Catch up on all the latest events and happenings with Travel Weekly’s famous events wrap-up! And by famous we mean our mums print them out and stick them on the fridge.

Uniworld to host series of agent events 

Uniworld invites agents and guests to discover a world of luxury river cruising in 2023 and 2024 in a series of free information sessions across Australia.

The launch will coincide with the information events with exclusive offers, such as 10 per cent off early bookings and a slew of new itineraries to showcase.

Events kick off in Brisbane on 30 August at Cloudland in Fortitude Valley, the Gold Coast on 31 August at the Mercure, Sydney on 12 September at the Kirribilli Club, Canberra on 14 September at the Boathouse, Melbourne on 21 September at the Savoy and Adelaide on 13 October at Adelaide Pavilion with Hobert and Perth events to be announced.

You can use the link to register clients to the consumer events HERE and agents to the agent events HERE.

PONANT to host ‘Explore to Inspire’ 2022 roadshow events

After two years of restrictions allowing for only virtual meetings and events, PONANT has announced the return of its roadshow series events taking place across Australia from August until October 2022.

The ‘Explore to Inspire’ Roadshow Series invites travellers and travel agents to discover PONANT’s world-class itineraries with presentations and enriching stories from PONANT’s expedition experts including director of expeditions & destination development Asia Pacific Mick Fogg, expedition leader & commercial manager Japan/Korea Ryo Ijichi, and polar and tropical expedition leaders Jorge Villamarin and Lou Paynter.

During each event, attendees and travel agents will be invited to enjoy canapes and a glass of PONANT’s onboard French house champagne, as they meet PONANT’s destination experts and fellow travellers and gain insights and inspiration into the world of PONANT.

The Roadshow Series Event is open for registration HERE, beginning in Adelaide on 29 August 2022, 2pm or 6pm at Hilton Adelaide followed by Hobart on Wednesday, 31 August 2022, 6pm at The Henry Jones Art Hotel, Melbourne on Monday, 12 September 2022, 2pm or 6pm at The Langham Melbourne, Sydney on Tuesday, 13 September 2022, 2pm or 6pm at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Brisbane on Thursday, 15 September 2022, 2pm or 6pm at Water’s Edge, Portside Wharf and Perth on Tuesday, 11 October 2022, 2pm or 6pm at The Ritz Carlton.

Webinar: Wonders of Utah Series

Get inspired to send your clients to Utah with a 4-week live webinar series from the Utah Office of Tourism and Destination Webinars.

Starting Tuesday 30 August, take a virtual tour of the state by local representatives who are excited to share their knowledge and passion via bite-sized webinar updates designed for travel agents.

There are two live time slots to choose from, 9am & 12pm AEST / 11am & 2pm NZST. If you can’t make it live, register to receive the recordings instead.

With five US national parks, nine national monuments, 44 state parks, 15 world-renowned ski resorts, 24 Dark Sky parks and places, 28 scenic byways and many hidden gems, Utah is the must-see destination in the American West.

Register HERE before the first session kicks off on Tuesday 30 August to go in the draw to WIN a $100 gift card!

JNTO wraps a week of successful roadshow events

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) conducted its annual Japan Roadshow in Melbourne (Monday 22 August) and Sydney (Wednesday 24 August) this week, where over 100 travel agents and buyers attended two stunning events at Melbourne’s State Library Victoria and on the gorgeous Sydney harbour aboard luxury superyacht, The Jackson.

Aiming to strengthen the relationship with the travel industry, the roadshow was attended by 21 representatives from Japanese hotels, resorts, attractions and inbound tour operators, who were all ready to showcase their products.

The Sydney event came at an opportune time, after a press conference was held that very afternoon by Japan’s Prime Minister with updates to the country’s entry requirements. The guest of honour at the Sydney event, Kiya Masahiko, Consul-General of Japan in Sydney, shared the updates with participants, confirming that pre-departure PCR tests will no longer be required for triple vaccinated travellers from Australia and New Zealand from 7 September.

Kiya also highlighted that the Government of Japan is currently working on other changes to the country’s border entry measures, which will be promptly announced taking into consideration the up-to-date COVID situation.

Agents discover new luxury in West Hollywood

Last week West Hollywood Travel & Tourism Board, in partnership with Gate 7 hosted five Virtuoso agents in the heart of L.A, prior to Virtuoso Travel Week Las Vegas.

The theme of the famil echoed the recent campaign launched by West Hollywood Travel & Tourism Board focusing on exploring the new luxury that has emerged in the city.

As part of the famil, the agents were able to discover new luxury offerings for themselves with the opportunity to stay at one of the newest Virtuoso properties in the destination, Pendry West Hollywood, and enjoyed inspecting other Virtuoso properties such as The London West Hollywood, The West Hollywood EDITION and 1 Hotel West Hollywood.

The group delighted in world-class dining experiences during the 3-night fam, including dinners at Catch LA, Merois (the signature restaurant at Pendry West Hollywood), and BOA Steakhouse West Hollywood.

On top of that, the agents were treated to a facial treatment at the renowned FACE GYM, the only gym for the face.

The Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau and Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation hosts travel trade in Sydney and Melbourne

Grapevine, Texas along with Travel Oklahoma and their delegates have travelled to Australia for one of the first in-market USA dedicated sales missions of 2022.

Lunch events were well attended in Sydney and Melbourne where trade and media learnt more about Grapevine and Oklahoma and what’s new in each area.

Australian media and trade were treated to a live performance from Choctaw/Chickasaw native and ‘Men’s Fancy Dance’ world champion dancer Michael Roberts and his wife, Puebloan native Rebecca Roberts.

The couple performed cultural dances in traditional regalia and spoke about the history of the Native Americans and the rich native culture of Oklahoma. Having 39 tribal headquarters within the state itself, the Native American culture in Oklahoma has a powerful influence and presence which appeals to Aussie visitors.

Royal Caribbean celebrates countdown until Brisbane debut of Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean and Village Roadshow Theme Parks have celebrated the highly anticipated arrival of Quantum of the Seas this coming November, which will officiate Royal Caribbean’s debut in Brisbane.

A themed event took place at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, featuring special festivities and funfair entertainment for key trade and industry partners.

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas will first set sail from Brisbane on 1 November this year from its homeport at the newly developed $177 million Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.

Royal Caribbean have teamed up with Village Roadshow Theme Parks to offer guests sailing from Brisbane on Quantum of the Seas the ultimate end-to-end Queensland getaway, with access to exclusive accommodation and attraction packages, allowing guests to combine two family experiences into one holiday with plenty of added perks.