Big Fat Agent Wrap!
Another week down, and it’s just about time to head to the pub for a vino or two.
So to cut down the time between doing your daily agent research and popping out of the office for a long lunch, we’ve got your weekly dose of all things agent.
Read on, hard workers, because it’s almost the weekend! Happy Friday!
Travel Counsellors get sentimental
Travel Counsellors welcomed 30 of its agents to its Melbourne head office this week to celebrate their annual anniversary day as Travel Counsellors and the continuing growth of their businesses during their time with the company.
Anniversaries ranged from one to eight years, and the large group of Travel Counsellors were greeted with a champagne reception and finished the day via webcam to the company’s international UK headquarters where they were thanked by Karen Morris Operations Director and Mark Hulme Head of Sales for their dedication and hard work.
Etihad doubles up for Melbourne
This weekend Etihad Airways’ ;aunches its second daily non-stop service between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways flight EY462 will depart Abu Dhabi at 10:30am local time on Saturday August 1 and touch down in Melbourne at approximately 6.05am on Sunday August 2 . The return flight EY463 will depart Melbourne at 3:00pm on August 2 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 11.05pm the same day.
The new service will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with eight seats in First Class, 40 in Business Class and 280 in Economy Class.
Airnorth appoints new ceo
Airnorth officially announces that after 17 years as Chief Executive Officer and 26 years with the company, Michael Bridge will be stepping down from his role.
Airnorth’s current Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Bowden, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective Tuesday July 28 2015.
Bowden commenced with the Bristow Group in 2008 working in senior finance and operational management positions for their Australia Business Unit and has been working with Airnorth for the last six months.
Cook Islands is coming for you!
Cook Islands Tourism is hitting the road again this September as it tours the country on its annual Industry Blitz.
Registrations are now open for front-line sellers to attend in Melbourne (31 August), Brisbane (1 September) and Sydney (2 September), at exciting venues such as Cargo Hall, Alchemy Restaurant & Bar, and Bungalow 8 respectively.
To register for this year’s Industry Blitz and for more information see http://sale.cookislands.travel/trade/industry-blitz-registration.
Visit the Cook Islands online trade resource www.sale.cookislands.travel/trade where you’ll find a trade toolkit, industry offers, an image library and consumer brochures for download.
Selmo & co take on the Gulf
The world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, a mountaintop restaurant and a souvenir one-kilogram box of dates were just a few of the highlights for TravelManagers’ Anne Maree Selmo on her CT Partners exclusive famil of Six Senses Gulf State Resorts.
Selmo, representative for Edithvale in Victoria, spent ten days discovering some of the highlights of Abu Dhabi and Oman, including Muscat and Zighy Bay. In total, nine consultants took part in an exclusive CT Partners famil, which was Selmo’s first visit to the Middle East.
Silversea goes big with expertise
Agents will now find it even easier to enter the luxury cruise market with extra support from Silversea Cruises expert, dedicated Sales Team across Australia and New Zealand.
Chosen for their vast experience in high-end travel, the team reinforces Silversea’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all agents seeking knowledge on luxury travel and Silversea’s unique offering have sufficient support.
Silversea’s Sales Team consists of four Business Development Managers (BDMs):
- Leanne Fonagy, Northern New South Wales and Queensland, leannef@silversea.com
- Scott Graham, Southern New South Wales, ACT and New Zealand, scottg@silversea.com
- Craig Farrell, Victoria and Tasmania, craigf@silversea.com
- Charlie Turnbull, Western Australia and South Australia, charliet@silversea.com
Agents turn Japanese for JNTO
This July, ten travel agents from Australia were invited to experience Japan’s Golden Route, the most popular route for first-time travellers to Japan on an 8-day fully-hosted familiarisation trip to Japan hosted by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Sydney Office.
The trip started in the Hakone region, famous as a hot springs resort one and a half hours from Tokyo, where the group were treated to a scenic cruise on a pirate ship on Lake Ashi.
Mt Fuji was also on the agenda, as well as Japan’s cultural and traditional heart, Kyoto, Osaka, the historically-significant city of Hiroshima and the buzzing capital of Tokyo.
Pictured are: Back row (L-R): Sheri Foreman – TravelManagers, Jennifer Jones – TravelManagers, Brigitte Borel – Insider Journeys, Jade Fan – Mandarin World Tours, Catherine Kurmelovs – Bunnik Tours, Mark Kidd – Asia Escape Holidays, Paul Wang – JTB Australia
Front row (L-R): Jenna Thompson – Insider Journeys, Rebecca Kitlinska (Wendy Wu Tours), Ronnie Albanis (Intrepid Group).
Go to Hawai’i from your desk
Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania have released a third module on our YouTube channel showcasing the island of Maui. Learn about what makes Maui unique with this 10-minute presentation.
The Maui training video is presented by Sherry Duong from the Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau and will give you a great overview of the island, without you having to leave your desk.
Lufthansa posts profit-spike
The German airline posted “solid results” April-to-June although earnings “were strongly impacted by external effects”, chief financial officer Simone Menne said on Thursday.
Net profit soared to 529 million euros ($A795 million) during the second quarter, up from 173 million euros one year ago.
A rise in interest rates also eased pressure on the airline to top up guaranteed pension levels. READ MORE
AccorHotels profit jumps 52%
France’s AccorHotels has posted a 52% first half profit increase and outlined ambitious targets for the full year.
The world’s sixth-largest hotel group said on Thursday second quarter sales rose three per cent to 1.5 billion euros from 1.46 billion the same period last year.
That contributed to a half year increase of net profit of 91 million euros ($A137.07 million) and an increase of 5.25% to 2.7 billion euros in sales during the same period.
Tourism NZ goes 100%
Tourism New Zealand’s new ’100% Pure New Zealand’ brand evolution will launch alongside its North Island Touring campaign, ‘Everyday a different journey’ this month.
Promoted across Australia’s Eastern Sea Board, the campaign delivers seamless messaging and visuals across multiple touch points including TV, outdoor, digital, social media and a dedicated site. READ MORE
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airnorth cook islands tourism ct partners etihad airways Hawai’i Tourism Oceania jnto silversea cruises travel counsellors travelmanagersLatest 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!