Big Fat Agent Wrap

Big Fat Agent Wrap

If you only read two things today, make it this wrap and the alcohol content on the champers. And even we don’t read the latter one.

Cruise Agents giving back to agents

azamara-journey

AGENTS can receive a $400 cash back incentive on each booking made on the Azamara Journey’s Hong Kong to Singapore voyage departing December 23, 2017 through key wholesaler CruiseAgents before August 31, 2017.

Departing from dazzling Victoria Harbour, the ship makes port visits to Hanoi (Halong Bay), Hue (Danang) and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam as well as Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand before arriving in Singapore.

This 19-night cruise gives clients the chance to celebrate the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays in style from only $5,959 per person twin share. The package includes return economy airfares from Australia, 15 nights cruise accommodation with all meals, two nights each at Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel and Hotel Jen Tanglin by Shangri-La Singapore and transfers in Singapore.

The second winner of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Mega-Fam announced as the incentive moves into its final month!

Orange fireworks explode over Cinderella Castle while illuminated pumpkins are projected with light during the "Happy HalloWishes" fireworks show. The show is part of "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party," an after-hours Halloween celebration at the theme park. A separate ticket is required to attend. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

Belinda Harding from Flight Centre Browns Plains in Queensland is the second of 10 agents from Australia and New Zealand who will travel to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for a once in a lifetime familiarisation this October.

Belinda was randomly selected as the second of three ‘Random Draw Winners’ and will be joined by seven top selling agents.  This incredible Mega Famil will celebrate Halloween with none other than Mickey Mouse, whilst also having the opportunity to explore the new Pandora – The World of Avatar attraction.

The enormously popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Famil Incentive has now entered its final month.  To be part of the action, agents must make a valid profile onwheredreamscometrue.com.au and register any eligible Disney Destinations, Virgin Australia and Delta Air Lines bookings.

TTC CEO experiences incredible Me to We volunteer trip in Kenya

Craig Kielburger (MetoWe Founder) far left and TTC CEO Brett Tollman, middle, with his family in Kenya

The Travel Corporation (TTC) CEO Brett Tollman has returned from completing a ME to WE purpose driven trip to Kenya with his family.

Last September, TTC and its Treadright Foundation launched a global partnership with ME to WE offering immersive volunteer trips supported by seven TTC  brands including Adventure WorldContiki HolidaysInsight VacationsTrafalgar and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

Tollman says he was privileged to have been on such an incredible trip and being able to share the experience with his wife and family made it even more meaningful.

Guests of all ages can experience ME to WE immersive volunteer trips before or after their holiday in Ecuador, India and Kenya with their TTC holiday brand.

MakeMyTrip to use the Travelport Platform

MakeMyTrip (NASDAQ: MMYT), India’s leading online travel agency (OTA) has signed an agreement with Travelport’s (NYSE: TVPT) distributor for India, InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ), for the use of Travelport’s Travel Commerce Platform.

Together with its well-recognised brands, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus, MakeMyTrip receives over 33 million visits via its Desktop & Mobile-web platforms and serves over 40 Million Mobile App active users each month.

Under the agreement, MakeMyTrip can expand the use of Travelport’s technology from the Ibibo Group to MakeMyTrip’s other primary distribution channels starting in the second half of calendar year 2017.  MakeMyTrip undertook a strategic combination with Ibibo Group in January 2017 and acquired its 100 per cent equity interest.

Rotorua shows Sydney’s travel industry why it’s the best place to visit this spring

Mereana Ngatai Design

Sydney’s travel industry were treated to a night of fun and fashion last night at Doltone House on Jones Bay Wharf learning why spring is the perfect time to experience the wonders of Rotorua in New Zealand.

Known as ‘New Zealand’s coolest hot spot’, Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal activity and spa facilities, pristine natural surroundings, countless adventure tourism experiences and as a heartland of Maori culture. As the birthplace of New Zealand tourism the city has greeted visitors for over 150 years, but there is a lot more to experience now than ever before.

The crowd of two hundred in attendance were treated to true glamour with an indigenous Maori flair.  The models walked the catwalk in a variety of designs influenced by Te Arawa culture (local Rotorua tribal group) and the natural beauty of the region.

Peregrine launches Worldwide Earlybird Sale with big savings & smaller group sizes

South Africa lion_Peregrine

Peregrine Adventures is offering travellers the chance to save big with their worldwide earlybird sale, as the small-group adventure specialists lowers their group size from 16 to just 12 people for trips in 2018.

Reducing the group size means Peregrine now have the broadest range of itineraries with the smallest group sizes. This ensures Peregrine travellers spend more time seeing the sights and immersing themselves in the destination and less time waiting around. Getting into areas often restricted to larger groups and away from the jostling masses allows more time to explore, relax and unwind whilst soaking up the atmosphere.   

From culture-buffs to lovers of wildlife, there’s something for everyone in the Peregrine earlybird sale.

TravelManagers’ French Toast to Club Med Ski Experience

Peter Carmichael

Alpine scenery, fresh snow, French food: what’s not to love about a ski holiday in France? And when that holiday is set in an all-inclusive Club Med ski resort, it’s even better, as seven personal travel managers (PTMs) who took part in a TravelManagers exclusive famil to Club Med Valmorel recently discovered.

The group of PTMs were hosted by Luke Skarbek, Club Med’s Business Development Manager for NSW & ACT, and accompanied by Donna Jones, who is Malaysian Airlines’ Sales Executive for WA.

Valmorel is one of the lesser-known French ski resort towns, located just forty kilometres from Albertville (home of the 1992 Winter Olympics).  There are over 150 kilometres of trails to choose from, most of which are pitched at the intermediate skier, making it an ideal, family-friendly location for a Club Med resort.

VisitScotland harbours Australia ambitions on mission Down Under

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Young people in Australia and New Zealand will get a ‘buzz’ out of a trip to Scotland, according to the national tourism organisation.

The considerable development of one-stop connectivity for Australian visitors as a result of flights to Scotland via the Middle East presents even greater opportunity to increase the spend in Scotland of this long-standing, long-staying market.

Making the most of this opportunity and working with Etihad Airways and Glasgow Life, staff at VisitScotland have been on an antipodean Business Development Mission with trade events taking place in venues across Australia including the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House and New Zealand.

In addition to targeting greater numbers of older ancestral and cultural explorers, in preparation for 2018 and Scotland’s Year of Young People the team put a particular focus on reaching out to younger travellers, encouraging them to look out for the programme of events and activities to be spotlighted in 2018.

Helloworld Travel Agents glam up for the Qantas Darwin Cup Carnival with Qantas Airways 

Qantas hosts HLO at Darwin Cup 1
The exclusive three day experience saw 18 lucky Helloworld Travel agents attend the Qantas Darwin Cup and pre-events all thanks to Qantas Airways.
The group glammed up to attend the Qantas Darwin Turf Club Gala Ball, before donning their race day flair and fascinators for the Darwin Cup races the following day.
Qantas Airways looked after all of the arrangements, flying agents to Darwin effortlessly on Qantas from Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, and providing three nights’ accommodation in central Darwin.
The Helloworld Travel agents enjoyed heading out on a sunset harbour cruise and utilising the local hop on hop off bus with transfers throughout their trip provided.

Cycle through Asia with Adventure World

ExodusCyclingAsia HR_Page_1

Adventure World has released its Exodus Cycling Asia collection, showcasing an array of active adventure holidays in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

The joy of an Asian cycling holiday is all about the senses – getting a waft of herbs being prepared for lunch in a village, hearing chanting from the nearby monastery, or waving at groups of children on their way to school. Cycling brings you closer to the destination, offering experiences you couldn’t find any other way.

Adventure World has outlined the top five Asian destinations for cycling explorers, from the diverse landscapes of Indonesia to the foodie haven of Vietnam.

European Travel Expo

The European Travel Experts are pleased to present the European Travel Expo to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in August and September 2017.

Featuring a range of specialist European holiday tour operators, wholesalers, cruise companies, an airline and international tourism boards, the European Travel Expo will inspire you and provide you with expert advice on your next European holiday.

Want to experience a white Christmas in Europe? Speak to Albatross Tours. Interested in canal cruising in France? Talk with French Travel Connection.

What should you look for when hiring a car? Global Cars has the answers! Want to find out more about travelling in Switzerland?

Chat to the experts from Switzerland Tourism. Be it by rail, car, coach or boat there will be an expert waiting to speak with you.

Melbourne agent wins warm Whitsundays escape

TravelCube's Whitsundays incentive winner Andrew Holmes

Melbourne travel consultant Andrew Holmes will soon be on his way to the sunny Whitsundays after winning a four-night holiday on the spectacular Queensland coast courtesy of TravelCube and Whitsundays Tourism.

Andrew secured the tropical sojourn after his agency, Escape Travel Forest Hill Chase in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, recorded the highest dollar value of Whitsunday bookings through TravelCube during June.

As well as return flights, he will enjoy four nights’ accommodation – including two at the iconic Coral Sea Resort at Airlie Beach – and an action-packed itinerary that incorporates a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and an exhilarating journey around the Whitsundays with Red Cat Adventures.

An all-new land where kids and grown-ups live their own Toy Story adventure

The reimagining of Disney's Hollywood Studios will take guests to infinity and beyond, allowing them to step into the worlds of their favorite films, starting with Toy Story Land. This new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy's backyard. Guests will think they've been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz as they are surrounded by oversized toys that Andy has assembled using his vivid imagination. Using toys like building blocks, plastic buckets and shovels, and game board pieces, Andy has designed the perfect setting for this land, which will include two new attractions for any Disney park and one expanded favorite. (Disney Parks)

In the US Summer of 2018, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will introduce the newest addition to the Disney Parks family: Toy Story Land, a magical new land located in the larger-then-life setting of Andy’s backyard.

Located within Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will think they’ve been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz as they are surrounded by oversized toys from the blockbuster movie Toy Story.

The 11-acre new land features two news attractions alongside giant building blocks, game board pieces and the toys and characters of the beloved Toy Story movies.

TTC Weekly deals

India - AGRA-TAJMAHAL-SUNSET -Uniworld

Spirit of India

Some trips stay in your memory forever, but a voyage to India will take a permeant place in your heart and spirit. Book your clients on a select 2018 Indian voyage with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collectionbefore 30 September 2017 and they’ll receive a 15% saving of $1,770 per person on their river cruise along the Ganges River.

Guest will take an adventure by land and river that will touch all of their senses on Uniworld’s 13-day India’s Golden Triangle and the Sacred Ganges cruise from New Delhi to Kolkata.Including some meals and select beverages onboard a 7-night river cruise on the Ganges Voyager II, 11- days of hosted excursions, 5 nights in various luxurious Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, services of an experiences Uniworld Cruise/Tour Manager and more!

Priced from A$10,029 per person twin share (including discount) departing 16 February 2018 (other select 2017/18 departures available on this offer, saving and fare may vary). For more information call 1300 780 231.

High above Cappadocia

Book your clients on a 2018 Turkey Adventure at 2017 prices and they will also SAVE 15% OFF when they book with Busabout before 11 September 2017.  Travellers can save $147 off per person when they book the 7-day Turkey Cappadocia Adventure from Fethiye to Istanbul through the earthy paradise of Olympos, underground cities of Cappadocia and Lake Tuz, one of the largest salt lakes in the world.

Priced from $832 per person twin share (including discount) including your Busabout guide, 6 nights’ accommodation (combination of hostel, boutique cave, treehouse multi-share stays), 8 meals, optional hot air balloon over Cappadocia, Zelve open air museum, guided valley walks and more! Available for any 2018 departure.

To book quote promocode PREVIEW18.  For more information and a range of other European and Asian trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/ or call 1300 287 226

Ouzo and Olives

Urge your clients to lock in a Europe summer for less now! Book a 2018 European Summer departure at 2017 prices with Contiki before 5th September 2017, AND they’ll receive an additional 10% off their trip! Your clients can save from $264*off Contiki’s 13-day Greek Island Hopping Easy Pace trip.

With 3-nights in Mykonos, Ios, Santorini & Athens, travellers will have plenty of time to explore charming fishing villages, shops, volcanoes & spotless beaches, getting deep beyond the ouzo, olives and the ancient statues. Priced at $2,385 *per person (including discount) and available for travel between 2 May 2018 – 23 Sep 2018.

For more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 266 845. *Conditions Apply)

Medieval cities of the East 

Book your clients before 8 September 2017 with Insight Vacations and they will receive 2018 European holidays at 2017 prices, they will continue to save with an additional early payment discount of 10% off when they book and pay in full before 14 December 2017. Guests will save up to $405 per person off the 14-day Highlights of Eastern Europe guided holiday from Budapest passing through Krakow, Berlin, Prague on route to Vienna. On this bohemian journey, travellers will visit the Czech Republic’s Český Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vltava.

Here a Local Expert will lead them through a labyrinth of private chambers, courtyards, kitchens and dungeons of the castle. Priced from $3,645 per person twin share (including discount) price reflective of departures between 30 June 2018 – 25 August 2018 (other departures available for alternate price, subject to availability). For full terms and conditions visitinsightvacations.com or call 1300 727 767.​

East Coast 

Don’t miss your chance to book in a last-minute holiday with AAT Kings. Guests of AAT Kings can SAVE UP TO $500 per couple when they book the 13-day East Coast Islands and Rainforest  Guided Holiday (available until sold out or departed). Your clients will travel from Sydney to Cairns through Port Macquarie, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, the relaxing Noosa, pristine Fraser Island, the exquisite Whitsundays and Hamilton Island. This holiday includes highlights such as seeing cute koalas at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, letting your hair down in the ultimate holiday town of Noosa and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

This package includes an experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide, quality accommodation, travel in luxury coach, airport transfers, and more! Priced from $4,675 per person twin share (including last-minute saving) and available on select departures 18 September, 16 October and 13 November 2017 (subject to availability). For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit aatkings.com * Conditions Apply.

Bonny and Brave 

Just a few more weeks left to secure your clients 2018 Europe and Britain departures at 2017 prices  with Trafalgar. They can also save an additional 10% off when they book, ends 12 September 2017. They can SAVE $175 per person on the 6-day Real Britain guided holiday  where pure poetry in the land of the bony and brave awaits. From London, en route to charming Edinburgh they’ll see the birthplace of Shakespeare and Hadrian’s Wall, consider eloping to Gretna Green, admire the beautiful Lake District and cross in to Wales where they’ll explore its capital, Cardiff, before returning to London via Stonehenge.

Priced from $1,575 per person twin share (including discount), reflective of departure dates available between 16 April 2018 – 25 June 2018 & 3 September – 15 October 2018 (Other departures available for alternate price). For more information or a further selection of Trafalgar’s authentic, fun and effortless guided holidays visit www.trafalgar.com or call Trafalgar on 1800 002 006(toll-free).*conditions apply.

The Famous Three Queens 

Your clients can receive up to US$1200 onboard credit per stateroom combined across three voyages when they book Creative Cruising’s 34-night The Famous Three Queens cruise package before 30 September 2017.

This package includes 3-nights of pre-cruise accommodation in New York and the combination of a 7-night voyage onboard Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton, a 14-night voyage onboard Queen Elizabeth from Southampton return (via Amsterdam to Norway’s Bergen, over to Iceland and back down to Belfast) and a 7-night voyage onboard Queen Victoria from Southampton return focusing on the stunning beauty of Norway, also including main meals and entertainment onboard, 3-nights of post-cruise accommodation in London and more!

Priced from $8,049*per person (Interior room, does not include flights). Cruise departs 3 August 2018. *Conditions apply. Please visit www.creativecruising.com.au or phone 1300 362 599 for more

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