Well, well, look where we are. We finally made it to Friday.

While we might have woken up thinking it was Saturday, everyone else was busy getting themselves to work and gearing up for the weekend.

So to kickstart your fabulous long weekend, we’ve got all the last minute tidbits you’ll need before enjoying some R&R for THREE WHOLE DAYS!

See you next week.

A little bit of Swiss

The 18th Swiss Travel Mart which took place from 21-23 September 2015 in the ski resort village of Zermatt welcomed more than 500 buyers from 50 countries, including nine from Australia.

With 330 suppliers from Switzerland and a host of events over the three days, Mark Wettstein, Director of Switzerland Tourism ANZ and Australian delegates not only had a productive time gaining contacts and learning about new products and offerings around the country, but they also enjoyed some spectacular views and tours.

Pictured from L-R at the Park Hotel Beau Site in Zermatt: Isabel Beckermann (Flight Centre Global Product), Deborah Latham (Holidays on Locations), Peter Newsom (CIT Holidays), Vicko Bacic (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours), Ivona Carr (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours), Alisa Feillafe (CIT Holidays), Lyn Haddad (Skimax), Mark Wettstein (Director of Switzerland Tourism Australia & New Zealand).

Jump in and save with Topdeck

Travellers looking for big value can score a 10% discount on Topdeck’s new 49-day Mega European – Egypt trip if they book and pay in full before December 15, 2015.

Highlights of this trip include sailing in Greece, a guided tour of the former concentration camp Auchwitz-Birkenau, an Italian feast in the Tuscan Hills, a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum and a Paris city lights tour. Priced from $8,595 per person, the trip includes 14 nights hotel accommodation, 20 nights in hostels, three nights sailing, eight nights in bungalows, two nights by coach or first class train and one overnight ferry.

Travellers can also score a 10% discount on Topdeck’s new 14-day Spanish Fiesta trip if they book and pay in full before December 15, 2015. The trip starts in Madrid and journeys to Seville, Granada, Valencia, Ibiza, Barcelona and San Sebastian.

Priced from $3,416 per person, the trip includes 13 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double), smaller group size, ferry crossings to Ibiza, flight from Ibiza to Barcelona and a trip leader.

Hugh in Hong Kong!

On the evening of Monday 28^th September, during the Mid Autumn Festival, award winning actor Hugh Jackman took to the streets in Hong Kong to join the celebrations for the Mid Autumn Festival and was honored to be the first international start to participate in the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.

A centuries old performance to ward off bad luck, the spectacular parade features a huge dragon made from straw and covered in incense sticks which is then lit and accompanied by dancers and fireworks.

Hugh Jackman is in Hong Kong for the opening of his new film Pan and said he loves the energy, people and food of Hong Kong.

Solomons trip a success

Building on its ongoing promotion of the Solomon Islands in the Australia and New Zealand markets, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau in partnership with Solomon Airlines has staged a major tourism product update for key wholesale partners in both countries.

While in Honiara the group consisting of senior product managers participated in a mini-travel mart at the Heritage Park Hotel where they had the opportunity to meet with their local counterparts.

The product managers’ visit builds on the ongoing activity both national tourist office and airline have been undertaking this year in Queensland, New South Wales and Auckland including the staging of major industry road shows and attendance at several high profile consumer and travel trade events.

Pictured at Oravae Cottage in Western Province, the Australian/NZ Product managers team visiting the Solomon Islands last week: Back row from left to right – Andrew Bowes, Solomon Island Holidays; Nick Blanche, Go Tours; Rosie Bason, Travel Bay; Christine Poplimont, Booking.com; Natasha Donges, Ignite Travel Group; Jerry Witkowski, Dive Adventures. Front row from left to right – Stella Lucas, SIVB; Richard Hankin, SIVB Marketing Representative AU/NZ; Ray Aucott, Pack Ya bags (NZ).

Watch out for the Samurai!

From 12^th – 19^th September 2015, five travel agents were invited by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Sydney Office on an 8-day fully-hosted familiarisation trip, highlighting Japan as an ideal destination for the luxury travel market.

The tour visited popular areas for first-time Australian visitors to Japan on Japan’s Golden Route, including Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Tokyo. The Golden Route showcases the contrast between traditional and modern – from World Heritage-listed ancient temples of Nara and quiet bamboo forests of Kyoto to Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest broadcasting tower in the world.

Pictured: (L-R): Jeremy Potter (Phil Hoffmann Travel), Kim Scoular (Scenic), Tracey Williams (Bayview Travel), Sarah Fitzgerald (Botanica World Discoveries) and Liza Rarm (American Express Travel).

Kangaroo Island gets two thumbs up!

TravelManagers’ recent Annual National Conference drew personal travel managers (PTMs) from all over Australia to a three-day event that was based in Adelaide.  It has become a key feature of the conference to include a line-up of pre- and post-conference famils that give PTMs the opportunity to explore the best of the host region.

Itineraries this year included Port Lincoln & Coffin Bay, the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, but Gazal says the most popular choice was a three-day, two-night visit to Kangaroo Island, with thirty PTMs and eight of their partners taking this option.

Pictured: TravelManagers’ Marta Fergusson, Michelle Kingston and Aileen Collins discover the scenic beauty of Kangaroo Island on their post-National Conference famil.

World Journeys celebrate 100th Aussie booking

Not knowing what to expect opening in Australia, World Journeys was delighted to have its 100th booking, made by Tina Almond, The Village Travel, Wilston, Queensland (pictured with her “Congratulations! flowers from the World Journeys team).

World Journeys is also urging agents to book their clients on a 2016 small group hosted journey by 30 October for incredible savings.  Not only will bookings deposited by that date enjoy the $200 per person early booking saving, they will also avoid a currency surcharge of approx.  8% which will apply to all small group hosted journeys deposited after that date.

Tours are fast selling out too, including itineraries such as Castro’s Cuba, Persia & the Silk Road, Cherry Blossom Japan and Ethiopia & Sudan.

Treats for Trails of Indochina

A small group from Mobile Travel Agents’ were treated to a Virtuoso study tour of Vietnam with Trails of Indochina this month.

The agents spent nine days enjoying hotels and exploring some of Trails of Indochina’s bespoke experiences from their Tailored Experiences Collection.

Pictured at the Park Hyatt Saigon are: from top left to right; Ton Hong Ngoc, Park Hyatt, Linh Le, Trails of Indochina, Lindy Andrews Trails of Indochina AU/NZ, Federica Bugnara, Park Hyatt, Jackie Pennock, MTA; Jan-Hendrik Meidinger, GM, Park Hyatt; Front Row L-R; MTA’s Janine Methven; Margie Stimson; Ann McKinnon; Karen Follett; Allison Hoyland & Deborah Gray.

Fly a friend to South America!

Book a trip to South America with Eclipse Travel, and your travel partner flies for free with a range of new companion packages.

Save up to $2,500 per couple with the Companions Fly Free packages, which include a range of tailor made tours to South America including the 14-day South America Essentials trip.

From $5,150 per person, the tour takes in some of South America’s most iconic destinations including Machu Picchu, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro.

Click here for more information http://eclipsetravel.com.au/south-america/, email enquiry@eclipsetravel.com.au or call 1300 575 752. This great offer is valid until 11 November 2015 for travel from March to September 2016.

Infinity takes agents to the rugby

Recently Infinity hosted an incentive trip for 10 to the UK where they watched the Wallabies storm to victory against Fiji in their first game of the tournament.

From 19 to 27 September Infinity Holidays & Korean Airlines hosted nine incentive winners on an incentive trip to the UK. The participants were the highest sellers of Rugby World Cup tickets through Infinity Holidays and the trip culminated in the participants attending Australia’s opening game against Fiji at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Australia ran out winners 28-13 over Fiji.

Pictured: Caroline Elton, Haley O’Neil, Vince Arnone, Amanda Cantore, Debra Gibb, Lauren Jennions, Sasha Manz, Hollie White, Vicky Colovic and Rhiannon de Gaye and one random photo bomber.

Singapore and Mastercard team up

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has joined forces with MasterCard, giving travellers a range of exclusive offers to explore and enjoy all that the City in a Garden has to offer.

Coinciding with Singapore’s Golden Jubilee campaign, the partnership will give Aussies access to unique events, festivals and more, reinforcing the commitment to deliver exceptional experiences from both parties. Since 2012, Singapore has been a part of the MasterCard Priceless Cities programme, which seeks to connect people to their passions – Shop; Eat; Play; Stay – and help them experience the depth and breadth of Singapore.

Whether it’s staying at a five star hotel, shopping at Singapore’s famous Orchard Road, to enjoying authentic Singaporean activities – this partnership gives visitors a range of experiences to taste the real Singapore.

Travel Counsellors Canadian charm

Two Travel Counsellors agents recently got to experience the wonders of Canada on a specialist familiarisation trip packed with signature wildlife, culinary, outdoors and cultural experiences.

Julia Lynch and Cheryl Andrews joined other travel agents from all over Australia and the world on the familiarisation tour that showcased Canada’s incredible diversity and warm hospitality.

Today Show hits Sunshine Coast

The team from the Today Show made the Sunshine Coast ‘home’ for a live broadcast on Thursday 1 October morning.

Karl, Lisa, Richard and a full production crew flew in the day before on a chartered jet to Sunshine Coast Airport for a reception that both Karl Stefanvoic and Richard Wilkins declared as being “the best welcome we’ve ever had anywhere in the world!”

The Today crew were greeted by a jazz band, red carpet and of course sunshine. They were also given famous Buderim Ginger and chocolates from Nutworks to keep them energised  after a very early start.

The live show was broadcast from Moffat Beach in Caloundra and attracted a large crowd, including Body Art practitioners previewing the Australian Body Art Festival being held at Eumundi on 18 October, ‘Surfgroms’ showing-off  their surfing skills, and a group performing Acra yoga on the beach.

Book with Creative to win

Creative Holidays has launched its 2016 Europe Earlybirds featuring a range of great value airfares offering high earning potential for agents and a BONUS $100 land credit per person for clients when booked with a minimum of four nights’ accommodation.

This exclusive offer is available for all 2016 departures and all travel classes when flying with Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, British Airways and Thai Airways International.

Creative Holidays is offering six lucky Travel Agents a place on this once in a lifetime experience where they will be treated like royalty at a Manchester City game in the Etihad Airways box, discover the best of Paris and enjoy a stopover in Abu Dhabi. Every Etihad Airways ticket issued between 1 September and 31 October 2015 will earn points for the chance to go in the draw and win.

Booking an Earlybird airfare has never been simpler with Creative Holidays offering wholesale fares to over 90 cities in Europe. Plus, using the new Creative Holidays agent booking engine also gives agents the ability to easily book multiple destinations by using the ‘Multiple city’ option.

Terms and conditions vary between airlines. For more information visit creativeholidays.com/agents or call 131 222.

New Freestyle brochure

Freestyle Holidays’ 16/17 Maldives Brochure is available to order via the tifs website or via travel_brochureorders@mastercard.com now.  The brochure features 45 resorts, an increase by nearly 20 percent from the previous edition, plus a great range of Asia stopovers.

To celebrate the launch of the new brochure, Freestyle Holidays has released a suite of Maldives offers featuring reduced rates, with packages including 5 nights, transfers and breakfast starting from $1,349per person twin share.