Big Fat Agent Wrap
It’s that time of week again, folks! Prepare to ogle jealously at all the cool things agents have been up to over the past few weeks then take solace in the fact that you don’t have to go to work tomorrow.
Personal Travel Managers Cruising into 2019
When the Majestic Princess, the newest vessel of the Princess fleet, sailed into Sydney Harbour in early December, she provided a stunning venue for the third of a series of Cruise Masterclass days attended by personal travel managers (PTMs) in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
A total of 111 PTMs attended the training days, which were organised by TravelManagers’ National Partnership Office (NPO) and scheduled to coincide with the company’s final round of state meetings for the year – a convenient concurrence that was welcomed by the PTMs during a busy time of year.
Princess Cruises also provided the venue for the Melbourne cruise master-class, which was held aboard the Golden Princess, while PTMs in Brisbane spent the day on Norwegian Cruise Lines’ (NCL) Norwegian Jewel.
Attendees at all three master classes received updates on the ten different cruise lines and 100 cruise ships fall under the World’s Leading Cruise Lines (WLCL) consortium, of which Princess Cruises and NCL are both members.
Travellers Choice agents immerse themselves in Cook Islands culture
White sandy beaches and deep blue lagoons aren’t all the Cook Islands has to offer, as eight Travellers Choice agents recently discovered when they embarked on an exclusive tour of the island nation’s fascinating history and culture.
The educational trip was hosted by All About Travel and Air New Zealand, which flew the Travellers Choice agents on its direct Boeing 777 service between Sydney and Rarotonga.
The itinerary covered all of the Cook Islands’ most popular activities, such as snorkelling in Aitutaki’s pristine lagoon and cruising to marine reserve areas to swim with tropical fish. But Norfolk Select Marketing’s Dave Bantoft also ensured the agents ventured beyond the tourist hot-spots.
Agents were also treated to a 4WD safari tour of Rarotonga, which took them into rural parts of the island, where they learned about the Cook Islands’ colourful history and took in some breath-taking mountain vistas.
Don’t miss out on the Dragoman 20 per cent off Global Sale.
Dragoman Overland Travel is currently offering 20% off on most of its trips Worldwide.
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to get your clients out on the road with Dragoman in 2019.
Choose from a huge amount of tours* through Asia, Africa and The Americas. Book by 25th January 2019 and depart by 31st December 2019.
Don’t forget Dragoman now have their expert own reservation team, based in Melbourne, who can be contacted directly on agents@dragoman.com.au OR +61 (0) 3 8594 3108 / +61 (0) 411 730 845.
Aussie agents experience the best of Carnival Horizon
Carnival Cruise Line recently took its top Aussie and Kiwi travel agents on a 6 day cruise on Carnival’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon. The perfect wrap-up to end a busy 2018, the famil saw lucky travel agents cruise from Miami to the palm-lined beaches of the Western Caribbean including Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the Jamaican port town of Ocho Rios.
Onboard, the agents experienced the best the newest ship in the Carnival fleet had to offer, including peddling the SkyRide high above the blue seas, IMAX, Dr Seuss WaterWorks and the Carnival SkyCourse – a ropes challenge sky-high above the ship. Agents also got to experience VIP dining at speciality restaurants including Cucina del Capitano, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen and Fahrenheit 555.
During shore excursions, they soaked up the sun in Rum Point Beach, sailed through the blue waters in Grand Cayman and enjoyed the pre-festivities in Cozumel and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.
Carnival invited agents on this famil as an incentive for achieving exceptional results promoting the brand’s international product in 2018. What a way to end 2018!
Club Med Travel Agent Survey Winners Announced
Club Med would like to congratulate the five lucky Travel Agents, each winning a $100 voucher for completing Club Med’s annual ‘Tell us what you really think’ Travel Agent Survey.
A total of 1190 Australian and New Zealand Travel Agents completed the survey within the month long survey period, a whopping increase of 253 per cent increase in respondents versus the same time last year.
The 2018 Club Med Travel Agent Survey winners are:
Joanne Haseler from Flight Centre Warringah Mall (NSW)
Cherie Horley from Phil Hoffmann Travel (SA)
Belle Grono from italktravel & cruise Rutherford (NSW)
Christine Balch from Hawthorntravel (VIC)
Paul O’Neill from Helloworld Travel Geelong West (VIC)
From the survey, Club Med are proud to say that 95 per cent think that all-inclusive is the best feature of Club Med Resorts, 72 per cent that activities is the best feature and 70 per cent the Kids club.
Bali, Maldives & Bintan Island are the first resorts that travel agents think of when they think of when they think of Club Med and Interest in ski holidays is up +20 per cent versus last year and more agents are aware that Club Med offer ski holidays.
Also interestingly, 76 per cent of Travel Agent respondents consider sustainability has a strong importance in their clients holiday decision-making process and 82 per cent agree that Club Med’s involvement in sustainable initiatives is very good.
Club Med value the contribution of Travel Agents to their overall business and continue to work hard to deliver travel agents with the tools they need to sell Club Med holidays.
TTC Weekly deals
TRAFALGAR
Fly to Northern California for $799
For a limited time only, you can fly from $799 return to West Coast USA, when you book in conjunction with Trafalgar’s 2019 West Coast USA trips. Clients can take advantage of this offer on Trafalgar’s 16-day Best of Eastern Canada and USA. Priced from $4674.00 per person INCLUDING FLIGHTS. Valid for bookings created from 07 Jan – 15 Feb 2019, for travel on selected 2019 departures on Trafalgar West Coast USA trips. For travel between 01 Apr – 04 Apr 2019, 19 Apr – 27 Jun 2019, 03 Jul – 19 Sep 2019 and 03 Oct – 15 Nov 2019 inclusive. For full details, please visit www.trafalgar.com/americas-air. For more information or to book call 1800 002 007 or visit www.trafalgar.com *Conditions Apply.
ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL
Blue Train
Clients can get a 25% discount for you and your partner when travelling on the Blue Train on the Pretoria to Cape Town route or vice versa (one way journey) when booking with Adventure World Travel.Take a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance where spectacular scenery combines with pleasurable comfort. The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1600 kilometres, through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent. Starting from $1,342* per person, twin share (including discount) for 3 days. This offer is on sale now for travel between 1 May and 31 July 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 295 049 or visit www.adventureworld.com *Conditions Apply.
UNIWORLD
Castles Along the Rhine
Clients can save up to 30% on select 2019 sailings with Uniworld’s Our Best Offer promotion, such as the 8-day Castles Along the Rhine luxury river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam through Strasbourg, Mannheim, Koblenz and Cologne. Starting from $3,989 (including discount) per person, 8 days of an all-inclusive cruise in a Classic stateroom, including captivating escorted excursions, services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager and more! This offer is now extended until 31 March 2019 for departures on 19 July, 2, 9 or 30 August. Other departure dates available, prices may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com *Conditions apply.
AAT KINGS
Outback Adventure
Save 10% on AAT King’s Guided Holidays in Australia when your clients book and pay in full by 15 March 2019. They will discover the legendary Australian outback on AAT Kings 15 day Outback Adventure; a fascinating northbound journey from Adelaide, through the Red Centre and onto tropical Darwin in the Top End. On this trip guests will travel through Flinders Range, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine Gorge and Jabiru. Starting from $5825* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 15 March 2019 for select departures before 31 December 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.
CONTIKI
USA & CANADA SALE
Special offer: USA and Canada is on sale now! Clients can save 10% off select trips when they book and pay by 5 March 2019.
Trips Included:
- Grand Southern ex LA
- Canada and the Rockies
- Eastern Discovery ex New Orleans
- Northern Adventure
- Western Highlights
- California Highlights
- Hawaii Unplugged / The Big Kahuna
Travel dates: This offer is on sale now until 5 March 2019 for 2019 departures.
Website: www.contiki.com
Contact: For more information or to book call 1300 706 950 or visit www.contiki.com *Conditions Apply.
INSIGHT VACATIONS
Best of Eastern Canada and USA
For a limited time only, clients can fly for $799 return to Canada & North America, when booked in conjunction with Insight Vacations’ 2019 USA and Canada trips. Take advantage of this air off with Insight Vacations 16-Day Best of Eastern Canada and USA itinerary. Uncover the best of Eastern Canada and USA as travellers explore these diverse countries in a style and manner that suits them. Starting from $8,174* per person AIR INCLUSIVE. This offer is on sale now until 15 February 2019, unless sold out prior. Valid on select departures only, 5 May and 12 May 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.
U BY UNIWORLD
Northern France at a Glance
Save your clients 20% on select U by Uniworld 2019 cruises with Our Best Offer promotion! Travellers can enjoy these savings on the 8 day Northern France at a Glance river cruise itinerary. It will be a week of historic sites, including the Palace of Versailles, the beaches of Normandy, Notre Dame and the Champs Elysées as your clients travel with U by Uniworld on this round trip from Paris through Vernon, Les Andelys, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux and Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. Starting from $2,399* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now and is now extended until 31 March 2019 for departure on 19 & 26 May, 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 June, 7, 14, 21 & 28 July and 4, 11, 18 & 25 August 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 730 010 or visit www.ubyuniworld.com *Conditions apply.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
carnival carnival horizon Dragoman personal travel managers travellers choiceLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.