Back again to keep you fresh and current on all the latest news in the agent world!

From the famil snaps and cruising deals to hotel specials and incentives – this is the place to get all your industry tidbits in one place.

P&O set to rock Sydney

P&O Cruises has revealed details of its history-making five ship spectacular which is set to rock Sydney Harbour on November 25, including performers from Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, Samantha Jade, Justice Crew and Stan Walker, as well as 20 other live music acts and 10 DJs across all the ships.

More than 9000 passengers will be able to enjoy the special concerts, while all of Sydney will enjoy the spectacle of five ships on the harbour, beginning with a Salute to Sydney which will see the fleet form a V off the heads before they sail single file into the harbour.

The P&O parade will mark the arrival of the line’s two latest ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, which will be officially named as they sail by Sydney’s Fort Denison together once they’ve sailed into the harbour.

Malaysia me crazy

From left to right are: Stephen Ninis (Malaysia Airlines), Katie Mcdonald (Flight Centre Highpoint), Eleni Vailas (RACT Travel), Vanessa Iacono (Flight Centre Niddrie), Tara Sottile (Pakenham Travel), Joshua Murdoch (Escape Travel Bendigo), Sallyanne Jackson (Helloworld Ashburton), Jeanette Edwards (Flight Centre Croydon), Lena Froelich (Complete Travel Marketing representing Berjaya Hotels & Resorts).

Tourism Malaysia partnered with Malaysia Airlines and Berjaya Hotels & Resorts to treat seven lucky travel agents from Victoria and Tasmania to a seven-day famil to Malaysia.

First stop for the group was the tropical island of Langkawi, followed by accommodation at the iconic Berjaya Langkawi Resort in the ancient rainforest, and a stopover in Kuala Lumpur for the best of entertainment, shopping and culinary Malaysia’s capital has to offer.

The famil that ran from 23 to 28 July enabled agents to receive first-hand experience of Malaysia as a destination and its offering for Australian travellers.

Topdeck takes youth to US

Although the USA dollar is sinking, Topdeck has noticed that Aussie’s are still flocking to the USA, in particular young travellers.

So Topdeck’s new 2016 USA brochure, featuring 21 trips, has a new design where the articles and information are designed to speak in the same language as today’s youth passengers.

Travellers will be able to explore New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami to name a few, and additionally, the brochure includes new trips such as the 24-day Coast to Coast and 25-day West Coast Cruiser and new experiences such as entry to the One World Observatory and the 360 Chicago Observatory.

MTA ambassador visits Middle East refugees

Mobile Travel Agents’ long time brand ambassador, Jessica Watson OAM, has recently returned from a trip to the Middle East where she visited the Azraq refugee camp and the Save the Children Youth Centre in Jordan and the Qab Elias Refugee Informal Settlement in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

While in Beirut, Jessica was also given the opportunity to take a group of Lebanese and Syrian children sailing and share her passion for the ocean with them.

Mobile Travel Agents co-managing directors, Karen and Roy Merricks admit to being inordinately proud of Jessica, saying, “She was always our number one choice to be the face of MTA and is a perfect mirror of what we feel the MTA brand embodies.”

Dusit takes on eLan

Left to right: Mark Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of eLan Property Group; General Chatchai Sarikalya, Thai Minister of Commerce; Mr. Chanin Donavanik, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Dusit International

Dusit International has entered into an exclusive agreement with South Africa-based eLan Property Group to manage several hotels and resorts in southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.

According to the agreement, Dusit will initially manage five hotel and resort projects: two in South Africa, two in Mozambique and one in Mauritius; a total of around 1,400 rooms across nine hotels. Dusit will also work closely with the eLan Property Group on a regional hospitality education project.

Project details are currently being finalised and will be revealed in due course.

Globus goes loco for Latin America

Globus has captured the spirit and passion of Latin America in its first brochure of South American holidays, offering more than a dozen different adventures across the continent – from the ruins of Machu Picchu to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and the remote wilderness of Patagonia.

To celebrate its new brochure, Globus is offering an early booking discount of 10% on all Globus 2016 South & Central America holidays booked by September 15, 2015.

Dozens of unforgettable experiences are available in destinations including Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Easter Island, Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands, among others.

Abu Dhabi on the road

Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry is embarking on a four destination roadshow to Australia next week in a bid to increase awareness about the emirate’s growing business and tourism opportunities.

The 11-strong delegation, led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) will be in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney from August 3-6, advising Australian retail travel agents and MICE consultants on current and new tourism experiences and offerings across Abu Dhabi.

Scenic on safari

Scenic has launched its 2016 Africa program which includes the launch of a new extended itinerary and a number of new Enrich experiences and Freechoice activities.

Guests can now join Scenic for twenty wonder-filled days exploring Southern and East Africa on a new itinerary travelling from Cape Town to Nairobi – 20 Day Great Game Parks of Africa.

Scenic is offering a number of Earlybird offers including partner fly free to Africa with savings of up to $2,000 per couple including taxes, and savings of up to $1,500 per couple, on bookings made before 31 December.

TFE deals of the week

This week’s hot deal release includes TFE Hotel’s Brisbane sale, which includes 25% off selected TFE Hotels in Brisbane including: Travelodge, Rendezvous or Adina Apartment Hotels.

Visit Travelodge Hotels or Rendezvous Hotels for three nights, or Adina Apartment Hotels for 4 nights, and save 25% off your stay.

Deal: Warm up this Winter with TFE Hotels

Book by: 11 October, 2015

Stay: Adina Apartment Hotels, Rendezvous Hotel or Travelodge Hotel in Brisbane

Price: Prices from $97AUD based on Travelodge Garden City – save 25%

Conditions: Not available with any other offer. Minimum 3 night stay applies at Rendezvous or Travelodge Hotels. Minimum 4 night stay applies at Adina Apartment Hotels. Offer is subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply. Rate is prepaid at time of booking and is non-changeable and non-refundable. No cancellation, no changes and fully prepaid.

Inclusions: This offer is for Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square, Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane on George, Travelodge Garden City (winter escapes available nationwide)