The Big Fat Agent Wrap
Another day, another fifty thousand emails in your inbox.
Well push them all aside, because all your deals, agent goss and specials for the week are right here.
Get amongst it, then get on with your day.
Happy Tuesday!
Northern Territory on sale
Have you always wanted to visit the Northern Territory? Then it’s about time you stopped dreaming and booked your adventure.
For all of August, Broome & the Kimberley Holidays have released great packages deals to both Darwin and the Red Centre.
Return Qantas flights to Darwin start from $478 ex Perth, Melbourne and Sydney and $430 ex Brisbane when booked with four or more nights ‘accommodation. Packages with our Darwin essentials start from $567 per person twin share, with 4 nights at the Darwin Central Hotel, return transfers and a Darwin Sights tour.
Travel between 5 September and 10 December 2015 for bookings made until 29 August 2015. If outside these travel dates, please call as other dates are available for travel into 2016.
Cosmos Europe launches 2016 sneak peek
Australian travellers have one more reason to add Europe to their travel list next year with leading tour operator Cosmos offering a special preview saving of 10 per cent on its 2016 Europe itineraries.
To qualify for the discount, travellers simply need to pre-register their preferred tour and departure date and pay a $250 per person, per tour refundable deposit by September 14, 2015.
Following the release of the 2016 Europe program in September, guests will be able to confirm their 2016 tour and departure date. As an added bonus, past Cosmos travellers can save an additional five per cent on top of the preview discount.
Grab your last minute Scenic rewards!
Scenic is advising all agents that it is their last chance to activate their Scenic Rewards account and claim any points because from 15 August 2015, any unclaimed points will be lost.
The Passport to Rewards program is now closed and remaining reward points have been rolled over to the new program, Scenic Rewards.
Agents must activate their account to claim their points. To do this they should contact support@scenicrewards.com.au with their full name, Passport to Rewards number and current email address to receive instructions on how to activate their Scenic Rewards account and claim their points.
Celebrity heads ashore
Celebrity Cruises is bringing more of the Caribbean to travellers with “Evenings Around the World” shore excursions, featuring 14 new, unique experiences that begin after the sun goes down.
These special excursions complement the recently announced overnight stays on over 40 Caribbean sailings departing January 2016 and beyond, and include everything from evening jazz, bonfires and exclusive boat parties in Mexico and an exclusive wine tasting at the Caribbean’s first winery in Willemstad, Curacao, to drifting along Aruba’s picturesque coastline.
Carl Cross joins On The Go Tours
On The Go Tours has appointed Carl Cross to the new role as Managing Director of their global operations.
Cross landed his first job within the industry as a Travel Advisor at STA Travel in Australia.
From a Youth Adventure Contractor at Flight Centre Australia and Brand Leader at Student Flights, to his latest position as General Manager of Retail Product, Marketing and Consumer Experience at Flight Centre UK – Cross brings almost 20 years of knowledge and experience to his new role at On The Go Tours.
Meanwhile, On The Go has also launched savings of up to 50% off on a range of tours. Simply book one tour and take a friend for half price to Turkey and Vietnam or save 50% OFF African Camping Safari’s.
Globus agents explore Exotic India
Exotic India was on the menu for a group of Globus Family of Brands’ top-selling agents during a recent famil. The group spent 10 days in early July enjoying a Cosmos Golden Triangle tour of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur as well as a customised Kerala extension to Cochin, Periyar and Alleppey.
Among the highlights of the trip was a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, an excursion to Jaipur’s legendary Amber Fort and an overnight houseboat cruise.
Emirates heads to London town
Emirates’ eight daily flights to London will all be served by the highly popular A380s from January 1 2016, cementing the airline’s status as the largest international A380 operator into the British capital.
Combined with the airline’s double daily A380 services to Manchester, Emirates will offer 70 A380 flights per week into the UK, more than any other country on the Emirates network.
The third A380 into London Gatwick will replace Emirates flights EK011/EK012 from 1st January 2016, providing customers with a consistent A380 experience no matter what time of day they travel.
Anzac ‘Poppy Wall’ tribute team rewarded
Recently, April5 was awarded 2 Golds at the APMA Star Awards ceremony for its activation with Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth to commemorate 100 Years of Anzac.
April5 was behind the backdrop of a moving tribute to Australia’s Anzac heroes in Sydney back in April, which invited Sydneysiders to pay their respects by leaving a red poppy in a two-metre high Poppy Wall in remembrance of the Anzacs, which was in front of Queen Elizabeth at Circular Quay.
Check out the cool video above that shows just how much work went into the moving tribute.
Singapore celebrates the big 5.0
To celebrate Singapore’s 50th National Day on August 9, Singapore Airlines Holidays have released some excellent value weekend escapes to Singapore starting from only $1,065 per person twin share including return flights from Perth and from $1195 from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide when you book before August 31.
Packages include return economy airfares from Australia with Singapore Airlines, three nights accommodation at a selection of hotels with daily breakfast and return airport transfers.
In conjunction, SIAH is also offering special seven-night packages to selected Maldives properties, such as a stay at the Sheraton Full Moon Resort and Spa from only $3,830 per person twin share. Or for ultimate luxury, the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Maldives is priced from $5,668 per person twin share.
All Maldives offers include return economy airfares from Australia with Singapore Airlines, seven nights accommodation with selected meals and return airport transfers.
Cruise to the top with Princess
Princess Cruises is giving agents the chance to win a cruise to Japan and Korea, or earn gift cards as part of a new 10 week Cruise to the Top promotion for its Princess Academy online training program.
Starting this week, agents who register for Princess Academy over the next 10 weeks will gain a point for entering, and more at each ascending training rank, with the most points awarded to those who complete the highest rank of Commodore.
Hong Kong comes to Brisbane
Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Tourism Board hosted over 100 retail travel agencies for a joint cocktail function in Brisbane last week. Agents were educated about new routes, fares and ticketing from the airline followed by a presentation on new attractions and developments in Hong Kong.
Cathay entertained the guests with inventive games including a roulette game of their new destinations followed by an exciting punt for the horse races. One lucky winner from the races won return flight to Hong Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific.
TFE deals of the week
Opening 2 November, the new Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport is just 12 minutes’ drive from Canberra’s CBD and just 50 metres from the airport terminal entrance, and is offering a launch special with 25% off all bookings, plus breakfast for two daily.
Book by: 31 January, 2016 for stays between 2 November, 2015 – 31 January, 2016
Price: Prices from $112
Conditions: Not available with any other offer. Minimum. Offer is subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply. Rate is prepaid at time of booking and is non-changeable and non-refundable. No cancellation, no changes and fully prepaid.
Inclusions: This offer is for Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport
Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!