Welcome to our favourite part of Fridays – the agent wrap! Well, this and the fact that we don’t have to come into the office tomorrow.

Christmas comes early for Toy Story Land Mega Fam winners

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and this past week, 18 lucky agents were among the first to experience the wonder and joy of the Holiday Season at the largest Disney Destination of them all – Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The agents, who recently won their spot on the “A Very Merry Toy Story Land Christmas Mega-Fam” were whisked from Australia and New Zealand with Delta Airlines and Virgin Australia for six Magical Days and Nights at Walt Disney World Resort.

Here they had the chance to experience all four Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks and enjoy some of the new attractions including the thrilling Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And the awe-inspiring Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

The group also enjoyed the festive season with the Resorts many Christmas seasonal experiences including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park and the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! Fireworks spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And to top it all off, the agents were also treated to private reserved seating for a number of the six Night-Time spectaculars including Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Agents visit two Asian cities on one ticket

Eight Australian agents have recently returned from a familiarisation which focused on two contrasting Asian coastal cities – Macao and Xiamen – on a single ticket.

Organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office, the journey was designed to showcase the former Portuguese enclave’s close links with the nearby Chinese province of Fujian, essentially attracting more Australians to both destinations.

The aptly-labelled Fujian & Macao “The Maritime Silk Road” familiarisation was supported by Xiamen Airlines and Fujian Province and followed a product launch in Melbourne and Sydney earlier this year.

Under the joint promotion, the Macao Government Tourism Office announced it would work closely with Fujian Tourism to promote their products with the goal to boost tourism in both destinations

San Francisco Travel and SFO kick off San Francisco specialist badge

San Francisco Travel and SFO International Airport are giving travel agents the opportunity to enter a competition to win a Google home hub or a Google home mini by completing a San Francisco specialist badge.

The San Francisco specialist badge is intended to familiarise agents with a destination overview of the city. From where to eat to out-of-city excursions, the badge will help agents gain a better understanding of San Francisco and how to help their clients take full advantage of their time there.

In order to be eligible, agents will need to complete the San Francisco specialist badge on the Visit California STAR training platform and email Alexandra Sparr at Alexandra@gate7.com.au a photo of their certificate.

Agents have until December 3 to complete the badge in order to be in the drawing for one grand prize winner to receive a Google home hub and five second prize winners to receive Google home minis.

Ah the serenity – MTA Advisors go paddling in Piazza San Marco

Visiting Venice during the city’s worst spate of flooding for 22 years, this group of MTA – Mobile Travel Advisors made a beeline for the nearest gumboot shop to make sure they didn’t miss the opportunity to fully explore ‘La Serenissima’ (the most serene) as the city is affectionately known.

The group’s visit was part of an exclusive Uniworld boutique river cruise collection ‘Gems of Northern Italy’ study tour.

Gate 1 Travel is giving loyal Aussie agents more reasons to book

Gate 1 Travel has launched a new commission tier for agents who book three or more Gate 1 tours or river cruises a year. The new Preferred tier offers significant increases in booking commissions on all escorted tours and river cruises.

Offering a diverse range of tour destinations across all continents, Gate 1 Travel’s itineraries are categorised into different travel styles to help you select the right style of holiday for your clients.

Gratuities are included, as are the services of highly trained Tour Managers. A recent survey of past Gate 1 travellers shows that 100 per cent would travel with the company again.

Gate 1 has mastered the art of maximising value for money in conjunction with providing a quality travel experience. And the best part? You still earn commission on any discounted tour package.

Aussie agents get a taste of Vanuatu

Ten Flight Centre agents and two Infinity Holidays’ consultants have returned from Vanuatu after an incredible week exploring Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila and nearby attractions.

The group experienced a range of luxurious accommodation, including Iririki Island Resort & Spa, which is located on an island off the West Coast of Efate.

The group also got firsthand experiences of the soft adventure activities available for visitors to Vanuatu, from snorkelling off Hideaway Island to floating along the picturesque Rentapao River and getting up-close-and-personal with the local turtles.

COMO Hotels and Resorts and Thai Airways Agent Famil

COMO Hotels and Resorts and Thai Airways are hosting a famil to COMO Metropolitan Bangkok then onto London to COMO Metropolitan London and COMO The Halkin this week for Helloworld Business Travel.

Pictured outside COMO Metropolitan in Bangkok are from L to R are: Rita Garrad, Verve Travel Management, Amber Edwardson, 1000 Mile Travel Group, Anika Hiransi, Thai Airways, Shelly Scott, Corporate Blue, Kylie Kamaretsos, Bayview Travel, Susanna Lienhard, Reho Travel, Orawan Chiraporn, COMO Metropolitan Bangkok , Jonica Paramor, The Unique Tourism Collection.

TTC Weekly Deals

INSIGHT VACATIONS – Best of Spain & Portugal

Save your client 15% on all Insight Vacations trips to Spain, Portugal and Morocco departing in summer 2019 with Insight Vacations Summer Sale! Enjoy these savings on the Best of Spain and Portugal itinerary. Clients can immerse themselves in a cultural kaleidoscope as they discover the fascinating history of the Spanish, Portuguese and Moorish kingdoms, tasting exquisite wines and unique gastronomic delights like paella, tapas and pintxos. Starting from $4,463* per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 26 November 2018 for select departure dates between 30 March and 18 August 2019. Other departure dates available however prices will vary. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.insightvacations.com.

UNIWORLD – Burgundy and Provence

Savings up to 30% await clients that choose select 2019 sailings with Uniworld’s Our Best Offer promotion! They can enjoy these savings on the 8 day Burgundy and Provence itinerary. Clients will be cruising the Rhine and Saine rivers, enjoying the region’s incomparable wine and cuisine and discovering its many treasures—from the medieval wonders of UNESCO-designated Avignon to Lyon’s lively Les Halles food market. Stroll the very streets of Arles made famous by Van Gogh and visit Avignon’s majestic Palace of the Popes. Starting from $5,039* per person (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 31 December 2018 and reflective of departure on 28 July and 4 & 11 August 2019. Other departure dates are available, prices may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com.

CONTIKI – East Africa Safari

There’s adventure, and then there’s Africa. If your client has never walked its sweeping plains, witnessed its jaw-dropping wildlife, explored its ancient cultures or camped beneath its star-swept skies, it’s difficult to understand. This is adventure, unfiltered. Save up to $675* off the 13 day East Africa Safari when your client books and pays in full by 31 January 2018. Vast national parks full of wildlife, an orphanage for elephants, a Massai village and an ancient volcano await you on this trip through Africa’s Nairobi, Masai Mara, Lake Elementaita, Amboseli, Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater. Starting from $4,940* per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 for departure on 10 Nov, 24 Nov and 8 Dec 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com.

TRAFALGAR – New Zealand Splendour

Save 10% on select holidays with Trafalgar’s Early Payment Discount. Enjoy these savings on the 15 day New Zealand Splendour travel itinerary. Beginning in Auckland and ending in Christchurch travellers will explore the length and breadth of both the North and South island of New Zealand on this journey through Rotorua, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch, Twizel, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Franz Josef and Punakaiki. Starting from $5656.50* per person (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 Jan 2019 for select departures between 04 Jun – 01 Oct 2019. For more information or to book call 1800 787 878 or visit www.trafalgar.com.

ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL – Northern Lights and Winter Nights

Save your clients up to $425 per person on 2019 departures with Adventure World Travel. Enjoy these savings on the 8 day Northern Lights and Winter Nights travel itinerary that combines fine dining with the spectacular Northern Lights for the ultimate Manitoba winter experience. Veiw the Northern Lights from the comfort of the Tundra Buggy and enjoy an evening of exquisite dining at a unique pop-up restaurant at the edge of the frozen Churchill River. Starting from $6,805* per person, twin share (including discount, domestic flights and specified sightseeing activities). This offer is on sale now until the 31st of December 2018 for departure on 17 & 24 February and 1 & 5 March 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 363 055 or visit www.adventureworld.com.

AAT KINGS – Wonders of the Kimberley

Clients can save 10% on AAT King’s Guided Holidays in Australia when they book and pay in full by 31 January 2019. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 11 day Wonders of the Kimberley travel itinerary where they begin their magnificent Kimberley experience with a spectacular sunset over Broome’s Cable Beach, then enter a magical world of rich waterways, plunging gorges, stunning rock formations and prolific wildlife as they travel from Broome to Darwin through Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Kununurra and Katherine. Starting from $4,905* per person twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until the 31st of January 2019 for select travel dates between 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com.

BUSABOUT – Ultimate Vietnam Adventure

Save 10% on Busabout’s Asia Trips including the 14-day Ultimate Vietnam Adventure! Your guests can visit Vietnam and become a culture glutton, whilst discovering one of the most bountiful countries of Southeast Asia as they travel between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Mai Châu, Phong Nha – Ke Bang, Huế, Hội An, Nha Trang & Dalat. Starting from $1439* per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 valid for 2018/19/20 departure dates listed in the 2019 brochure. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com.

U BY UNIWORLD – The Danube Flow

Clients can save 20% on select 2019 U by Uniworld cruises with Our Best Offer promotion! These amazing savings can be enjoyed on the 8 day The Danube Flow river cruise. Guests will 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 $2,159* per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 31 December 2018 for departure on 18 & 25 May, 1, 22 & 29 June and 24 &31 August 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 730 010 or visit www.uniworld.com.