BIG FAT WHOLESALER WRAP
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Australian travellers know Russia is so hot right now
With 2016 marking the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Trans-Siberian rail line through Russia, bookings and interest from Australian customers has in the first four months exceeded expectations for travel on this legendary rail journey.
Beyond Travel’s general manager, Bryce Crampton siad that the travel experience has always been a bucket list item for active travellers in Australia with a recent surge in demand attributed to the variety of tours and packages available, with guaranteed departures and the prominent coverage of the journey in the mainstream press due to the anniversary.
“Russia in general is hot right now; we have seen a huge spike over the last six months for forward bookings, on all products including the premium private trains, guaranteed small group tours and the tailor-made packages along both the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian routes”, he added.
Beyond Travel have been providing a comprehensive range of Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian rail journeys in the Australian market for over 21 years with a dedicated sales team as both tour leaders and passionate travellers on the trains and railways in Russia.
New Topdeck travel app cures your travel worries
The app includes handy features such as a budget tracker across multiple currencies, downloadable maps and city guides, plus all the latest itinerary, weather and timezone information.
Budding Topdeckers can also live chat with fellow passengers before the trip and share their pictures on social media within the app.
In keeping ahead of other travel brands, Topdeck have introduced MOVE as an additional app fitness feature, which hosts a series of “Bucket List Runs” (available both online and offline) providing Topdeckers with safe, scenic routes.
Asia Pacific General Manager Joe Ponte commented: “Highlighting Topdeck’s dedication to offering travellers unique and unforgettable experiences, the Bucket List Runs provide another way for Topdeckers to immerse themselves in a destination.”
“We’re seeing more millennials seek a balanced travelling lifestyle, with these runs being a vital step in the right direction to an active life, even when travelling. With this feature already launched and plans to release further features later this year, the app will be filled with even more exciting destinations to discover and additional wellbeing programs” said Joe.
All the above functions are fully operational on both iOS and Android and exclusively accessible to all booked Topdeck passengers.
Get in quick. Explore! Australia are having a ‘Europe Summer’ sale!
Explore! have announcing a Europe Summer sale available for all bookings until 31 May 2016 on all adventures within Europe. The offer is applicable on trips departing June to September 2016.
The adventure travel company have over 500 tours available in over 120 countries, offering a choice that is second to none. Explore prides itself on small group travel of around 14-16 people which minimises environmental impact and enhances the experience for travellers.
What do they have on offer? Think cycling, walking, trekking, food and drink, rail, wildlife, and beach holidays. Europe has it all.
EUROPEAN TRAIN RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN
Hold the phone, did we just hear that the reservation systems for most of the European trains over the summer period are now open for bookings?
That’s right, International Rail have announced that you can now save your illusive Eurostar train seat for the Euro-summer travels.
Agents can now confirm their customer’s bookings for travel until mid- August on the majority of high-speed train services on the major European networks, including Germany, France, Italy and Eurostar.
Managing director Jonathan Hume said that due to International Rail’s new live booking technology , the process of booking trains is much simpler. Agents will find navigating the increasingly complex rail schedules and ticket types a breeze.
He added, “This involves new live bookings to reduce time consuming and frustrating procedures for agents with the IR booking site doing all the hard work”.
Rail Pass unveils new Eurail incentive
Rail Plus is now giving away Coles and Myer Group gift cards worth up to $40 with every Eurail Global or Select pass* booking made between 2 May and 30 June 2016.
Agents will receive a $20 voucher for each booking containing a Eurail Select Pass and a $40 voucher for each booking that includes a Eurail Global Pass.
Travel agents can book Eurail passes through Australasia’s leading rail specialist 24 hours a day, seven days a week by visiting www.railplus.com.au.
Covering 28 countries, the Eurail Global Pass provides total freedom, with holders able to travel on an unlimited number of trains on every day of the pass’ validity. Pass validities range from 15 days to three months.
The Eurail Select Pass allows passengers to select two, three or four bordering countries to explore by rail. Holders can choose from 26 countries, with passes valid for five, six, eight and 10 days within two months.
Rail Plus’ Eurail incentive applies to all bookings totalling $1,000 or more, with full payment made by 30 June 2016.
A&K releases new journey visiting Tibet’s Horse Racing Festival
An exciting new journey from the experts at Abercrombie & Kent has been added to the company’s portfolio. This adventure reveals the heart and soul of China and its tiny neighbour Tibet.
There are two fascinating days spent at the Qinghai Yushu Horseracing Festival in the far northeast of Tibet. This unforgettable cultural experience takes place on a grassy plain south of Yushu. Colourful yak-hair tents of nomadic Tibetans surround the racecourse where more than 10,000 people converge to trade and celebrate the skills of horsemanship through horse racing, shooting and archery.
In addition, the tour visits Beijing, Xian, Lhasa and Shanghai, taking in all the major highlights, as well as a luxury cruise aboard Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer through the Three Gorges. An expert host accompanies the journey from start to finish – Beijing local, Michael Ye, one of A&K’s leading China guides.
A&K’s China, the Yangzi & Tibet’s Horse Racing Festival Journey
Tour dates: 17 July – 2 August 2017
Twin share per person: $15,495. Single supplement: $3,895.
Maximum of 18 guests.
New ‘Lando’ revolutionises overland travel in Africa
G Adventures has launched a new overland adventure vehicle (OAV), purpose-built for today’s modern traveller, and designed to maximise safety and comfort.
The fleet of ten “Landos” have been introduced on most G Adventures overland trips in eastern and southern Africa.
Each truck features full body seatbelts, reclining seats with side-seat movement for extra shoulder room, a 250-litre water tank to reduce the use of plastic bottles, in-built Wi-Fi, USB chargers at every seat, large front windows for better views of wildlife, and windows designed specifically for photography.
G Adventures VP of product Jeff Russill, says his team has completely re-invented and improved the OAV with the needs of travellers in mind, using traveller feedback and the inside knowledge of the G Africa team.
“Our travellers have become more sophisticated and their needs have changed. We no longer accept that the old vehicles suit modern-day travellers, and in our bid to lead with service have come up with a solution to bring overland travel into a new age,” Russill said.
‘Lando’ is a play on the word ‘overland’ and it’s no coincidence the OAV bears a likeness to cavaliering Star Wars character, Lando Calrissian, whose sense of adventure is similar to that of G Adventures’ travellers.
G Adventures managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Adrian Piotto said travellers would enjoy the added comfort in the new Landos.
“While the roads in Africa have improved over time, the comfort of the vehicles certainly has not – until now. We are proud to be leading the way with adventure comfort over in Africa.”
The Lando will be operating on 22 G Adventures Yolo itineraries (adventures for 18 to 39 year olds) covering Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
a&k Beyond Travel eurostar explore international rail rail plus russia topdeckLatest 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?