News in Brief: Tuesday August 19
Mark Carter will be delivering an interactive session in Sydney for sales gurus working in travel, covering topics of sales psychology, method of sales leadership and behavioural science.
The event will take place on September 5 at the Regus Sydney from 10am – 12pm, and will incorporate Carter’s anecdotes and experience to present complex business concepts, global ideas and localised strategies for those in the travel industry.
Carter joined the industry as a tour director and industry trainer and leader across Europe for Contiki Holidays, and is today a highly sought after presenter in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, frequently presenting at gala events such as Australia Citizen of the Year Awards.
To secure one of the 20 spots available, contact Lisa Maroun at marounlisa@hotmail.com.
Busabout are expanding its itineraries in 2015 with tours in Asia, launching in Myanmar in March and followed by trips through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Trans-Siberian itineraries will also be offered to link up Busabout’s new Asian products with its popular European products, and are designed for independent travellers with features such as the Thai Island Flexi-Hopper that allows travellers to stay longer on East Island, and re-join the tour at a later date.
The Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) will address government, local tourism officials and operators at the 2014 National Tourism Forum about the potential of the Solomon Islands for the international cruise market.
SIPA’s interim CEO Jane Waetara said she was keen to impress the more than 150 delegates attending the event on August 29 with the numerous benefits the international cruise market will receive by visiting the Solomon Islands.
There are only two weeks left for travel agents to qualify for Travelmarvel’s special industry incentive scheme, which gives agents the chance to win a free self famil river cruise for two through Vietnam and Cambodia aboard the La Marguerite.
Through its ‘Book Three, Cruise for Free’ incentive, any agents who book and deposit any three Travelmarvel cruises and/or tours departing in 2014 are in with a chance of winning the cruise.
The Association of Support Professionals (ASP) has announced Tourplan as one of the winners of its 17th annual ‘Ten Best Web Support Sites’ competition, an award that showcases excellence in online service and support.
The small IT company specialising in the tourism industry secured the win against up to 60 heavyweight IT corporations, as well as being one of the winners in the Small Company Division, which recognises companies with annual revenues bellows $500 million.
From August 15 to September 15, Malaysia Airlines’ Fares and Fuel Surcharge issued on 232 Australian BSP ticket stock will be commissionable at 11% for all classes.
The offer applies to tickets issued on Published Gross Fares, irrespective of departure dates, with any tickets issued for travel originating outside Australia to remain at 6% commission.
Any ticket issued separately for domestic Malaysia flights or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore/Brunei is non-commissionable, and all re-issued tickets will remain at 6%.
Tourplan has partnered with top channel managers Siteminder, Travelclick and ERevMax’s Rate Tiger to give its clients access to hotel rates and availability online.
Tourplan will launch its new connectivity and distribution strategy throughout roadshows held in 10 cities during September and October, as well as at the World Travel Market 2014.
“Initially we’re distributing Best Available and Advance Purchase products, but we see dynamic nett rates, and availability-only bookings on the short term radar,” Tourplan’s founder and CEO Peter Trumic said.
Samoa will be hosting the third international conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from August 28 to September 4.
The conference, which is expected to attract more than 2000 international participants, will take place at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex, and will bring together 52 small island states to discuss pressing environmental and development issues directly affecting their countries.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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