Here’s all the latest agent related news, courtesy of your trusted industry source, Travel Weekly…

Season two of Helloworld’s TV show launched

The Helloworld TV Show season two was officially launched at an exclusive event hosted at the Seven Network studios in Melbourne.

With VIPs, show hosts, travel and network personalities in attendance, the event celebrated and welcomed the program back for a second season and give a sneak peak into what the audience can expect this series.

Hosted by returning presenter Ray Martin he was joined by fellow returning presenters Matt Wilson and Vince Sorrenti as well as new face Giaan Rooney,  sharing their excitement at being back for season two of the popular lifestyle program visiting destinations including England, Ireland, Wales, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, South Africa, Rome, Bordeaux, Vanuatu, Fiji, The Kimberley, Dubai and more.

Helloworld will debut its exciting season two on Saturday October 12 across Seven Network channels including 7, 7TWO and 7 plus (on demand).  The 18 week season will be broadcast in two segments starting on 12th October for 6 weeks, then 12 weeks from February 1st 2020.

Global futurist Chris Riddell wows at Flight Centre’s Illuminate

Futurist Chris Riddell presented at Flight Centre’s annual Illuminate event in Sydney, giving delegates an insight into how the next three years will shape and transform the industry.

As a futurist, Riddell looks to see how “humans and business are adapting and changing to see what we can do to get ourselves ready for the future.”

His presentation focused on how the travel industry is going to change and why delegates need to be an extension of what’s happening within the human part of this change.

Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours and McLachlan European Holidays launch agent booking incentive with Singapore Airlines

Agents are invited to take advantage of peak Europe selling season to sell across Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours’ range of over 50 tours for 2020 across four continents; and McLachlan European Holidays’ 220+ tours across Europe, to win their seat on an incredible 10-day Europe famil taking place from 16 to 25 August 2020, flying Singapore Airlines.

Four lucky agents with the highest total gross transaction value of all combined bookings across Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours and McLachlan European Holidays deposited between Monday 14 October 2019 to Friday 13 December 2019 will be rewarded with an incredible European experience.

Global STARS 2019 touch down in Dubai

Top selling agents from around Australia and New Zealand are touching down in Dubai for Global STARS 2019, with 4 days of luxurious adventures and rewards ahead for the high achieving group.

Social events across the four-day event will see agents gather for a welcome function on the open-air rooftop of the Palace Downtown, taking in views of the iconic Burj Khalifa and the magical Dubai Fountain, a range of daytime activities around Dubai, an evening desert safari thanks to Arabian Adventures, a private yacht experience for select members and the all-important Gala Awards Dinner atop the 27^th floor of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in the stunning Al Falak Ballroom, a fitting finale for the Global STARS reward trip.

Global Stars attendees are rewarded thanks to their top seller status, which is achieved through sales across wholesale brands including; Viva Holidays, Sunlover Holidays, Rail Tickets, Ready Rooms, Territory Discoveries and for New Zealand based agents through NZ based wholesale brand GO Holidays, the exclusive group will be experiencing the luxury and culture of Dubai from 10 to 14 October.

Viva Holidays Fiji famil

Viva Holidays recently hosted a famil to Fiji in conjunction with Fiji Airways. The group travelled to the Mamanuca Islands and enjoyed the warmer weather and some water activities staying at Mana Island Resort and Spa and Castaway Island Fiji.

The group then headed down the Coral Coast to the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort where on the final night at dinner the in-house band played a special song dedicated to the Viva Holidays group and the restaurant staff lead the group in a dance. What a lovely way to end the famil with a great group of people!

“Book-tober” and win a free trip with Insight Vacations

Following on from a successful launch of its 2020 Europe and Britain Collection, Insight Vacations is excited to announce an incentive for travel agents – giving away a free Insight trip every week in October.

Launched as part of its ongoing commitment to travel agents, every Insight Vacations or Luxury Gold trip booked and deposited is one entry into the weekly draw. Once the winner has been announced for that week, the draw is reset and all new bookings count towards the new trading week.

Win an Apple iPad with Brand USA’s new Arizona training incentive

Brand USA Australia, in partnership with Arizona Office of Tourism, has announced an exciting new trade incentive.

To celebrate the newly launched Arizona Specialist Badge on the USA Discover Program, The Arizona Office of Tourism is giving away an Apple iPad. The USA Discovery Program is an interactive online training program that provides travel agents with the knowledge and skills needed to more effectively book trips to the USA.

From the best wellness spots, top accommodation options, must-do adventure activities and must-try food and drink, the Arizona Specialist Badge is a training module that informs and educates agents on Arizona’s many destination offerings.

To be in the draw to win an Apple iPad, agents will simply need to register for the USA Discovery Program and complete the Arizona Specialist Badge. Registered users who have already completed the Arizona Specialist Badge will automatically be entered.

The incentive will run for three weeks, from Monday 8th October until Thursday 31st October 2019. Winners will be drawn on Friday 8th November 2019.

Bunnik Group’s mega-famil to Sri Lanka

Bunnik Group provided 45 lucky agents with a chance to join their first-ever Sri Lankan mega famil.  The famil is in full swing and the group is currently in Sri Lanka for the ten-day visit led by Dennis and Marion Bunnik

The famil group departed Australia on 3 October flying with Singapore Airlines and will return on 13 October.

Agents inspired by South Pacific destinations at Treasures of the South Pacific event

Travel agents gathered this week to attend Treasures of the South Pacific, a series of events designed to educate and inspire Australian travel agents about the variety of tourism product and experiences available across the South Pacific.

Fiji Airways and Pacific Trade Invest, Australia helped sponsor the events, hosting over 40 travel agents in Newcastle on Tuesday 01 October August, and over 100 travel agents in Sydney the following evening.

Agents were inspired by the culture, nature, creativity and adventurous spirit that the South Pacific has to offer as they gained knowledge and insights from tourism office representatives including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Norfolk Island, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and the Hidden Treasures of the Pacific.

You’re all in it to win it: Club Med opens 2020 VIP trip invite to all agents and travel groups

Club Med has announced exciting new details of their infamous VIP reward trip for 2020, promising hard-working agents a stunning destination experience and even more chances of winning.

Each year, the all-inclusive resort provider, Club Med, treat 20 top-selling travel agents from Australia and New Zealand to an unforgettable VIP travel experience.

Plus, as a first for Club Med, four additional wildcard invites are also up for grabs!
To win a wildcard invitation, travel agents must show:

• Increased Club Med sales year on year, both as an individual and as an agency
• Innovation and forward thinking to grow their Club Med business
• Proactive efforts and a willingness to know about Club Med
• Great Club Med spirit throughout the year

The year isn’t over yet and there’s still time to secure a spot on the invite list. Club Med’s 24 places on the 2020 VIP be based on sales made between 1 January and 30 December 2019, for any travel period.

Agents can access the exciting details including the location and dates for the 2020 VIP trip by visiting into the dedicated travel agent portal.

NYC & Company and Broadway Inbound host Infinity agents at Chicago the musical

NYC & Company and Broadway Inbound hosted a group of 10 Infinity agents to see Chicago the musical in Sydney. Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history running continuously since 1996, winning a Tony Award the same year.

The agents were reminded of the magic of Broadway in New York City and the importance of ensuring everyone pre-books their Broadway experience. Infinity has access to more than 40 Broadway shows in New York City and is able to book any these for clients.