Big Fat Agent Wrap
Take a look at all these agents doing fun things! Then go back to sobbing at your desk with the rest of us nine-to-fivers.
Magellan winners celebrate in style
Professionals from Magellan Travel agencies have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in the viewing stand at Eyre Square in Galway, Ireland. The 2017 award winners were announced at the Group’s annual conference in September last year and have this week been enjoying their all-expenses paid, luxury award trip to Ireland thanks to Magellan’s great partnership with Etihad Airways and Tourism Ireland.
Particular trip highlights for the group thus far include Business Class flights to Dublin with Etihad Airways, visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher CO. Clare, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. There is more luxury travel ahead for the group as they continue on their journey around The Emerald Isle.
Magellan host, Trevor Jones is pictured with our award winners getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
Uncover and discover with Venture Far’s 2018/19 Thailand brochure
Venture Far has released its 2018-19 Thailand brochure, the latest in its portfolio, with an expanded range of sightseeing, touring, experiential + resort options to tempt + inspire the naturally curious to visit Thailand + go beyond the tourist beaches.
The catchphrase “Amazing Thailand” is truly well deserved. Well known beach resort areas in the south, like Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi + Koh Samui, contrast with the hustle + bustle of Bangkok + the rich cultural history in the ruins of Ayuthaya + Sukhothai. Travel further through the central rice-beltto the historical capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai, or beyond to the north + the Golden Triangle, where Myanmar, Laos + Thailand converge at the mighty Mekong River.
There is so much to uncover, discover + learn. Experience true Thai culture + traditions on one of our home stay encounters. Interact ‘one on one’ with local hill tribes on trekking + soft adventure opportunities. Cycle or trek through stunning scenery + witness local life in the slow lane. Then there’s the culinary delights of streetfood + cooking schools to hone your practical skills.
Bunnik Tours Express Travel Croatia & Slovenia Famil wrap up
Small group touring specialists, Bunnik Tours, along with Emirates, have wrapped up an 8-day Slovenia and Croatia famil. Held from March 1st to 9th, Bunnik hosted the top seven sales consultants from Express Travel to have a taste of their Jewels of Dalmatia small group tour.
The group started their journey in a winter wonderland of snow in Croatia. Here they visited beautiful Zagreb, seeing the colourful roof tiles of St Mark’s Cathedral and the historic Old Town, before making their way to Rastoke. Braving the chilly conditions, the agents experienced amazing scenery such as the stunningly wintery Plitvice Lakes, which were surrounded by magical white snow. Travelling along the Dalmatian coast, they then stopped in serene Split, a highlight being the 4th century Diocletian’s Palace.
Next, they wandered the historic town of Porec on the Istrian Peninsula before crossing the border into Slovenia. Here they rode a train on a guided tour through the amazing Postojna cave system. They then explored Ljubljana seeing its castle and exploring the fascinating architecture of the city. They were swept away by the beauty of the incredible Lake Bled, where they sampled the famous (and very delicious!) Bled cream cake, saw the magical and medieval Bled Castle and caught a boat to Bled Island. After heading back to Zagreb, the group saidtheir goodbyes as the tour concluded.
Bunnik Tours paints the town red
Bunnik Tours paints the town Red! 18-months in the making, the last pieces of scaffolding were finally removed last week from Bunnik Tours’ head office in Flinders Street, Adelaide. Dating back to 1928, Bunnik House was in need of some tender love and repair.
Rather than stick with the standard Adelaide theme of cream or charcoal, Bunnik Tours took inspiration from their travels around the world and added some much-needed colour into the CBD.
Purchased by Bunnik Tours back in 2010, the building, which is located at located at 45 Flinders Street, has taken close to a decade to complete. Prior to the external work, Bunnik Tours renovated the building’s entire interior including its imposing grand ballroom, which was fitted with a stage and is now home to various events, including fringe shows in previous years.
Melbourne Central Cactus Carnival
This April, Melbourne Central will get prickly with a pop-up Cactus Carnival, inspired by the plant that has climbed to the highest heights of Insta-fame.
Hosting a cactus-inspired collective of Melbourne brands and pop-up retailers, shoppers will be able to fully immerse themselves in all things cacti.
On April 13 and 14, fittingly coinciding with the opening weekend of world-famous music festival Coachella in the Californian desert; Melbourne Central will be an oasis of indie music, a Melbourne Martini Co Tommy’s Margarita Bar and everything you’ll need to cacti-fy your life via your home, wardrobe and stomach.
Headlining the event will be Cactus Country, who are set to line the walls with everyone’s favourite succulents, as they introduce a cactus garden installation that will be Melbourne’s latest hot spot Instagram pics; perhaps to ease the FOMO of not being at Coachella that weekend.
Kelly Ayers rocks Santa Monica food scene
Pictured enjoying a true California sunset MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’ Kelly Ayers at the Onyx Rooftop Bar at the Hotel Shangri-La Santa Monica, one of the famous beachside suburb’s best-known and ultra-chic watering holes.
Ayers visited the US West Coast as part of an exclusive Santa Monica Tourism study tour designed to update participants’ knowledge of the area’s varied first-class accommodation offerings and sightseeing with a major emphasis on food.
Featured fine dining venues included the famous ‘Shutters on the beach’, ‘The Curious Palate’, a ‘Gourmandise Cooking Experience’ and a ‘Taste of Santa Monica Walking Food Tour’.
TravelManagers’ thrilling South America Famil
Argentina and Brazil are incredible, alluring destinations, each with a varied landscape, unique wildlife and vibrant culture, but with so much going on within their boundaries and a combined land area that’s roughly one and a half times the size of Australia, they can seem a little overwhelming when it comes to planning a visit. That’s why when Air New Zealand and Chimu Adventures announced the winners of their TravelManagers exclusive famil incentive, seven personal travel managers (PTMs) were delightedly packing their bags in eager anticipation.
One of those PTMs was Lyndall Hewitt, representative for North Fremantle WA, who says she now has a much better understanding of the geography, culture and feel of the destinations the group visited.
The group’s ten-day itinerary saw them touch down in Buenos Aires, where they spent a full day and two nights experiencing the highlights of the city before heading to the largest waterfall system in the world: the spectacular Iguaçu Falls. They also spent time in the picturesque and historic coastal town of Paraty, before concluding their famil with a two-night stay in Rio de Janeiro.
Magellan Corporate Forum a great success
Magellan Travel’s Corporate members have this week come together in Melbourne for another successful Magellan Corporate Forum. In its second year, the Corporate Forum focuses on bringing Corporate Members and preferred partners together with the key objective being to demonstrate the value of our preferred partnerships and how Magellan members can maximise the opportunities presented to them.
The forum got off to a spectacular start on Monday evening with the welcome event hosted byour key event partner, Qantas Airways. The evening sawrepresentatives from Qantas, Magellan members and Magellan staff enjoysomeof Melbourne’s great nightlife.
A full day of presentations followed as those in attendance heard from Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, Serko, Uniglobe, Hertz, and Accor Hotels to name a few. Accor treated the group to a fantastic lunch on the 35th floor of Sofitel Melbourne.
TTC Weekly Deals
TRAFALGAR – Best of Morocco
Trafalgar’s 10-day Best of Morocco will provide you with taste of the good life and be sure to make your friends green with envy with a 5% discount on this trip Champion the art of haggling in the vibrant markets of Marrakesh, be stunned by the enchanting treasures of Tinghir, and behold the beauties of Casablanca and Fez, on this exotic escape. On sale until 27 April, 2018 and priced from $2,370, for travel on the 1 June, 15 June, 29 June, 27 July, 10 August, 24 August 2018For more information visit www.trafalgar.com or call 1800 002 007.
UNIWORLD – Christmas Holiday markets
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has returned their Best Offer Ever. Live your best life and save up to 40% off select 2018 voyages when you book before 14 April 2018. Combine this unbeatable offer with the 8-day Parisian Royal Holiday 2018 river cruise and SAVE 30% per person. Romantics will relish the chance to see Paris adorned in holiday splendour, and history buffs and followers of royalty will delight in four exclusive châteaux visits. Priced from $3,009 per person twin-share (including discount), 8 days of captivating escorted excursions, services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise/Tour Manager and more! Departing 13 December 2018 (other 2018 departures available, price may vary) For more information call 1300 780 231 or visit uniworld.com.
ADVENTURE WORLD – Extroardinary Botswana
Save up to $1,900 per person on a trip to Botswana with Adventure World when they book and deposit before 30 June 2018 on Adventure World’s 8-day Extraordinary Botswana itinerary. Spoil yourself with an unforgettable Botswana wildlife experience, staying at three unforgettable andBeyond lodges: andBeyond Chobe Under Canvas, andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp and andBeyond Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge. Priced from $7,426 per person, twin share (discount included), 7 nights accommodation, meals as per itinerary, sightseeing as per itinerary with a local English speaking guide and domestic flight as per itinerary. Available for travel until 1 April 2018 and 30 December 2018 For more information and full terms and conditions visit Adventure World at www.adventureworld.com or call 1300 295 049.
AAT KINGS – New Zealand Vista
Uncover the land of the long white cloud, take advantage of AAT King’s 10% Early Bird Offer and book your dream holiday to New Zealand at unbeatable value before 27 April 2018 on AAT Kings 14-day New Zealand Vista itinerary. Priced from $3992*pp twin share and save up to $988 per couple. Select departures available from 1 October 2018 – 30 September 2019 (all dates are definite departures) For more information or to book call 1300 228 546 or visit aatkings.com.
INSIGHT VACATIONS – Southern Italy and Sicily
Insight Vacations guests can fly for $999 return to Europe when booking a 2018 Europe, Britain, USA or Canada itineraries before 27 April 2018. Travellers can experience the treasures of Rome, Pompeii and the Neapolitan Riviera on the 14-day Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily itinerary. Priced from $5,974 per person twin share (including discount and air offer). Price reflective of select departure dates 26 Mar, 2 June and 9 June (other 2018 departures available, price may vary) Terms and conditions apply, for further information visit insightvacations.com or call 1800 001 781.
U BY UNIWORLD – ROLLING ON THE RIVER
Book before 14 April 2018 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, Bonn, Koblenz and Frankfurt. Priced from $2,249 for the 14th April 2018 departure, other departures available at alternate prices. For more information visit ubyuniworld.com or call 1300 780 231.
BUSABOUT – Make your time in Europe count
Design your very own trip with Busabout. Choose your route around our European Hop-on Hop-off network and stop where you want. Travellers can Save $270 on the 6 stop Hop-on Hop-off pass when you deposit before 30 April 2018. Busabout’s Hop-on Hop-off network gives you access to 47 destinations across Europe. Don’t let your clients settle for fixed itineraries when you can use the Hop-on Hop-off network to see and do what they want in Europe instead! Our 6 Stop pass is a great option for a 2-3 week Eurotrip. NOW $549 SAVE $270 with access to the entire Hop-on Hop-off network between May and October 2018. For more information and a range of other European and Asian trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/ or call 1300 287 226.
CONTIKI – Uncover Wonder
Contiki is celebrating the launch of the new 2018/19 Australia and New Zealand program with a 10% Early Payment Discount valid on trips 7 days or longer, departing after Oct 2018. Get in early and book before 19 June 2018. Waterfalls, nightclubs, geothermic mud pools, mountains, skylines, if NZ doesn’t impress your clients, best check their pulse. Youth travellers can save from $362 off The Big Tiki from Auckland to Christchurch where they will uncover wonder in NZ with an astounding list of over 70 optional activities to ramp up their trip. Skydiving anyone? Priced from $3,263*per person (discount included), 18 nights’ accommodation (including a Contiki Special Stopover and 7 nights lodge accommodation) available for travel between 3 October 2018 – 20 September 2019. For more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 266 845.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
bunnik tours magellan travel Melbourne Central Cactus Carnival mobile travel agents travelmanagers ttc venture farLatest 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.