Another week down and it is soon to be the weekend. This past week the agents of Australia have enjoyed famils to afar, roadshows of engaging and entertaining varieties and really got out enjoyed, well, being travel agents. Afterall, it is the best job in the world, selling travel dreams. Happy Friday to you all.

Travel Agents experience Space-Ship Scenic Amber

Scenic invited a lucky group of travel agents on board the newest Scenic Space-Ship Scenic Amber. Boarding in the Baroque town of Passau, set on the confluence of Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, they travelled through Germany and Austria over seven days.

After crossing into Austria, agents were among the first Scenic guests to experience a brand new Scenic Enrich activity for the 2016 river cruising season – ‘The Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’. An exclusive production performed in the rolling hills of Salzburg which was a huge hit with everyone who loved the performance of all the catchy classics and the authentic Austrian lunch. Two years in the making – from concept development, castings, rehearsals and set up – agents enjoyed the 90 minute show which features a professional cast of seven actors including a children’s choir, and a 16-strong orchestra.

With two days in Vienna, agents chose from a range of Freechoice activities including; a guided tour of Bratislava or Schönbrunn Palace; a visit to the world-renowned Spanish Riding School and see the famous Lipizzaner Stallions perfecting their skills during their morning exercise program; or ‘Shop with a Chef’ at the local food markets with the on board chef. Everyone also experienced the popular Scenic Enrich event at Palais Liechtenstein where they attended a private Viennese evening concert featuring music of Strauss and Mozart.

The cruise concluded with the official christening ceremony for Scenic Amber. Angela Turen christened the third next-generation Scenic Space-Ship Scenic Amber at a special ceremony for media and travel industry leaders from Australia, New Zealand, UK and North America in the Austrian town of Passau on ANZAC Day – Monday 25 April.

Hawai‘i Tourism wraps up Aloha Down Under in Sydney

A little bit of Hawai‘i came to The Westin Hotel, Sydney, with a show of music, dancing and colour not to mention Hawaiian inspired cuisine.

A record 28 operators from the Hawaiian Islands met with over 200 travel agents in Sydney at the first trade event for the annual Aloha Down Under Roadshow.

Agents were greeted and entertained by performers from Germaine’s Lū‘au on O‘ahu before meeting with operators and learning more about the Hawaiian Islands.

Avid traveller, filmmaker and Hawai‘i advocate Tim Charody took on an MC role engaging the four island chapters of O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i in a chat show type format to get a personal take on the diversity of the four main islands.

There was even a hula competition with one of the prizes for the best hula being a trip for 2 to the Hawaiian Islands flying with Hawaiian Airways.

The roadshow continues tonight on the Gold Coast.

TravelManagers celebrate 2^nd year Cruiseco Membership with 2 consecutive year award wins

TravelManagers’ Cruiseco membership has started off with a bang! TravelManagers was the only exclusive home-based company to receive the ‘Top 5 in sales’ award, recognizing the companies’ significant sales contribution for both 2013-14 year and 2014-15 year. In addition TravelManagers received an award acknowledging the company as a member of Cruiseco’s ‘Million Dollar Club’, also for the second consecutive year.

TravelManagers’ executive general manager Michael Gazal sees the cruise market as robust and the consecutive award wins for increasing sales results as proof that the TravelManagers’ home-based consulting concept is strong.

The conference allowed a mix of scheduled seminars with casual exhibition time allowing delegates to spend time with Cruiseco’s cruise partners, as well as key note speakers, panel discussions and interviews.

First ever Latin America travel shows to benefit Ecuador earthquake appeal

The first ever public travel expos for Latin America in Sydney on Sunday, May 15, 2016, and Melbourne on Sunday, May 22, will include a fundraising drive for victims of the earthquake last month in Ecuador.

Organised by the Australian Travel Association for Latin America (ATALA), the inaugural Latin America Travel Week will also include free travel expos for the public from 10am-4pm at the Sydney Town Hall on Sunday, May 15, 2016, and from 10am-4pm at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday, May 22, 2016. The public will be invited to donate gold coins to the UNHCR’s Ecuador Earthquake Appeal.

The free public travel shows will bring together – for the first time – airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour and travel operators, tourism bodies and specialist agents from Australia and Latin America – all showcasing 20 countries in South and Central America as well as cruises to Antarctica. Among the 52 exhibitors will be the tourism bodies of Chile, Brazil and Colombia which have never fronted an Australian travel show before.

Latin America Travel Week is backed by major sponsors LATAM Airlines group and PROMPERÚ, with silver sponsors Turismo Chile and Ecuadorian tour operators, Metropolitan Touring and Latin Trails.

Meanwhile, the invitation-only travel agent workshops with complimentary drinks and canapes, will be held in Sydney on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, and in Melbourne on Thursday, May 19, 2016. At each workshop, one lucky, attending agent will win a luxury US$12,000 holiday to Peru or Chile for two people including flights. The Peru prize is courtesy of LATAM Airlines, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Hotel B and Delfin Amazon Cruises while the Chile holiday is courtesy of LATAM Airlines, The Singular Patagonia, The Singular Santiago, Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa and Vira Vira Hacienda Hotel.

Agents at the workshops will also be able to hear first-hand the effects of the Ecuador earthquake with all major tourist attractions and regions intact and operating normally.

Travel agents interested in attending the Latin America agent workshops in Sydney and Melbourne can register their interest at www.atala.com.au or by emailing admin@atala.com.au.