It’s officially our last day (and the last agent wrap) of the year! So, if you need us from now on, you’ll find us by the pool until next year.

TravelManagers and Hoot Holidays embrace the spirit of giving to help Sydney families in need

Most Australians plan to enjoy Christmas Day surrounded by family, swapping presents and indulging in a feast fit for a king, but for Sydney’s homeless, poor and at-risk families, Christmas is not necessarily a time of joy.

However, thanks to the initiative of TravelManagers Product Executive, Sandra Reucker, and the generous support of her colleagues at TravelManagers and Hoot Holidays, more than 300 cans of food have been donated to Sydney’s Exodus Foundation Christmas can drive and will be delivered to disadvantaged families around Sydney in time for Christmas.

The items collected, which also included Coles gift cards, added up to a total estimated value of more than $750, with donations received from personal travel managers and staff from both Hoot Holidays and TravelManagers’ National Partnership Office.

Insight Vacations announce travel agent famil to Croatia

Insight Vacations, the award-winning global leader in premium escorted journeys, is thrilled to announce a global famil on its eight-day Dalmatian Elegance itinerary.

With eight Australian spots available, travel agents will have the opportunity to meet and connect with likeminded consultants from across the globe as they discover the Insight difference while exploring the gems of Croatia.

The winners will have the chance to learn about the coastline’s cities with a Local Expert as they walk through the pebble-stone streets of Split, Korčula and Hvar. The eight-day itinerary includes seven nights’ accommodation onboard a deluxe cruise ship – a spectacular way to explore the Dalmatian coast! A farm-to-table feast of Croatian delicacies with locals in the Pelješac peninsula as well as visiting a local winery.

To qualify, agents must sell any Insight Vacations or Luxury Gold 2019 trip that visits Croatia by 15 February 2019. One booking qualifies for one entry into the random draw, the more bookings means the more chances of winning a spot!

TravelManager wins Santa’s weight in proper french fizz

The jolly red man delivered the goods to the winner of McLachlan European Holidays’ (MEH) Win Santa’s Weight in Champagne incentive.

One of the world’s great mysteries was solved last week when Santa paid a visit to the winner of McLachlan European Holidays’ popular Win Santa’s Weight in Champagne incentive—Beverly Burt from TravelManagers.

McLachlan European Holidays’ General Manager, Matt Masson, was delighted with the result of MEH’s product awareness incentive.

Tourism Solomons pre-paid Visa cards winners  

Tourism Solomons has announced the winners of its Australian and New Zealand ‘Solomons Is.’ Hapi Isles Specialist Program competition. The winner of the $100 prepaid Visa card is Linda Gardiner of Helloworld Lithgow in NSW.

The winners of the two $50 pre-paid Visa cards are Ashley Copping, The World @ Braeside Travel, Braeside, Victoria, and Cassie Prescott, House of Travel, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch.

The ‘Hapi Isles Specialist’program equips key front-line sales staff with product knowledge via a series of online modules designed to help them learn about the Solomon Islands and the destination’s vast array of niche product.

To date 398 Australian and New Zealand consultants have joined the program since its launch last year completing a series of modules covering culture, reef and wreck diving, snorkelling, WWII history, sport fishing, weddings/romantic travel, trekking, surfing and bird watching.

Collette recreated Jack Collette’s Original 1918 tour

Collette, global tour operator, has announced the recreation of its first-ever tour in celebration of its centennial year. In 1914, Collette journeyed on dirt roads from Boston to Florida with fourteen travellers at a costofjust$61.50for the guests.

A hundred years later, for the same price as the original tour, Collette has recreated this three-week adventure.

The tour starts in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and will venture all the way down to Miami, Florida, stopping in many destinations including-New York City, Washington D.C, Raleigh, Augusta, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Miami, Jekyll Island, Savannah, Charleston, New Bern, Philadelphia, and Providence.

Express Travel Group announces partnership with Bench Africa

Express Travel Group (ETG) and leading Africa wholesaler, Bench Africa, have today announced a new preferred partnership agreement.

Effective from 1 January 2019 the partnership will see Bench Africa travel packages distributed through the ETG agency member networks, Independent Travel Group, Select Travel Group and italktravel.

The new partnership commences as the Best Speciality Wholesaler begins its 50th anniversary year.

TTC Boxing Day Deals

INSIGHT VACATIONS

Ring in the New Year with the ultimate gift – Insight Vacations is offering travellers savings of 15%* on seven of their popular 2019 trips. Guests can choose from a range of itineraries; including Italian Elegance, Glorious Switzerland and Eastern Capitals and the Dalmatia Riviera. Guided by a highly-skilled Travel Director, guests can expect an insightfully stylish travel experience, getting up close and personal with the destination, savouring authentic dining and enjoying a range of immersive Insight Experiences, such as an Italian cooking demonstration with Chef Lorenzo in a 14th century Orvieto building, learning the art of strudel making or a taking a gourmet foodie walk in Paris. Past guests of Insight Vacations will have early access to this Boxing Day offer as part of Insight’s exclusive Club Bon Voyage! Plus, they will save an additional 5%. Available from 26 December 2018 until 7 January 2019.

TRAFALGAR

There’s no better time to book, with 10% off Europe & Britain trips until 31st January 2019 with Trafalgar. Your clients can see history come to life before their very eyes as they traverse varied landscapes, marvel at the icons and find their happy place with a collection of real Trafalgar experiences across Europe and The UK that they can’t experience with any other travel provider. Trafalgar’s experienced Travel Directors and local specialists will take care of all the details as your client travels through Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Spain and France or chooses to discover multiple countries with itineraries such as the European Traveller. This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 for select departures in 2019 relevant to the itinerary booked.

UNIWORLD

The best luxury river cruise line just got even better! Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collections’ Our Best Offer is back by popular demand, with savings of up to 30% on select 2019 voyages across Europe, Asia, Egypt, India and Russia. Some of Uniworld’s most popular itineraries are included in this offer such as the 10-day Gems of Northern Italy, 8-day Castles Along the Rhine, 12-day Imperial Waterways of Russia and 8-day Enchanting Danube. This offer is available from now until 31 December 2018 for select 2019 departure dates relative to the Uniworld Luxury River Cruise passengers choose to book.

BUSABOUT

This festive season Busabout is treating clients to a sack load of savings on some of its best-selling itineraries. Travellers can save up to 20% off USA Hop-on Hop-off passes, 12% off Small Group Adventures including the Croatia and Balkan Sailing options and 10% off everything else!* All agents need to do is quote Busabout’s festively themed #HOHOHO promotion to save their client big on itineraries such as the 8-day Balkan Sail through Croatia & Montenegro, the 14-day small-group Eastern Wanderer through Eastern Europe and the West Coast Hop-on Hop-off Pass that connects travellers to eight unmissable destinations such as San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas and South Lake Tahoe. This offer is on sale now until the 27th of December 2018 valid for 2018/19/20 departure dates listed in the 2019 brochure.

ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL

Adventure World Travel has handpicked a selection of its best East Africa itineraries to go on sale for a limited time only beginning this Christmas Eve! Clients can save $492 per person, twin share on the Handpicked Kenya & Tanzania itinerary and be transported to the plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Parks for game viewing of The Big 5. Adventure World Travel’s Kenya Classic is a must for wildlife enthusiasts as Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places in the world to spot black and white rhinos, and if guests book in association with this sale they can save up to $237 per person, twin share! This offer is on sale from the 24th of December until the 28th of February 2019 for select departures relevant to the chosen itinerary.

AAT KINGS

The Christmas festive season is the time of year where clients look ahead to the possibilities of the New Year and what better to look forward to than getting out and thoroughly exploring this amazing country we call home? Savings of up to $630 await the savvy traveller who books with AAT Kings on select Last Minute Deals!
Clients can save up to $630 per person on the 17-day New Zealand Magic trip across both the North and South island from Christchurch to Auckland, up to $500 per person on the 14 day New Zealand Marvel and $430 on the 10-day Tasmanian Wonders guided holiday that traverses the entirety of Tasmania on a round trip from Hobart! This offer is on sale now until sold out or departed.

INSPIRING JOURNEYS

Who doesn’t like to be spoiled by friends and family during the festive season? This year Inspiring Journeys is helping you to spoil yourself with Early Bird Savings of up to $1,185 of the brands best-selling itineraries! Clients can save $599 on the 10-day Ultimate Territory Adventure in Style that travels from Darwin to Uluru through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northern Territory in Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge, Alice springs and Kings Canyon, ending with a sunset at Uluru. If the land of New Zealand is higher on your clients wish list don’t look past the 22-day The Long White Cloud adventure across both the North and South islands; and with savings of $1185 per person, twin share these Boxing Day sales opportunity is one not to be missed! This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 and valid for travel between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020.

CONTIKI

Travellers can now lock in a bonus $150 saving on ALL trips over 10 days with Contiki! Just in time for Boxing Day Contiki has launched a new offer that will assure your client can make 2019 a year of absolutely, unforgettable experiences. There is no better time to lock them in with a collection of great deals on offer from all around the Globe! All agents need do is simply use promo code PPBOXING2018 for the bonus $150 off at checkout. Not about doing anything half-hearted, this boxing day promotion is COMBINABLE with deals currently in the market, like for example; Up to 15% off Europe, 10% off select USA & Canada trips, up to 15% off Africa and up to 10% off New Zealand! This offer is on sale from 26 December at the following page https://www.contiki.com/au/en/activity/boxing-day-sale (which will go live on Boxing Day) until the 6th of January.

TTC Weekly Deals

INSIGHT VACATIONS – Northern Spain

Let your clients discover the Insight Difference when travelling to Europe in 2019 with our 10%* Early Payment Discount. They can enjoy these savings on the 11 day Northern Spain itinerary. Guests will discover the scenic delights and delicious cuisine of this forgotten part of Spain as they travel with Insight from Madrid to Barcelona through Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Santander and San Sebastián. Starting from $3,533* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 for select departures between 5 and 26 October 2019. Other departure dates available however prices will vary.

TRAFALGAR – Best of Morocco

Guests can save 10% off a huge range of Trafalgar’s Europe and Britain trips with the 10% Early Payment Discount! These savings can be enjoyed on the 10 day Best of Morocco itinerary where guests will behold a cacophony of bazaars and the shimmering Sahara vistas as they journey to Morocco’s cities of Casablanca, Fez and Marrakesh, with included visits to the life-giving oasis of Tinghir, Todra Gorge and Ouarzazate. Starting from $2542.50* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 for select departures between 26 April and 11 October 2019.

AAT KINGS – East Coast Islands and Rainforest

Clients can save up to $1110 per couple with AAT Kings when they book and pay in full by 31 January 2019! These spectacular savings can be enjoyed on the 13 day East Coast Islands and Rainforest travel itinerary. On this trip guests will explore the epic coastline of Eastern Australia on a journey that takes them from Sydney to Cairns through Port Macquarie, the Gold Coast, Noosa, Rockhampton, Hamilton Island and Mission Beach. Starting from $4,995* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 for select departures between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020.

UNIWORLD – Venice and the Gems of Northern Italy

Clients can save up to 30% on select 2019 sailings with Uniworld’s Our Best Offer promotion, such as the 8 day Venice and the Gems of Northern Italy luxury river cruise. Guests will soak up the enchantment of “The City of Water”, the three outer-lying Venetian islands; Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello, as well as Chioggia, Polesella & Taglio di Po. Starting from $3,849* per person (including discount), guests will experience 8 days of an all-inclusive trip, including captivating escorted excursions, services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager and more. This offer is on sale now until 31 December 2018 and reflective of departure on 11 August 2019. Other departure dates are available, prices may vary.

CONTIKI – European Highlights

Guests will need to dust off their passports because Contiki is having a Europe Flash Sale! Save 15% off a selection of European itineraries including the European Highlights trip. Beginning in London this epic odyssey through Europe takes travellers to Paris, the French Riveria, Florence, Rome, Venice, Munich and Amsterdam over 14 days. But it’s not just the European highlights on our radar. Stopovers in some of Europe’s hidden gems will allow you to discover Beaujolais, Pisa, Austrian Tyrol and Dachau! Starting from $2,396* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 6 January 2019 for select departures between 3 April and 18 September 2019.

BUSABOUT – Southern Thailand Adventure

Clients can save 10% on Busabout’s Asia Trips! This includes the 5 day Southern Thailand Adventure where travellers will spend their time exploring the temples of Thailand’s capital, go to heavenly Khao Sok National Park, swim in clear jungle rivers, and play with the cutest elephant as they explore Thailand from Bangkok to Phuket. Starting from $899* per person (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2019 valid for 2018/19/20 departure dates listed in the 2019 brochure.