Why rail is the ‘new’ cruise
A fun-filled Rail Plus expo is taking Australia and NZ by storm right now, and last night landed in Sydney to keep agents on top of all the latest rail news.
Speaking to media, Rail Plus Commercial Director Ingrid Kocijan said the growth across the range of products is showing that travellers are really getting on board with rail travel (get it, on board?)
But despite the upward swing in bookings, some people still get hesitant at the word ‘train’, thinking more CityRail than luxury adventure.
So Kocijan had the perfect angle to approach it from.
“For us, we see a real opportunity here to jump on board what we see as a “cruising train”,” she said, suggesting train travel is basically just “cruising on rails”.
“It’s perfect for people who love to cruise; you unpack once, you get full itineraries and different excursions.
“There’s a familiarity in rail travel for cruising clients,” Kocijan added.
“People want something different, and today, an agent’s biggest asset is having a market to sell to, and in rail journeys, there’s a big market.
Kocijan also emphasised that Rail Plus wants to “position itself as experts in the field”.
She said not only do they have a dedicated team to help their travel partners, but they have higher commissions than other rail products.
“We’ve got higher value and higher commissions for agents,” Kocijan explained.
Adventure is on the rise too, with Kocijan sharing that travellers are looking at new routes in Alaska, Russia, and other destinations like Central Asia and the Silk Road.
There’s also been strong enquiries into Indian products, she added, while luxury train travel in Spain has seen some of the biggest growth across the board, up 50 per cent in the past year.
In terms of what Rail Plus is doing for agents, Kocijan said it all comes down to education.
“We believe knowledge is power, so we’re trying to get as many of our staff out there as possible, trying our products on the Great Train Journeys range.”
And that’s where the travel industry’s first ever online training program dedicated to Great Train Journeys (GTJ) comes into the picture.
Open to all qualified Australian travel agents, the GTJ Rail Expert program will take agents’ knowledge of key regions, networks and train lines to an new level, with eight themed-modules covering:
- Rocky Mountaineer
- VIA Rail
- Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
- Great Southern Rail
- The Great Journeys of New Zealand
- Belmond & India
- The Americas
- The rest of the world.
At the end of each module, agents will be presented with 10 randomly selected questions, which must be answered – along with a simple creative query – before midday on 6 October 2017.
Every agent who achieves a 60 per cent pass rate will graduate as a ‘GTJ Rail Expert’, and receive an e-certificate.
The top graduate from the inaugural program will receive a $500 VISA Gift card, with prizes also allocated for second- ($250 VISA Gift card) and third-placed ($150 VISA Gift card) finishers. In addition, the top achiever for each modules will win a Kobo e-reader.
“Agents are crying out to learn more about the world’s great train journeys because they recognise the important commercial opportunity these products present,” says Kocijan.
“At the same time, they appreciate that the rail sector is evolving rapidly, and, as in the cruise sector, there is now a broad range of rail products, which they need to understand in order to find the right solution for each customer. The GTJ Rail Expert program will ensure they have ability to do just that.”
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
ingrid kocijan rail plus rail travel rocky mountaineerLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!