Agent Wrap: New AFTA chief mingles, Tripadvisor trials customer-to-agent service + MORE
It’s finally Friday! Or, as we call it in the Travel Weekly office, Agent Wrap day. Check out all the latest news from amongst your industry peers below…
AFTA chief Darren Rudd meets with local MPs
Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) CEO Darren Rudd has been working with local members of parliament by electorate during this turbulent time to ensure the concerns and hopes of ATAS travel agents have a clear and uninterrupted voice to all levels of government, irrespective of political persuasion.
On Wednesday, Rudd met with Federal Member for North Sydney, Trent Zimmerman (see below), which followed last week’s visit to Blacktown where he and Michelle Rowland (MP for Greenway) met with long-established travel agents (featured image).
Tripadvisor tests customer-to-travel agent service
During this quiet period, Tripadvisor has begun working on a new platform connecting consumers to “expert trip designers” for a fee of US$199.
The service, which is called Reco, is currently being beta-tested in the US, according to PhocusWire, and asks travellers to choose trip dates, length of stay, budget and “vibe” so it can pair them up with an agent with expertise in those areas.
So far, it appears Tripadvisor has been tight-lipped about its plans for the platform, with no word yet on when it will be available in Australia.
TravelManagers PTMs do the COVID-19 pivot
Two Western Australia-based personal travel managers (PTMs) have pivoted their business, Travelling Femmes, to offer tailored itineraries that explore their own backyard: Western Australia’s southwest region.
Linda Power and Julie Marchese, who are TravelManagers’ representatives for Aubin Grove and Australind respectively, joined forces in 2019 to sell women-only escorted group tours to overseas destinations such as Lombok, as well as a southwest Western Australia getaway that planted the seed for their latest offerings.
The pair are now liaising with a local Margaret River-based tour operator to offer small group tours in August and September. They have also teamed up with a local day tour operator for a “sunset hike, wine and dine experience”.
“Having wondered at the outset, ‘what if it’s only us’, we have been blown away by the demand for our tours,” Marchese said.
“Our September departure sold out within half an hour, so we had to create another departure in August, which also sold out in record time!”
The pair said they have been able to incorporate the necessary COVID-related precautions into their tours without jeopardising their clients’ safety or enjoyment.
Ally Kilpin celebrates 20 years with MTA
MTA-Mobile Travel Agents’ Ally Kilpin (pictured above, third from left) is celebrating her 20th anniversary with the company having joined as one the original ‘mobile travel agents’. MTA now boasts over 430 mobile travel agents based nationwide.
Based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Kilpin has worked in the travel industry for 40 years in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Together with her business partner and husband Nick (pictured above, far left), they run a highly successful business focusing primarily on corporate travel but, as relationships with clients have grown, they also look after many of their corporates’ leisure travel.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
afta agent wrap mta travelmanagers tripadvisorLatest News
Hotel d’Inghilterra completes its extensive restyling
Hotel d’Inghilterra, the historic and unique accommodation landmark in Rome, has completed its rebirth with the iconic property enhancing its charm event further. Located just a few steps from the iconic Spanish Steps and the Via Condotti, the hotel’s innate elegance has been home of international patrons and Roman nobility since the mid 16th century. […]
Oceania Cruises unveils its new brand value promise to all guests
Culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, Oceania Cruises, has unveiled its ‘Your World Included’ featuring an updated selection of always included amenities. The new offer cements the brand’s promise of ‘Your World, Your Way’ branding and as part of it, all guests will receive included shipboard gratuities for stateroom attendants, butlers, and dining waitstaff automatically in […]
Adventure World unveils new Canada MAKE TRAVEL MATTER campaign
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Intrepid Adventures launches new travel show on Channel 10
Intrepid Travel has launched a new six-part travel series, Intrepid Adventures, premiering on Channel 10 this Sunday, 8 September. In partnership with creative production house, Sloane Media and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, the program shifts the spotlight from traditional tourist sights to the local guides and communities that bring each destination to life. The […]
Luxury Travel Collection reveals ‘Leaders who Lunch’ series
The Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) launched ‘Leaders Who Lunch’ (LWL) with its first event today, bringing together an intimate group of luxury advisors with global luxury partner, Silversea. This new series of intimate, invitation-only lunches will connect influential global senior leaders from LTC’s luxury partner network, with a hand-selected group of members to nurture elevated […]
MSC Cruises hosts ’Deep Dive on Japan’ webinar
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World-first education initiative introduces “Guardian of the Reef” platform
Tourism Tropical North Queensland has partnered with Expedia in the US, UK and Australia to introduce the “Guardian of the Reef”, a world-first platform. Conservation curious travellers can visit the newly launched website and work through a series of short educational videos, each with a coupon reward system to use with Expedia bookings on the […]
Explora Journeys announces godmother for EXPLORA II
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Malaysia Airlines launches direct flight to Paris
Malaysia Airlines has announced direct flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, marking a key milestone in the airline’s European expansion. This route, which will commence on 22 March 2025, represents Malaysia Airlines’ 68th destination, reinforcing its position as the gateway to Asia and beyond. In celebration of the route’s return after nearly […]
Oasia Resort Sentosa unveils new room category and junior suites
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Wunderlich Lane is set to be a premier lifestyle precinct
Just what Sydney needs, more shiny new restaurants to head to after deserting the last lot.
Qatar Airways voted World’s Best MICE Airline by industry experts
Just to clarify, this does not mean that a mouse has ever been spotted on a Qatar airways flight.
GALLERY: Australian Cruise Association: The best of the conference & sport themed gala dinner
With a Brownlow Medal-themed gala dinner, there were plenty of fun outfits on show and great photos to follow!
Fiji Tourism boss pushes for cruise companies to explore more Pacific island options
Likely planned, as both the CEO and COO are on the same page when it comes to putting this question to cruise lines.
Save the date for Entire Travel Group’s summer soirées
This is infinitely better than a wedding 'save the date' where you know you're about to fork out $500.
PROFILE: Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill’s aim to hit the magic 1 million visitor mark
There are 330 islands to explore in Fiji, with its Aussie tourism boss saying we are just scratching the surface.
Can travel really slow-down aging? Research says it can
If you've got a client sitting on the fence about booking their trip with you then send them this. You're welcome.
Cruiseabout celebrates opening of its first store in Adelaide
The real question we want to know the answer to is 'will there be free mints on the desks?'
Virgin Australia Business Flyer launches two new offers
They say you have to be in it to win it. So EAs for Business Flyers looking for a bonus might be interested in this.
Sydney to host Australia’s first-ever Ghost festival!!
In recent years the word "ghosting" has been used by the dating market. It is about time Halloween got the word back.
Quark Expeditions launches new Quote and Hold tool for travel advisors
Tech doesn't need to be scary, you just need to know how to use it. Which tab was it again?
Up Norway names Karoline Hoff as managing director
If you don't know too much about tourism in Norway then now is your time to upskill.
‘I did a lot of soul-searching through Covid’ – Gate 7 founder Jo Palmer on how spirituality has shaped her business
A reminder that underneath all the shiny brochures and floral prints the travel industry really is run by people.
Singapore Airlines offers early bird discounts on over 90 destinations
Book a year in advance and take the headache out of holiday planning, he said. But last-minute is our default.
Cebu Pacific celebrates a decade of Sydney-Manila route with daily flight service
Get on board! Now you can more often as this popular destination heats up. Tell them Travel Weekly's Tito sent you.
Australian Cruise Association heading to Fremantle in 2025, highlights of 26th edition
As if choosing a cruise wasn't hard enough, now there are a plethora of cruise conferences to choose from.
Park Regis by Prince Singapore debuts under a new brand name following extensive refurbishments
The debut of the Park Regis by Prince Singapore marks the global expansion of Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts since launching its new global brand identity in April. Following this rebranding of the property and extensive refurbishment, Park Regis by Prince Singapore is an urban oasis that effortlessly encapsulates the essence of its unique bi-culture […]
Carnival Cruise’s Teresa Lloyd: ‘If sustainable fuel’s not available, we are not coming’
It does sound a little like a toddler throwing a tantrum, if said toddler was an eco-warrior...
Miss the office when travelling? Co-working space to open at Melbourne Airport
Given the cost of one coffee is about $7 at Melbourne Airport, we reckon this one-day membership is a steal.
Barriers ready for Birdsville Races in Queensland’s Simpson Desert
You'll forget the dust and flies, once the beer and bubbles start flowing and the ponies get going.
Scott Dunn names Alison Zacher as global managing director
Our suggestion? First day in the tearoom, don't grab the "Best Dad Ever" mug.
CATO distributes Touring Academy to New Zealand travel agents
We like sharing with our cousins across the ditch. Just don't discuss the current state of our rugby teams.
Aurora Expeditions heads to SE Asia, the Mediterranean and Atlantic Coast for the first time
It is hard to decide whether a hot cruise is better than a cold cruise. The only way to find out is to try both.
CATO welcomes government’s decision to lower travel warning for Egypt
Good news for anyone who has big dreams of seeing the pyramids.
Celestyal team’s evening of entertainment before Opera House show
Sarah Brightman reimagined faded Hollywood star Norma Desmond a little too well we feel.
World Travel Awards Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony
The inscribers of trophies in Manila must have been busy before this event. Hopefully no typos.