Want to leave leave work early but your boss won’t let you? Silently fume away here with this photo-filled Agent Wrap.

Desert delights in Greater Palm Springs and sweet surprises in Huntington Beach

Travel Associates’ agents treated to desert delights in Greater Palm Springs and enjoyed sweet surprises in Huntington Beach

Hosted by Alexandra Sparr from Greater Palm Springs CVB and Jamie Swan from Delta Air Lines eight Travel Associates agents enjoyed a trip to Greater Palm Springs and Huntington Beach from November 7th through to November 12th.

The agents enjoyed the thrilling sights seen from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and got their hearts racing at the BMW Performance Center, where a former NASCAR driver taught the agents how to drive a sports car in Greater Palm Springs.

Agents were wined and dined on Prince Charles sunset yacht charter in Huntington Beach, while Pro surfer Rocky McKinnon surprised agents by joining in on their paddle boarding session on Huntington Harbour.

Wendy Wu Famil

Express Travel Group Agents from South Australia have experienced the highlights of Sri Lanka with Wendy Wu Tours and Cathay Pacific. From hiking Sigiriya, Jeep Safaris through the Kaudulla National Park to indulging in traditional massages it’s easy to fall in love with this beautiful country.

Pictured are – Colleen Kluske from YP World Travel, Nicola Judge from Unley Park Travel, Julie Green from Green Travel Concepts, Melissa Tisler from Genesis Travel & Cruise, Rena Lombardi from RAA Travel, Walter Dai from Nightingale Travel, Matthew Scott from Holidays of Australia, Gareth Lloyd from Cathay Pacific and Shoana Bannister and Andrea Pickering from Wendy Wu Tours.

Singapore Slings and other Travel Counsellor things 

It was a fierce competition as 18 teams fought it out on the Travel Counsellors Singapore Wheel of Fortune Sales Challenge. The Singapore Slings, Merlions, Orchard Roaders, Sentosa’s and Singapore Fliers (to name just a few) fought it out to be the winning team to head on an exclusive educational to Singapore.

And the winner is… Singapore Sentosa’s! Asked about how his team made it to the top, Travel Counsellor Andrew Turner commented “We all worked together to motivate and encourage each other and offered suggestions on how to increase business which gained more points for the team”.

Over three nights in Singapore, Travel Counsellors Clare Johnson, Graham Allen, Andrew Turner, Kris Hollis and Kris Higgins and head office mascot Catherine Nugent were hosted by our local operator as they explored Singapore. Highlights included the spectacular Gardens by the Bay, a breakfast market walking tour and the 450m mega zipline down to Siloso Beach on Sentosa.

Sichuan Province a hot destination for visiting West Australian agents and media

A group of 10 travel agents and travel writers from Western Australia recently experienced why China’s Sichuan Province is such a hot new destination.

The group was hosted by China Southern Airlines and the Sichuan National Tourism and Development Commission in what is the China Australia Year of Tourism.

Participant Janine Pittaway said the group learnt quickly that nothing was done by halves in Sichuan.

The group finished the week-long tour with a full day’s adventure in Guangzhou – a city of both historic and modern contrasts and China Southern Airline’s hub. The city is perfect for stopovers and city adventures. Every visit to Guangzhou must include sampling the food that makes the region famous – traditional dim sum. Before flying back to Perth, they enjoyed the stunning Guangzhou International Lights Festival, an annual event taking place over almost a month.

New performers mentored at Tjapukai

Three Djabugay men are being mentored by senior Tjapukai staff to present their ancient rainforest culture to the world at the Aboriginal cultural park in Cairns.

Beau Sheppard, whose Djabugay name is Bungan meaning sun, worked at Tjapukai seven years ago alongside his father Bertie Riley and returned because he wanted the opportunity to share his culture with a wider audience.

Alfred Hunter, or Badjigal the saw-shelled turtle, has also returned to Tjapukai to follow in his father Jeffery Hunter’s footsteps with a performance role.

Farron Newbury has the Djabugay name Didjirr-Didjirr, meaning willie wagtail, and is enjoying teaching visitors how to throw spears and boomerangs as well as performing traditional dance.

JNTO E-Learning top scorers visit Japan’s deep north

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Sydney Office invited 8 retail travel agents from Australia on a five-night fully hosted tour of Japan from 6-12 November.

The group was one of two groups visiting as part of the Japan E-Learning Top Scorers Familiarisation Trip. The agents visited the Tohoku region, located on the northeastern part of Japan’s main island of Honshu, in peak autumn colour.

Highlights of the tour included a shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to Sendai, a 1,000 step pilgrimage to Yamadera mountain temple, a cruise of Matsushima Bay and a visit to a traditional castle town. The agents also enjoyed painting their own kokeshi dolls to take home as souvenirs.

The accommodation was varied and included stays at a family resort, ski resort, city hotel and ryokan (a Japanese-style inn), complete with a kaiseki meal and natural hot-spring baths.

Travellers Choice rewards top agents with Ecuadorian Amazon adventure

Travellers Choice is rewarding its top 10 members with a cruise through the Ecuadorian Amazon and a spectacular rail journey from the Andes to the Pacific Coast – just one of the prizes announced today as part of its celebrated Choice Awards program.

The Gold Choice Award winners will travel in March with Adventure World on a custom-made itinerary that includes a three-night Manatee Amazon Explorer voyage through the Amazon rainforest and ‘Train of the Wonders’ from the foothills of the Andes to Ecuador’s tropical plantations on the Pacific coast.

Each year Travellers Choice presents its top 30 performing agencies with Gold, Silver or Bronze Choice Awards, with winners determined by the level of support they provide the network’s preferred suppliers. As well as winning spots on dedicated educational trips, recipients take part in exclusive sales incentives and receive service grants worth up to $1500 per agency, which they can use towards the network’s member services.

You’ll be green with envy at these special Kakadu ‘green season’ deals

Kakadu Tourism has launched a range of special cruise and accommodation deals to provide even greater incentives for visitors to enjoy Kakadu National Park during the ‘green season’.

In addition, fishing enthusiasts will have a million dollar incentive to bring a fishing rod to Kakadu over the summer, with 100 Barramundi tagged with $10,000 prizes and one very special Barra with a $1 million tag as part of the Northern Territory’s Million Dollar Fish competition, which runs until the end of February 2018.

Even if you aren’t lucky with the fishing, you can hook a great accommodation bargain at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel and Cooinda Lodge during the green season. Both hotels are offering a 20 per cent discount on the room rate for guests staying two nights or more. Rates start from $109 per night for The Crocodile Hotel and from $159 per night for Cooinda Lodge.

Australia and New Zealand come to life in style with Inspiring Journeys brochure

Featuring eight unique itineraries across Australia and New Zealand, the new 2018/2019 Inspiring Journeys brochure provides guests the opportunity to rekindle their passion for travel through immersive, boutique experiences.

The incredible portfolio features journeys ranging from five to 22 days to the most idyllic, breathtaking and iconic locations in Australia and New Zealand. Guests travel in small groups of up to 20 like-minded travellers, with no children under 12 – with expert Travel Directors taking care of everything, so guests can sit back and be inspired by the journey.

Inspiring Journeys offer the perfect balance of freedom from the stress of holiday planning, with the flexibility to shape the guests’ personal journey. Each itinerary is designed to be catered to individual tastes by offering a range of authentic and enriching experiences.

PTMs Impressed by Small Ship Sailing Famil of Spain & Portugal 

Personal travel managers (PTMs) Di Yates representative from Montrose in Victoria with New South Wales representatives Vicki O’Dea from Lane Cove, Lisa Metzl from North Avoca and Lana Kanchik from Alexandria recently experienced an exclusive TravelManagers famil, an eight-day sailing experience ‘Glories of Spain & Portugal’ aboard Variety Cruises’ 25-cabin motorised sailing yacht Panorama II.

Travelling from Malaga to Lisbon, the PTMs were hosted by Aaron Russ, General Manager for Wild Earth Travel, Australia and New Zealand’s leading representative of worldwide small ship and expedition cruising.

The day excursions were a highlight for all the PTMs but for Yates it was the first day excursion to Granada and the stunning architecture and series of palaces and gardens of the Alhambra which proved most memorable.

60 lucky agents receive a trip to the Philippines!

The Philippine Department of Tourism was delighted to host 60 travel agents from Australia and New Zealand in the Philippines from 10th until 19th November 2017, as part of its largest ever mega familiarisation. The lucky agents enjoyed seven nights of fun, sea, sun and adventure, discovering what makes this stunning travel destination so special.

The agents spent eight incredible days exploring the islands of Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, Coron and Manila. The group visited the cultural and heritage sites of Cebu including: Casa Gorordo Museum; Heritage Monument; Magellan’s Cross; Basilica del Santo Nino Church and Fort San Pedro. Meanwhile, some agents enjoyed island hopping in Boracay the ‘Best Island in the World’; swimming with whale sharks, snorkelling followed by a city and countryside tour in Bohol; and two days of island and beach hopping tours in Coron featuring the Twin Lagoons, Kayangan Lake and Banana Island.

The final night in Manila provided yet another highlight when agents were treated to a night of entertainment, dinner and a dance party with Australian DJ and model, Callum David who is based in Manila.

Express Travel Group Agents take Cambodia with G Adventures

Ten lucky Express Travel Group agents recently travelled with G Adventures as part of a famil to Cambodia, exploring the colours, culture, and history of the incredible region.

The famil, which was supported by G Adventures and Thai Airways, followed G Adventures’ nine-day Cambodia Experience itinerary, and was hosted by superstar GPS for Victoria, Steph Beard.

Some of the trips most impactful moments included the architectural achievement that is Angkor 0Wat, the Tonlé Sap floating village and the Killing Fields at Phnom Penh.

Rail Plus takes agents on smooth ride to wine capital of the world

Rail Plus illustrated the seamless efficiency of France’s expanding high-speed rail network this month by taking a small group of Magellan travel agents on a cultured tour of the country’s finest wineries.

Led by Rail Plus Business Development Manager, Richard McKisack, and armed with Eurail France passes, the agents embarked on a seven-night excursion that started with a TGV voyage from Paris to Reims, 130 km east-northeast from the capital in the heart of the Champagne region.

As well as visiting famous Champagne houses, including Veuve Clicquot, the agents toured the historic ancient city, which was the traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France, before travelling on to beautiful Strasbourg, close to the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace.

CT Partners’ Bangkok Conference an outstanding success 

This year’s CT Partners’ annual conference took place in Bangkok over three days with 33 representatives of corporate and specialist member agencies joining 39 senior representatives of preferred supplier partners and all 21 members in attendance.

With a theme of Setting Goals to Change, the conference included presentations from suppliers, keynote addresses from two accomplished and inspiring Australians, and a community-based team event.

The event began with a welcome from CT Partners’ chairman Grant Wilson, officially welcoming two new members BCD Travel and JC Travel Professionals, who were represented by their respective managing directors’ Tass Messinis and Freddy Mikhael.

TTC’s Weekly Deals

Brand: Trafalgar – Capitals of the North

Just a few more weeks left to take advantage of Trafalgar’s hot Fly for $699 return air deal , where guests can Fly to Europe and Britain return, when they book select 2018 Europe and Britain departures before 14 December 2017. Guests can combine this hot deal with any of the 95 trips available, including 13-day Capitals of the North guided holiday. Traveling from Copenhagen to Stockholm across the Øresund to the meadows of Smáland, guests will shop in the market squares of Helsinki and marvel at the lavish testaments to Russian Imperialism in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Priced from $4,325 per person, twin share PLUS Fly for $699, reflective of select departure dates available between 22 April – 29 April 2018 and 15 July – 12 August 2018 (Other departures available for alternate price, airfare not included in from 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.

Brand: Adventure World – Ultimate Safari

Book before 31 December 2017 and your clients can receive a complimentary upgrade to a private guide and safari vehicle with Adventure World when they book the 16-day Handpicked Kenya & Tanzania safari (or until sold out). Guests will discover a kaleidoscope of landscapes in the ultimate safari areas of Kenya and Tanzania. From the open plains of the Masai Mara and the swamps of Amboseli, to the views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s snowy peaks and the Serengeti, this safari provides the perfect opportunity to explore some of Africa’s most diverse scenery. Priced from $6,889 per person (including saving) which includes 15 nights’ accommodation, meals as per itinerary, scheduled game activities and sightseeing as specified, transportation in a 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof, English speaking guide whilst on safari, park fees and more! Available for departure Tuesdays and Thursdays until 15 December 2018. For more information and full terms and conditions visit Adventure World at www.adventureworld.com call 1300 363 055 *Conditions and blackout dates apply

Brand: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises – Wine and Dine

You won’t want to miss this. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has returned their Best Offer Ever. Save up to 40% off select 2018 voyages when you book before 31 December 2017. Travellers can combine this unbeatable offer with the 8-day Bordeaux, Vineyards & Chateaux river cruise and SAVE from $2,400 per person. From Bordeaux through Cadillac, Blaye and Libourne, guests will wine and dine as the French do along the Garonne River and Dordogne River. The locals call it the douceur de vivre (sweet life), sampling sweet local wine while overlooking a sprawling vineyard – which will make perfect sense after their first sip. Including 6-days of captivating escorted excursions, a 7-night river cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the River Royale, all meals and beverages unlimited onboard and more! Priced from $3,599 pp twin-share (including discount), departing 29 April, 6 May and 28 October 2018 (other 2018 departures available, price may vary). For more information call 1300 780 231or visit uniworld.com.

Brand: U by Uniworld – After Dark

Book early, get rewarded with U by Uniworld. Your clients aged 21-45 can save 10% when they book select U by Uniworld summer river cruises before 1 December 2017. Travellers can combine this offer with the new 8-day Germany’s Finest river cruise & tour from Frankfurt to Regensburg. Cosmopolitan Frankfurt is a city of contrasts, home to bankers and hipsters, avant-garde skyscrapers and ancient abodes. After dark, guests will delve into its dynamic nightlife scene, visiting bars, clubs and under-the-radar hot spots with their U Host. Travellers will enjoy a 7-night cruise on The A ship, with 14 meals onboard, 2 dedicated U hosts, 11 included excursions, a local celebrity DJ party onboard, 11 U time optional excursions, and more! Priced from $2,249 pp twin-share (including discount), departing 5 May and 9 June 2018 (other 2018 departures available, price may vary). For more information call 1300 730 010 or visit ubyuniworld.com.

Brand: AAT Kings – Wildflowers and Wine

There’s just 3 days left to lock in a 10% Early Bird Offer with AAT Kings! Your clients can now discover more of their own backyard and take advantage of these savings when they book any 2018 Australian guided holiday or Inspiring Journey before 27 November 2017 (subject to availability). Guests can save up to $1,138 off per couple on the 16-day Western Wonderland guide, exploring cosmopolitan Perth, heading inland to Wave Rock, discovering clear waters and ancient forests, discovering wildflowers, tasting Margaret River’s renowned food and wine, and venturing to seaside Fremantle. This package includes an experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide, quality accommodation, travel in luxury coach, airport transfers, and more! Priced from $5,126 per person twin share (including Early Bird Offer) and available for departures between 1 April 2018 –31 March 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit aatkings.com * Conditions Apply.

Brand: Insight Vacations – ‘Tis the season

In the spirit of giving, Insight Vacations has announced last-minute savings available on select 2017 definite departures, valid until sold out. Guests can SAVE $470 with this jolly offer when they book the 17-day Treasures of Spain, Portugal and Morocco journey from Madrid through Lisbon, Seville, Fes, Casablanca, Granada and more. This kaleidoscopic adventure takes travellers from some of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, to an exotic and vivid land of medinas and minarets. Guests of Insight will enjoy the company of their Local Expert in Fes who will show them hidden courtyards and mosques, the bazaar and one of the world’s oldest universities. Priced from $4,255 per person twin share (including discount) price reflective of departure date 22 December 2017 (subject to availability). For full terms and conditions visit insightvacations.com or call 1300 727 767.​

Brand: Busabout – Soulful and Sinful

Travellers who book and pay in full before 21 December 2017 can take advantage of Busabout’s Asia 2018 Early Bird Deals and receive 12% off ALL 2018/19 Asia Adventure trips. Save and book the 14-day Thailand and Laos Adventure from Bangkok to Vientiane. It’d be impossible to decide which destination is best. Luckily for your clients, there’s no need for a contest because on this trip they’ll experience the best of both worlds. Discovering Bangkok’s soulful sights and sinful nightlife, getting their adrenaline fix by kayaking in Vang Vieng hanging out with the majestic monks in Luang Prabang and the awesome elephants in Chiang Mai. Priced from $1,759 per person twin share (including discount) including their Busabout guide and driver, 12 nights’ hotel accommodation, 1 night overnight train (quad share), 14 meals, trips to Kuang Si Waterfall and the Blue Lagoon, Mt. Phousi sunset trip in Luang Prabang, orientation walks, all transport included with private Mekong boat ride and more! Available on 2018 departures (excluding Asia Unlimited Pass). To book quote promocode EBASIA. For more information on a range of other Europe and Asia trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/ or call 1300 287 226

Brand: Creative Cruising – The Outback to Singapore

Book with Creative Cruising before 31 January 2018 and your clients will receive up to US$50 Onboard credit per stateroom and a complimentary lunch onboard when they book the 27-night The Outback to the Garden City cruise package. Travelling from Sydney to Singapore, this package includes 3-nights’ accommodation on the Indian Pacific Train Journey from Sydney to Perth in Gold Service (all meals onboard included, with Off Train Excursions and an Outback Experience), 1- night pre cruise accommodation in Fremantle, a 20-night cruise on-board ms Maasdam from Fremantle to Singapore, main meals and entertainment onboard, 3-night post cruise accommodation in Singapore, and more! Priced from $7,599*pp credit included, holiday starts 02 January 2019. *Conditions apply. Airfares not included. Please visit www.creativecruising.com.au or phone 1300 362 599 for more information.

Brand: Contiki – Perfect recipe

Contiki continues to offer millennials three buckets worth of airfare savings, where they can save either $700, $500 or $300 off their European airfare, depending on which summer 2018/19 adventure they choose to embark on. These savings are combinable with the current 10% Early Payment Discount, valid until 14 December 2017. Travellers can save from $293 off the 20-day European Experience trip that runs across 10 countries and save an additional $700 off their flights! Your clients can take a trip through all the European major cities and sip vino at the Contiki Chateau. This experience is the perfect midpoint for those feeling unsure about how much time they have and what their budget is, exploring from London through France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands and more! Priced from $3,142*per person (including discount) and available for travel between 2 April 2018 – 19 September 2018. For more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 266 845. *Conditions Apply