Hey Agents! It’s finally your time to shine, here’s the first 2018 Agent wrap. Just kidding, you guys always shine.

Insider Journeys take agents to the best of Bangkok and Vietnam

Bangkok and Vietnam played host to five agents from WA, NSW, QLD and VIC earlier this month, thanks to Insider Journeys. Taking off with Thai Airways, and in conjunction with Tour East Thailand, the group set out for a seven day journey exploring the best that Bangkok and Vietnam have to offer.

Giving agents a taste of Thailand’s capital, the group spent one night in Bangkok taking in the City and Temples Tour before heading on to Vietnam the following day. A walking tour through Hanoi allowed agents to sample the unique and delectable street food, before a visit to the food markets kicked off the Vietnam leg of the journey.

TravelManagers’ Holy Land walking Famil produces many surprises

Israel and Palestine are among the less well-known destinations in the Middle East, so when six personal travel managers (PTMs) were invited to represent TravelManagers on a Crooked Compass seven-day hiking famil, they were quick to sign up.

For all participants, this was their first visit to this part of the world, but they were all captivated by the chance to step back in time and visit historic sites that are of great significance to millions of people.  Karen Doyle, representative for South Yarra in Victoria, likens her experience to stepping back into history, and says she was equally surprised and delighted by the warmth of the Palestinian people everywhere they went.

“They are very warm, friendly and welcoming, wanting to know where we were from and offering us sweet tea and food. They were a generous people, who often had very little in terms of material possessions, but were always very generous to us as their guests,” she says.

SA Agents search for treasure in Fiji

Qantas Holidays and Air Tickets, recently hosted a group of South Australian Travel Agents to Fiji.  Taking in many of the sights and getting well acquainted with the Pacific gem staying at the Naviti Resort on the Coral Coast, Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau and experienced island life on Treasure Island.  Highlights included fire dancing and a cooking class in Denarau with Flavours of Fiji that everyone said was a “must do” for their clients.

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Back Row: Kaye Pridham – Adelaide Travel; Natasha Royals – Air Tickets; Ellen Searle – Helloworld Travel Port Augusta; Louise Kiploks – Travel Extra; Brianna McBain – Tailor Made Travel; Jo Gaskin – Travel Managers; Taylor Hogan – Helloworld Travel Mt Gambier; Front Row: Emma Minuzzo – Phil Hoffmann Travel Stirling; Hydie Normington – Helloworld Travel Tea Tree Plaza; Kiara Silvester – Naracoorte Travel and Cruise; Nigel Rodighiero – Qantas Holidays.

PTMs Enjoy Festive Spirit at End Year State Meetings

TravelManagers state meetings involving personal travel managers (PTMs), representatives from national partnership office (NPO) and partner suppliers are an important and much-enjoyed aspect of the TravelManagers business model, allowing attendees to discuss future initiatives and reflect upon the successes and learnings of the previous months.  This year’s final round of state meetings, which have just been held in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, were infused with Christmas atmosphere, lots of positivity and plenty of fun.

PTM Lyndall Hewitt, representative for North Fremantle, says she loves attending the state conference as it’s a more relaxed way to hear about the updates NPO are working on.

Express Travel Group enjoys Sno’n’Ski famil through Canada’s winter wonderland

A group of five lucky Express Travel Group representatives recently enjoyed an action-packed familiarisation trip through the winter wonderlands of Banff and Panorama in Canada.

Sno’n’Ski Business Development Manager (Victoria) Kathleen Bowles hosted the group on a five-night adventure that encompassed some of Canada’s most iconic winter experiences.

The group were whisked from Calgary International Airport straight to lunch at the Banff Gondola, so their first views of Banff National Park were enjoyed from 2,281 metres altitude.

Over the next three nights the team enjoyed a sample of the very best of Banff and Lake Louise, including full days of skiing at Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, a range of interactive site inspections and plenty of fine food, après events and mountain hospitality.

TTC Weekly Deals

Perfect Balance  

Contiki continues to offer millennials $300 off their European airfare, depending on which summer 2018/19 adventure they choose to embark on. These savings are combinable with the current 7.5% Early Payment Discount, valid until 22 February 2018. Travellers can save from $352 off the 21-day European Vista trip that runs across 10 countries and save an additional $300 off their flights! The Swiss Alps, the French Riviera and Rhine Valley collide with hotspots like Amsterdam, Prague, Rome & Paris, creating a perfectly balanced adventure of scenery & cities. Priced from $4,353*per person (including discount) and available for travel between 28 April 2018 (other departures available for alternate price) For more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 266 845. *Conditions Apply

La Batalla Del Vino

Travellers can fulfil their dream of drenching themselves in Spanish wine all day at La Batalla Del Vino and SAVE 10% off when they book with Busabout before 28 February 2018. For 3 days in Spain they’ll explore the quaint town of Haro, experience a guide led Pinxtos pub crawl, indulge in a Spanish fiesta and party all night, with sights set on the famous La Batalla Del Vino wine fight. Priced from $215 per person twin share (including discount) including their Busabout guide, 2 breakfasts, 2 nights’ camping accommodation in Haro, a Busabout Festival T-Shirt and more. Departing 28 June 2018. To book quote promocode EB1.  For more information and a range of other Europe and Asia trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/ or call 1300 287 226

Fly Free to scenic splendour

Guests of AAT Kings can FLY FREE to New Zealand (departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide) when they book the 18-day Best of New Zealand Guided Holiday from Auckland through The Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Christchurch, Queenstown and Punakaiki, before 30 September 2018. From the white sandy beaches of the North Island, to the snow-capped mountains of the South Island, they’ll explore every nook of New Zealand. With a heart-pounding haka welcoming them to Rotorua for a taste of Maori culture. This package includes an experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide, quality accommodation, travel in luxury coach, airport transfers, and more! Priced from $6,650 with free return airfare, twin share and available on select departures available until 8 September 2018. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.

Castles and Tea

The new year evokes a time of reflection, where clients are inspired to live their best life for the year ahead, and with that comes an opportunity for agents to create those lifelong memories for their clients. Trafalgar has launched its NEW simple to book $999 air deal, valid until 28 February 2018, to make selling Europe, Britain effortless for agent partners. Be inspired and lock in an 8-day London Explorer with Trafalgar where guests will wander through London’s avenues and lush green spaces, tracing centuries of heritage and historical landmarks from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace on this leisurely holiday. Priced from $4,224 per person (Fly $999 included) available between 29 April – 30 September 2018 (Other departures available for alternate price). For more information or a further selection of Trafalgar’s authentic, fun and effortless guided holidays visit www.trafalgar.com or call Trafalgar on 1800 002 006(toll-free).*conditions apply,

Romantic Britain and Ireland

Guests can fly for $999 return when booking a 2018 Europe or Britain itinerary with Insight Vacations before 28 February 2018. Experience the 18-day Romantic Britain and Ireland and journey from London to Edinburgh, Dublin to Killarney and discover the wealth of history, dramatic scenery, sacred sites, legends and traditions along the way. Priced from $6,894 per person (including return flights to Europe). Terms and conditions apply, for further information visit insightvacations.com or call 1300 727 767.

Gems of Northern Italy

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has extended their Best Offer Ever. Save up to 30% off select 2018 voyages until March 31^st 2018. Combine this unbeatable offer with Uniworld’s 10-Day Gems of Northern Italy itinerary and SAVE 30% off. Encounter unforgettable sights on this odyssey through Northern Italy that begins in Milan, home to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and ends in legendary Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic.” Priced from $4,269 per person twin share, 10 days of captivating escorted excursions, services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager, all transfers, all gratuities and more! For more information visit uniworld.com or call 1300 780 231.

ROLLING ON THE RHINE

Book now with U by Uniworld and save 10% off selected cruises, including the delightfully quirky Rolling on the Rhine itinerary. Cruising along the Rhine river, guests will have three days to spend in this laid-back and forward-thinking Dutch hotspot, along with stops in Haarlem, Cologne, Bon, Koblenz and Frankfurt. Priced from $2,249 for the 14^th April 2018 departure, other departures available at alternate prices. For more information visit ubyuniworld.com or call  1300 780 231.