Happy Friday, agents! If you’re not on a famil, don’t be sad. You can live vicariously through these agents instead… or more realistically, enter to win one yourself.

Top international travel industry product managers welcomed to Noosa

Noosa played host to some of the UK’s top travel product managers last week as part of a comprehensive site inspection of the region organised by Tourism Noosa.

Tourism Noosa international trade specialist Vynka Hutton said the site inspection was a great opportunity to showcase our product throughout Noosa and the wider region to some of the UK’s top travel decision-makers.

The eight-day visit was the third year that Tourism Noosa has welcomed UK’s key product managers and the itinerary showcased a diverse range of experiences and operators working in the international markets.

The itinerary included more than thirty operators and featured experiences including: Australia Zoo, Sunset Cruise on Noosa River, Great Beach Drive, Noosa Everglades Tour, Learn to surf lesson, Spa experiences, Noosa Brewery tour, Everglades tour, Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island and more.

APT and Travelmarvel announce Top Achiever Trips for 2019

It’s the announcement you have all been waiting for! Today, the APT Travel Group (ATG) announced their APT and Travelmarvel Top Achiever trips with two exclusive experiences up for grabs in 2019, on their Facebook Group for Travel Agents; ATG Travel Agents AU.

2019’s Top Achievers will experience first-hand two remarkable bucket-list destinations and key travel styles as ATG celebrate the continued support and loyalty from Australian agents to our brands and products.

APT leading agents will be experiencing APT’s award-winning Small Ship Cruising along the Kimberley Coast! Picture yourself enjoying sundowners on the sun deck, zodiac excursions to remote reefs, a jet boat ride at Horizontal Falls all with the added bonus of travelling on one of APT’s luxurious Sky Ships.

While Travelmarvel Top Achievers will be whisked off to China on a Great Rail Journey like no other! Traversing the Chinese countryside with visits to Beijing, Xi’an even cruising along the Yangtze River and many more.

TravelManagers induction a Commonwealth of States

Making a major career change can be a daunting prospect, but TravelManagers’ National Partnership Office (NPO) works hard to ensure that the transition process for newly-minted personal travel managers (PTMs) is a smooth one, beginning with a three-day induction course. The most recent of these induction courses was remarkable for its geographical spread, with the eight available places being claimed by PTMs from every state except New South Wales.

TravelManagers’ executive GM, Michael Gazal, was on hand to welcome the new inductees at the start of the course and says this is the first occasion that they have had such a broad geographical spread.

Although TravelManagers has a minimum requirement of three years’ travel consulting and GDS experience, the latest batch of PTMs have arrived bearing significantly more experience between them: an average of more than 18 years across the eight new arrivals.

Travel Counsellors talk cruise with dedicated training day

Travel Counsellors around Australia boosted their confidence in selling cruise with a dedicated cruise training day hosted by Travel Counsellors cruise executive Jane Tanti at the Melbourne Office yesterday.

Recognising the growing trend in cruise travel, the one-day training program invited cruise lines to attend and present. Nine different cruise lines participated – Carnival Cruise Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Holland America, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, APT, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Viking Ocean Cruises.

It was a full house with 12 Travel Counsellors attending the event to develop their knowledge of the different cruise lines. Using the technology of TCTV, the sessions were also broadcast LIVE across Australia to all Travel Counsellors in a very special TCTV program. The live broadcast gave those who were unable to travel for the event access to learn from the cruise partners presentations and participate in question time. A replay of the recorded sessions is also available.

Final days of On The Go Tours 20th Birthday sale: Ends November 2nd 2018

On The Go Tours, the award-winning tour operator specialising in locally-led group tours, are reaching the final days of their 20th birthday sale. Plenty of destinations are heavily reduced with sales including two-for-one deals and up to 25 per cent off to destinations such as Africa, Turkey, Iceland, South East Asia and more.

The 20th birthday sale is available on selected tours booked before November 2nd 2018. Find a travel buddy and make use of On The Go Tours’ 2-for-1 deals for selected Africa safaris and Turkey group tours:

• Gorilla Trek & Tanzania Northbound – 25 days, now from AUD $1,590pp (was $3,195)
  Start your 25-day African adventure with a taste of the tropics on the beautiful island of Zanzibar, go wild on safari in East Africa’s legendary game reserves and trek in search of mountain gorillas in Uganda.
• Falls to Joburg – 12 days, now from AUD $698pp (was $1,395)
  This 12-day tour kicks off at the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and travels through to South Africa’s world-famous Kruger National Park before travellers take in the best of Botswana. Family Departures Available.
• Turkey Unplugged – 10 Days, now from AUD $898 (was $1,795)
  Over this 10-day tour explore stunning Istanbul with its bazaars and mosques, wander around the battlefields of Gallipoli, see Roman ruins, discover the beautiful Aegean Coast, the natural wonder of Pamukkale and the jewel in Turkey’s crown – Cappadocia, with its amazing underground cities and whimsical landscape.

20 per cent agent commission offer extended

Australia’s newest European touring program, McLachlan European Holidays (MEH), has announced a month-long extension of its popular 20 per cent commission launch offer.

The 30 November finish brings it in line with MEH’s All your Christmases have come at once incentive that will see one agent take home Santa’s weight in bubbly just in time for the festive season, and the top-seller win a MEH European Christmas Markets tour for two. CLICK HERE for full incentive details.

McLachlan European Holidays offers a range of coach touring holidays and short breaks right across Europe. The program’s signature product is ‘Luxuria’ – a class of travel never before offered in Australia and exclusive to McLachlan European Holidays.

Hong Kong welcomes The Hong Kong Specialist Club Incentive Trip 2018

For the second consecutive year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has hosted 40 travel trade specialists from 15 overseas markets including Australia and New Zealand, to experience Hong Kong’s diverse culture and product offering.

The Hong Kong Specialist Club Incentive Trip was held from 12 to 15 October 2018 and included a welcome dinner and product presentations with Hong Kong travel trade where they were updated on the latest tourism products.

During the four-day trip, the group also participated in the Hong Kong Cyclothon; experienced authentic Hong Kong local cultures in Sham Shui Po, Old Town Central and the Eastern District, and enjoyed the tranquil side of the city by touring around the Sai Kung Islands.

HKTB manager – trade marketing and business tourism for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Lisa Lee said nothing beats the first-hand experience of a destination to arm our ambassadors with the right tools to best represent the destination.

Hot deals from Peregrine Adventures

Save $792 on Peregrine Adventures eight-day Icelandic Northern Lights trip departing 1 December 2018. Experience Iceland’s mystical dancing lights on the island’s South Coast and Lake Myvatn. On this trip, travellers will witness the most spectacular display of northern lights of the Aurora Borealis in its most incredible form and will be in awe, uncover Iceland’s largest waterfall to capture its silhouette of shimmer and drive to Skaftafell National Park through fields of lava.

Save $295 on Peregrine Adventures nine-day Kerala Highlights trip departing 24 November 2018. Travel from Kochi to Kovalam as you explore the highlights of Kerala. On this trip, travellers will uncover Southern India’s realm of sublimity, explore historical monuments, discover Periyar National Park and its fascinating wildlife, reveal the remarkable hidden waterways of Alappuzha and travel to the colossal Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Save $848 on Peregrine Adventures 17-day Lima to Cusco trip departing 1 December 2018. Explore Peru’s natural and manmade wonders including, ancient cities, floating islands, mysterious desert inscriptions and much more. On this trip, travellers will entice their taste buds with Peru’s world-class street food and authentic Peruvian desserts, discover the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and the alluring Sacred Valley, visit Cusco and gain interesting insight about Peru’s history and culture, absorb the superb Colca Canyon and its array of ancient Indian villages.

Swiss Travel Pass SuperStar winners announced! 

The 10 winners of 2018’s Swiss Travel Pass SuperStar Program, who will go on an all-inclusive seven-day famil to Switzerland in December, have been announced.

They are Rhiannon Pugh and Craig Martin Travel Associates AU and NZ respectively; Callum Henson, Marion Fourmann and Meredith Mock, Flight Centre; Debbie Schofield, Main Beach Travel; Linda Bray, House of Travel NZ; Wendy James, Kaleidoscopic Travel; Aimee Van Dongen, Bicton Travel; and Rebecca Carey, Helloworld.

On the week-long famil, the agents will visit a number of cities, picturesque mountain towns, go on interesting day excursions and of course, experience the country’s famed scenic rail journeys.

A joint initiative between the Swiss Travel System, Switzerland Tourism and Rail Europe GSAs, the Swiss Travel Pass SuperStar Program equips agents with useful information and updates about travelling around Switzerland; the many journeys to experience, and the benefits of using the Swiss Travel Pass.

TTC Weekly Deals

INSPIRING JOURNEYS – The Ultimate Territory Adventure

Couples can save up to $1,200* with Inspiring Journeys 10 per cent Early Payment Discount when they book and pay in full before the 31st of January 2019. Guest can enjoy these savings on the 10-day Ultimate Territory Adventure in Style where they will explore Kakadu’s gorges, wetlands & plains and experience the unique wildlife on this trip from Darwin to Uluru through Litchfield, Jabiru, Kakadu, Katherine, Alice Springs and Kings Canyon. Starting from $5,395 per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 valid for select departures between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.inspiringjourneys.com.au.

TRAFALGAR – Best of Poland

Save your client 10 per cent when they pay in full by 31 Jan 2019 with Trafalgar’s Early Payment Discount. They can then enjoy these savings on the 11-day Best of Poland itinerary where they will discover centuries-old tradition and history in Poland as they travel between Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Zakopane & Krakow. Travellers can also choose to connect with locals in the Polish Highlands as they join a local family for dinner featuring local gastronomic delights such as roasted goat meat and salted, smoked sheep cheese. Starting from $2,767 per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 31 Jan 2019 for select departures between 06 April – 05 October 2019. For more information or to book call 1800 787 878 or visit www.trafalgar.com.

UNIWORLD – Highlights of Eastern Europe

A world of luxury awaits with the most all-inclusive river cruise finely tailored just for your client. Fly Free or upgrade to business class from $3,999pp when they book select 2019 European river cruises before 7 November 2018. They can enjoy these savings on the 10-day Highlights of Eastern Europe itinerary as they follow a path forged by crusaders, kings and conquerors along the Danube through Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria. Starting from $7,099 (including return economy airfare) per person, eight days of an all-inclusive luxury river cruise, including captivating escorted excursions, services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager and more! For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com.

INSIGHT VACATIONS – Irish Elegance

Discover the Insight difference when travelling to Europe in 2019. Your clients can book now and take advantage of our amazing early bird offers today with a 10%* Early Payment Discount available until 31 January 2019. Enjoy these savings on the 8 day Irish Elegance journey. We will show your client the very best sights and scenery of Ireland as they travel between Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Cong on a round trip from Dublin. Starting from $3,218* per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale now until the 31st of January 2019. Valid on select departures only: 14 and 21 April 2019. Other departure dates available however prices will vary. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.insightvacations.com.

CONTIKI – Whirling Around Town

Why wait to see what 2019 brings when you can make sure it brings the goods? Lock in a Europe Summer trip now and you can get 10% off. Enjoy these savings on the 18-day European Whirl! Beginning in London this amazing adventure takes travellers through Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Rome, Florence, the Swiss Alp and Paris! This is the perfect trip for those short on time but big on seeing everything Europe has to offer. In Amsterdam, travellers will cycle through the picturesque countryside past many a signature Dutch windmill before stopping in at a real cheese farm and clog makers house. Starting from $2,871 per person, twin share (including discount). This offer is on sale from now until the 31st of January 2019. Price reflective of select departure dates available between 5 April – 21 September 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com.

BUSABOUT – Cambodia

Save 10% off Select Busabout Asia Trips! For example the nine-day Cambodia Adventure! Go beyond the temples and discover the culture, cuisine, and curiosities of Cambodia as you travel between Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville, Battambang & Siem Reap. On this trip, we show you there’s more to Cambodia than the temples – discover the laid-back beaches of Sihanoukville, learn about the country’s difficult history at the S-21 Prison, and dare to try a ‘tasty’ tarantula. This trip includes 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner. Starting from $899* per person (including discount). This offer is on sale from November 1, 2018 until 31 January 2019 for all 2018/2019/2020 departures listed in the 2019 brochure. For more information or to book contact http://www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226.