This week’s agent wrap is somewhat of a whopper, a “Big Bertha”, a “Goliath”. Meaning there’s lots of news.

Beyond Travel Group launches ‘Support Sri Lanka’ initiative with 15 per cent commission

Beyond Travel Group has launched ‘Support Sri Lanka’, an initiative that aims to stimulate tourism in Sri Lanka with the help of travel professionals.

Agents will receive 15 per cent commission on all Sri Lanka tours and services featured on the dedication website (www.sri-lanka-and-beyond.com.au) and in the recently released 2020/21 brochure when booked with Beyond by 29 November 2019.

As an additional bonus, for all bookings made on a ten day or longer package, there will be a $15 donation per person made to the Support Sri Lanka initiative.

All efforts are intended to support Sri Lanka and its local guides, drivers, families in the rebuilding of the tourism business for long-term sustainability as well as assisting those most effected with short term immediate monetary relief.

Magellan award winners revealed

Image: Supplied by Magellan Travel. Pictured (L to R): Mark Pearman – Epping Travel, Julie-Anne Major – Epping Travel

Last month at the Magellan Travel Conference’s night-of-nights, five individuals from within Magellan member agencies were recognised and awarded for their outstanding contribution in various award categories.

The winners included:

• Abbey Alvin, Coopers Travel Centre – Rising Star of the Year
• Julie-Anne Major, Epping Travel – Leisure Consultant of the Year
• Shareen Shepherd, World Corporate Travel – Corporate Travel Consultant of the Year
• Kathy Gambell, Encore Journeys –Specialist of the Year; and
• Tracey Finde, Hawthorn Travel & Cruise, who was awarded the 2019 Loyalty Award.

Featured image: Supplied by Magellan Travel. Pictured (L to R): Jenny Morris – Coopers Travel Centre, Abbey Alvin – Coopers Travel Centre, Kathleen Taylor – Coopers Travel Centre

Philippine Department of Tourism invites agents to be the next ‘fun travel expert’

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) has today announced that it will be holding national travel agent events in Sydney and Melbourne in October 2019, inviting all travel agents to become a Philippines ‘Fun Travel Expert’.

Hosted by television personality and entertainment reporter, James Tobin, and with the tagline, be the next #PHfuntravelexpert, the events will primarily focus on making it easier for agents to sell the Philippines, using fun to entice even more travellers to this stunning destination.

In addition, those choosing to attend will become certified Philippines Fun Travel Experts.

The events will occur in Melbourne, 2 October, 2019, at Crown Towers, Crown Melbourne; Sydney, 3 October, 2019, at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park.

VIVA Holidays’ Top End adventure

Image: Supplied by Viva Holidays

The group started off on a Charles Darwin Sunset Cruise, with an introduction to Darwin’s history.

At the Matt Wright Safari Camp, the group enjoyed lunch and a swim at Berry Springs Taverns before arriving at the Safari Camp. The camp itself also has a plunge pool and a fire pit deck overlooking the outback.

From here the group took a “thrilling” helicopter flight to Sweets Lagoon where they arrived on a pontoon in the middle of Crocodile Territory.

The group were blessed with an intimate experience with wild crocodiles in their natural habitat. When the group returned to camp, they got to meet Tripod (pictured) the resident 17-foot Saltwater Crocodile.

The group arrived back in Darwin the following day and stayed at the recently refurbished Mindell Beach Resort & Casino and experienced many of Darwin’s fun activities including the Hop on Hop Off Bus as well as an Airboat adventure on Darwin Harbour.

It was a top end adventure much enjoyed by all.

Pictured (L to R): Julia Di Donato (Check in Travel), Vince Baker (VIVAHolidays), Rebecca Hausler (Temora Travel), Catherine Segger (Burnie and Smithton Travelcentre), Hayley Brown (Deniliquin Travel), Richard Webster (Journey Earth), Andrew McFarlane (AJM Global Journeys), Vicki Peak (Helloworld Travel Tea Tree Plaza ) Edana Chilchik (Sabra Travel).

Events Travel scores $1,000 Expedia Credit

Events Travel are the proud winners of the Expedia TAAP Edwardian Hotels latest promotion and they’ve scored themselves $1,000 worth of Expedia Credit.

The promotion awards the winner of the most room nights booked at Edwardian Hotel in the UK through Expedia TAAP.

Pictured from left to right enjoying the win are Glenn Hedley from Events Travel, Sarah Whitty from Edwardian Hotels, Jenna Mazor from Expedia TAAP.

Agents dance down the Danube with Viking

A group of lucky Australian agents recently enjoyed an eight-day Danube Waltz, sailing onboard Viking Ingvi between Passau in Germany and Budapest in Hungary.

The group included agents from Phil Hoffmann Travel, Destination HQ, Gippsland Travel, Helloworld Drysdale, Wings Away Travel Essendon, FBI Travel Caulfield and Oliver Travel in Adelaide, with hosts Kim Vaughan, Viking’s Commercial Manager for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and Erin Kramer, Trade Marketing Manager at Viking.

With overnight stays in both Passau and Budapest, the itinerary visited Vienna, Krems and Linz in Austria, as well as Bratislava in Slovakia, the agents visited five countries on their voyage and enjoyed six included shore excursions.

This allowed them to explore central Europe’s history, culture, cuisine and natural beauty.

In-house school-based training huge opportunity for QLD youngster

Image: Supplied by MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Gold Coast year 11 student Annaleise Gillespie has been given a head start in realising her dreams as a travel professional, thanks to MTA – Mobile Travel Agents.

The Palm Beach Currumbin State High School student has joined MTA’s national head office team as part of the Queensland Government’s School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SAT) scheme which MTA has been involved with for several years.

The SAT program provides school-based apprentices and trainees, typically in years 10, 11 and 12, with an opportunity to be trained in the workplace in their chosen field, in Annaliese’s case travel and tourism, while continuing to study for their Queensland Certificate of Education (Senior Certificate).

As part of her time with MTA, Annaleise will be assigned to several of the company’s departments, including marketing, product, support and training under the very careful tutelage of MTA’s inhouse training manager, Kirsty Tate.

Pictured: Annaleise Gillespie (right) with MTA graphic designer and social media executive, Celeste Janina.

Holiday World Travel wins $500 from MSC

MSC Cruises is pleased to announce Holiday World Travel is the winner of $500 to be spent on co-op advertising promoting MSC Cruises.

The competition was held during the recent Cruise 360, with agents depositing their business card to win. MSC Cruises is excited to work with Holiday World Travel on a successful campaign.

Become a Sonoma County Travel Pro and win a $100 Prezzee eGift Card

Agents have the chance to win a $100 Prezzee eGift Card when they complete the new Sonoma County Travel Pro training program.

In order to be entered to win, agents must complete the training about Sonoma County at www.sonomacountytravelpro.com.

The training consists of two simple modules taking around 10 to 15 minutes.