Big Fat Agent Wrap

Another week down and it is soon to be the weekend. This past week the agents of Australia have enjoyed famils to afar, roadshows of engaging and entertaining varieties and really got out enjoyed, well, being travel agents. Afterall, it is the best job in the world, selling travel dreams. Happy Friday to you all.
Travel Agents experience Space-Ship Scenic Amber
Scenic invited a lucky group of travel agents on board the newest Scenic Space-Ship Scenic Amber. Boarding in the Baroque town of Passau, set on the confluence of Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, they travelled through Germany and Austria over seven days.
After crossing into Austria, agents were among the first Scenic guests to experience a brand new Scenic Enrich activity for the 2016 river cruising season – ‘The Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’. An exclusive production performed in the rolling hills of Salzburg which was a huge hit with everyone who loved the performance of all the catchy classics and the authentic Austrian lunch. Two years in the making – from concept development, castings, rehearsals and set up – agents enjoyed the 90 minute show which features a professional cast of seven actors including a children’s choir, and a 16-strong orchestra.
With two days in Vienna, agents chose from a range of Freechoice activities including; a guided tour of Bratislava or Schönbrunn Palace; a visit to the world-renowned Spanish Riding School and see the famous Lipizzaner Stallions perfecting their skills during their morning exercise program; or ‘Shop with a Chef’ at the local food markets with the on board chef. Everyone also experienced the popular Scenic Enrich event at Palais Liechtenstein where they attended a private Viennese evening concert featuring music of Strauss and Mozart.
The cruise concluded with the official christening ceremony for Scenic Amber. Angela Turen christened the third next-generation Scenic Space-Ship Scenic Amber at a special ceremony for media and travel industry leaders from Australia, New Zealand, UK and North America in the Austrian town of Passau on ANZAC Day – Monday 25 April.
Hawai‘i Tourism wraps up Aloha Down Under in Sydney
A little bit of Hawai‘i came to The Westin Hotel, Sydney, with a show of music, dancing and colour not to mention Hawaiian inspired cuisine.
A record 28 operators from the Hawaiian Islands met with over 200 travel agents in Sydney at the first trade event for the annual Aloha Down Under Roadshow.
Agents were greeted and entertained by performers from Germaine’s Lū‘au on O‘ahu before meeting with operators and learning more about the Hawaiian Islands.
Avid traveller, filmmaker and Hawai‘i advocate Tim Charody took on an MC role engaging the four island chapters of O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i in a chat show type format to get a personal take on the diversity of the four main islands.
There was even a hula competition with one of the prizes for the best hula being a trip for 2 to the Hawaiian Islands flying with Hawaiian Airways.
The roadshow continues tonight on the Gold Coast.
TravelManagers celebrate 2nd year Cruiseco Membership with 2 consecutive year award wins
TravelManagers’ Cruiseco membership has started off with a bang! TravelManagers was the only exclusive home-based company to receive the ‘Top 5 in sales’ award, recognizing the companies’ significant sales contribution for both 2013-14 year and 2014-15 year. In addition TravelManagers received an award acknowledging the company as a member of Cruiseco’s ‘Million Dollar Club’, also for the second consecutive year.
TravelManagers’ executive general manager Michael Gazal sees the cruise market as robust and the consecutive award wins for increasing sales results as proof that the TravelManagers’ home-based consulting concept is strong.
The conference allowed a mix of scheduled seminars with casual exhibition time allowing delegates to spend time with Cruiseco’s cruise partners, as well as key note speakers, panel discussions and interviews.
First ever Latin America travel shows to benefit Ecuador earthquake appeal
The first ever public travel expos for Latin America in Sydney on Sunday, May 15, 2016, and Melbourne on Sunday, May 22, will include a fundraising drive for victims of the earthquake last month in Ecuador.
Organised by the Australian Travel Association for Latin America (ATALA), the inaugural Latin America Travel Week will also include free travel expos for the public from 10am-4pm at the Sydney Town Hall on Sunday, May 15, 2016, and from 10am-4pm at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday, May 22, 2016. The public will be invited to donate gold coins to the UNHCR’s Ecuador Earthquake Appeal.
The free public travel shows will bring together – for the first time – airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour and travel operators, tourism bodies and specialist agents from Australia and Latin America – all showcasing 20 countries in South and Central America as well as cruises to Antarctica. Among the 52 exhibitors will be the tourism bodies of Chile, Brazil and Colombia which have never fronted an Australian travel show before.
Latin America Travel Week is backed by major sponsors LATAM Airlines group and PROMPERÚ, with silver sponsors Turismo Chile and Ecuadorian tour operators, Metropolitan Touring and Latin Trails.
Meanwhile, the invitation-only travel agent workshops with complimentary drinks and canapes, will be held in Sydney on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, and in Melbourne on Thursday, May 19, 2016. At each workshop, one lucky, attending agent will win a luxury US$12,000 holiday to Peru or Chile for two people including flights. The Peru prize is courtesy of LATAM Airlines, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Hotel B and Delfin Amazon Cruises while the Chile holiday is courtesy of LATAM Airlines, The Singular Patagonia, The Singular Santiago, Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa and Vira Vira Hacienda Hotel.
Agents at the workshops will also be able to hear first-hand the effects of the Ecuador earthquake with all major tourist attractions and regions intact and operating normally.
Travel agents interested in attending the Latin America agent workshops in Sydney and Melbourne can register their interest at www.atala.com.au or by emailing admin@atala.com.au.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
ATALA Hawaii Tourism scenic travelmanagersLatest News

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils
TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil
TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events
AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade
Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar
Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025
CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events
NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

Engine delays plaguing Air New Zealand as carrier set to suspend Incheon-Auckland route
We never liked being at the back of the queue, and this is a big one to jump.

Australia’s aviation future takes flight: An exclusive with Simon Westaway
As you walk through your next Australian airport, from ABX to YWYY, remember this face, he may be there.

Destination Vancouver brings World Chef Exchange event to Sydney
We are sure that with Mark Best in the kitchen, there was more on offer than poutine and fries.

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

Envoyage-hosted National Travel Group joins Luxury Travel Collection
As this market continues to grow, make sure you get along to our own Travel Weekly Luxury Roadshow.

Airports Council International labels Newcastle Airport most sustainable in Australia
Newcastle says it will be the green gateway into Australia, maybe the football team needs some new colours to match.

Vintage Rail Journeys’ unique Bathurst Race’N Rail packages now on sale
You might not get there as fast but you are guaranteed to save on fuel on the way there.

Patricia Piccinini’s skywhales return to tour Australia
These freaked us out when we first saw them, almost as bad as the contents of the fridge after we returned from leave.

David Fraser returns to Accor as VP of operations for Sofitel Pacific
We hope Monsieur Fraser is catching up on his French as he will no doubt be dealing with HQ.

A foodie adventure at Disneyland Resort in California: Snack Attack on the Go
As far as levels of cuteness go, Disneyland Resort's Mickey beignets take the cake or should that be churros.

Minor Hotels unveils Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, its first property in India
Treated like a Raj for a few hundred a night, we like the sound of that. Just don't mention the cricket.

Four Seasons announces new luxury resort and private residences in UAE
These resorts are built on reclaimed land made with sand, fortunately there is plenty of it.

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests
Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]

MSC Cruises announces MSC World Asia Webinar
Let's hope the words 'You are on mute' will never be uttered ever again.

Legendary Italian hotel, Il San Pietro di Positano, opens new clothing and accessories boutique
Anyone planning a trip to Italy this northern summer should leave room in their Louis Vuitton luggage.

AAT Kings’ NT boost with air credits
AAT Kings really dominates travel in the Top End and news like this only adds fuel to the fire.

Camino Women and Laos’ Khiri Travel announce new mountain trail for Australian women
Responsible tourism starts with one foot in front of the other. This trek sounds like there are a few more steps.

Thousands of dollars worth of prizes on offer through ATIA’s ‘Rockstar Renewal’ campaign
Of course it's nice to be called a rockstar, but we'd like to be a part of the superstar surge personally.

Sally Miles joins Linkd Tourism’s trade team
Having lived in the US and Japan, Sally will no doubt thrive in this role!

Maximise your Emirates journey with complimentary hotel stays in Dubai
Any freebie is a good freebie, but a free hotel in Dubai has to be pretty high on the list.

Celebrity Xcel unveils ‘The Bazaar’ set to transforms onboard experiences
No word if Xcel will make its way to Australian shores - we'd expect koala cuddling and kangaroo boxing.

CT Partners expands focus on business meetings and events
AIME is looking like it will be bigger than Ben Hur... it was a movie? Charlton Heston? Never mind.

South Africa’s The Royal Portfolio appoints Nigel Pace as executive head of sales to ultra-luxury portfolio
First job on the list is to visit all the luxury properties in the portfolio. Next, he'll be perusing all the menus...

Radisson Hotel Group concludes record-breaking year
40,000 keys is a lot of keys. We wonder if there is a master key to all of these.

Countdown underway for 2025 Visit USA Expo in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
The two-week countdown is on, but we've been counting down for nearly 50 weeks since the last one!

WA Labor commits $500,000 to a study for future Broome cruise passenger terminal
Given the emerging popularity of cruising in this part of the world, another stop is welcome.

Maximum Occupancy New Zealand conference to return to Auckland in March
If we were to take a stab in the dark we'd say this one's all about getting those rooms full... Just a guess!

NRMA’s Turtle Sands Nature resort officially opens
For some of us, sometimes there is a bit too much nature. Try explaining to the little ones why mum buries the kids.