Big fat agent wrap
Hey, agents! To celebrate this very special Friday, we’ve got a cool wrap for ya. Okay fine, we do it every Friday. But that doesn’t make it any less cool.
Switzerland Tourism Kicks Off 2018 Switzerland Travel Academy
Switzerland Tourism has kicked off their 2018 Switzerland Travel Academy, a cutting-edge e-learning program designed to not only equip agents with useful information about the country, but also provide handy tools to help them sell better.
To be a certified Switzerland expert, agents must complete the core modules of the program and pass the final exam. These core modules cover general information about the country, events, experiences and news. For a deeper focus on niche markets such as family holidays and types of accommodation on offer, agents can sign up to the specialisation modules after completing the core modules and exam.
Agents can complete the modules at their own pace, but in order to receive a certificate of graduation, all modules and final test must be completed with flying colours by 31 December 2018.
Top performing certified Switzerland experts will also stand the chance to win one of three prizes, valued at $500 each. They include a Victorinox watch, a Victorinox carry-on suitcase and a Westfield gift card.
Winners will be announced in mid-January 2019. To register, agents need to go to http://australia.switzerlandtravelacademy.ch
Agents can hear more about the Switzerland Travel Academy here.
Personal Travel Managers Follow Crooked Compass to Georgia
Georgia sits at the intersection of Europe and Asia, a former Soviet republic that is fast becoming the next big thing, thanks in no small part to its varied and impossibly beautiful landscapes that include the towering Caucasus Mountains and lovely Black Sea beaches.
TravelManagers was fortunate to have two personal travel managers (PTMs) invited to participate in a recent eleven-day famil of the country, hosted by Crooked Compass.
One of just six famil participants, PTM Di Yates says Georgia was a destination she didn’t know a lot about but was very interested to visit.
“I love what Crooked Compass do with their itineraries,” adds Yates, who is representative for Montrose, VIC, “so I knew it would be an amazing experience.”
The group’s itinerary began in Tbilisi, where they had plenty of time to explore the city’s cobblestoned old town, which reflects a long and complicated history thanks to periods of both Persian and Russian rule.
A cable car ride to the hilltop, fourth-century Narikala Fortress provided a bird’s eye perspective of the city, which was followed by a walk down to the historical domed sulphur bath area and concluded with dinner in a restaurant described by Yates as “a hidden gem”.
One of the highlights of this region was a hike through Okatse Canyon that included a 700-metre suspended walkway that projects from the walls of the canyon and culminates in a viewing platform that hangs right out over the middle of the canyon.
This served as an introduction to the serious hiking part of the itinerary, exploring in the Svaneti region which is home to the not just the highest mountains and glaciers but also the most abiding ancient traditions.
MTA Members ‘forced’ to drink tequila in Mexico
Pictured, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’ Carine Griffiths, Linda Kjernander, Susan Barton and Kathy Thomaidis hard at work down Mexico way sampling tequila while taking part in an exclusive study tour at the prestigious Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa Del Carmen on Mexico’s famous Riviera Maya.
Highlights of the Members’ program included cycling tours and a cleansing ceremony conducted by a traditional Mayan priest at the resort’s famous ‘Agujero Azul’ (Blue Hole).
Cruisefusion Launches Agent Commission Incentive to Celebrate Odysseus
Cruise/tour wholesaler Cruisefusion is offering agents a bonus 2 per cent commission on applicable cruise sales from now until 31 December, 2018 ̶ plus the top selling sales agent for the period will receive a free 7-day Royal Caribbean cruise from Sydney.
This special agent incentive is being offered using Cruisefusion’s new Odysseus live dynamic packaging reservations platform unveiled last month, which allows agents to book a complete fly/cruise/stay travel package for clients and access a range of unique cruise holidays.
Cruisefusion General Manager Geoff Hackett said the new platform had been very well received since its introduction and was proving easy to use and delivering many efficiencies to booking agents.
“Agents are enjoying the benefits of being able to process a cruise, air and hotel booking with live and dynamic pricing in the one platform,” Hackett said.
“This incentive provides an opportunity for agents to earn hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, in extra commission and be in the running for the Royal Caribbean cruise to the top sales agent.”
TTC Weekly Deals
LUXURY GOLD
Majesty of the Rockies with Goldleaf Rocky Mountaineer
Clients can enjoy a 10%* Early Payment Discount on 2019 journeys when they book & pay in full by 31 January 2019 and experience the Majesty of the Canadian Rockies with Luxury Gold on the 14 day Majesty of the Rockies with Goldleaf Rocky Mountaineer itinerary. Travellers will take in the majesty of the mountains as they travel in luxurious comfort by road, rail and sea to the most dazzling national parks, glaciers and historic villages of Western Canada and Alaska through Victoria, Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper before taking the Award Winning Goldleaf Rocky Mountaineer railway to Vancouver. Starting from $9,810* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale from now until 31 January 2019 for departure on 12 May 2019 unless sold out prior. Other departure dates are available however pricing may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.luxurygoldvacations.com *Conditions Apply.
ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL
Two Rivers Safari
Book before the 24th of April 2019 to save your clients up to $2,910* per person on Adventure World Travel’s 8 day Two Rivers Safari itinerary. Combine an undiscovered gem, the Lower Zambezi, with one of the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries, South Luangwa, on this 8-day Safari. Travellers will get to explore the region’s diverse habitats with daily game drives and safari walks with an award-winning guiding team. Starting from $9,999* per person twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 24 April 2019. Valid for select departures taking place between 24 April and 25 May 2019. Other departure dates are available at alternate price. For more information or to book call 1300 363 055 or visit www.adventureworld.com *Conditions Apply.
TRAFALGAR
Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords
Fly for $999 to Europe & Britain! Your clients can enjoy this offer in combination with the 14 day Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords itinerary where they will discover the deep fjords, glaciers and islands that line the Scandinavian coastline. This fascinating journey through Denmark, Norway and Sweden begins in Copenhagen and takes guests through Bergen, Geiranger, Lillehammer, Oslo and Stockholm. Starting at a total of $6,549* pp twin share (return economy Air from $999* included). This offer is on sale now until the 31st of October 2018 for select departures between 1 April and 30 November 2019. For more information or to book call 1800 787 878 or visit www.trafalgar.com *Conditions Apply.
UNIWORLD
Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland
A world of luxury awaits with the most all-inclusive river cruise finely tailored just for your client. Guests can Fly Free to Europe in 2019 on select 2019 European river cruises booked before 7 November 2018 and enjoy this offer in collaboration with the 11 day Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland itinerary. On this trip they will explore Europe’s rich history and Jewish heritage on an incredible discovery of The Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland through Amsterdam, Zaandam, Rotterdam, Cologne, Frankfurt, Strasbourg and Basel. Starting from $6,199* per person, twin share (including return economy airfares). This offer is on sale from now until 7 November 2018 for departure on 2 April 2019. Other departure dates available, prices may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com *Conditions Apply.
AAT KINGS
Outback Adventure
Save 10% on all AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays in Australia when booked and paid in full by 31 January 2019. Clients can enjoy these savings on the 15 day Outback Adventure itinerary where they will discover the legendary Australian outback on a fascinating northbound journey from Adelaide, through the Red Centre and onto tropical Darwin in the Top End. The stunning beauty of Australia’s vast and varied landscapes including the rugged Flinders Ranges, ancient Uluru and Kata Tjuta and the lush wetlands of Kakadu National Park will provide memories to last a lifetime. Starting from $5,531* per person twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale until the 31st of January 2019 for select departures between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.
BUSABOUT
Eastern Wanderer
Save your clients up to $183* of Busabout’s 14 day Eastern Wanderer with 10% off select Adventures booked before the 16th of November. This is a trip for those who truly appreciate beauty. Over two weeks, they’ll have more jaw-dropping photo ops than they can imagine and induce some serious jealousy from those unlucky enough to be stuck back at home. The grand palaces of Vienna, the fairy tale architecture of Krakow, the sunrise over Budapest, the crystal-clear waters and ancient Old Town of Split – throw all that together with some epic nights of revelry in the hippest bars and clubs and they’ll be experiencing one hell of an adventure! Starting from $1,646* per person twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale from now until the 16th of November for travel dates between the 14th of May and the 30th of September 2019. For more information or to book contact www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226. *Conditions apply.
CONTIKI
No Stone Left Unturned
Why wait to see what 2019 brings, when you can make sure it brings the goods? Lock in a Europe Summer trip now and you can get 10% off. Sip cocktails in the Amalfi, watch the sunset on a private boat in Croatia and watch the Eiffel Tower light up at night next year. Travellers can enjoy these savings on Contiki’s 25 Day European Quest as they head anti-clockwise around Europe on this adventure from London, through Paris, Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam. This is the trip to get your clients to all the noteworthy European locations and tick some absolutely stellar highlights off their bucket list such as Big Ben, The Eifel Tower, La Rambla, The Florence Duomo and The Colosseum. Starting from $3,846* per person twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale from now until the 31st of January 2019. Price reflective of select departure dates available between 29 March 2019- 13 March 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com *Conditions Apply.
U BY UNIWORLD
The Danube Flow
Save your clients 10% when they book and pay in full by 31 October with U by Uniworld’s early booking savings. Travellers can enjoy these savings on the 8 day The Danube Flow river cruise itinerary. They will be able to wander through the highest density of pubs and bars in Germany, discover Austria’s Wachau Valley, and explore the lively capital of Hungary on this adventure from Budapest to Regensburg through Passau, Linz, Dürnstein, Vienna and Bratislava. Starting from $2,249* per person twin share. This offer is on sale now until 31 October 2018 for all 2019 sailings. For more information or to book call 1300 730 010 or visit www.ubyuniworld.com *Conditions apply.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
agent wrapLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.