Big Fat Agent Wrap
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We’ve got a stellar agent wrap for you today. Mostly because of the ahhh-dorable photo of the agents in the frame, but still.
Travel Counsellors support the first day at school
It’s back to school time! For parents and children, it can be a time of angst or pure joy. Either way, there is something very special about a child’s first day at school. Travel Counsellors recognise what an important milestone it is and so in 2017, announced that any staff who have a child off to school for the first time, will be given a bonus day off!
Working as a Travel Counsellor affords an agent the freedom to set their own schedule, and with opportunities like this, head office staff can enjoy those special moments with loved ones too.
A food journey in the top end
In a testament to the popularity of the Northern Territory and the travelers desire for food and wine experiences, a three-day luxury Food and Wine package to Cicada Lodge in the Top End presented by renowned Indigenous Chef Mark Olive and Australia’s leading wine critic Jeremy Oliver has sold out in less than 48 hours.
Set against the backdrop of Nitmiluk National Park and the luxury of Cicada Lodge, the three-day event explores the food and wines from Australia’s most renowned wine regions and includes a five-course degustation menu created by Mark Olive and hosted by Jeremy Oliver, as well as a cooking masterclass incorporating produce and native flavours from across Australia.
With accommodation at the award-winning Cicada Lodge, Nitmiluk Tours is also providing guests the opportunity to explore the destination and discover the magic of Nitmiluk with an exclusive cruise on Nitmiluk Gorge, and an exhilarating scenic helicopter flight over the first eight gorges of the river system.
North Star gets green light on water park development
It’s been a long, arduous and expensive journey for Ian Beadel from North Star Holiday Park at Hastings Point but approval from the Land & Environment Court has finally paved the way for an upgrade to the existing water park at the popular Tweed Coast Resort.
A decision on a Development Application submitted to the Tweed Shire Council to replace the current waterslide with a new, ultra-modern double waterslide was deferred at a Council meeting in July 2016 and subsequently refused by Council at their meeting in December 2016.
Beadel was left with no alternative than to approach the Land & Environment Court in the hope of having Council’s decision overturned. It was! Work will commence in May and the new slides are expected to be up and running by August this year.
For nearly four decades, Ian and wife Diana Beadel have continually updated and revitalised the Resort’s facilities and key attractions, keeping them fresh, new and appealing; a philosophy which has helped them achieve over 35 per cent repeat visitation annually.
Last Chance to Lock-in Year-Round Skiing at Perisher, Whistler, and 10 Additional World-Class Mountains in the U.S for only $49 Upfront
Monday 26, February will be the last day for Australian skiers and snowboarders to purchase the Epic Australia Pass at a price unmatched and to take advantage of only AU$49 upfront to lock in the best value ski pass. The Epic Australia Pass is the most flexible ski-pass for Australians, offering year-round skiing across 12 world-class resorts including the largest and most celebrated in Canada, the U.S. and Australia, at a price unmatched.
At just AU$819 for adults, AU$462 for students and AU$588 for seniors, the Epic Australia Pass pays for itself in under five days, with season-long skiing at Perisher and access to the Best of the U.S. and Whistler Blackcomb. Pass holders who pay only AU$49 upfront, ensure they enjoy the best available low price and won’t have to make full payment until May 1, 2018.
Australian skiers and snowboarders can enjoy unlimited access to Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe region of California and Nevada; and unlimited, unrestricted access to Perisher; in addition to 10 days at Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek and Stowe, combined (some holiday restrictions apply). This is the perfect pass for Australians planning a ski holiday to the U.S. or Canada, looking for a season of skiing and riding at Perisher, or both.
Bentours celebrate 40 years with No Single Supplements
As part of Bentours 40 years of travel celebrations, Bentours currently have huge savings with ‘No Single Supplement’ offer on almost 20 expedition cruises including Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland and Canada.
The biggest saving is on The Ultimate Expedition to Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia – now priced for a solo traveller from A$18,120//NZ$20,655 and departing in Dec 2018. This epic expedition takes you through the isolated Falkland Islands and stunning South Georgia before experiencing the great continent of Antarctica. Price includes onboard accommodation on a full board basis, return economy flight Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and landings with small boats and activities onboard and ashore.
The no single supplements offer ends 28 Feb 2018, so get in quick for an incredible deal.
Personal Experience results in Barge Cruise Booking for PTM
Six personal travel managers (PTMs) recently enjoyed a dedicated TravelManagers’ famil of the Bourgogne region in France where they experienced a six day Back-Roads Touring Barge Cruise aboard MS Jeanine on Le Canal De Bourgogne from Dijon to Besancon.
Hosted by Karen Nelson, Business Development Manager NSW & ACT, for Back-Roads Touring the New South Wales based PTMs attending the famil were Kristina Acevski representative for Merewether Heights, Jason Smith representative for Newtown, Peter Carmichael representative for Merewether, Michelle Michael-Pecora representative for Tennyson Point, Janice Lee representative for Surry Hills and Maria Miller representative for Parkes.
TravelManagers attribute the exceptional, strong and effective business relationships with key airline, cruise and wholesale suppliers with providing personal travel managers the ability to experience exclusive educationals on a variety of products and worldwide destinations.
Travel the lands of King’s and Castles
Albatross Tours ‘Black Forest, Bavaria & the Tyrol’ tour takes travellers on a holiday discovering the lands of King’s and castles. This magnificent tour features leisurely three and four night stays in medieval Triberg, the wonderful mountains of Bavaria, the stunning Austrian Tyrol and Mozart’s baroque city of Salzburg.
Embark on a journey to discover Heidelberg Castle, take a river cruise through Strasbourg, enjoy a wine tasting on the route Alsace du Vin and wander the botanical gardens of Mainau on Lake Constance. Be guided through Neuschwanstein Castle and Hitler’s Eagles Nest and admire the thundering Krimmler Waterfalls before a final three nights in Salzburg.
Escorted by an experienced tour manager the tour includes 14 nights’ hotel accommodation, 24 meals, all sightseeing, excursions and entrances as per the itinerary plus more!
Priced at only $6,399 per person twin share. The 15 day Black Forest, Bavaria & the Tyrol tour offers departures between May and September 2018.
Rail Plus’ Your World on Track Brochure is LIVE!
Rail Plus’ brand spanking new brochure for 2018 is now live and available to download, print and order!
‘Your World on Track’ not only features a complete redesign that aims to improve the brand’s positioning in Australia and New Zealand, but importantly, travel agents will find the thoughtfully created layout most user friendly, resourceful and current.
To celebrate the launch of the new brochure, and to encourage agents to stay informed with the latest news, itineraries, ideas and product updates for 2018, Rail Plus will be holding a webinar on Tuesday 13 Feb at 09:30hr AEDT. Spots are strictly limited and registration is necessary.
And finally, a ‘Count the Trains’ contest will run from now till 28 Feb, where agents who submit the correct number of trains in the brochure will stand a chance to win one of 16 prizes including four first class rail passes, two AU$75 gift vouchers and 10 goodie bags!
Beyond Travel bonuses in new brochure
Steady growth in inquiries for Sri Lanka and India has prompted Beyond Travel to double the number of itineraries on offer in the new 2018 brochure released this week.
The updated Sri Lanka, India and Beyond brochure includes an extra eight pages of product – now up to 44 pages – with a choice of private and escorted itineraries, river voyages, mountain retreats, and visits to coastal resorts catering to the holiday whims of all travellers looking to explore Sri Lanka and India.
Beyond Travel is offering discounts up to $400 per couple for bookings made by June 30 with the savings applicable to a wide choice of Sri Lanka adventures include six-day retreats to Tangalle and Trincomalee, the immersive 13-day expedition Sri Lanka Uncovered, and the 14-day outing Wild About Sri Lanka.
On top of the early-booking discounts Beyond Travel is offering room upgrades on many Indian tours, a free bottle of wine, 15 per cent discounts on meals and spa treatments in a selection of trips, and free wifi at many stops.
MTA Members cool off on British Columbia study tour
Pictured, blue with cold but putting on brave faces in Whistler’s famous Vodka Ice Bar, MTA Members Leisa Crotty and Mel Sherry who visited the iconic watering hole as part of a recent Whistler Tourism and Vancouver Tourism exclusive study tour.
Itinerary highlights included a plethora of further ‘cool’ activities including skiing, snowmobiling and snow shoeing, a float plane tour of Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain, a visit to the popular Granville Markets, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a food tasting tour of Gastown and a Vancouver city tour.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
albatross tours bentours Beyond Travel mta Nitmiluk Tours North Star personal travel managers rail plus The Epic Australia Pass travel counsellorsLatest News
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
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Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
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Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
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Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
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Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
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Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
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Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
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Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
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Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
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UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
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Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
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Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
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Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
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In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
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Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
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MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
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Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
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Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
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‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
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‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
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‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
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Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
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‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
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Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
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Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
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HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
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Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
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Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
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Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
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Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
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InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
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Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
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Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
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Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?