Big Fat Agent Wrap
Not to toot our own horn, but this is one of the best agent wraps we’ve ever done. And no, it’s not the lunch time beers talking here.
Agents experience African wonder
Nine lucky agents recently got to experience some of the best Southern Africa has to offer on a recent Bench Africa 10 day educational trip through the region. Beginning in the Chobe area they spent five days exploring the wildlife from both the Botswana and Namibian sides of the park. After their final evening witnessing the sunset from a guide boat with a celebratory champagne in hand they made the short trip to nearby Zimbabwe, home of the mighty Victoria Falls (pictured).
One of the wonders of the natural world, this time of the year sees the waterfall in full high water flood and each agent got a drenching from the billowing spray to take along with their many photographs.
To finish up their trip they spent a few days exploring the wonders of Hwange National Park where the brave were offered the opportunity for a game walk amongst the wild animals. To calm the nerves and toast the trip, more champagne was offered afterwards. The final morning saw our agents canoeing down the mighty Zambezi before boarding their international flights for their homes.
Agents rewarded sooner with Scenic
Scenic has announced a new agent booking incentive for its 2019 European river cruises as part of the Scenic Rewards program allowing agents to receive reward points sooner.
From 1 May to 31 August 2018, agents who book and secure a deposit on any Scenic or Evergreen 2019 river cruise* will receive Scenic Rewards points upon deposit, instead of when guests travel.
The new incentive is aimed at rewarding the top agents for their loyalty to Scenic even sooner. Agents are a core part of Scenic’s success and recognition of loyalty is essential.
New bookings only. Deposits must be received by 31 August, 2018. Terms and conditions apply.
Gold Coast Helloworld Travel Festival Caters to the Locals
Over 2,000 Gold Coast travel enthusiasts and aficionados flocked to the Royal Pines Resort on Sunday for the inaugural Gold Coast Helloworld Travel Festival. Making the most of the expertise on hand with over 16 Helloworld Travel Branded and Associate stores, over 40 Air, Cruise and Tour operators, plus exclusive deals only available at the festival, attendees enjoyed a carnival atmosphere with food trucks, entertainment and prizes to be won throughout the day.
The event saw a large amount of bookings taken across the day and more yet to flow in across the coming weeks, with some festival special deals continuing to go out to market over the course of the next month.
With so many fantastic prizes given out on the day thanks to partners; Singapore Airlines, U by Uniworld, Rail Plus, Club Med and Back Roads Touring, attendees were lavished with travel treats.
Helloworld Travel Business Managers for Queensland and Northern NSW Kerrie Selbyand Fiona Borserinisaid the event was a great success.
MTA Member ‘gets her man’
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police a.k.a ‘The Mounties’ famously say they always get their man.
MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Member, Sarah Browning certainly made sure she caught her man while in Ottawa during a recent Insight Vacations Top Achievers study tour of eastern Canada.
Her excuse – making sure the Mountie wasn’t armed.
Sarah’s busy itinerary also included Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal and Niagara Falls
Hainan Island a New Thrill for TravelManagers
When Hainan Airlines recently launched their direct service between Sydney and Haikou, it marked the introduction of a new route to a destination in China that is, as yet, unfamiliar to many Australians. Six of TravelManagers’ personal travel managers (PTMs) were honoured to be invited to participate in the inaugural flight and then join a famil to discover the delights of Hainan Island for themselves.
Hainan Island is China’s southernmost point, separated from the mainland by the Qiongzhou Strait (also known as Hainan Strait): the city of Haikou at its northern end is the island’s largest and serves as Hainan Province’s capital and gateway.
TravelManagers’ Daniel Price, who is a representative for Windsor, VIC, was one of the invitees on the inaugural flight and subsequent famil and says he would love to return to Hainan Island to explore at a slower pace, spending more time around the smaller villages in less built-up areas.
Escape winter on a superb self-famil of Vietnam by ASIA DMC: A week of sublime experiences including back streets Hanoi, remote jungle, poolside relaxation and luxury cruise Halong Bay
Tucked away in the mountains of the Tam Diep range, about 150km of Hanoi, lies in the Ngoc Son Ngo Luong nature reserve. A well-hidden piece of paradise boasting a concentrate of Vietnam’s natural heritage. Find yourself in a lush green environment with mountains covered in jungle and scenic valleys sculpted by terraced rice fields.
The nature reserve is home to the Muong ethnic people. A whole community of warm-hearted dwellers living in wooden houses on stilts scattered around the valleys in lovely hamlets. Life is flowing at slow pace there, people live a quaint life, doing a little bit of farming crops and picking what the forest is generously offering every day. Some vivid streams groove the mountains and rocks greets visitors with giant waterfalls, cascades and natural pools.
Come with us to Suoi Mu Lodge and discover a little gem nested in the wild. The lodge is composed of one single traditional Muong house. A rustic and sturdy building with some large wooden posts overhung by a thick roof of palm tree leaves. The place is private and a perfect spot for an intimate retreat. An outdoor roofed terrace and an exclusive access to the natural pools and cascades complete the property.
Staying at the lodge is a lifetime travel experience. From hiking routes to relaxing in the natural pools, the array of activities is diverse and will please all. Make yourself cozy, tread lightly around the village, go with the host picking some herbs in the forest, join a cookery experience over the bonfire of the kitchen, play volleyball with the kids of the neighbourhood or venture on a two-wheel exploration of the valleys. Contact mark@exposuredownunder.com for more info.
Thumbs Up for Africa’s Travel Indaba
This year’s African INDABA annual event wrapped after another big year.
South African Tourism (SAT) hosted ten buyers from Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), along with nine ANZ trade and consumer media on two familiarisations in the lead up to Indaba. The trips included visits to Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Madikwe Game Reserve, Johannesburg and Durban.
The family hosted buyers and trade media having rooftop drinks at the Silo Hotel in front of the stunning Table Mountain.
Wendy Wu Tours’ Mega Friends with Benefits Incentive
Win the ultimate gift of mega happiness and experience one of our mega destinations for yourself. Sounds like it’s time to prep the squad, pack your bags and take off to Mega Asia! Every week, we’re drawing a winner for a $500 MEGA EXPERIENCE voucher, with the final major prize being drawn in June.
This weeks lucky winner, grabbing a $500 experience voucher, is Kimberley Davis, from RAA Colonnades, SA.
There are two more weeks of $500 prizes to be won, before the major prize of a private tour for four is announced. Hurry, this incentive is open for bookings made before 15 June 2018. Some terms and conditions apply, for full details visit wendywutours.com.au/agents, or see your Business Development Manager.
TTC Deals
UNIWORLD – Venice and the Gems of Northern Italy
Uniworld’s Picture Perfect Deals save travellers up to $1400* per person. Soak up the enchantment of “The City of Water” and three outer-lying Venetian islands, Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello, on Uniworld’s 8 Day – Venice and the Gems of Northern Italy itinerary before continuing on to St. Mark’s Basilica and historic wine estates in Valpolicella, Bologna and Ferrara. Starting from $3,399* per person (including $1,400 discount). This offer is on sale now until the 31st of May 2018 for departures on the 15th & 22nd of July and 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th of August 2018. For more information or to book call 1300 730 010 or visit www.uniworld.com.
TRAFALGAR – Festive St Petersburg and Moscow
Save $200 on Flights with 25 select Autumn, Winter & Spring Trips. Walk in the footsteps of Peter the Great with Trafalgar on their 7 Days Festive St Petersburg and Moscow itinerary along the winter-white carpets of St. Petersburg and Moscow. This trip is a discovery of Russia’s vibrant, modern culture, haunting history, grand palaces and the imposing Red Square, on this festive sojourn to two fairy-tale imperial cities. Starting from $2,195* per person. This offer is on sale from the 9th of May until the 7th of June for the following departure dates; 12th, 17th & 19th of December 2018 and 7th of January 2019. For more information or to book call 1800 78 78 78 or visit www.trafalgar.com.
INSIGHT VACATIONS – Northern Spain
Save $1,660 per couple on this Last Minute Deal! Discover the scenic delights and delicious cuisine of the often overlooked, Northern region of Spain on Insight Vacation’s 11 day Northern Spain itinerary. Compare Oviedo’s ancient churches and resting relics of St. James with Barcelona’s captivating Sagrada Família. Starting from $3,320* per person. This offer is on sale until the 31st of May for departure on the 4th of August unless sold out prior. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.insightvacations.com.
ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL – Undiscovered Borneo
Adventure World Travel are offering savings of 10% off select 2018 small group journeys with Exodus Travels. Experience the undiscovered beauty of Borneo with the 15 Day Borneo Wildlife Discoverer, travel through rainforests and along beaches in Bako, Mulu & Kinabalu National parks and Danum Valley. Starting from $4,655* per person, this offer is on sale until the 15th of June 2018 for trip departure dates on the 10th of June, 8th of July, 5th & 19th of August, 9th of September, 7th of October & 16th December 2018. For more information or to book call 1300 363 055 or visit www.adventureworld.com.
AAT KINGS – Untamed Kimberly
AAT Kings Airffordable Offers will save travellers up to $200 on a selection of AAT Kings best-selling 11 day Untamed Kimberly itinerary. Cruise ancient waterways, hike to magnificent waterholes and discover the rich Ord River Valley as you travel with AAT Kings from Darwin to Broome through Katherine, Kununurra, El Questro, Halls Creek & Geikie Gorge. Starting from $5675* per person twin share. This offer is on sale from now until the 10th of September 2018 for departure dates from now until the 11th of September. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com.
CONTIKI –Peruvian Adventure
Latin America, a melting pot of culture, flavour and history is on sale now with Contiki. Your customers can save up to $909 when they book and pay in full before 20 June 2018. Travellers can explore Peru in depth on Contiki’s 14 day Peru Uncovered trip, aka THE most enriching place on earth– from ancient Incan culture and stays in the Amazon jungle to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the cultural-hub of Cusco, & awe inspiring Machu Picchu – the Latin flavour is on the menu. Priced from $3,266* per person twin share (discount included) reflective of departure dates between the 18th of Jan 2019 and the 8th of March 2020 (other departures available for alternate price). For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com.
BUS ABOUT – Rise Festival Ski Adventure
Book before the 31st of May to SAVE 10% on select Busabout winter deals! Enjoy sensational views while skiing the slops of the French Alps, party the night away at Rise Festival and experience a week of Apres Ski on Busabout’s 9 day Rise Festival Ski Adventure. Starting from $877* per person twin share. On sale now for departure on the 14th of December 2018 until sold out. For more information or to book contact http://www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Bench Africa helloworld mta scenic south african tourism Tam Diep travelmanagers ttc wendy wu toursLatest 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.