There’s nothing like reading about all the great deals on offer right now to inspire you to work harder. And by ‘work harder’ we mean quit and go travelling solo.

Opa! TravelCube adds Greek Island Ferry packages

TravelCube has just added three exclusive Greek Island Ferry packages to its fast-growing portfolio of destination services.

The company’s new Greek Island Ferry packages all incorporate private transfers, with clients personally escorted to and from their ferries by local representatives.

The packages cover three of the country’s most popular ferry journeys:

• Piraeus (Athens) – Mykonos: clients are greeted upon arrival at Athens International Airport by a friendly TravelCube representative, who will escort them to their hotel and the following morning take them to Piraeus port, guide them past the long tickets queues and ensure they quickly board the ferry. A representative will also greet them on arrival in Mykonos and transfer them to their accommodation.
• Mykonos – Santorini: a representative will collect clients from their hotel in Mykonos, transfer them to the port, hand over their tickets and help them board the inter-island ferry. The same level of personalised service will greet them on arrival in Santorini, where they will enjoy a private transfer to their accommodation.
• Santorini – Piraeus (Athens): after a private transfer from Santorini to the port, a local representative will pass on their ferry tickets to Piraeus port and assist with boarding. On arrival a local another representative will ensure an equally smooth and efficient private transfer to accommodation in Athens.

Explore Worldwide winter sale

Imagine encountering penguins and whales in South Africa, discovering timeworn windmills and Baroque churches in the Baltic States or learning about tea-making in Sri Lanka. Or how about exploring stunning lakes and mountains in Europe by bike, or trekking along the magnificent Great Wall of China?   

Explore Worldwide are offering travellers savings of $190 per person on all these experiences, plus many more, in their winter sale.  

All trips incorporate ‘Explore twists’; unique experiences delivered by expert Explore Leaders to really help you get under the skin of a country. Sample home-grown food in an Agriturismo in Italy, search for leopards in the lesser-known Willpaththu National Park in Sri Lanka or discover the traditional way of life of Saaremaa Island in Estonia.  

The sale is available on 100 of their most popular trips, which include walking and cycling adventures in Europe as well as group trips worldwide. Savings can be enjoyed on selected departures between June and September 2017 when you book by 19 June 2017.  

Travel Weekly and CLIA present Cruise Pursuit!

If you like fun, FREE nights out with your friends and colleagues, then you’ll be itching to sign up for our Cruise Pursuit events, coming to Sydney and Brisbane very soon!

Register in teams of three or four – or sign up solo and we’ll gift you with some new buddies for the night – to show off your cruise knowledge and have one heck of a good time.

Sydney Cruise Pursuit will be held at Hyatt Regency on Wednesday, July 5 2017, while Brisbane will be having fun at Cruise Pursuit on Tuesday, July 11 2017 at Sofitel Central.

Spaces are limited to grab your mates and REGISTER HERE.

Savings on Luxury Myanmar Experience from Latitude 33

For a limited time the highly inclusive package has been reduced to $6,999 per person twin share- a savings of over $2000 per person- plus receive a complimentary two night stopover in Singapore including an upgrade to Club Marina Bay Room at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and with access to The Oriental Club during your stay, when you book before July 31.

Explore Myanmar overland for six nights staying at The Strand Yangon and the Villa Inle Resort, at one of the country’s most significant natural wonder-Inle Lake, before flying to Bagan to board your privately chartered vessel, the five-star Sanctuary Ananda.

Set sail for seven-nights along the Irrawaddy and take in the stunning untouched countryside views from floor to ceiling windows and full balconies in all suites. This all-inclusive cruise includes a daily variety of unique local excursions and cultural experiences with local and on-board guides, all meals with beverages and local wine at lunch and dinner and pre-paid gratuities.

The 15-night package also includes return economy air fares from Australia, airport transfers in Australia (within 60 kilometres), domestic airfares in Myanmar and ground tours and transfers.

The journey departs Australia on September 19, 2017 and is for sale until sold out.

Back-Roads Touring announces $1,000 early bird savings

Back-Roads Touring have just announced their Exclusive Sneak Peek Special, inviting guests to save up to $1,000 per couple on some of their most popular tours for travel in 2018.

The deal will be on sale from 22 May to 31 August 2017.

A total of 10 tours will receive 10% off in the early bird special:

• Corners of Cornwall
• A Scottish Journey
• Ireland – The Emerald Isle
• ANZAC’s on the Western Front
• Discover Portugal
• Iberian Inspiration
• Italian Indulgence
• Highlights of Britain
• Corners of southern Ireland
• Tuscan Treats

Thailand tourism generates 840 billion Baht in first four months

Bangkok – Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has released figures showing that during the first four months of this year, 12 million visitors came to Thailand spending around 620 billion Baht, an increase of 4.71 per cent when compared with the same period in 2016. Domestic tourism is thriving too, with over 220 billion Baht being generated.

These figures also show that the strategy of attracting higher spending, quality tourists put in place by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is now paying off as people recognise that Thailand offers luxury experiences, dining and leisure opportunities which rate among the world’s best.

Of the 12 million visitors to Thailand from January to April, 7.5 million came from East Asia, generating 308 billion Baht. China remained the leading source market at about 3.2 million arrivals.

In addition, larger numbers of European visitors arrived to Thailand from January to April, totalling 2.7 million arrivals, up 8.41 per cent when compared with the same period in 2016. They contributed over 200 billion Baht in revenue, showing that despite the growth in Chinese tourism, Europe remains a vital market for Thailand.

New Winter Packages for Port Stephens

Dune-side retreat in Port Stephens releases new winter and spring packages  –   From just $366 per couple for 2 nights including bonus tours, extras and campfires

It is home to Australia’s largest sand dunes stretching 32km long and 1.2km wide, sand-boarding and whale and dolphin watching cruises, and is 10 minutes from Nelson Bay.

No Matter the Weather Winter Package

Includes two nights’ accommodation in a self-contained cabin, a dolphin cruise for two with Moonshadow TQC Cruises, sand-boarding adventure with Port Stephens 4WD and a $15 breakfast voucher for each person to use at Crest Birubii Beach overlooking the ocean and The Little Nel Café in Nelson Bay.  The inclusive package is available from $366 per couple on weekends or weekdays, with extra guests $112 for the two nights.

Whale Watch Experience Package

Includes two nights’ accommodation in a self-contained cabin, a three-hour whale watch cruise with Moonshadow TQC Cruises top see some of the 20,000 humpbacks expected to pass by Port Stephens this winter, winter beanie and stubby cooler and a $15 breakfast voucher for each person to use at Crest Birubii Beach and The Little Nel Café in Nelson Bay.  The package is available from $390 per couple on weekends or weekdays with extra guests $124 for the two nights.

Stay 3 nights – Pay for 2 – any time.

Guests can stay three nights any time of the week, including weekends, but only pay for two nights. Under this deal, a three-night stay is available from $270 per couple.

The packages are available until September 30, 2017, excluding the June long weekend. Conditions apply.

Trafalgar helps agents to turn opportunities into success with the launch of Trafalgar Academy course 2

Trafalgar is calling on agents to join the continuing evolution of guided travel as it unveils Trafalgar Academy Course 2: Converting Opportunities into Success. Recognising the vital role the agent has, the content will focus offering advice to achieve sales success via its e-learning programme via a simple three-step guide to securing increased sales. Focusing on selling skills through to overcoming potential objections with their customers, the latest course in the Trafalgar Academy ensures everyone is equipped to close the sale with confidence and ease.

Whether agents wish to inject more energy and excitement into their sales process, unravel the best way to sell a destination or understand travel trends and what drives client preferences, this on-demand e-learning initiative is a one of a kind programme that has been created to cover all needs.

Upon successful completion of each module, agents can access downloadable certificates of accreditation. For those not yet signed up, registration is quick and easy – agents simply need to visit www.trafalgar.com/agentacademy .

Vagoyar Travel – 10 Days Tour of Myanmar, Save $110

Myanmar top offers – Green Season Holiday from $890

From $890pp – 10 days – min 2 pax

• the spiritual heavyweight of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
• Historical kingdom of Mandalay
• The ancient temples of Bagan
• Pictureesque Inle Lake

Ziptrek Summer 2017 FAM

Front Desk, Sales, Concierge & Bell Staff, take a FREE zip on us! That’s right: come familiarize yourself with Whistler’s most popular year-round outdoor adventure.

Offer valid Monday to Friday, excluding long weekends, May 23th – June 30th, 2017.

How to book your FAM:  

• Bear Tour 5 ziplines, 4 treetop bridges, 2.5 –3 hours
  Tour description here
• Eagle Tour 5 ziplines, 4 treetop bridges, 2.5 –3 hours
  Tour description here
• TreeTrek Canopy Walk 9 treetop bridges, 1.5-2 hours
  Tour description here
• **The Sasquatch™ Tour 1 dual zipline, stellar views, 1.5 hours
  Tour description here  **available last week of FAM offer – limited availability** 

2. Choose the date (Monday to Friday)
3. Choose the approximate time of day
4. Have your credit card ready
5. Call our Guest Service desk to book your FAM! 604.935.0001

Contours Travel launches new logo, website, booking system and biggest-ever brochure for Latin America

The longest-running Latin American tour operator in Australia, Contours Travel, has redesigned its image with a new logo, website and booking system – and released its biggest-ever brochure – to freshen the brand as an established and trusted operator.

To mark the new look and brochure, Contours Travel is offering independent travellers a special $250 discount each on any Latin America itinerary they book valued at over $2000 per person by June 30, 2017.

The new website has a bright and streamlined, new look and provides information on the array of experiences on offer in an easy-to-navigate format. The new booking system has already assisted in making holiday planning hassle-free.

The new ‘Latin America and Antarctica’ brochure for 2017/2018 is Contours’ biggest-ever brochure for independent travellers, with more than 90 sample itineraries covering destinations such as Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Cuba. Also included in the 96-page booklet are descriptions of each of the countries, cultural highlights, distinctive accommodation options, maps, stunning photos and recommendations on special interest options like culinary tours in Mexico and river-rafting in Costa Rica.

Independent travellers will each receive a $250 discount on any Latin America itinerary from Contours Travel valued at over $2000 per person (excluding airfares) if booked by June 30, 2017. To receive the discount, quote the code ‘NewContours17’. Conditions apply.

This week JNTO hosted their Australian Adventure Travel Mart expo, with over 120 attendees, including retail/wholesale travel agents, local media, and airlines. Delegates met with the 38 exhibitors from across Japan, with more exhibitors and attendees than ever before.

JNTO’s Sally Miles said, “It was a great success – 38 exhibitors is more than we’ve ever had, and 121 attendees blows our previous record of 81 (achieved just this February at our Sydney ‘Japan Endless Discovery’ seminar) completely out of the water.”

The Melbourne event was hosted last night, which had 24 suppliers with opening addresses from Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne; & Mrs Wakabayashi, and more great opportunity for delegates to meet with Japanese suppliers, including popular ski destinations and get up-to-date information on Japan’s green season as well.

Serko on Track to Generate Annual Profit as Recurring Revenues Grow

Cloud based corporate travel and expense management solution provider’s online transaction volumes rose 18% in the 2017 financial year. Cash reserves of $4.5 million ahead of guidance and sufficient to fund growth plans. Serko is currently generating positive monthly EBITDA.

Highlights:

• Annual net loss before tax narrows 44% to $3.3 million, while total revenue (excluding grants) rises 9% to $14.3 million.
• FY17 EBITDA loss narrows 53% to $2.5 million.
• EBITDA loss for 2H 2017 was $0.7 million compared to 1H of $1.8 million.
• Annual recurring product revenue (Travel and Expense) rose 9% to $12.9 million and represents 91% of total revenue.
• Online transaction growth of 18% compared to the previous year.
• Approximately 50% of corporate travel bookings in Australasia were booked on the Serko platform.
• Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue (ATMR) for March 2017 was $15.3 million, a 37% uplift on the same month a year ago.
• Research and Development investment for the year was $5.8 million against $6.3 million for the previous year.

TTC Weekly Deals

Brand: Luxury Gold

Indulge all their senses in India

Guests of Luxury Gold who book before 30 June 2017 will SAVE 10% off a 2017-18 Indian Journey. They’ll save up to $1190 per couple on the 13 day Imperial Rajasthan journey from Delhi through the Pink City of Jaipur to Udaipur, including the memorable experiences such as staying at the Taj Lake Palace, set in a majestic location on Lake Pichola with captivating views of Udaipur and savouring a delicious dinner at a lamp-lit camp at the Kanoi sand dunes.

Priced from $5,355 per person twin share (including discount) departing 25 September 2017 (other departures available, subject to availability). For full terms and conditions visit insightvacations.com or call 1300 727 767.

Brand: AAT Kings

Wildflower Season

Guests of AAT Kings can receive a FREE return airfare to Perth (departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide) when they book the 16-day Western Wonderland guided holiday. Travellers will discover WA’s cosmopolitan Perth and wander through Kalbarri National Park spotting the famous variety of wildflowers, such as the Acacia, Banksia, Caladenia and more! This package includes an experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide, quality accommodation, travel in luxury coach, airport transfers, and more!

Priced from $5,495 with free return airfare, twin share and available on select departures between 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018 (subject to availability). For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.

Brand: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Fairy-tale towns

Book your clients on a 8-day Castles along the Rhine river cruise before 30th June 2017 and they will receive a complimentary stateroom upgrade, PLUS Fly to Europe from $4,799 in Business Class per person on these sailings as part of Uniworld’s You Deserve the Best Upgrade Promotion. Guests will travel down the Rhine river from Basel to Amsterdammarvelling at castles that were once mighty fortresses, exploring ancient cities and the cobblestoned fairy-tale towns of Germany . They’ll enjoy an all-inclusive 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the exquisite River Empress,including all meals and unlimited beverages onboard, 6 days of hosted excursions, services of an experiences Uniworld Cruise Manager and more!

Priced from A$8,899 per person twin share (including upgrade and Business Class airfare) departing on 1 November 2017 (other departures available). For more information call 1300 780 231 or visit uniworld.com

Brand: Busabout

There’s so much more to see with Busabout

Travellers booking with Busabout can SAVE up to 15% off all Hop-on Hop-off Passes when they pay in full before 31st of May 2017. They can also SAVE 25% off Shamrocker Adventures, PLUS receive a 2 for 1 HAGGiS Adventures discount! Link up Scotland and Ireland to your clients European adventure, let them have a more than obvious Europe trip. They can travel to as many stops as they like, book accommodation to their own travel style, change plans whenever free of charge and visit up to 46 cities between May & October 2017.

Prices starting from $449 (3 stop pass , including discount)travellers can explore Busabout’s favourite option activities including a Flamenco Show in Madrid, Berlins street art workshop and bike tours in Paris! For more information and a range of other Europe trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/ or call 1300 287 226

Brand: Contiki 

Cameras at the ready!

Latin America just got a little spicier – Youth Travellers can save 10% off Contiki’s NEW 2018-19 Latin America  brochure when they book and pay in full by Thursday 1st August 2017. Travellers can save from $348*on the NEW 15-day Bolivian Magic trip taking them from the heady heights of La Paz, to the colonial Argentinian beauty of Salta, via Incan ruins, Bolivian salt flats, bubbling hot springs and colourful flamingos.

Priced from $3,331 *per person (including discount) and available for travel between 13 March 2018–10 February 2019. For more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 266 845. *Conditions Apply

Brand: Creative Cruising 

Yasawa Islands

Book your clients on Creative Cruising’s 9-night Yasawa Islands of Fiji cruise before 30 June 2017 and they’ll receive 50%*off the second guest cruise fare.  With highlights such as snorkelling & glass bottom boat tours throughout the islands and experiencing a traditional Tropical island lovo feast & kava ceremony, this package includes a return economy class airfare to Nadi flying Qantas Airways, pre and post-cruise accommodation in Denarau, a 7-night voyage onboard Reef Endeavour from Denarau return, shared airport transfers and more!

Priced from $3,949* per person flights included, departing Sydney and Brisbane (other departures available Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth)

Cruise departs 18 November 2017. *Conditions apply (discount included in the advertised price) please visit www.creativecruising.com.au or phone 1300 362 599 for more information.