Want to win a spot on an expedition cruise to the Kimberley or North Sulawesi and the Philippines? Check out our weekly round-up of events & incentives to find out how.

ATEC Meeting Place spotlight on Cairns

For the first time since 2019, Australia’s export tourism industry will meet up in Cairns to celebrate and reconnect during ATEC Meeting Place 2022 (#MP22). With a fortnight to go until the big event, more than 420 delegates have registered to take part in over 4500 business meetings and a comprehensive conference program designed to reinvigorate and inspire tourism of the future.

With over 30 speakers covering the most contemporary issues affecting the export tourism industry, the conference keynote address by director and co-founder of The Demographics Group, Simon Kuestenmacher, will use data-driven insights to take a look at what recovery means in our changing world.

ATEC Meeting Place 2022 runs from 21-24 November and will take place at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Find out more HERE.

Registrations now open for Brand USA’s 1:1 business meetings

Taking place on 7-8 December (December 8-9 in Asia & The Pacific), these one-to-one virtual pre-scheduled meetings will enable travel trade to meet primarily with US destinations in addition to meeting with attractions and products, as well as receptive operators.

The event is scheduled to run over two days; however attendees will have the flexibility to select both their preferred attendance days and times. The event will commence at 10AM until 12PM AEDT daily.

It includes up to 16 appointment slots of 13 minutes each over the two days. Once registration has been accepted, attendees will be invited to select meeting preferences, as well as days and times for availability.

To register for our One-to-One Business Meetings, buyers and agents must log onto the Brand USA Global Marketplace account HERE, click on “Events” and under “One-to-One Business Meetings: Asia & The Pacific” click “Register”.

Swan Hellenic launches special end-of-year ANZ Trade Incentive

Swan Hellenic has launched a special end-of-year ANZ trade incentive that’s a three-way celebration, marking its return to the seas, relaunch on the Australia and New Zealand markets, and first-ever cultural expedition cruises of the Kimberley.

 The Travel Advisor completing the most customer bookings with Swan Hellenic by the end of the year will win a unique cultural expedition cruise of their own in a stateroom for two to explore the Kimberley or North Sulawesi and the Philippines.

 With cultural expedition cruises across seven continents, Travel Advisors can be sure to find a Swan Hellenic cultural expedition cruise that’s perfect for their customers’ passions – from Antarctic or Arctic exploration to Mediterranean history and the spectacular wildlife and cultural contrasts of Africa’s Cape.

Brand USA’s Da$h for Ca$h: Winners Revealed

Brand USA has revealed the Australian grand prize winner of its agent training program incentive – USA Discovery Program – Da$h for Ca$h.

The USA Discovery Program, Brand USA’s official agent training platform, is designed to equip agents with a comprehensive knowledge of the USA. For the chance at winning one of five fortnightly $100 prizes or the grand prize of $500, agents were required to complete training badges on a variety of US destinations and themes.

Through this incentive, 407 individual badges were completed across the Australian and New Zealand markets, and over 35 per cent of participants were new to the USA Discovery Program.

Brand USA is thrilled to announce that Australia’s lucky grand prize winner of the $500 gift card is Anne Parkinson, iTravel Penhurst.

Below are the winners of the fortnightly $100 gift card draw:

Josie McPaul, Bayview Travel

Sandra Brasier, Helloworld Berwick

Rochelle King, Helloworld Travel Highton

Callum Teague, TripADeal

Shardai Jutila, RACQ Travel

HAL turns on the charm for PTM

A White Pass and Yukon Rail journey saw TravelManagers’ Camilla Manson depart Skagway on a high

Holland America Lines (HAL) turned on its charm for personal travel manager (PTM) Camilla Manson during her cruise famil on MS Zuiderdam, leaving her in no doubt as to why the cruise line was named joint supplier of the year at TravelManagers’ 2022 annual national conference.

Manson, who was accompanied by her husband on a seven-day self famil cruise out of Vancouver, said it was the couple’s first visit to Canada and Alaska but she is quite certain it won’t be her last.

As TravelManagers’ representative for Kingscliff, NSW, Manson is one of 52 PTMs to have participated in HAL famils this year out of a total 94 famils across all suppliers.

“Having never been to this part of North America before, the entire week was an incredible learning experience for me,” she explained. “There is so much on offer and I’m excited to be able to pass on my first-hand knowledge of this amazing destination to my customers.

Travel Associates Advisory Board hits WA

L-R back: Alan Reis; Chiara Dichiera, Tourism Western Australia; Nathan Dare, L-R middle: Gillian Woodley; Meaghan Wolf; Tammy Houston; Christine Poole, Tourism Western Australia (The Walshe Group); Rachel Kingswell, General Manager, Travel Associates; Karen Majsay, seated: Jo Kennedy

Together with Tourism Western Australia, The Walshe Group recently hosted the Travel Associates Advisory Board on a famil to Perth and the Margaret River region.

Western Australia and all it has to offer, was showcased over four days with the most stunning weather and a variety of wonderful experiences including seasonal Western Australian produce and local wines, a hike along a section of the Cape to Cape track and of course, a visit to Rottnest Island.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Vasse Felix, the founding winery of the Margaret River Wine Region. The group enjoyed a wine tasting in the art gallery, the original Vasse Felix winery, followed by lunch in their multi-award-winning restaurant.

Avalon Waterways welcomes FCTG

FCTG senior leaders enjoying Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery on the Rhone

Eight senior leaders from Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) and their travelling companions were welcomed aboard Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery on the Rhone in September, sailing through the heart of the south of France.

Hosted by Mitch Spencer, global account manager for Globus family of brands, the trip saw the group experience first-hand Avalon’s signature Suite Ships and renowned relaxed luxury approach.

With Avalon’s Choice ‘Classic, Active and Discovery’ excursions included, guests can tailor the cruise along the Rhone to their tastes, with itinerary highlights on offer including cycling through Camargue Regional Nature Park to spot flamingos, taking a painting workshop to mimic Van Gough in Arles, and sampling local sips in an underground cave wine tasting in Avignon.

Featured image: FCTG senior leaders enjoying Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery on the Rhone