Friday is here, Friday is here – we can barely hold in our excitement!

Ok, now that’s out of the way, let’s wrap this up fast. We’re snacking on bacon and egg wraps this morning after getting prematurely excited about the weekend last night.

So it’s time for all your agent news, and a hop over to the pub for a steak and cider.

Happy Friday agents!

Discounts of Eurail

Agents looking to secure great rail rates for clients heading to Europe over the festive season this year and Europe ski season early next year will appreciate International Rail’s special offers on a range of Eurail passes available for purchase until December 31.

Receive 20 per cent discounts on Eurail Global and Select Passes in both first and second class. And receive a free day of travel on Eurail one country and regional Passes.

The Eurail Global Flexi Pass (also known as Eurorail) allows use over a two month period for travel through 28 countries in Europe, including France, Italy, Germany and many more. Pay as little as $76 per person per day on a 10 day pass over two months.

The discounted rail passes are valid for travel until March 31, 2016. The Free Day has no travel limits but passes must be validated within six months of being issued.

Infinity sneak peak!

The highly anticipated Vietnam & Cambodia brochure is currently at the printers and will be in store to inspire customers by the 28th of October!

You don’t need to wait until then to check it out, view it online now by clicking the following link: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/e9b5de2e. Featuring things like new beach escapes, Ho Chi Minh tours, local eating experiences and more.

TravelManagers join agent invasion of NZ

What do you get if you cross 400 Australian travel agents with four million Kiwis?  A New Zealand mega-famil incorporating 21 different tailor-made itineraries covering activities such as skiing, cycling, wine-tasting and even bridge-swinging… plus everything in between.

Billed as “Six Days. Two Airlines. One Destination,” the All-Stars famil was hosted by Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Tourism New Zealand and aimed to give Australian travel agents a taste of the best New Zealand has to offer.  To qualify, agents had to take an online quiz, after which 400 lucky agents from a range of states, agencies and years of experience were selected.

The lucky participants paid just A$200 to take part in the famil, with 21 different itineraries that focused on particular regions or interests.

All of the famil itineraries commenced in Auckland with an educational workshop and welcome event before agents departed on their tailor-made itineraries.  This is the second year this mega-famil concept has operated by Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia in conjunction with Tourism New Zealand, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

World Journeys last chance

World Journeys say there is still time to take advantage of the Early Booking Offer on their range of 2016 small group hosted journeys. Book and deposit by 30 October to not only save $200 per person, but avoid a planned price rise which may see some prices rise by up to 8% in response to exchange rate fluctuations.

Secure your clients’ places now on these journeys, some of which are filling up early, with destinations ranging from Japan to Cuba, South America, Southern Africa, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Vietnam and Cambodia, Persia and the Silk Road, Ethiopia and Sudan.  All 2016 tours are guaranteed departures, and guaranteed to be hosted.

Contact World Journeys 1800 155044 or info@worldjourneys.com.au or go to worldjourneys.com.au.

Party on the Sunshine coast

The Sunshine Coast Annual Christmas Party is back for its second year.

This isn’t a product evening, simply an event for the travel industry on the Sunshine Coast to get together, share a drink, network and celebrate a great year in travel in the region. To be held on Wednesday 18 November.

You can view the online version of the invitation here. Agents must RSVP using the link in the invitation or you can do it here.

MTA members get chilly

Pictured, at the Franz Josef Glacier  MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’  Geoff Metcalfe, Tegan Gray and Sarah Bateman, three of the five MTA consultants  who took part in the recent Air New Zealand All Stars Familiarisation to New Zealand.

Seconded to ‘Team Richie McCaw’ the trio’s packed itinerary included Auckland, Canterbury, West Coast and Queenstown participating in a host of activities.

Highlights included punting on the River Avon in Christchurch, twilight trekking on the Franz Josef Glacier and Shotover Jet boating in Queenstown.

Sharpen your photography skills with Lindblad

Teaching Moment, Kim Heacox, National Geographic Writer and Photographer, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

To showcase the best in expedition travel and world-class photography, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has again joined forces with Australia’s leading camera retailer, Ted’s Cameras, to launch its 2016/17 Explorations brochure.

With events held this October in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra, Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic invites agents and their clients to be among the first to discover the 2016/17 Explorations brochure, as well as hear first hand from special guest, Adam Cropp, who’ll be attending some of the events.

Son of renowned filmmaker and explorer Ben Cropp, Adam grew up on photography and film and will share with guests his passion for capturing images of remote locations and exotic creatures, having spent time all over the globe, from the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea to the frosty frontiers of Antarctica and everywhere in between.

RSVPs essential – to reserve your place at one of these sought-after events, please see the details below.

BRISBANE: 27 October – MODA Events Portside; 2pm and 6pm

SYDNEY: 28 October – Kirribilli Club; 2pm and 6pm

MELBOURNE: 29 October – RACV City Club; 2pm and 6pm

CANBERRA: 17 November – Hotel Hotel; 2pm and 6pm

Responsible tourism in 2016

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be holding its annual PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart (AT&RTCM 2016) in Chiang Rai next year.

The conference and travel mart will be taking place at the Dusit Island Resort in the historic northern city of Chiang Rai, Thailand from February 17-19, 2016 under the theme “Creating Experiences, Sharing Opportunities”.

The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2016 is a three-day event that brings together tourism professionals in the adventure travel and responsible tourism sectors, to discuss opportunities for promoting environmental protection and social sustainability.

For more information or to register for the event as a seller, buyer, conference or media delegate, please visit www.PATA.org/ATRTCM-2016 or email ATRTCM@PATA.org.

American adventures

Adventure World’s Grand American Adventures agent famil travelled in October, giving agents the chance to explore the amazing experiences of the US.

Beginning with an exploration of the cultural melting pot of San Francisco, the group headed east across the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge through California’s historic gold country and into scenic Yosemite National Park. They then continued on to Death Valley, one of the hottest and driest places on earth, and on to Las Vegas to experience all that Sin City has to offer.

After a night in Las Vegas, the group headed to the spectacular Grand Canyon before beginning their journey back up the West Coast taking in the sights of infamous Route 66, the mighty Colorado River and Lake Havasu. The incredible experience culminated with a drive through Mojave Desert en route to Los Angeles.

Image: Clockwise from bottom left: Mike Milner, Andy Kirkman, Chelsea Wall, Patricia de los Reyes, Terry Donovan, Nicky Chapman, Amy Middleton (NB: missing Liz Cullen).

Creative credits

Continuing its commitment to great value and exceptional service, Creative Holidays has released its fantastic Singapore Airlines Europe Earlybird offers including a BONUS $100 land credit per person for clients when booked with a minimum of four nights’ accommodation.

For example, clients could fly economy return to Europe with Singapore Airlines from just $1569 when booked before 9 November, 2015 for travel between 1 March and 30 September, 2016.

Plus, agents who issue Singapore Airlines Europe Earlybird tickets through Creative Holidays before 9 November, 2015 also have the chance to win two tickets to anywhere on the Singapore Airlines network.

Creative Holidays will be awarding the top two sellers of these great value airfares with two tickets each to anywhere Singapore Airlines flies. So you and a friend could be off to Europe, Asia, America or even the Maldives. Booking either wholesale or retail airfares issued through Creative Holidays both count towards your final tally.

Terms and conditions apply. For more information visit creativeholidays.com/agents or call 131 222.

It’s going to be a DRY Christmas…

…and we don’t mean the heat!

World Journeys received a communication overnight from a Sri Lanka supplier advising that some hotels will not be serving alcohol on Christmas Eve nor Christmas Day!

The 24^th December is Poya (Full Moon) Day and the following day has been declared an “Excise Holiday” by the Excise Department of Sri Lanka. At the moment they don’t believe any World Journeys guests are effected, though are double checking and suggest others contact their hotel as may need to stock up!