Big Fat Agent Wrap
Flight Centre explore Ecuador and the Amazon Jungle in Peru
Bunnik Tours recently hosted a 15-day famil for Flight Centre Travel Group agents to discover the treasures of mainland Ecuador and the wonders of the Amazon Jungle in northern Peru, flying LATAM Airlines. The group landed in Guayaquil and travelled to Guamote, high in the Andes Mountains. They zigzagged down the mountain range on the famous Devil’s Nose train ride and ascended 4,800m up the Chimborazo Volcano.
In Baños the group enjoyed a hike through the rainforest to the Devil’s Cauldron waterfall and crossed the majestic Pastaza River Gorge by cable car.
Travelling north to Papallacta, they relaxed in the famous hot springs, right on the doorsteps of the hotel rooms. A highlight was a stay in one of Ecuador’s oldest haciendas that regularly hosted General Simon Bolivar.
They toured the old town of Quito and then flew to Iquitos, gateway to the Amazon in northern Peru. Piranha fishing, canopy walkways and a night walk were on the itinerary as well as a visit to a local animal rescue centre, where the group were lucky enough to see an anaconda as well as a sloth. The adventure ended in Lima, with a farewell dinner overlooking the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana.
Canadian Rockies Wow Personal Travel Managers
Experiencing the Canadian Rockies just like a client would, was the highlight for TravelManagers’ New South Wales based personal travel managers Melinda Rowe, representative for East Jindabyne and Trina Rynehart representative for Wagga Wagga. The personal travel managers participated on a Rocky Mountaineer educational, experiencing the First Passage to the West! one of the company’s best-selling rail journeys with the Coastal Passage add-on.
The ability to share her extensive personal travel experience and product knowledge with her clients is an absolute priority for Rowe.
“With most educationals, everything is pre-arranged from transport, hotels and sightseeing allowing little time to really experience the destinations as you would if you were travelling independently. For this reason I was thrilled that we got to enjoy the rail experience exactly as our clients would enjoying overnight stays in Calgary, Banff and Vancouver.”
Rynehart also enjoyed the opportunity to try local restaurants outside of the hosted famil.
“We discovered a great little café in Calgary called 1886 Buffalo Café which served the most delicious home-style breakfast. The Waldhaus Pub & Patio at Fairmont Banff Springs is a great place to enjoy a local or Bavarian beer, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is great. It’s located down the hill looking over the Stanley Thomson Golf Course and if you aren’t up for the walk back up the hill, the hotel offers a shuttle service via the scenic route.”
Rynehart celebrated her birthday during the famil, where she celebrated with her colleague Rowe at the Waldhaus Restaurant at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Sell your way to the USA winners get spoilt in Utah, Nevada & Oregon
Ten of the top selling Virgin Australia & Delta Airlines agents from the Visit USA shows incentive this year were treated to 8 days of adventure, sightseeing and tasty cuisine in Utah, Nevada & Oregon in October.
Split into two groups, five of the agents experienced Utah & Nevada including: Las Vegas shows, caving in Great Basin National Park, hiking in Zion National Park and horseback riding in Bryce Canyon National Park
Meanwhile the other five agents travelled to Oregon to view stunning waterfalls at Columbia George, sand dune buggy riding on the Oregon Coast, I Flying experience, bike riding through Portland, craft beer, pinot noir, whiskey and food truck tastings throughout the state.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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