Itttt’ssssss FRIIIDDAAYYYY!

Congrats for making it through another week, now someone go and pop the bubbles in the fridge!

We’ve got you covered with all the news, famil photos, specials, deals, tours, winners, grinners and more.

From the week that brought you the first instalments of our Women in Travel series, Fashion from the skies, and the world’s best spas, comes your Friday agent wrap.

Roll on into the afternoon, and enjoy a stellar weekend!

Discover Amadeus hits the big smoke

Kicking off on Wednesday 23 September, Amadeus will host the first of a series of exclusive industry events across Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to interactive seminars and product showcases, Discover Amadeus will feature customer discussion panels whereby attendees can hear first-hand from their peers and get their views on the changing travel landscape.

Attendees will also benefit from networking opportunities and can explore the interactive Amadeus booths to win prizes.

Register for a Discover Amadeus in a city near you!

Brr, it’s cold in here

Peregrine Adventures and Intrepid Travel have announced a half price flash sale on expeditions to Antarctica booked exclusively through the Intrepid Group.

For this week only, agents can book customers on selected Antarctica voyages departing between November 2015 and March 2016 and they will receive 50% off the retail price.

The offer is available to book until 4pm on Friday 25 September (that’s today!).

For further information on the sale, and for all terms and conditions, visit: http://www.peregrineadventures.com/antarctica-flash-sale OR http://www.intrepidtravel.com/antarctica-flash-sale.

Scenic hits the seas

Scenic has launched its first South East Asia River Cruising brochure which features its full collection of Mekong and Irrawaddy river cruises including a number of new Enrich experiences and Freechoice activities, three new extensions in Vietnam plus a new tour for 2017.

The 2016/2017 program signals the inaugural sailing season for Scenic Spirit which will launch on the Mekong in January 2016 – travelling over eight days between Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Siem Reap, and Scenic Aura; launching in September 2016 on the Irrawaddy and travelling over 11 days between the cities of Mandalay and Pyay.

Scenic is offering fantastic Earlybird offers on bookings made by 31 January 2016. Book any journey to Indochina of 13 days or longer, and of 14 days or longer to Myanmar, and fly free to South East Asia including taxes; a saving of up to $3,070 per couple.

The new 132 page Exotic Wonders of South East Asia River Cruising brochure is out now.

Rail Europe year end promos

Rail Europe GSAs have released a series of year-end promotions to further add value to travellers’ rail itineraries during their visit to Europe in the coming months and next year.

A generous 20% discount has been declared on the France Rail Pass, the Eurail Global and Select Passes and the Swiss Peak promotion when purchased with a Swiss Travel Pass; while point-to-point tickets on the Eurostar and Thalys have been significantly reduced as well.

If booking Eurail Regional and one country passes by 31 December, agents can secure their clients the discounted 2015 prices, while enjoying an extra free travel day that will be granted. Passes must be validated within six months from the date of issue.

Further to that, until 3 Nov 2015, agents can pass on savings on the Eurostar and Thalys bookings on selected routes between the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands.

Terms and conditions apply.

More Antarctic sales!

Antarctica, Weddell Sea, Iceberg

Eclipse Travel has an amazing 50% off sale on selected Antarctic expeditions for this coming season.

The 10-14 day cruises are aboard Ocean Endeavour, Ocean Diamond and Sea Adventurer, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile offering an in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula, home to fantastic ice formations and wildlife including the Weddell seal.

This fantastic sale is only available until Friday 25 September (TODAY!) for selected travel departures from November 2015 through to March 2016, and must be confirmed immediately.

Please contact enquiry@eclipsetravel.com.au or call 1300 575 752 to make the most of this exceptional opportunity! Limited spaces available.

Become a travel writing pro!

Join award-winning travel writer Rob McFarland for a travel writing workshop in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Learn a specialised toolkit of travel writing and pitching techniques plus get detailed feedback on your writing. Join dozens of students who’ve gone on to be published in national newspapers and magazines. Courses cost $399 and are limited to 12 spots so get in quick!

You can find these events at The Menzies Sydney, Sat Oct 31; The Swanston Hotel Melbourne Grand Mercure, Sat Nov 7; and Pullman Brisbane King George Square, Sat Nov 14, with all sessions running from 10am to 5pm.

USA winners are grinners

The final Visit USA Travel Agent Expo of the year, held in Canberra this week, had a great turn out of high calibre travel agents. A packed house of ACT agents mingled with key USA experts over breakfast on Wednesday, 23 September 2015.

Agents were reminded that their experience can earn them AU$500 through Visit USA’s Facebook and Twitter competition for the best tip for travelling in USA.

Danica Gallagher of Fiji Airways presented Craig Williams of Woden Flight Centre with his Fiji Airways return air ticket to Los Angeles.  Many agents left with wonderful prizes and grins from ear to ear.

Outback QLD on show

The North Gregory Hotel in Winton, QLD, has announced the launch of the Vision Splendid Outback Tour Company providing luxury 4WD coach touring of the highlights of the Winton region.

The touring program offers a range of half and full day itineraries that take in the highlights of the region including the world recognised Age of Dinosaurs Natural History Museum; Larke Quarry , where over 3,300 dinosaur tracks mark the site of the only known dinosaur stampede on the planet; Bladensburg National Park;  the Boulder Opal fields; or a fully working outback sheep stations.

For bookings and more information please email: info@visionsplendidoutbacktours.com or call one of our friendly team on 07 4657 0647.

Earn points with Scenic

Agents can earn $250 worth of bonus Scenic Rewards points when they book and deposit any new 2016 Scenic luxury Europe or France river cruise between 21 September and 31 October 2015 through Scenic’s online bookings system Express Book.*

Members will receive $250 worth of bonus Scenic Rewards points for each new 2016 booking they make. These bonus points will appear in members’ accounts in November 2015 regardless of when guests travel.

All points can be redeemed on an expanded catalogue of over 4,000 products and experiences.

Excite brings Santa Monica to Sydney

James Rakus, Jessica Lake & Alex Ozanne – All Flight Centre Kings Cross

Excite Holidays teamed up with Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, giving agents 1000 rewards points for every night booked at hotels in Santa Monica until October 16.

Agents also have the chance to win a $200 Witchery voucher each week if they book the highest number of room nights over a four week period.

See all the snaps from the Wednesday night event here.

DriveAway with some cash

Until the end of the year all Australian travel agents will receive a $100 VISA debit card when making a Peugeot Open Europe Lease booking with DriveAway Holidays. In addition, DriveAway has recently announced savings of up to 25% on selected vehicles within the program for varying collection dates in 2015 with a book & pay by date of 31 October.

Repeat Peugeot Loyalty Customers who have leased since 2010 also qualify for 3 BONUS days when collecting any Peugeot model within France. All bookings must be paid in full to qualify for the incentive.

Meet the finalists from Meet Taiwan

Technology start-up company, AFTR has been selected as the Australian finalist in the Asia Super Team: Team Up for Good competition held by MEET TAIWAN.

Finalists from Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be competing for a chance to win an incentive travel package to Taiwan worth more than USD 50,000, plus a USD 5,000 charity donation to the winner’s designated not-for-profit organisation.

AFTR provides unique services in the APAC region allowing customers to find, book and pay for personalised and curated services on-demand. They believe “enthusiasm” and “passion” will be key elements to win the Asia Super Team competition!