Hold the phone, it’s still only Tuesday?! Well, at least it isn’t Monday.

On that note, we know it’s not the ideal weekday, so we’ve rallied the troops, gathered the emails, and gotten all your essential agent info for you – then popped it in one place.

Read on, fellow agents, for we have all you need today!

And before you know it, it’ll be Wednesday.

Scenic sundowners in Patagonia

Scenic took a lucky group of travel agents on a journey through magnificent Patagonia, visiting cities including Santiago and Buenos Aires.

Upon arrival in Santiago, Chile, after a night in the luxurious 5-star Intercontinental Hotel, they began their day with a morning walk through the beautiful Barrio Lastarria, followed by an authentic Chilean morning tea.

The agents even got the chance to test out their Spanish, visiting the lively city of La Boca, meeting local dancers who entertained with an exclusive tango performance. Their last night in Buenos Aires was spent savouring the wonderful diversity of this exciting city, through a range of Scenic Freechoice activities.

Back row (left to right): Jacinta Anderson, Halya Hladenki, Efi Rialas, Janene Pendleton, Marnie Welbourne, Melissa Mcpharlane, Michelle Jardine, Jeanette Manley, Kiara Southwell, Roslyn Savio, Zena Duncan, Karen Lazaric, Lauri Bailie. Front row (left to right): Zena Dalton, Kirsten Murray, Rebecca Duff, Nicola Judge, Katta Jackson, Michelle Simon, Lee Brodie, Karin Jones, Jennifer Wilson, Nicole Bryan.

APT announces expo dates

APT has announced it will be driving even more bookings to travel agents as it expands its popular series of free APT consumer Expos to take in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle, Melbourne and Perth.

APT will be showcasing a wide range of its award winning products and destinations at the events ranging from its luxury Europe River Cruising and Small Ship Cruising, to Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma, Canada and Alaska, USA, Kimberley and Outback Wilderness Adventures, South America, Antarctica, Africa and India.

The events are free of charge to attend and locations and dates, which have been released today, are as follows:

• 6 October 2015, Hilton Sydney
• 13 October 2015, West’s City, Newcastle West
• 15 October 2015, Rydges South Bank, South Brisbane
• 19 October 2015, Pullman Melbourne on the Park, East Melbourne
• 22 October 2015, Hilton Adelaide

Agents are advised to book clients a space early as these events will fill up fast. See www.aptouring.com.au/expo to register.

In addition to the Expos, APT has also announced it will be providing a great opportunity for agents in regional areas on the East Coast and South Australia, offering a series of information sessions aimed at educating prospective guests on some of its most popular journeys.

• 6 October 2015, City Golf Club, Toowoomba
• 12 October 2015, Mornington Yacht Club, Mornington
• 15 October 2015, All Seasons, Bendigo
• 23 October 2015, Panthers Events Centre, Port Macquarie
• 27 October 2015, Port Lincoln Hotel, Port Lincoln
• 27 October 2015, Sage Hotel Wollongong, Wollongong

Travel agents can register their clients for these FREE local events here.

Air Vanuatu farewells Malcolm Pryor

Air Vanuatu’s manager, Australia, Malcolm Pryor will be leaving the company after eight years in the role at the end of this month.

“Malcolm has been an exceptional manager of our Australian operations, leading a team of hard working sales, airport and marketing staff,” chief executive officer Joseph Laloyer said.

“Malcolm has seen the airline grow significantly in his time with thanks no doubt to his efforts. He has had a stellar career in the aviation industry and we wish him well.”

Laloyer said Paul Forbes from the Melbourne office has been appointed to the role of Manager, Commercial Australia.

Become a Lindblad expert

To further equip travel agents with the best tools to sell the National Geographic Orion’s highly anticipated 2016 European program, Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic is inviting agents to hear from the Lindblad team during a new webinar series.

Learn about the 11 carefully crafted, perfectly paced itineraries that have been designed to create the perfect balance of active, insightful, exclusive and effortless experience for guests. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about the points of difference for your clients, gain advice on planning your client’s upcoming European expedition voyage – and learn about special savings in 2016.

Be quick to register for these events. See details below:

• Tuesday 29 September, 10.30am AEST http://bit.ly/LEXEU
• Wednesday 30 September, 8.30am AEST http://bit.ly/LEXEU1A

Aussie agents in cosmopolitan Dubai

Fifty of Australia’s highest performing travel agents have returned from Abu Dhabi this week following a 6 day customized experience of the UAE’s capital city.

Run in partnership with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia, the visit is the first of its two-part Mega Famil series open to Australian agents in the coming year.

Selected on the basis of their sales performance and attendance at trade events run by TCA Abu Dhabi, the agents from across Australia were split into 3 different groups, experiencing luxurious accommodation, culinary delights and attractions from right across the diverse destination.

WIN a visit for two to Europe

Visit the night markets in Vienna. Shop for everything from handmade Christmas decorations to festive, woollen clothing or homemade gingerbread. Then warm yourself up with a glass of warm, spicy gluhwein. Did we mention it’s a PRIZE?

The winning prize is eight magical days for you and a friend on a Danube Waltz Viking River Cruise.

All you need to do is tell Viking Cruises in 25 words or less why you would enjoy experiencing Christmas in Europe. Enter here.

Travelmarvel offers more in WA

Travelmarvel has doubled its Kimberley coast cruise departures aboard the 25-suite Coral Expedition 1 for 2016 to cater to increased demand.

Four departure dates are offered aboard the purpose-built catamaran across two itineraries; the 23-day Top End and Kimberley Coast Cruise and the 31-day West Coast Discovery and Kimberley Coast Cruise.

As well as cruising the Kimberley coast, Travelmarvel continues to offer a choice of 18 land tours for 2016 featuring a range of exciting new accommodation and sightseeing.

Book and pay in full ten months in advance and secure an additional saving of up to $600 per couple with Travelmarvel’s Early Payment Discount. Travel with friends in a group of six or more people and Travelmarvel will offer a further discount of up to $600 per couple.

Winning Virgin selfie!

When the Adelaide Crows faced off against the Western Bulldogs in an AFL Elimination Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, at least one footy fan at the ground was distracted from the game by the unexpected presence of Sir Richard Branson at the same function.

Josie Puglia, representative for Geelong, Victoria, was one of ten travel agents who, along with their partners, had been invited as guests of Virgin Australia.  During the hosted pre-match dinner in the MCG’s Olympic Room, the guests were spoken to by Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive of the AFL, before the group proceeded outside to watch the game.

“Sir Richard was sitting a couple of rows behind me during the match,” explains Puglia.  “When Felicity Allan, who is the Industry Sales Manager VIC/TAS for Virgin Australia, introduced me to Sir Richard, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask for a selfie together,” she adds with a smile.

Image: Josie Puglia – (left to right) Sir Richard Branson was the unexpected star of last weekend’s AFL match for TravelManagers’ Josie Puglia (centre) when she was introduced by Virgin Australia’s Felicity Allen (at left).

World Journeys gets busy…

…with deals and products! World Journeys is giving travellers the opportunity to spend New Years’ Eve on The Amazon, get a chance to explore the vibrant Cuba, which has already sold out its first tour in May it looks so good, and go overland and see more on the Persia & the Silk Road tour.

They’ve also got some unique products such as a Downton Abbey Cruise, see one of the hottest beaches right now in Mozambique, and stay at the Marigold Hotel in India, just like the glorious film.

A night in Vegas

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) teamed up with Australian travel agency chain, iTravel, last week to host ten agents for a night of Vegas style entertainment.

Agents were treated to the Sydney showing of Absinthe, a live show which combines old-world burlesque with world-class specialty acts and outrageous comedy.

The iTravel agents; Suzie Kairouz, Linda Hogan, Stacey Arthur, Divina Pratt, Melissa Delvin, Rebecca McHenry, Teresa Christopher and Elizabeth Frasca secured their seats after achieving top sales for Las Vegas during the recent #VegasNOTVegas social campaign, of which iTravel was the retail partner.

The evening enabled agents to familiarise themselves with one of the most unique shows on The Strip and see firsthand why Las Vegas is regarding as the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’.

The champagne flows with Globus

Globus has popped the cork on its 2016 collection of European holidays, introducing new tours across the continent and a string of new unforgettable experiences – including a peek into the cellars of one of the finest Champagne houses in France.

From now until December 1, 2015, Globus is offering earlybird savings of 10 per cent* on all Globus Europe 2016 holidays, allowing savings of up to $1892 per couple. Additional savings of up to $600* per couple are available when tours are combined with international airfares.

Travel Counsellors experience 100% NZ

A group of Travel Counsellors agents recently experienced the very best of New Zealand on a five day ‘mega-fam’ organised by New Zealand Tourism. Olivia Glover, Paayal Chandra, Danielle Catrupi and Lara Burgermeister joined 400 other travel agents from all over Australia on the familiarisation tour designed to showcase the highlights of New Zealand.

With the group divided up to follow different itineraries, Travel Counsellors agents got to experience the diversity of New Zealand by enjoying a range of culinary, cultural, historical and outdoors experiences.

Managing Director, David Hughes comments, “Familiarisation trips like this offer Travel Counsellors agents a chance to experience popular destinations and enhance their already strong sales skills.

“We are proud that we offer so many opportunities for our agents to go on trips like this so that our agents not only have the chance to increase their extensive travel knowledge further, but also to help their ability to sell the destination in the future.”

Wendy Wu goes new

Wendy Wu Tours, has launched its new program for 2016 with the introduction of four styles of touring which includes 15 new tour itineraries as well as the addition of one of the hottest destinations– Maldives.

Styles of touring include the ‘Classic Group Tours’ on which the company‘s reputation has been built, offering great value for money and fully inclusive itineraries. New ‘Discovery  Tours’ have been introduced  to offer a more active program with up close and personal cultural experiences in lesser visited locations with intimate groups of up to 18 people.

The ‘Deluxe’ range has been designed for the more discerning traveller looking for unique experiences, often with activities exclusive to Wendy Wu Tours, along with the highest level of accommodation. The fourth style is the range of  private tours and tailor made arrangements- ideal for independent travellers.

All brochures are currently being delivered to agencies by TIFS. For further queries please contact Wendy Wu Tours on 1300-815 269.

SeaLink launches new Kangaroo Island tour

SeaLink has partnered with Kangaroo Island Wildlife Safaris to launch an exciting new Dudley Peninsula Scenic and Wine coach tour on Kangaroo Island which can be combined with a visit to the islands Penneshaw Markets.

The fun starts with a ferry trip from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw before disembarking at SeaLink’s Ferry terminal where the Penneshaw Markets are only a short walk away.  Enjoy the KI Farmer’s Market and KI Community Markets which are combined to offer regional food direct from the producer, together with artisan crafts, arts and bric-a-brac.

Spend the morning meeting the very people who grow, farm or make Kangaroo Island award winning regional foods – taste the olive oils, wines and honey and learn why and how it is produced or try the Island chef’s ready-to-eat Island produce and home baked snacks and biscuits.

Then board an air-conditioned SeaLink coach for a 3.5 hour tour of local landscapes around the magnificent Dudley Peninsula on the eastern end of Kangaroo Island.  All coach drivers are Kangaroo Island locals and provide informative, friendly and fun commentary throughout the tour.

For further information and bookings visit: www.sealink.com.au.