There’s nothing like reading about all the great deals on offer right now to inspire you to work harder. And by ‘work harder’ we mean quit and go travelling.

Uniworld thanks luxury advisors

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has thanked their key supporters with an exclusive night of immersive experiences at The Art Gallery of NSW.

Entering through the gallery’s grand foyer, guests were able to experience a glimpse of Uniworld’s design philosophy, by surrounding themselves with the world’s most renowned artworks, reflecting the original art of Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall found onboard Uniworld’s ships.

While sipping on G.H. Mumm Champagne, guests were welcomed by Fiona Dalton, Managing Director of Uniworld, at the Modern Australian Gallery before being taken on a private, after-hours tour of the gallery’s Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage exhibition by local experts.

Following the private tour, Uniworld’s guests were treated to dinner at Chiswick at the Gallery with a seasonal menu designed to be shared, lending well to the brand’s own farm-to-table culinary excellence onboard, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Completing the experience was wine from the Tollman family’s boutique South African vineyard, Bouchard Finlayson.

MTA co-managing directors meet the PM

No doubt passing on a  few tips on how to run a highly successful, very sustainable business model,  MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’ co-managing directors, Karen and Roy Merricks pictured with the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Scott Morrison.

The Merricks met the PM at a small gathering of Brisbane-based business leaders at the home of Karl and Louise Morris. Mr Morris is the executive chairman of leading Australian private wealth management group Ord Minnett and chairman of the Brisbane Broncos.

Also in attendance were Treasurer, the Hon. Joshua Frydenberg; Home Affairs Minister, the Hon. Peter Dutton, and President of the Australian Liberal Party, the Hon. Nick Greiner.

Exclusive G Expedition Savings with Eclipse Travel

Eclipse Travel are offering savings of up to 20% on a range of Antarctic, Arctic and Norwegian cruises for the 2019/20 seasons. These exclusive deals include 20% off categories 3-5 for Antarctica, 15% off Norwegian Fjord cruising and 10% off Arctic cruises across all cabins on selected departures. This offer is strictly limited and available until Sunday 17 February 2019 unless sold out prior. See eclipsetravel.com.au/sale or call 1300 572 752.

1000 Mile Travel Group Celebrates 4 Years of Business

Mobile Corporate TMC 1000 Mile Travel Group (1000MTG) celebrated 4 years of business last weekend with Travel Experts, Head Office staff and founders Ben Ross and Nicola Veltman coming together at Middle Park Bowls Club in Melbourne for an afternoon of cake, champagne and bowling. Sarah Whitty was also there on the day to represent event sponsor The Hotel Connection.

Bench Africa’s brand new portal

Bench Africa is pleased to announce the launch of their latest development, their online Agent Portal. In development and testing for 4 months their new portal contains a wealth of resources for marketing, training, group development, media and a new home for their popular Safari School training program. Agents can access all of this via the Agent Portal link on the footer of the Bench Africa website (www.benchafrica.com) and create their own unique login on site without need for head office contact.

Marketing collateral available to agents includes free to use editorials, graphics and monthly specials with accompanying flyers and Facebook tiles. Likewise, the wealth of Bench’s media content is also available including their virtual reality library for download and sharing. The newest development is the groups booklet, creating a new and easy way for agencies to develop their groups business. Listing a series of popular group itineraries the new booklet acts like a travel menu, taking the hassle and stress out of planning group itineraries with the added bonus of no financial risk with deposit free itineraries.

italktravel & cruise Nowra opens

Express Travel Group has welcomed its newest store to the italktravel franchise group with italktravel & cruise Nowra, in regional NSW opening its doors last week.

Formally Helloworld Travel Nowra CBD, the business has been an integral part of the Nowra community since 1988 under the Longford family ownership. Owner Emma Longford who took over the business from her parents Kevin & Catherine 3 years ago is excited for the future.

MTA’s Ally Kilpin – ‘celeb’rating 20 years as an MTA Advisor on Makepeace Island

Pictured keeping cool at Queensland’s Makepeace Island, MTA – Mobile Travel Agent’s co-managing directors Karen and Roy Merricks (centre in white caps).

The MTA founders pair were among a special group of clients invited to help Ally Kilpin (pictured far right with Nemo) and business partner, husband Nick celebrate their 20-year anniversary as MTA Advisors at Sir Richard Branson’s private hideaway on the Sunshine Coast.

Ally and Nick’s guest list included a host of high-flyers, among them INXS musician Andrew Farriss and his wife Marlina, internationally acclaimed architect and Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medalist, Professor Peter Stutchbury and partner Fernanda Condacabral and Sunstar Entertainment talent agency founder and co-producer of the Oscar-nominated movie ‘Lion’, Andrew Fraser and his wife Mandie.

Karen and Roy Merricks first met Ally 20 years ago when they founded MTA – Mobile Travel Agents, the very first ‘out of office’ travel agency model in Australia and now considered one of the travel industry’s great success stories.

Helloworld Travel Agents Serve It Up At Glenelg Volleyball Festival!

Helloworld Travel agents from South Australia joined forces recently at the Volleyball South Australia Summer Sets Festival on Glenelg Beach.

Helloworld Travel Blackwood, Helloworld Travel Elizabeth, Helloworld Travel Marion, Helloworld Travel Tea Tree Plaza, Helloworld Travel Mt Barker and Helloworld Travel Norwood teamed up to run a marquee at the 9-day festival, with prizes and giveaways, and of course all the latest travel deals and tips.

The event saw thousands of attendees passing through over the duration of the festival to check out all the beach volleyball action. For those passing by the Helloworld Travel stand, there was the opportunity to win Travel Gift Cards and walk away with a Helloworld Travel drink bottle to keep cool while watching all the action.
Helloworld Travel is the naming rights partner of Volleyball Australia.

Travellers Choice preferred partner cocktail event in Sydney

Travellers Choice took some of the travel industry’s leading lights to dizzying heights this week when it hosted an exclusive cocktail party at Studio Sydney Tower.

The national retail network organised the sky-high event simply to say ‘thank you’ to its wide portfolio of preferred partners for the ongoing support they provide Travellers Choice and its member shareholders.

Managing Director Christian Hunter also took the opportunity to personally introduce key industry figures to new Chairman Trent Bartlett, who joined the company in December.

Bench Africa Safari for Change finalists

Bench Africa has just finished shortlisting the top 50 applicants for this year’s Safari for Change and their placement as a finalist in the program.  Now in its 3^rd year, the program has raised over $40,000 for charity programs in Zimbabwe and changed the life of thousands of families.  The final winners will be revealed within the next few days for a June departure.

TTC Weekly Deals

CONTIKI

London to Berlin

Flash Sale! Save 20% off Select Contiki Itineraries booked before April 1, 2019 such as the 13 day London to Berlin trip. Your clients may think they know London and likely they’ve heard great tales about Berlin but on this trip, travellers will go a little deeper on these cities as well the European delights of Dover, Calais, Paris, Belgium and Amsterdam. Starting from $2,544* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 1 April 2019 and valid for departures between 19 May 2019 and 15 Sep 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com *Conditions Apply.

INSIGHT VACATIONS

Road to Rome

Experience the Winter magic, Spring blooms and Autumn colours on your next trip to Europe. Book now and enjoy a 5%* Early Payment Discount on AWS departures when paid in full by 29 August 2019. The 12 day Road to Rome is one of Insight’s best-selling itineraries – an iconic journey of Europe’s bucket-list favourites; London, Paris, Swiss Mountains and Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome. This itinerary also boasts a VIP experience! Guests will enjoy fast-track entry into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, as well as exclusive access to the Bramante Staircase that is usually not open to the public. This offer is on sale now until 29 August 2019 or sold out and valid for select departures on the 5^th & 19^th of November and the 27^th of December 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.

TRAFALGAR

Italian Glory

Save up to $500 off per couple on ALL Italy Trips with Trafalgar such as the 13 day Italian Glory. On this trip guests will begin in Milan and travel to Como, Verona, Venice, Florence, The Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Rome on this stunning Italian escape. Starting from $4,645* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 28 February 2019 for select departures between 16 April and 8 October 2019. For more information or to book call 1800 787 878 or visit www.trafalgar.com *Conditions Apply.

AAT KINGS

New Zealand Vista

Save up to $1090 per couple on the 14 day New Zealand Vista with AAT Kings Early Bird Savings. Guests will wander up one of the forty-eight volcanic cones that make up the rolling landscape of Auckland for panoramic city views, relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s golden-sand inner city beach and amble alongside the Avon River as they travel from Auckland to Christchurch through Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Te Anau, Denedin and Omarama. Starting from $4,150* per person (including discount). This offer is on sale from now until 27 March 2019 and valid for travel dates until 1 October 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.

UNIWORLD

Burgundy and Provence

Savings of up to 30% await clients that choose select 2019 sailings with Uniworld’s Our Best Offer promotion! They can enjoy these savings on the 8 day Burgundy and Provence itinerary. Clients will be cruising 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 $5,039* per person (including discount). This offer is on sale now until 31 March 2019 and reflective of departures on 28 July and 4 & 11 August 2019. Other departure dates are available, prices may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com *Conditions apply.

BUSABOUT

Big Easy to LA

You can save your clients up to $584 per person on the 12 day Big Easy to LA with Busabout! They will explore the land where Chevrolets roam free and smiles are worth more than dollars, a land where a stranger is but a friend they’re yet to meet and Johnny Cash is worshipped as a god. Travellers will journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles through Avery Island, Lafayette, Austin, Fort Worth, Amarillo, Santa Fe, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon & Las Vegas. Starting from $2,335* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 28 February 2019 and valid for departure on 20 May 2019. For more information or to book contact http://www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226. *Conditions apply.

ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL

Galapagos Island Hopping

Guests can save 5% off per person on the 6 day Galapagos Island Hopping with Adventure World Travel. Travellers will make the most of their time in the Galapagos Islands with this island hopping small group journey that gives them the opportunity to explore the islands of Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela and discover the wildlife, people and culture of this natural paradise! It also includes a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Centre to learn more about the Galapagos ecosystem and its conservation. Starting from $2646* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 30 June 2019 and valid for travel on 22 September 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 363 055 or visit www.adventureworld.com *Conditions Apply.

Peregrine Adventure Deals

Save $2,182 on Peregrine Adventures’ seven day Galapagos Explore Southern Islands departing 5 March 2019.

Now $3,432 per person twin-share – was $5,614 per person in a twin share room- a saving of $2,182 per person.

Board the M.Y Grand Queen Beatriz, follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and explore the Galapagos Islands. On this trip, travellers can immerse themselves in the area with regular opportunities to swim, snorkel and hike through volcanic landscapes. Highlights for the travellers include encounters with giant Galapagos tortoises, blue-footed and masked boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, as well as land and marine iguanas, fur seals, perhaps, white-tipped reef sharks, pink flamingos, dolphins, whales and sea turtles and swimming with sea lions.

Inclusions: Accommodation, transport, some meals and activities.

Save $710 on Peregrine Adventures’ ten day Borneo Adventure departing 3 March 2019.

Now $2,840 per person twin-share – was $3,550 per person in a twin share room- a saving of $710 per person.

On this trip, travellers will wake to the sounds of the jungle at an eco-resort that is committed to maintaining Borneo’s beauty and cruise down the Kinabatangan River where they will spot birds, pygmy elephants and other Borneo wildlife. Highlights for travellers include visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see these amazing animals in the flesh and having the opportunity to see a Malaysian sun bear.

Inclusions: Accommodation, transport, some meals and activities.

Save $1,108 on Peregrine Adventures’ eight day Cruising Thailand & Malaysia: Phuket to Penangdeparting 23 February 2019.

Now $2,587 per person twin-share – was $3,695 per person in a twin share room- a saving of $1,108 per person.

Cruise down the wonderful west coast of Malaysia and Thailand to experience pristine islands, hidden waterfalls and laidback villages. On this trip, travellers will wake up daily to clear waters where they will be able to freshen up with a swim right off the boat and have countless opportunities to snorkel and kayak. Highlights for the travellers include visiting hidden jungle waterfalls, seeing Krabi’s limestone karst formations and experiencing an authentic Thai homestay where they will get a taste of local life.

Inclusions: Accommodation, transport, some meals and activities.

Save $1,728 on Peregrine Adventures’ six day Galapagos Encounter: Central Island departing 23 February 2019.

Now $2751 per person twin-share – was $4,479 per person in a twin share room- a saving of $1,728 per person.

Board the M.Y Grand Queen Beatriz and follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin to explore the Galapagos Islands. On this trip, travellers will be able to explore the islands and its famed wildlife from both onboard and on foot during many of the cruises shore excursions and take a hike on Bartolome that showcases the volcanic landscape, offering a panoramic view of the islands. Highlights for travellers include encounters with giant Galapagos tortoises, blue-footed boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, as well as land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

Inclusions: Accommodation, transport, some meals and activities.

For more information please visit https://www.peregrineadventures.com/en