The Western Australian Minister for Commerce, The Hon. Michael Mischin has confirmed that the Western Australian licensing scheme for travel agents has ceased.

The outdated licensing program was part of a national scheme and added significant business costs to Australian based travel distributors. The decision came after extensive and careful consultation with industry, consumers and governments.

Market demand for more variety in Indochina has pushed Wendy Wu Tours to introduce a new 16-day tour that focuses on less visited areas and is designed for past visitors who wish to delve further into the region.

The ‘Laos and Cambodia Unveiled’ tour is featured in WWT’s new 2015 Vietnam brochure, and will be a fully inclusive tour in response to previous guests’ feedback.

Rocky Mountaineer has introduced for a limited time an Early Booking Bonus for travellers booking eligible 2015 packages, with up to $1200 per couple in extra value available.

The additional credit can be used towards optional activities such as the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb train journey or an extra hotel night, with the booking requiring seven nights or more in the exclusive GoldLeaf Service in order to claim the maximum credit.

The Early Booking Bonus is in effect now until November 22, 2014 on eligible new 2015 bookings.

G Adventures recently hosted a group of STA Travel staff on an eight-day famil through Peru, in order to familiarise the agents with the products in the area.

The group hiked the Lares Trek, visited the Machu Picchu ruins, experienced the new Planeterra-funded community Parwa restaurant in the Sacred Valley and visited a traditional women’s weaving co-operative.

Urban Adventures is celebrating its five year anniversary by offering 30% off all tours for 24-hours on October 8.

The 24-hour sale applies to all tours departing now until the end of 2015 and booked today on October 8, with travellers able to claim the discount by using the promo code UA5BD when booking online.

Complete Travel Marketing has signed a partnership agreement with the Datai Langkawi, making them the official sales and marketing representative for the Australian and New Zealand market.

“The Datai Langkawi is an award winning luxury resort and we are greatly looking forward to developing its footprint here, enabling more Australians and new Zealanders to experience its top class food, service and accommodation,” director and co-founder of Complete Travel Marketing Charlie Ridout said.

Emirates is expanding its services to and from Milan with the upgrade of one of its daily Boeing 777-300 services to an A380 as of December 1.

The first permanently scheduled A380 service to Milan Malpensa Airport, the aircraft will add to Emirate’s three daily Milan services, increasing the capacity by almost 38%.

P&O Cruises is rewarding its top Australian and New Zealand agents with a new incentive scheme, as well as the chance to enjoy a cruise to next year’s Australian Open in Melbourne.

The cruise line’s new Flagship Club incentive will reward consultants who book more than $50,000 revenue from December 1 2013 to November 30 2014 with a pre-paid Visa card, loaded up to a maximum of $1000 depending on the volume of sales.

In addition, the top 20 agents who book the most revenue will receive a room for two on Pacific Pearl’s five-night Australian Open cruise with a VIP experience.

Worldwide Cruise Centres has unveiled its latest tour named A Royal Trifecta, which explores the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Baltic, as well as European ports including Rome, Copenhagen and St Petersburg.

The trip includes a transatlantic crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 from England to New York and stays in Istanbul, London and New York, with Hawaii and Dubai making an appearance as well.

The entire three-ship world tour lasts over six weeks, with early bird rates available until December 20. 

To celebrate the launch of United’s new 787 Dreamliner service between Melbourne and Los Angeles, which commences on October 28, United and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board have teamed up to offer Australian and New Zealand agents the chance to win a trip to LA.

Agents who sell the most United itineraries between October 6 and November 7 will go in the draw to win airfares, a stay at five-star hotels, fine dining and passes to theme parks, live entertainment and an LA Lakers game.

Dubai Tourism has hosted a ceremony at Mina Rashid to recognise the contribution of both public and private sector partners to cruise tourism growth, awarding certificates to government agencies and aviation and tourism companies.

“We expect to welcome 450,000 cruise tourists by 2016 and to record continued, sustainable growth until 2020 – and beyond,” Dubai Tourism’s executive director Hamad bin Mejren said.

“To achieve our goals, it is essential that we have the continued support of our partners, which is why today’s ceremony is so important.”