Does seeing all the famil pictures in our agent wraps make you green with envy? Take comfort in the fact that you don’t have to come into work for the next four days. We know we are.

Peregrine Adventures immerses Travellers Choice agents in warm Thai waters

Some soft adventure tours are a little softer than others, as a small group of Travellers Choice members were delighted to discover on a recent eight-day Peregrine Adventures small ship Adventure Cruise around the beautiful Andaman Sea.

The agents travelled on board Panorama II, a stylish motorised yacht featuring 25 spacious cabins and carrying a maximum 49 guests on an itinerary that explores the blue-green waters and idyllic beaches of the Similan and Surin islands.

Brandon Norton from Byron Cruise & Travel says that what stood out was the relaxed pace of the trip, and the positive group dynamics unique to small ship cruising.

The Peregrine Adventure Cruise incorporated local cultural experiences including a stop at Khao Lak which was devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami that hit southern Thailand in 2004. As well as visiting the tsunami museum and memorial, the agents travelled to Baan Talay Nok village, which was literally destroyed by the disaster.

Tempo Holidays release brand positioning statement

Tempo Holidays is reaffirming their 26 years as experienced tailor-made specialists by officially going to market with their new brand statement “Tailor-Made Specialists.”  Tempo has recently been nominated in the NTIA awards for “Best Wholesaler – International Product,” and have 2 new BDM’s in Melbourne to add to the expanding sales team across the country supporting over 3000 travel agencies.

With Tempo Holidays’ vast product range and their local Melbourne based dedicated specialists, they can work with consultants to design an itinerary to suit their customer’s needs. With our loyal, long-standing preferred partnerships throughout the industry, Tempo Holidays will continue to strive to create amazing tailor-made holidays with the customer at the heart of everything we do.

Bonus commission offer on Silversea’s unique Camp Leakey sailings

Until 30 April 2019, Silversea Cruises is offering agents a bonus 5 per cent commission on new bookings made on two of its Camp Leakey voyages, departing in June and July 2019.  The two expedition voyages onboard Silver Discoverer offer guests the chance to discover Central Borneo’s eminent orangutan sanctuary.

Guests will be joined by guest lecturer Dr Biruté Mary Galdikas, a renowned primatologist, internationally recognised for her studies and work with the orangutans of Borneo, in their natural habitat.

Travelling from either Darwin to Bali or Bali to Singapore, guests will discover a world of wild animals and spectacular volcanoes as they journey through the immense beauty of Indonesia.  Upon arrival into the port of Kumai, guests will enjoy an overnight stay before exploring Tanjung Puting National Park and its legendary Camp Leakey.

Operated by Dr. Galdikas’ non-profit Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), Camp Leakey is the site of the anthropologist’s pioneering research in the wild.  Silversea is the only cruise line partnering with Camp Leakey, and offers its guests exceptional wildlife-focused experiences.

Qantas Holidays celebrate with Premium Agency award winners’ event in Brisbane

Qantas Holidays recently hosted their exclusive Premium Agency agents at a special function in Brisbane.

Celebrating the top achieving agencies across Queensland, the event was held at the award-winning Alchemy Restaurant on the banks of the Brisbane river with stunning views of the Story Bridge. The impressive food available was raved about by all, and the event was enjoyed by all in attendance.

In attendance were Mick Boylan, Alicia McGregor & Kim Knight Qantas Holidays, Tony Matheson & Mark Davidson Helloworld Travel Southport, Leisa Davis Helloworld Travel Biloela, Tammi Sirett & Kylie Howard – Globenet Travel, Samantha Stiles & Diane Marshall – Helloworld Travel Daisy Hill, Jane Gaskin – Helloworld Travel Mackay, Ingrid Hay – New Farm Travel, Jacinta Blundell & Dianne Cosgrove – Helloworld Travel Buderim, Richard van Schouwen & Lynn Parker – Kawana Waters Travel, Anita Duddy & Selena Petyt – Journey Earth.

TravelManagers sowing seeds of success

TravelManagers has just completed a round of Business Planning Workshops rolled out to personal travel managers (PTMs) around the country – a series of one-day sessions that were held in six locations and aimed to provide guidance to participants in creating and sustaining success within their businesses.

In total, 90 PTMs attended the sessions in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and northern New South Wales, with a mixture of new and more experienced PTMs in attendance.

Bench Africa 50th Kenya famil

Four lucky travel agents were recently treated to a free trip around Kenya as part of the recent celebrations around Bench Africa’s 50^th anniversary.

Each agent won their spot randomly by attending a Bench Africa event in September last year and for all of them it was their first time to experience the wonder of Africa.

They took in the historic Tsavo National Park where they had a sleepless night with lions relaxing by their rooms before viewing the splendour of Mt Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park.  They concluded their trip with a visit to Lake Nakuru and the incredible Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Gearing up for new Japan self-guided drive program

Pictured, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’ Liza Parker in full Geisha mode while visiting historical Kitsuki on Japan’s Kyushu Island.

Liza’s was part of an eight-night culturally-rich self-guided drive program of Kyushu organised by JTB Australia.

Itinerary highlights included Takeo City in Saga, Kyushu, Nagasaki, Unzen, Kumamoto and Fukuoka.

TTC weekly deals

ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL

The Spirit of Chile

Save your clients $2210* per person with Adventure World Travel on the nine day The Spirit of Chile itinerary. On this trip guests will be able to combine outdoor adventure and sports with indoor comforts, hospitality and excellent service at the Tierra Hotels in Chile whilst travelling between Atacama, Santiago and Torres del Paine National Park and immersing themselves fully within the natural beauty of the Chilean countryside. Starting from $6,359* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 May for travel between 1 April 2019 and 31 May 2020. Not valid for travel 20 December 2019 – 2 January 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 363 055 or visit www.adventureworld.com *Conditions Apply.

AAT KINGS

Best of New Zealand

AAT Kings are passionate about welcoming all Australians and New Zealanders to discover the beauty of their own backyard. That’s why for a limited time only, we are offering guests the chance to Fly FREE On a selection of our bestselling Guided Holidays, including the 18 day Best of New Zealand travel itinerary. From the pristine white beaches of the North Island to the snow-capped peaks of the South, you’ll explore every nook of New Zealand on this magnificent journey from Auckland to Christchurch through the Bay of Islands, Waitomo Caves, Lake Taupo, Wellington, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Franz Josef and Punakaiki. Starting from $8,125* per person, twin share (return economy flights included). This offer is on sale now until 31 July for select departure dates between 5 October 2019 and 21 March 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.

BUSABOUT

Ultimate Scandi-Baltic

Add a 3 Stop Europe Hop-on Hop-off Pass for FREE when you purchase a full priced, 15 day Ultimate Scandi Baltic Adventure with Busabout. Everyone has a hipster side, whether they like to admit it or not. A little piece of themselves that’s secretly smug, that’s precious over their favourite lesser-known bands or up-and-coming actors. Our ‘before-it-was-cool’ tour. From open sandwiches to beaver stew, come with us as we venture through Copenhagen’s hippy district, Riga’s best bars, and the hippest secrets of Europe as you travel on a round trip from Berlin through Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius and Warsaw. Starting from $2399* per person (free 3 Stop Hop-on Hop-off Pass worth $299 included). This offer is on sale now until 17 May for 2019 departure dates only. For more information or to book contact www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226. *Conditions apply.

TRAFALGAR

Irish Highlights

Save 5% with Trafalgar on select itineraries when you book and pay by August 29. Your client can lock in these savings on the seven day Irish Highlights itinerary where they can share a pint and some craic with new friends. They’ll wish they’d stayed longer on the Emerald Isle as they explore everything from cathedrals and castles to Waterford crystal, there’s a lot to say sláinte about as they travel with Trafalgar from Dublin to Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, Killarney, Blarney, Waterford and New Ross. Starting from $1567* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until August 29 for select departure dates between 3 November 2019 and 12 March 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 78 78 78 or visit www.trafalgar.com *Conditions Apply.

UNIWORLD

Burgundy & Provence

Uniworld’s Let’s fly away air offer provides free air to Europe with the option to upgrade to business class air from just $3,999 per person. Guests can enjoy this offer in collaboration with the eight day  Burgundy and Provence luxury river cruise. On this journey guests will cruise the Rhône and Saône rivers, enjoying the region’s incomparable wine and cuisine and discovering its many treasures—from the medieval wonders of UNESCO-designated Avignon to Lyon’s lively Les Halles food market. Stroll the very streets of Arles made famous by Van Gogh and visit Avignon’s majestic Palace of the Popes. Starting from $5,899* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 30 June 2019 for departure on 22 & 29 March, 5 April, 1 November 2019. Other dates are available, but prices will vary. For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com *Conditions apply.

INSIGHT VACATIONS

Natural Wonders of Iceland

Book before 30 April 2019 and enjoy a last minute deal on Insight’s popular Iceland itinerary. Experience a world of natural phenomena on Insight Vacations’ nine day Natural Wonders of Iceland with gushing waterfalls, volcanoes and stunning landscapes at every turn as you travel on a round trip from Reykjavik through Vik, Höfn, Egilsstaóir, Akureyri, and Borgarnes. The overwhelming beauty of this country will ensure you will want to return again and again. Starting from $7,415* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 29 August 2019 or until sold out for the following departure dates; 2,7 & 16 June 2019. Other departure dates available however prices will vary. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.insightvacations.com *Conditions Apply.