Big Fat Agent Wrap
It’s Friday the 13th, so check out this extra spooky Agent Wrap. To be honest there’s nothing creepy about it, but give it a read it anyway.
Flinders Island, Australia’s best-kept travel secret announces rebrand and tourism push
NYC’s Carousels
Back by POPULAR DEMAND… Southern India Health Retreat
Mint announced as new AICS payment partner
World Expeditions Travel Group Acquires New Zealand’s leading self-guided cycling tour operator
Two free nights at Beqa Lagoon Resort Fiji
For a limited time Beqa Lagoon Resort, Fiji’s best kept tropical island secret is offering guests two free nights accommodation with any five paid nights stay. From as little as USD$979 per person twin share, guests will be treated to seven nights accommodation in a Lagoon View Bure, including two free nights accommdation, return airport and boat transfers, daily full breakfast, a tantilizing one course lunch and a sumptuous three course dinner daily. Simply book, travel, indulge and fall in love with Beqa.
There’s so much more to Beqa Island Resort than sand, sun and cocktails. Surrounded by one of the world’s largest and most spectacular reefs, Beqa Island is steeped in traditional Fijian culture and beauty and is voted one of the top 1000 places to experience in this lifetime. Spending time on Beqa will unintentionally thrust you in to the beauty and culture of the land.
Featuring 25 Fijian style villas known as Bures, spread out amidst the lush grounds and beachfront setting, all bures are beautifully appointed with traditional island décor and provide all the modern conveniences while still keeping their relaxed Fiji charm. Home to Fiji’s legendary Firewalkers, guests are privy to a traditional fire walking ceremony and the opportunity to hike to the mystical waterfalls where this tradition was born nearly 300 years ago.
Agents enjoy Bunnik Peru with Bunnik
ANNOUNCING! The Wu Dynasty Famil!
Announced last night – at Wendy Wu Tours’ first brochure launch event in Sydney – The Wu Dynasty Famil will take 30 lucky agents to explore Bucket List China in June 2018.
From the legendary Great Wall, to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Terracotta Warriors, and even the endearing giant pandas of Chengdu, travel agents around Australia will share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s even some top-secret “priceless” experiences along the way, that only a fortunate few joining this famil will be able to take part in!
If you’re a long-time booker, and confident selling the product, simply make as many bookings as you can and the top 10 sellers in terms of revenue will secure their spot. Keep an eye out for the leader boards during the coming months, to see if you’re one of our top sellers.
If you’re new to Wendy Wu Tours, or you’re just getting started, never fear! Every Wendy Wu Tours booking that you make, valued at over $2,900pp, will put you into the draw to win one of 20 places, drawn at random. The more you book, the more chances you get to win! Chosen at random will be a huge 20 winners, so get booking today!
Excite Holidays celebrates birthday and launch into US market!
Last Thursday evening, Excite Holidays celebrated its 15th birthday by throwing a party to remember!
Attended by 150 members of staff, trade media, partners and key suppliers, the celebration was a huge success. With red and white balloons covering the ceiling to endless platters, customised lollipops, gift bags galore and an impressive cake acting as the main centrepiece, the celebration coincided with the official launch of the company’s brand spanking new Sydney city office and the announcement of their highly anticipated launch into the US market.
Founders Nic Stavropoulos and George Papaioannou were in attendance to cut the ceremonial ribbon and officially mark the opening of the new office space. Nic and George thanked all those who have supported and continue to support their vision to continue to innovate and disrupt the travel industry. They also gave a yet heartfelt speech detailing their triumphs over the last 15 years, from Excite’s beginnings in a one-bedroom apartment in Brighton Le-Sands to now being a global brand with offices in Sydney, Athens, Bangkok and soon, the USA.
Big savings on East Asian Odyssey
Qatar Airways Increases Frequencies to Eastern Europe and the Nordics
Qatar Airways has doubled its frequencies to a number of destinations in Eastern Europe and the Nordics, following a significant increase in passenger demand to the popular destinations of Prague, Warsaw and Helsinki.
Commencing mid-December, the award-winning airline will introduce an extra daily flight on each of the routes to meet the growing inbound and outbound travel demand by adding an Airbus A320 service, offering an additional 132 daily seats in both directions.
The frequency increases, the latest in a number of such upgrades across the Qatar Airways route network, come just eight weeks after the airline launched its direct service to Prague, Czech Republic, on its first anniversary of scheduled service to Helsinki, Finland, and more than a year since the daily service to Warsaw, Poland was upgraded to a wide-body Airbus A330 service.
Innstant Travel and APG USA Announce Strategic Partnership
Scenic Releases New 2018/2019 Australia Brochure
Scenic has unveiled a variety of great savings to encourage Australians to visit their beautiful backyard in 2018 and 2019.
Released in conjunction with Scenic’s new Australia brochure, the offers include savings of up to $1350 per couple.
The Endless Wonders of Australia 2018/2019 brochure features 14 itineraries ranging in length from seven to 23 days, across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Norfolk Island.
All Scenic tours feature accommodation at the finest hotels available, such as new itinerary inclusion Cicada Lodge Katherine; included Scenic Freechoice sightseeing and exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences, the services of an expert, hand-picked tour director and knowledgeable local guides; return airport transfers, all tipping and gratuities.
Canada for the returning traveller inspires new collections
Insider Journeys is getting Footloose!
Insider Journeys is excited to launch the all new Footloose Tours, a new and exclusive program offering an alternate way to tour for independent travellers.
Ideal for those wanting a unique yet flexible experience, Footloose Tours is based around a maximum of 20 passengers. With all essentials included, Footloose Tours also gives travellers the freedom to choose from a range of day tours and dining options in every destination whilst ensuring great value for money.
With expert local English-speaking guides on the ground in each destination, travellers will be introduced to their hometown, showcasing the best of each location and providing an experience that a guidebook simply cannot offer. Guaranteed departures with a minimum of two bookings gives single travellers more freedom in booking solo trips.
And don’t forget you can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points with every Small Group Tour booking! Earn one Qantas Point per $1 spent on Small Group Tours with Insider Journeys.
2018 major events for Ayers Rock Resort
Book now and receive up to $800 per couple in added value
Come explore the Canadian Rockies with an unforgettable rail adventure with Rocky Mountaineer. Aboard our luxurious coach, you’ll make friends from around the world and enjoy regionally inspired cuisine while being surrounded by world-class scenery. Offer expires October 27, 2017.
Applies to qualifying 2018 packages:
BOOK 8+ DAYS AND RECEIVE $800 PER COUPLE IN ADDED VALUE
BOOK 5-7 DAYS AND RECEIVE $500 PER COUPLE IN ADDED VALUE
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
adventure world australian federation of travel agents ayers rock resort bunnik ecruising.travel excite holidays Flinders Island gate 7 innstant travel Insider Journeys qatar airways rocky mountaineer scenic Southern India Health Retreat Trail Journeys wendy wu tours World Expeditions Travel GroupLatest 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.