Terrible twos, terrible Tuesdays.

Here we are again, back at the early stages of the week. But to get you through, impress your clients and feel like the savvy agent you are, we’ve got another wrap!

Because you are independent travel agents who don’t need no influx of emails.

All your news is right here. Happy days!

APT announces its best

APT has announced all the winners of its #APTtheBest trade campaign, which saw the award winning luxury travel operator celebrate its recent trifecta of NTIA awards by offering two exciting industry incentives every week during September.

For travel agencies, APT granted special entry into a weekly draw for every booking made and deposited, with a $1,500 marketing voucher up for grabs for the weekly winner. Consultants were invited to send in their #APTtheBest photos and entries in a bid to win one of five luxury river cruises.

Agencies that received an APT $1,500 marketing voucher were: helloworld Camberwell, Flight Centre Birkdale, Spencer Travel Southside, Travel Associates Brice and Turner WA and Champagne Travel.

Consultants who received either a Europe or Mekong river cruise in return for their outstanding and creative #APTtheBest snaps were: Scarlett Trewavis, Flight Centre Watergardens; Jennifer Bishop, Your Travel & Cruise; Tegan McCarthy, We Know Travel Orange; Stacey Moffitt, RACQ Maroochydore; and Brigette Richards, Champagne Travel.

Global Achievers wraps up

Qantas Holidays’ Global Achievers celebration was a huge success for 2015, culminating with a 1940’s themed Gala Awards Night at SKY CITY Beach Pavilion on Saturday 17th October.

This year Qantas Holidays partnered with Tourism NT to organise a number of exciting itineraries for 170 of Australia’s top travel agents. Itineraries included swimming in the beautiful waterfalls of Litchfield National Park, catching Barramundi, jumping on board the Jumping Crocodile Cruise, visiting the Territory Wildlife Park and Crocodile Cove, exploring the Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and enjoying local shopping and culinary delights at the Parap Markets.

The Global Achievers weekend at the top end culminated with a sunset firework show by the water and a Gala Awards Dinner bursting with sensational entertainment including swing dancing, a dazzling show from the Rat Pack and Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan as MC.   

Bench goes big

“We have listened carefully to the invaluable feedback from these travel agents, as well as the expert input of our Bench Consultants, all of whom have visited Africa over the last few months. We have used this feedback to further improve our brochure” said Martin Edwards, Bench General Manager.

“From families to honeymooners, ‘budget and basic’ to dramatic luxury, group tours to private tailor-made itineraries – we have thought of everything to ensure that we find the perfect holiday to suit you all!”

Bench are introducing exciting new product in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, on top of the properties and itineraries that proved popular in 2015. They have introduced to their 2016 brochure holidays in Madagascar, as well as exciting new self-drive holidays in both South Africa and Namibia ensuring that their new brochure has something for everyone.

Request a brochure on the Bench International website: http://www.benchinternational.com.au/request-brochure/.

Agents eclipsed by South America

South America wholesaler Eclipse Travel treated a select group of travel agents to a 15-day famil to Argentina and Chile recently, visiting must-see destinations including Buenos Aires, the Patagonian Lake District and the spectacular Torres del Paine.

Exploring the untamed Chilean Patagonian rainforest under the majestic Andes mountain range, the agents visited Huilo Huilo Ecological Reserve and Petrohue Waterfalls.

Pictured in their helmets, about to do some zip lining at Huilo Huilo Ecological Reserve, are (from left to right): Liz Bridges, Travel Counsellors; Lynton Jones, The Savvy Traveller; Leanne Flanagan-Smith, Backtrack; Justin Lawson, Malvern Travel & Cruise; Matt McMillan, Eclipse Travel; and Devin Hunt, The Adventure Traveller.

Trafalgar saves you the cost

Trafalgar has repositioned its CostSaver programme as a standalone brand, strengthening its envied position as the industry leader in providing unbeatable experiences at unbeatable prices. Recognising recent guest feedback citing a market for great value tours, CostSaver – operated by Trafalgar, boasts a robustly redesigned programme and website at https://costsaver.trafalgar.com/. Showcasing 34 different tours throughout Europe and Britain, the quality remains high, yet the prices as low as only $129 per day.

For value-conscious consumers who refuse to compromise on quality, CostSaver is the simple solution. Comprising hand-picked accommodation and perfectly-planned itineraries incorporating the must-see sights, all tours also include airport transfers and the services of a quality-assured Trafalgar-trained Travel Director, ensuring a hassle-free holiday all-round.

With up to 30% saving against the costs of comparable independent travel, clients can not only spare themselves holiday hassles but also earn commission for agents when they book a CostSaver tour.

Wendy Wu upgrades

Wendy Wu Tours, have partnered with Air China to release a new special offering an exceptional upgrade rate for business class airfares to China on five popular fully inclusive group tours – but be quick there are limited spaces and the offer is only available when purchased between October 19 and October 30, 2015.

For agents who book their clients on one of the 36 tours departing Sydney between 5 June and 25 September in 2016 can upgrade the outbound international airfare to business class from only $395 per person, departing Sydney.  In addition, upgrade the return international airfare from only $695 per person.

For further details on all upgrade offers agents are asked to contact Wendy Wu Tours on 1300 789 980 or visit www.wendywutours.com.au.

Wendy Wu Tours also introduced a new look brochure, a new destination and a selection of new group tours to its 2016 India programme.

The introduction of the Maldives to the newly released India brochure is the result of an increased demand in customers wanting to partake in an India or Sri Lanka group tour and then extend their holiday with private arrangements, such as a beach stay in one of the many Maldivian resorts.

Insider goes inside with famil

Debbie Evans and Liz Giannone from Insider Journeys accompanied 9 agents on a recent famil to captivating Burma, which is high on many travellers’ lists.

The 12 day itinerary included overnight stays on the Belmond Orcaella and Belmond Road to Mandalay as the agents cruised from Bagan to Mandalay, before travelling overland to Inle Lake and Yangon.

Highlights included visiting a local school to learn about the education system and also an early morning bike ride around Bagan to see the local farmers working and the Buddhist monks collecting Alms.

The agents pictured from left are: Esther Lee, Escape Travel Lindfield; Karen Conlon – Belmond; Jane Konatar, helloworld Elizabeth; Thet – Belmond Guide; Liza Noakes, Hyslop & James Travel Associates; Monique Dewhurst, Gannon & Turner Travel Associates; Natasha Leventeris, Cruiseabout West Lakes; Paul Egan, Egan & Turner Travel Associates; Debbie Evans, Insider Journeys; Pauline Haldane, Passport to the World; Liz Giannone, Insider Journeys; riony Harris, Cruiseabout Hobart.

Scenic launches into India

Scenic has launched its 2016/2017 India program which features two new tours plus a number of new hotels and Enrich experiences, and two new extensions.

The new 14 Day Southern India Discovery features new cities and destinations never visited before by Scenic – Bangalore, Mysore, Kabini and Nagharhole National Park, Coorg and Hassan. The tour also visits Kochi and the backwaters with Kettuvalum as an optional stay for one night in Kumarakom.

Some of the tour’s highlights include the Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Zampa Vineyards and Rudraksha Farm Theatre in Bangalore; a stay at Orange County Resorts Kabini, listed in National Geographic Traveller’s top 25 World’s Best Eco Lodges; and a Scenic Enrich dinner in Mysore where guests will dine with the relations of the Royal family.

Scenic is offering fantastic Earlybird offers on bookings made by 31 March 2016. Book any journey to India of 21 days or longer and fly free including taxes; a saving of up to $2,900 per couple. Or for journeys of 13-15 days, receive partner fly free including taxes up to $855 – a saving of up to $1,450 per couple.

Discounts on Eurail

Agents looking to secure great rail rates for clients heading to Europe over the festive season this year and Europe ski season early next year will appreciate International Rail’s special offers on a range of Eurail passes available for purchase until December 31.

Receive 20% discounts on Eurail Global and Select Passes in both first and second class. And receive a free day of travel on Eurail one country and regional Passes.

The Eurail Global Flexi Pass (also known as Eurorail) allows use over a two month period for travel through 28 countries in Europe, including France, Italy, Germany and many more. Pay as little as $76 per person per day on a 10 day pass over two months.

The discounted rail passes are valid for travel until March 31, 2016. The Free Day has no travel limits but passes must be validated within six months of being issued.

No solo supplements on this cruise

Pandaw River Expeditions has doubled the number of Asian sailings solo travelers can join with no single supplements, with discounts of up to 20% also available for couples for bookings made by November 30, 2015, with Australian river cruising specialists, Active Travel, which has unveiled a new-look website.

The offers mean solo travellers score a double bonus of not paying any single supplement but also benefitting from the 20% discount on the twin-share fare, which they can use for themselves.

For details, visit www.activetravel.com.au or call 1300 783 188.

Things are rosie with agent incentive

This week Rosie Holidays announced agents will earn a bonus $100 gift card on all Fiji bookings with a land minimum of 5 nights and airfares with Fiji Airways. All eligible bookings should be deposited before 06 November 2015 for departures from 12 October 2015 to 31 March 2016.

Rosie Holidays has put together a great range of Fiji deals catering for all clients, from couples wanting an adults only resort escape before Christmas to family friendly deals for travel next year. Full details are available at Pinpoint Travel Group’s website www.pinpointtravelgroup.com.au

Hawaii celebrates family guide

To celebrate the launch of Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania’s second annual Family Hawai‘i Guide one lucky ‘ohana (family) will have the chance to choose their own adventure and win a trip of a lifetime to O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island (Big Island).

Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) are giving away a Hawai‘i holiday for 2 adults and 2 children valued at over $10,000.  The winners will experience four nights at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort on O‘ahu and four nights Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawai‘i, the Big Island.

The Family Hawai‘i Guide makes holiday planning easy, assisting families in choosing the island and experiences that best suit their ‘ohana across the most popular Hawaiian Islands of O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island.

Download your copy of the Family Hawai‘i Guide direct from the Go Hawai‘i website http://www.gohawaii.com/au/statewide/family-guide. To enter the competition visit: http://woobox.com/vm7xkm.

Aussies recognise value of rail

With more than 300,000 travellers using Eurail Passes each year to see Europe, Eurail has reported that Oceania make up 11.5% of the market, with Australia dominating at 10.3%.

Amongst the top ten countries travelled by Aussie travellers are Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic and Denmark.

Agents are reminded of the four different types of passes available for their clients. They include the Eurail Global Pass (covers 28 countries with validities of five travel days within 10 days; 10 / 15 travel days within two months; and 15-21 continuous travel days within 1-3 months); the Eurail Select Pass (covers four adjoining countries with validities of 5,6,8 or 10 days within two months; the Eurail Select Two Country Pass (with validities of 4,5,6,8 or 10 travel days within a month); and the Eurail One Country Pass (validities include 3,4,5 and 8 travel days within a month and six trips for the Attica Pass).

All Passes come are available in 1^st or 2^nd class.