Big Fat Road & Rail Wrap
All aboard for the latest edition of Travel Weekly’s famous Road & Rail wrap! Ok, maybe not ‘famous’ but at least of C grade celebrity status.
All aboard a great rail journey with Travelmarvel
Offer your clients a truly unique experience by booking them on a Great Rail Journey with Travelmarvel. Book now to take advantage of Earlybird savings and Fly Free deals across a broad range of destinations.
The newly released 2019 Great Rail Journeys brochure showcases around 30 incredible rail adventures across four continents. Many of the European and Asian rail holidays can be combined with a range of premium river cruises and are eligible for Travelmarvel’s Fly Free offer.
Great Rail Journeys’ most popular tour is the nine-day Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands, which includes rail travel aboard the iconic Jacobite Steam Train also known as The Harry Potter Express. Prices start at $3,295 per person including an Earlybird discount of $1,000 per couple and Early Payment Discount. This adventure departs from Edinburgh, with multiple departure dates from April through to October.
Secure your clients a highly sought-after place at the 2020 production of the Christ Passion Play held once every 10 years in the Bavarian town of Oberammergau. The 10-day rail holiday departs London and will include train travel through the scenic Bavarian Alps and visits to historical and picturesque castles. Prices begin at $6,595 per person including an Earlybird discount of $1,000 per couple and Early Payment Discount. It is advised to book early as places are filling fast.
Rail Plus Takes Agents Closer to Winning Famils, Tix to Evita, Melbourne Cup and More with Module 99!
To help agents earn an additional 160 points and thus get closer to winning more prizes and famils spots on the Rail Expert 2018 program, Rail Plus has introduced Module 99.
With invites to a series of exclusive events including the screening of Evita in Sydney and the Melbourne Cup, as well as several famils in Australia, North America and Europe up for grabs, agents only need a minimum of 400 points and good sales figures to qualify for the pick.
All that is required from the agents in Module 99 is to tick off the following six steps:
- Attend any Rail Plus sponsored events (20 points)
- Join the Rail Plus Facebook group for agents (10 points)
- Subscribe to the general Rail Plus newsletter (50 points)
- Subscribe to Rail Plus’ new weekly rail specials newsletter (30 points)
- Participate in any of the featured contests (30 points)
- Attend at least one webinar (30 points)
Rail Expert is a training program aimed to better equip agents will the necessary information on train travel, where the reward system is based on scores, modules completed, the time frame in which they are completed and sales performance.
The current 12 modules on Rail Expert will earn agents a total of 240 points, while the Swiss Travel Super Star Pass program can see agents scoring 100 points. With the additional 160 points from Module 99, agents can collect a total of 500 points to give them that extra advantage in getting picked for the prizes.
Agents who haven’t yet signed up will need to create an account on Rail Expert or follow the guidelines on this enrolment guide.
Budget Australia drives away with Canstar Blue 2018 ‘Most Satisfied Customers’ award
Budget Car Rental Australia has received the prestigious award for Canstar Blue 2018 “Most Satisfied Customers” ahead of competitors in the car rental industry.
In addition to winning the top spot, Budget was rated five stars for value for money and vehicle availability. As an industry leader in vehicle rental for the value-conscious traveller, Budget was the only car rental company to receive a five-star rating for cost and fee transparency.
Based on independent research and customer satisfaction ratings, Canstar Blue is a consumer review and comparison website dedicated to helping Australians make better-informed purchase decisions. Focused on product and service excellence, it strives to represent the real voice for consumers.
With Australians spoilt for choice in the car hire industry, key drivers in overall satisfaction amongst consumers according to Canstar Blue’s rental car survey are Customer service (40%), transparency of cost and fees (24%) and value for money (14%).
Drive & Play in Canada & the USA!
Throughout July and August, DriveAway are focussing on travel to the USA & Canada, releasing huge exclusive deals for car & motorhome hire.
Each year we see travellers looking to travel to North America more and more. 2017 was no exception, with an increase of up to 50% in enquiries for destinations like Montreal and Calgary. We also see another interesting booking trend in Anaheim increasing by 86% – perhaps the theme parks are calling all travellers?
Honolulu in Hawaii was another standout destination, with an increase of 73%. “Driving around Honolulu was an amazingly fun experience. The streets on the main island of Oahu were very easy to navigate, especially after driving through the hectic roads of Los Angeles. It’s an adventure I would do all over again, particularly in a RED Mustang”, says DriveAway’s Trade Marketing Executive, Natasha Wahab who is currently travelling the islands.
The time to book your clients North America trip is NOW. Offering savings up to 15% off car hire, up to 20% off motorhomes, FREE one ways, FREE mileage plus more throughout July and August 2018. Give your clients the ultimate experience driving through famous road trip destinations including Route 66, Yosemite to Yellowstone and the Canadian Rockies. Car hire prices start from AU$48 per day in Los Angeles & Anaheim, AU$70 per day in Honolulu and AU$55 a day in Vancouver for 7 days.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
budget Driveaway rail plus road and rail wrap Travel MarvelLatest News
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.
Hamad International recognised as world’s best airport at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
Hamad airport is so good it is almost considered a destination in itself. Ballina, up your game.
Saudi Arabia highlights tourism investment opportunities at global investment event
Now is the time to start looking at Saudi Arabia if you are not already. There's big things to come.
“Rampant” – Aussies warned as dengue fever cases spike in Bali
Worried about Bali belly? Now you have something else to worry about.
TTC Tour Brand reveals slew of deals across operators including Trafalgar and Contiki
Everybody loves a bargain and you could do lot a lot worse than check out these deals from TTC!
Fiji Airways partners with Porter Airlines in US growth bid
Any initiative that gets more people visiting the delights of Fiji is a good initiative.
Flight Centre launches CruiseHQ – a marketplace exclusively for agents
The cruise industry has surpassed pre-Covid levels so this isn't one to miss!
Feeling festive? Wendy Wu tours unwraps Christmas collection
Get the Christmas hols booked now and avoid spending it with that elderly relative with dubious political views.
OPINION: In a world of screens, we crave experience
If you get feelings of deep shame and regret when you see your screen time, don't worry - you're not alone.
Sun Princess: High-end dining and world class entertainment awaits
If you are a foodie and you are not currently on the Sun Princess, we really have to ask - what are you doing?
YouGov: 2 in 5 Aussies would pay more for a sustainable hotel
If you want to be REALLY sustainable you can go camping. You just might lose the will to live.
“Can planes swim?” – Planes become boats as Dubai Airport is savaged by severe storm
Unfortunately, "can planes swim?" is a real life question and not an opener to a really bad joke...
Explora journeys reveals bespoke outdoor furniture designed by Matteo Nunziati
This is making your plastic table and chairs look really bad now, isn't it?
Bangkok Airways targets growth with renewed Sabre deal
Two stories abut Sabre's growth in one week and its only Wednesday! Watchout world.
PR agency Example wins pitch for InterContinental Sydney
We also went in for the contract but they said that a 'Be Our Guest'- themed TikTok was unoriginal! The cheek.
Norwegian Cruise Line reveals culinary experience aboard Norwegian Aqua
Once again, this TW journalist REALLY regrets writing this before getting lunch.
Signature Queensland hosts luxury tourism event
Known for its tropical beaches and unique wildlife, Queensland also offers luxury.
Capella Sydney recognised in prestigious Travel + Leisure’s 2024 ‘it list’ of best new hotels
You know that 'it girl' at school who everyone wanted to hang out with? Capella is the hotel version of that.
Rex launches 72-hour fare sale with NO school holiday blackout so you can take your kids (if you want to)
Sadly, leaving your children at home whilst you go on holiday is generally frowned upon.
Adventure World offers chance to connect with “heart and soul” of the US
I mean who hasn't dreamed of a road trip around the US?! Go with Adventure World and you're less likely to get lost.
Fiji’s family-owned luxury resort Likuliku Lagoon launches its own app
We were relieved to find out that having a "concierge in your pocket" referred to an app on your phone.
Hawaii: The US’ laid-back front door for Australians
If you needed another sign that you should definitely head to Hawaii - this is it!
Sabre targets Asia Pacific growth with latest hire
Call the Avengers! Sabre continues its bid for world domination with latest hire.
Air New Zealand signs its largest EVER deal for sustainable aviation fuel
Air New Zealand makes huge step towards sustainable travel. We bet it recycles its rubbish properly too.
IHG Hotels & Resorts continues regional growth with Sunshine Coast Holiday Inn
This Holiday Inn looks considerably flashier than some of the ones we have stayed at in our time.
Budget carrier Scoot welcomes first of 9 E190-E2 aircrafts
Here at TW we would like to offer Embraer E190-E2 a warm welcome! It's not easy being the first of the fleet.
Singapore Airlines grows group passenger traffic by 13.9% for March
This is one of the few situations where an increase in traffic is a good thing.
Number of Aussies going on cruises beats pre-pandemic levels
To be honest, if being stuck inside for two years doesn't give you the travel bug, then nothing will.
Vietjet slashes prices on flights across Vietnam, India & Australia
You can now fly to Vietnam for less money than a night out in Sydney or Melbourne. Time to reconsider the budget.
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) names accommodation excellence award winners
Think blowing up the airbed for your mate qualifies as accommodation excellence? Think again.
Abercrombie & Kent launches Peruvian riverboat tour
If you think being left at a port is scary? Imagine being stuck in the Amazon.
Club Med Bali reveals last-minute group travel deal
If you haven't frolicked across a beach in Bali with your colleagues have you even lived?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises grows sales team across Australia & New Zealand
It is only Monday and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already announcing hires. Great stuff!
Out of the Ordinary Outback offers caravanners and campers a free night
It's the perfect getaway if your neighbours are starting to drive you a little insane.
Luxury Escapes reveals third signature series tour with Miguel Maestre
We would recommend reading this after lunch, otherwise you risk slobbering at your desk.