenny Miller and Chris Hughes of Air New Zealand, returned from the annual ambassadors’ trip last Sunday. The destination – Taipai – remained a mystery until the ambassadors were announced.
The six-day trip saw the ambassadors enjoying Taipei’s famous food scene, markets and skyline.
Highlights from the trip also included flying Air New Zealand’s Business Premier, eating dumplings at Michelin star restaurant Din Tai Fung, and discovering Taipei’s temples and history.
Aussie and Kiwi agents get up to date on Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has just rounded out its three-city tour, kicking things off in Auckland with agent and B2B events at the start of the week, followed by a mid-week rendezvous in Melbourne, and culminating in Sydney with the finale agent event last night and B2B meetings today.
LVCVA, alongside 12 key industry partners, welcomed over 200 agents to discover all that’s new in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
This year’s sales mission was crafted to allow agents to build one-on-one relationships with local industry representatives, enabling agents to discover new products, as well as improve their destination knowledge via a Q&A session hosted by travel writer and comedian David Smiedt.
The events also saw one lucky agent from each city walk away with a major prize giveaway, which included two international return flights to Las Vegas, deluxe accommodation packages, only-in-Vegas activities and gourmet dining experiences.
The LVCVA was joined by key industry representatives from Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, TravelNevada, Elite Status Group, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, Maverick Helicopters & Airlines, Machine Guns Vegas, Indigo, Bramer Tours USA, Bindlestiff Tours and Bliss Wedding Chapel/Bliss Beyond the Neon.
Bruno the monkey pops into travel agencies in South East Queensland
One month after Royal Brunei Airlines launched its new Brisbane flights, travel agents in Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are watching out for #BrunoinQueensland (aka Bruno the Proboscis monkey) as he pops into travel centres in his ‘We found Brunei’ shirt.
Pictured below with Bruno and proving they already know the exact location of Brunei, on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia are Michael Gehrke, Kathryn McClean and Tamika Lanham from Flight Centre Tailor Made at Mt Ommaney.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
#BrunoinQueensland a&k abercrombie & kent agent wrap APX Connoisseur Club crooked compass las vegas Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority LVCVA mta MTA Mobile Travel Agents NAP Network Assistance Program royal brunei airlines Taipei travellers choice travelmanagersLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!