The Big Fat Agent Wrap
![The Big Fat Agent Wrap](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
It’s Friday, you’re itching to get out the door, and it’s about that time when you escape to a long lunch.
We get you – that’s why we’ve wrapped up all your last minute news before the weekend, tied a bow around it, and voila.
Let’s get you to Friday drinks and get you out of the office. Here’s the hard work made easy.
Enjoy your fabulous weekends!
Helloworld store opens
A great number of travel industry colleagues, clients, and team members turned out to attend the grand opening cocktail party for Sydney travel agency, helloworld Eastgardens. The local agency has partnered with helloworld to re-brand and re-launch, sporting a brand new name and a fresh office space.
To celebrate this transition, helloworld Eastgardens hosted an impressive grand opening cocktail party which was attended by special guest Roy Billing – Award-winning Actor who featured in helloworld’s #SaySorryLater social media video for the Silver Fox and Foxettes AAT Kings Campaign.”
Pictured left to right: Roy Billling (Actor and helloworld AAT Kings #SaySorryLater ambassador) and Linda Taylor (Eastgardens Store Owner)
An offer you can’t refuse
Samujana villas in Koh Samui is offering a special package full of complimentary inclusions for guests staying five nights or more.
Starting from $1,644 per villa per night (3 bed), guests will receive a host of inclusions like daily breakfast served in your villa, a Thai massage, cooking class, a full day private yacht charter and more.
The package also includes return transfers from Koh Samui airport, wireless internet access, daily housekeeping and villa tax and service charge.
PromPeru know how to party
PROMPERÚ, Peru’s national tourist office, has embarked on a range of activity in Australia this week from 5-13 September including the largest Peruvian delegation to ever participate in Luxperience as well as media and travel trade events.
From 6-9 September, the group exhibited at Luxperience in Sydney to showcase unique luxury experiences in Peru to high-end travel specialists and suppliers. In addition, a series of events have been coordinated in Sydney and Melbourne to educate the travel industry and media, bringing ‘the land of hidden treasures’ to life Down Under.
Sydney events included an exclusive cocktail soiree for media at Bondi Beach’s South American hotspot, Luis Tans and a VIP trade industry breakfast at O Bar and Dining. Activity also included a Melbourne stop for a VIP dinner for South America wholesale specialists.
Southern gets new faces
Southern Discoveries continues to expand by adding new roles to its marketing team. With the new additions, the company is focusing its marketing operations into online and offline, PR and partnerships.
Libby Baron has been appointed the new marketing and partnerships manager where she’ll be implementing marketing strategies across predominantly offline platforms and activity. She will be joining the team on September 14.
Libby joins Southern Discoveries from Destination Queenstown, where she worked as its communications and media executive. From her time at DQ, she’s gained a strong understanding of the tourism industry domestically and internationally.
Creative Cruising celebrates record month
Creative Cruising has celebrated the first anniversary of its online portal with a record month of sales.
General manager Peter Forsyth said, “Our goal over the past year has been to restore agents’ faith in the Creative Cruising brand and to once again be their preferred partner when fulfilling the ever-growing demand for cruising.
“They say the proof is in the pudding and in our case that’s a record month of sales in July and an overall 2,000 percent increase in sales for 2015. We’re confident that percentage will continue to rise ahead of what looks like a bumper summer cruise season.”
New Cal puts on a show for agents
Qantas Holidays, New Caledonia Tourism and Aircalin recently joined forces to host a 4 day famil to New Caledonia, enabling a group of selected travel agents to experience the destination firsthand and increase their knowledge of New Caledonia’s landscape, culture and diverse experiences available to Australian travelers.
The group had time to explore the diverse tourism offering of the domain of Deva visiting Green Island and enjoyed snorkelling with colourful tropical fish before continuing to the capital of Noumea where they enjoyed a delicious French cooking lesson and discovered the bays of the city by Segway.
Pictured is, left to right: Elise Fuller, Mossvale Cruise & Travel; Manuela Nielsen, New Caledonia Tourism; Sarah Harris, Helloworld Bonnyrigg; Yvette Gray, Sylvania Travel & Cruise; Ella Reece, Bathurst Travel Centre; Alicia Black, All Australian Journeys; Lauren Stuchbury, Qantas Holidays; Jason Cooley, Helloworld Sy Ives.
Doors closing on Oman Megafam
Registrations for the 2015 Sultanate of Oman Tourism Agents Educational Famil flying Qatar Airways
are still OPEN. But agents only have ONE MORE WEEK to register for this once-in-career opportunity!
STEP ONE: Agents are invited to register their interest by completing a registration form accessed at the this link.
STEP TWO: Simply complete Sultanate of Oman’s online training modules (if you haven’t already), and you will make yourself eligible for selection on the famil.
Mobile at Luxperience
Mobile Travel Agents were out in force at the Luxperience travel exhibition that wrapped up on Wednesday evening.
Pictured at Luxperience is, from left to right: Beate Carr; Debra Gray; Linda Kiernander; Kerrie Kaesler; Maxine Adams; John Adams; Carine Griffiths; MTA Luxury Product manager, Margaret Lange (centre front) ; Marian Stanley; Sonia Jones; Alycia Papadopoulos; Patricia Gordon and Chris Hopton.
Swiss Travel Pass Superstars announced!
Rail Europe, Switzerland Tourism and the Swiss Travel System have announced the winners of their Swiss Travel Pass SuperStar Program who will be participating on the year-end famil in Switzerland from 29 Nov – 5 Dec 2015.
Six GSA consultants and 10 retail agents will join Mark Wettstein, Director of Switzerland Tourism ANZ, and Ingrid Kocijan, Manager Australasia of Rail Europe, on a fully hosted trip to see why Switzerland is becoming increasingly popular among travellers.
The 16 lucky participants on this famil include: Josie Hanney from Goldman Travel Corporation; Melissa Blessing from Flight Centre Katoomba; Chris Riou from Newport Travel; Naomi Hill from Qantas Holidays; Maxine Thomas from CIT holidays; Janine Mallon from The Travel Brokers; Kacey Sowman from Go Holidays; Elaine Seuao from Rail Plus NZ; Melissa Healy from Flight Centre West Perth; Ranka Mileusnic from GTS Travel Management; Rhonda Paice from Williamstown Travel & Cruise; Yvette Van Urk from Outdoor Travel; Nina Marchioli from RACT Kingston; Cassandra Zayonce from TravelManagers; and Clement Tringale form Rail Plus Aus.
A taste of Taiwan down under
Taiwan Tourism Bureau presents its annual Roadshow in Australia this September to showcase Taiwan – a fusion of tradition with new trends. From understanding the latest updates on Taiwan tourism to mini workshops, the roadshows are open to travel trade industry partners in Australia, including airlines, travel agents and online travel partners.
The series of roadshows will be held in four cities: Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne and Brisbane on September 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively. Events kick off at 5.30pm for cocktails.
For more information and to RSVP your attendance, please contact event coordinator Nichole Madin (nichole@ndmtravelmarketing.com.au) or Pearl Lee (pearl@taiwantourism.org) asap with your company name, number attending, and which roadshow/date you are interested in.
#APTtheBest first winner
Competition is hotting up for the #APTtheBest trade campaign, whereby award winning luxury travel operator APT is offering two exciting industry incentives throughout September.
The first winner to be announced for the travel agency incentive is helloworld Camberwell. They receive a $1500 marketing voucher with APT.
Meanwhile consultants have been busy sending in their #APTtheBest photos and entries in a bid to win one of five luxury river cruises. Scarlett Trewavis from Flight Centre Watergardens (pictured) is the first winner and receives an all inclusive luxury Mekong cruise for her picture and entry.
To enter the photo competition, agents simply need to take a photo incorporating the campaign hashtag #APTtheBest and send it, along with an explanation as to why they think APT is the best (must be 25 words or less), to competitions@aptouring.com.au. Entries should include entrants’ contact details.
The #APTtheBest incentive campaign and photo competition runs from 1-30 September 2015 inclusive.
Asian savings with Cosmos
Cosmos has announced earlybird savings of $300* per couple across its newly released range of 2016 Asian holidays, including two new tours exploring extraordinary sights and ancient landmarks of China.
The new 2016 Cosmos Asia brochure features 11 exotic holidays in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, India and Sri Lanka, priced from as little as $111 per day.
Ranging from seven to 16 days, each tour promises the same value and care that Cosmos has delivered since it first began operations in Europe more than 50 years ago. They combine the ease and convenience of guided travel with all the colour and vibrancy of Asia.
From now until December 1, 2015, Cosmos is offering $300* per couple off any 2016 Asia tour. Plus, travellers can save an additional $100 per couple when they book a second tour, and receive a 2.5 per cent discount for early payments (four months or more before departure).
Win a GoPro and camera!
There are only a couple more days for agents to be in with a chance to win a GoPro HERO3+ Silver Edition Camera, worth over $470AUD, thanks to the launch of the Utah Badge on Brand USA’s Discovery Program.
Agents who complete the Utah specialist badge after first completing the Regional Expert Badge will qualify to go in the draw.
Once users have completed the Utah badge, agents can then take other Specialist modules, which focus on various experiences and holiday themes. With the addition of the Utah specialist badge, there are a total of 15 badges available for completion.
The lucky winner will be announced on Monday 14th September. For more information, please visit www.usadiscoveryprogram.com.au.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
aircalin apt cosmos flight centre luxperience New Caledonia Tourism qantas holidays southern discoverings taiwan tourism bureauLatest News
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
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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
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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
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
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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
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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?