It’s Friday, and no one feels like doing the rounds of the latest agent info.

So we’ve gone ahead and done it for you! From famil snaps to special deals, here’s the lowdown on all things agent before you nick off for a well-deserved weekend.

Animals meet on Sunshine Coast

Business Events Sunshine Coast (BESC) hosted a three day famil for delegates attending the Convene Q Expo in Brisbane, allowing buyers to experience the diversity and appeal of the Sunshine Coast region as a business events destination first hand.

One of the favourite venues for the group was Australia Zoo, where delegates were able to talk to the animals – and the Zoo’s human events team – and hear why there is no better destination for an ‘animated’ conference, incentive or function than the Sunny Coast.

PARKROYAL partners for good food and wine

PARKROYAL PARRAMATTA & GOOD FOOD & WINE SHOW CELEBRITY CHEF EVENT with Alastair McLeod, Gary Mehigan & Miguel Maestre
Parkroyal Parramatta, 30 Phillip Street, Parramatta
Thursday 6th August, 2015
Photographer: Belinda Rolland © 2015

PARKROYAL Parramatta is proud to be an official hotel sponsor for the 2015 Good Food and Wine Show. Each year the Good Food and Wine Show brings the best chefs from across Australia and around the globe to Sydney and this year is no exception.

Over the three-day event from Friday August 7 through to Sunday August 9 2015, the hotel will house celebrity chefs Alastair McLeod, Gary Mehigan and Miguel Maestre amongst many other dynamic chefs.

To launch the 2015 show, PARKROYAL Parramatta hosted an exclusive VIP event on the evening of Thursday August 6 2015 headlined by chef and TV personalities, Alastair McCloud and Gary Mehigan, along with talented Spaniard, Miguel Maestre. The trio treated guests to a memorable and intimate evening, sharing their expert kitchen tips.

Vanuatu open for business

Ten Travel Counsellors from all over Australia have recently discovered the tropical delights of Vanuatu on an exclusive familiarisation tour hosted by Vanuatu Tourism Office and Air Vanuatu.

The six-day familiarisation tour showcased the very best of Vanuatu, showing this spectacular land of contrasts where you can jump from the coral-filled blue hole to zip-lining through tropical forests, watching active volcanoes and relaxing on the whitest sand beaches. Vanuatu is open and awaiting holidaymakers seeking relaxation, beach time and a dose of sunshine.

Cebu puts a spring in your step

Cebu Pacific Air has launched a seat sale to the Philippines until August 9 (or while seats last), giving travellers the chance to embrace a supreme spring vacation.

CEB is giving travellers the chance to experience an exciting end of year getaway with all-inclusive AU$199 seats on return flights from Sydney to Manila. This sizzling sale has CEB pulling out all the stops to give travellers the chance to travel between October 1, 2015 and November 30, 2015.

TFE takes off to Christchurch

Get adventurous, head to New Zealand and save this winter when you stay with TFE Hotels in Christchurch. Visit Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch for one night and save 25% off your stay.

Deal: Winter Special with TFE Hotels

Book by: 30 September, 2015

Stay: Rendezvous Hotel, Christchurch

Price: Prices from $159NZD based on Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch – save 25%

Conditions: Not available with any other offer. Minimum 1 night stay applies at Rendezvous 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 Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch (winter escapes available nationwide)

Head to Wilpena for a safari stay

Visit the Heart of South Australia and save up to 45% at Wilpena Pound Resort and Ikara Safari Camp.

At Wilpena Pound Resort pay just $130 a night in the Aroona or Brachina Room (standard room types), $150 a night for a Heysen Room or just $165 a night for an Edeowie Room (deluxe room types).

For a spot of glamping, pay just $161 a night for a Safari Tent at Ikara Safari Camp. The deal is valid for sale from now until 21 September 2015 and valid for travel until 31 March 2016.

MTA agent off to Nevada

Mobile Travel Agents’ Belinda van Tholen has been nominated for the 2015 Virtuoso ‘Most Innovative Advisor’ award.

The Launceston-based consultant will be jetting off to Nevada along with MTA CEO, Don Beattie and a contingent of her fellow MTA members to attend the 2015 Virtuoso Travel Week at the Bellagio Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas.

Belinda is one of only six consultants to be nominated for the award which recognises the international travel advisor who has demonstrated the most innovative, imaginative and out-of-the-box thinking in selling travel.

Railbookers brings on Pagotto

Lisa Pagotto has recently joined rapidly growing rail specialist Railbookers in the newly created role of Partnerships and Distribution Manager to strengthen their increasingly popular customised journeys by rail worldwide.

With a highly successful background in sales, marketing and partnerships, Lisa brings with her 13 years of industry experience and a wealth of destination knowledge, management and travel experience.

Lisa will be charged with all sales, marketing, PR, partnership and distribution activities throughout the Australasian region.

Cruise Team brings new brochure

The CRUISE TEAM is excited to announce the launch of a major agent collateral initiative, to be known as TIME TO CRUISE.

This 16 page, full colour mini-brochure offers 50 of The Cruise Team’s most popular cruise packages and covers all types of cruising from lead-in, repositioning, high-end luxury cruises, river cruising as well as expedition style ocean cruising.

Bonus Night for travel agents

Rayavadee has announced a Bonus Night Offer for travel agents booking guest stays from Australia at the acclaimed resort in Krabi, Thailand throughout September 2015.

This offer is combinable with Rayavadee’s current Half Board Offer (THB1500 net per person instead of THB2200 net per person) and Honeymoon Offer.

The Rayavadee September Bonus Night Offer applies for new minimum 3-night bookings across all room categories including daily breakfast for stays from 1 – 30 September 2015.

There is a maximum 5 free nights available and the offer is not for sale to online travel agents.