Big Fat Agent Wrap
Welcome to the second last agent wrap of the year! Don’t expect anything amazing next week – we’ll be too busy singing Christmas carols to do any work.
MTA head office team celebrates the festive season
Pictured celebrating the festive season centre, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents co-managing directors, Karen and Roy Merricks (centre, middle row) with senior management and the head office team.
The venue for the event was the stylish Ioesco Restaurant in Sanctuary Cove.
Princess Cruises gives agents the chance to win the ultimate culinary adventure
Princess Cruises is giving agents the chance to experience the best of cruise and cuisine by winning The Ultimate Culinary Adventure for two. Between now and 28 February 2019, agents registered with Princess Academy who make an eligible booking will receive an entry to be in the draw to win:
- Two night’s accommodation in Los Angeles for two, including dinner reservations at Chef Curtis Stone’s multi award-winning restaurant, Gwen
- A seven-night Alaska cruise for two onboard the newly refreshed Ruby Princess. Staying in a mini-suite, guests will sail the Inside Passage and experience the World Heritage listed Glacier Bay National Park
- Dinner for two at Curtis Stone’s restaurant SHARE onboard Ruby Princess, featuring new menu items
- $500 AUD onboard credit to spend on shore excursions in Alaska
- $4,000 AUD EZair credit to cover flights
To enter, agents need to be registered with Princess Academy and make an eligible booking over the competition period. Once a deposit has been received and paid, agents then enter the booking reference number at www.onesourcecruises.com. Each booking counts as one entry and the winner will be drawn at random on Monday, 18 March 2019.
Hong Kong Tourism Board 24 hour Mass Transit Rail passes and Airport Express Line voucher
Are you or your clients going to Hong Kong over the festive holiday season?
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) have a limited amount of complimentary 24 hour Mass Transit Rail passes and Airport Express Line vouchers for those visiting Hong Kong between now and 31 December 2018.
For more information contact adam.rodriguez@hktb.com (n.b. first come basis).
Costsaver launches first ever Global Agent Fam Trip
As the original and fastest-growing guided independent touring operator in the industry, Costsaver has launched its first global familiarisation trip, the Costsaver Clique Top Achievers Trip, giving top selling agents from Australia (and around the world) the exclusive opportunity to experience its inaugural programme in Asia next year.
Following the launch of Costsaver’s brand new Asia programme, the Costsaver Clique Top Achievers Trip, departing in May 2019, will visit Vietnam, offering agents the chance to trial Costsaver’s pioneering ‘Essentials by Us, Tailored by You’ concept first-hand.
To qualify for a place on this epic trip, agencies simply need to have as many guests as possible booked (and paid for) on Costsaver’s industry-leading value tours by 31 March 2019, with a minimum of four passengers on the new Asia portfolio. Top selling agencies will receive a notification before the end of December 2018 to let them know they are in the running.
Then in the months ahead, the shortlist will narrow, based on the agency’s sales of the Costsaver programme, and each one still in with a chance will receive regular postcard teasers revealing a new destination on the trip. Agencies that receive a fifth and final postcard will be sending one lucky member of staff on their way to Vietnam.
Insight Vacations Early Payment Discount ending
Insight Vacations are reminding travel advisors of their Early Payment Discount ahead of the Christmas selling season. Clients can save 10 per cent per person when they book and pay in full by 31st January 2019.
By booking early, travellers get the best deals possible and the biggest choice of trips and departure dates.
TravelManagers lead representation on Philippines Famil and Travel Exchange
The islands of the Philippines sit roughly three thousand kilometres almost due north of Darwin, and their popularity as a tourism destination has grown steadily over the past ten years, with more than 250,000 Australians estimated to have visited in 2017.
With this in mind, thirteen personal travel managers (PTMs) were invited to be part of a group of thirty travel professionals on an eight-day famil of the island provinces of Cebu and Bohol, hosted by the Philippine Department of Tourism and Philippine Airlines.
After arriving in Cebu, the group spent their first morning participating in a “travel exchange”: a series of B2B sessions with suppliers that were either targeting or already active in the Australian market.
Back-to-back Bali luxury proves a hit with Travellers Choice agents
It can be tough work being a travel agent at times but as six Travellers Choice agents lucky enough to discover some of Bali’s luxury hotels will tell you – this was not one of them.
Hosted by Viva! Holidays and Garuda Indonesia, the agents were treated to two nights at the Double-Six Luxury Hotel in Seminyak and the Radisson Blu in Uluwatu.
The group then slowed down the pace at the Radisson Blu. Located in the quieter region of Uluwatu with a collection of small cafes, boutiques and spas, the agents soaked up the village-like atmosphere.
The Travellers Choice agents also enjoyed a luxury catamaran evening cruise onboard the Aristocat and relaxed at the popular Finns Beach Club in Canggu.
‘MTA Professional Plus’ off to a flying start
Just weeks after its official launch, MTA- Mobile Travel Agents’ benchmark ‘MTA Professional Plus’ in-house accreditation program is off to a flying start with close on 80 MTA Advisors now well on their way to becoming fully accredited MTA Certified Travel Professionals.
Developed inhouse by MTA, ‘MTA Professional Plus’ has been designed to help further educate and support MTA Advisors in their day to day business and, overall, enhance their standing as travel industry professionals.
A self-paced program allowing Advisors to gain accreditation within a time frame that suits their own lifestyles, ‘MTA Professional Plus’ comprises nine core pathways and two optional pathways.
These focus on social media, corporate, cruise, air, land product, luxury, marketing, business and professional development.
Hot deals from Intrepid
Save $898 on Intrepid’s nine day Cuba Sailing Adventure departing 29 December 2018. Travel to Cuba and embark on an incredible sailing trip around the Canarreos Peninsula. On this trip, travellers will experience the old-world charm, rich history and exciting nightlife of Havana, explore the islands and beaches of the Canarreos Archipelago and discover the underwater world of Cayeria Los Majaes while snorkelling through warm, shallow pools.
Save $808 on Intrepid’s 13 day Cycle Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailandtrip departing 19 January 2019. Travel from Vietnam to Thailand on a two-wheeled adventure. On this trip, travellers will explore Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in 13 days, see Indochina from the seat of a bicycle and get amongst nature, wildlife, small villages and ancient ruins in some of the region’s most lively cities.
Save $966 on Intrepid’s 13 day Inca Encounter trip departing 13 January 2019. Travel to South America and tour Peru from the Amazon to the Andes. On this trip, travellers will descend into the vast catacombs beneath Lima on an underground tour, discover ancient Incan architecture throughout the Sacred Valley and explore a guided tour of the ruins.
TTC Weekly Deals
INSIGHT VACATIONS – Britain and Ireland Discovery
Guests can discover the Insight Difference when travelling to Europe in 2019 with our 10%* Early Payment Discount. They can enjoy these savings on the 22 day Britain and Ireland Discovery itinerary. This epic adventure illuminates every corner of the British Isles as they travel between London, Stratford, Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Skye, Glasgow, Londonderry, Sligo Bay, Limerick, Killarney, Waterford, Dublin, Wales and Cornwall. Starting from $6,839* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 for select departures between 29 May and 28 June 2019. Other departure dates available however prices will vary. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.insightvacations.com.
TRAFALGAR – Best of Portugal
Your clients can save 10% off a huge range of Trafalgar’s Europe and Britain trips with the 10% Early Payment Discount, including 11 day Best of Portugal itinerary. Clients will wander through medieval cities and visit many a religious landmark in Lisbon, Algarve, Évora, Castelo de Vida, Viseu, Porto, Coimbra, Fátima and Obidos on this trip through Portugal. Starting from $3082.50* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 for select departures between 27 March and 25 October 2019. For more information or to book call 1800 787 878 or visit www.trafalgar.com.
ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL – Marataba Wilderness Escape
Your clients can enjoy 2 nights FREE* at More Quarters Cape Town with Adventure World Travel when they purchase the 4 Day Marataba Wilderness Escape. On this itinerary guests will experience a land where mountains, winding rivers and open savannahs meet at the Marataba Reserve. This Reserve is 67,000 hectares of protected area in the Marekele National Park home to the Big Five and more! Guest will also get to experience a Miss Mara sunset cruise along the Matlabas River. Starting from $3319 * per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 1 December 2019 for departures between 16 Feb and 17 December 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 363 055 or visit www.adventureworld.com.
AAT KINGS – Outback Adventure
Save 10% on AAT King’s Guided Holidays in Australia when your clients book and pay in full by 31 January 2019. They will discover the legendary Australian outback on AAT Kings 15 day Outback Adventure; a fascinating northbound journey from Adelaide, through the Red Centre and onto tropical Darwin in the Top End. On this trip guests will travel through Flinders Range, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine Gorge and Jabiru. Starting from $5531* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 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.
UNIWORLD – Magnificent Moselle & Rhine
Clients can save up to 30% on select 2019 sailings with Uniworld’s Our Best Offer promotion, such as the 10 day Magnificent Moselle & Rhine. Guest will cruise along the alluring Moselle and Rhine through Cologne, Bonn, Boppard, Mainz, Cochem, Bernkastel, Trier and Remich, discovering some of the Germany’s finest hidden gems. Starting from $5,109* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 December 2018 and reflective of departure on 5 June 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 – Kiwiana Panorama
It’s time for your clients to take on the Adventure capital of the world because New Zealand is On Sale with Contiki! Travellers can save 10% when they book by 6 Jan 2019. They can enjoy these savings on the 16 day Kiwiana Panorama itinerary as they feed their adrenaline cravings on this trip from Auckland to Queenstown through Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Mount Ruapehu, Wellington, Christchurch & Franz Josef Glacier. Rest & relaxation is overrated! Starting from $2,732* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 6 January 2019 for departures between January and April 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com.
BUSABOUT – Bangkok to Kwai Adventure
Save your clients 10% on Busabout’s Asia Trips! These savings can be enjoyed on the 3 day Bangkok to Kwai Adventure. Get your clients ready to journey into the true heart of Thailand on this adventure from Bangkok to Kwai through Kanchanaburi, Damnoen Saduak and Ayutthaya. Travellers will be getting up close and experiencing the local charm of the floating market, journeying up the River Kwai by longtail boat, sampling locally-made sweets, seeing the action at a Muay Thai boxing gym and learning about the Death Railway. Starting from $665 per person (discount included). 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 contact http://www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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