This week’s Agent Wrap is a special fun-sized edition, meaning we cut it short so we could leave in time for Happy Hour.

Flight Centre agents hit the #StripAtNight for Las Vegas’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), in partnership with United Airlines, recently invited twelve Australian Flight Centre agents to experience the Entertainment Capital of the World – from a whole new perspective.

As part of Las Vegas’ annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, eight agents hit the #StripAtNight in the world’s largest evening race as they participated in the 10K, half or full marathon; with the other four agents representing the cheer squad. Of the 35,000 runners from across the globe, Australia was the sixth most represented country in this year’s event, with the youngest Aussie runner being 23, and the oldest, 67.

Though it wasn’t all hard work, the group was treated to some of Vegas’ renowned live entertainment offerings, including Aussie quartet, Human Nature; Spiegelworld’s new Atomic Saloon Show; and the Blue Man Group, featuring a VIP Behind-the-Blue meet and greet.

Beyond the Strip, agents got physical as they drove heavy machinery in an adult-sized sandpit at Dig This, as well as marvelled at the Grand Canyon – in style – with Grand Canyon Helicopters. Speaking of style, the group also enjoyed world-class hospitality at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, followed by Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.

Trafalgar and Costsaver launch generous new agent incentive 

Aligning with the festive spirit of the silly season, Trafalgar and its sister brand Costsaver, today announced a generous new agent incentive to earn extra cash for the holidays!

$50 per pax on select Trafalgar or Costsaver trips booked before December 18, valid on any trip that departs from the UK or Ireland. The EPD 10 per cent still applies until this date, offering great value for clients.

Viva Holidays Italy famil 

Viva Holidays together with Destinations Italia hosted a group on an Italy famil.

Highlights of the 6-day trip in Italy included a locally guided tour of Rome providing expert knowledge of the ancient city and its rich history, a must-do for any visitor. Highlights in Florence, our second city, included a wineries tour to the beautiful Chianti region, sampling some of the best wines Italy has to offer.

Finishing off with a fun Pizza and Gelato making class. The third city was Milan and our final dinner was at an authentic Italian restaurant where we ate some great Italian food. Participants got to experience the speedy and comfortable journey between these 3 great Italian Cities using the Frecciarossa train service.

Travel Counsellors show support for Movember

Over the month of November, a team of five men from the Travel Counsellors Melbourne Head Office banded together in support of Movember, the movement changing men’s health by tackling issues from prostate and testicular cancer to mental health and suicide prevention.

Ben Quinn, Jason Bell-Davey, Jack Fielding, Dean Hickford and Tom Temple formed the “Bristle Batons” and committed themselves to growing a moustache for one month. One exception was Tom Temple who instead undertook a “Reverse Movember”, trimming a portion of his facial hair each week for the first time in 7 years.

Travel Partners rewards high achievers with Club Verve experience in Phuket

Ten Travel Partners agents recently returned from a week-long reward trip in Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket.

This was the inaugural Club Verve trip for Travel Partners. Club Verve recognises and rewards the highest-selling top ten mobile and member agencies in the Travel Partners network for their excellence. A famil trip is just one of the benefits of the year-long program, while other elements include free of charge attendance at the annual conference, attendance at the FCTG expos, and select invitations to preferred supplier events.

The agents were treated to five-star luxury accommodation at Banyan Tree Bangkok, Angsana Laguna Phuket and Banyan Tree Phuket. The group were honoured to be the first to stay in the newly built one-bedroom serenity pool villas at Banyan Tree Phuket and were treated to a private dining experience in one of the luxurious three-bedroom pool villas on the property.

The Travel Partners mobile and member agent network has experienced strong growth this year and has now reached 255 agents Australia-wide. The appeal of the Travel Partners business model is that the network has access to the unparalleled product suite and buying power of the Flight Centre Travel Group, while remaining truly independent.

TIME SCHOLARSHIP: are you looking for 2020 career clarity?

The first Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) scholarship opportunity for 2020 has been announced.

The scholarship includes a significant contribution to the renowned mentoring program’s fees funded by the ‘Doing Time for TIME’ efforts of high-profile industry figures and TIME board members Fiona Dalton and Trish Shepherd.

Dalton and Shepherd’s generous efforts follow hot on the heels of those of prominent travel industry figures, Martin Cowley and Steve Mackenzie of The Lido Group, now HRS. Cowley and Mackenzie presented their funds to TIME in February 2019.

The 2020 scholarship applies to TIME intake no. 37 commencing on 19 February 2020, and applications are now open!

Applications close on Friday 10 January 2020.

Each TIME mentoring program runs for six months. Participants in intake no. 37 will graduate on 26 August 2020.

For more information or to download an application form, visit the TIME website, or contact TIME Program Manager, Marie Allom at time@travelindustrymentor.com.au

Personal Travel Manager’s Alaskan dreams come true

From the scenic delights of a cruise through the Inside Passage in North America’s Pacific Northwest to a wilderness tour of Alaska’s Denali National Park, TravelManagers’ Deb Hanley had long dreamed of visiting this unique and beautiful part of the world.

Holland America’s ten-night famil provided Hanley, who is a South Australia based personal travel manager (PTM) with a long-awaited opportunity to experience all this and more.

itravel move to CVFR Consolidation Services in 2020

itravel Director Steve Labroski has announced today, effective 01Januaury 2020 the itravel network will no longer be ticketing through Express Travel Group and will be moving to CVFR Consolidation Services.

McLachlan Tours’  announces luxury Paris soirée: accommodation at Hôtel Rochester Champs-Élysées, plus evening entertainment at Lido de Paris

With nine days to go for agents to sell across Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours and McLachlan European Holidays to win their seat on an incredible 10-day Europe famil taking place from 16 to 25 August 2020, flying Singapore Airlines, McLachlan Tours has announced an incredible Paris finale with accommodation at Hôtel Rochester Champs-Élysées plus cabaret at Lido de Paris.

Four lucky agents with the highest total gross transaction value of all combined bookings across Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours and McLachlan European Holidays deposited from Monday 14 October 2019 to Friday 13 December 2019 will be rewarded with this incredible European experience – There are still 9 days to go to sell and win your seat!

PLUS with every booking made with flight component travelling on Singapore Airlines counting as DOUBLE towards the famil, there is opportunity to easily double your score.

Agent special offer: photo safari to Botswana 

Have you ever wanted to learn more about Wildlife Photography? Have you wanted to join a photo group where you are taught to use your camera correctly and improve your photographic skill? Well this is the safari for you. The Africa Safari Co. are offering agents a 50 per cent discount on our tour price

Safari departs 29 February 2020 for 6 nights in the magnificent Chobe National Park

Guaranteed single room accommodation, all meals and drinks, the services of a qualified Photographic instructor plus the use of a DSLR Camera and lend plus memory card if required. This is an amazing opportunity for 2 agents only – price $3,750 NOW ONLY $1,875 (that $312.50 per night) for a luxury safari lodge in Africa.

For more details and to book – contact Susie@africasafarico.com.au.