Summer is officially here everyone! What a better way to celebrate than with an Agent Wrap, and a few glasses of sparkling.

Wu-dolph rewards you with Christmas Cocktails

Christmas comes early at Wendy Wu Tours, with “Wu-Dolph” the Christmas Panda giving out a $20 Dan Murphy’s gift voucher to travel agents with every booking made from 1-20 December.

The new Christmas Mascot from the “Wu-Crew” also brings you a selection of tasty Christmas Cocktails, as inspiration for your bookings!

Agents can fill their Christmas stockings with the Dan Murphy’s gift vouchers when they book any Wendy Wu Tours product valued at more than $2500, with deposits received by 20 December 2017 and travel by end 2018.

As part of the promotion, Wendy Wu Tours’ loveable Wu-dolph the Christmas Panda has crafted the per-fect series of easy cocktails to create over the holidays. Wu-dolph’s signature cocktail for the Dan Murphy’s gift voucher incentive is the delectable Peppermint White Christmas Champagne Cocktail.

Bench Africa hosts their unique ‘Safari for Change’ famil in Hwange, Zimbabwe

Last month travel agents travelled to Hwange, Zimbabwe on the second ’Safari for Change’ famil hosted by Africa travel specialists, Bench Africa.

During this unique program, which combines a traditional famil with the opportunity to raise money for and volunteer in local communities, the agents visited Kapane Secondary School and helped to:
– paint classrooms
– dig a borehole to provide running water
– prepare meals
– supervise sports games

They also raised AU$12,325 for the school and other community projects in the Hwange region.

This is the second ‘Safari for Change’ program, an initiative by Bench Africa and Imvelo Safaris. In order to participate an agent must raise a minimum of $1,000 and volunteer a proportion of their time on the trip to community projects. Bench and Imvelo then distribute the money raised among local community projects. Another unique feature of the program is that Bench Africa are inviting plus ones to participate.

Intrepid opens Costa Rica base as sustainable travel grows in Americas

The Intrepid Group, the world’s largest adventure travel company, has chosen Costa Rica as the location for its Central America operations base with the aim of growing sustainable tourism beyond its borders.

PEAK Central America was opened by Intrepid Group CEO James Thornton in San Jose on Friday and is the latest addition to the company’s fast-growing global network of local destination management companies.

The new office will be the base for 12 operations staff and 70 tour leaders, with a further four operations staff to be based in a satellite office in Mexico City, which is currently the main point of arrival in Central America for more than 40 per cent of travellers on Intrepid Group trips.

While Mexico is one of the world’s top ten tourism destinations, the carbon-neutral travel company chose Costa Rica’s capital as its Central America hub to capitalise on the country’s extensive ecotourism experience and commitment to the environment. Last year Costa Rica produced 98 per cent of its electricity without fossil fuels.

Agents can save for solo travellers on African photo safaris

Agents can now offer their solo traveller clients’ significant savings on African photo safari specialist Pangolin Photo Safaris new ‘Pangolin Khwai Camp’ in Botswana, who are waiving the single supplement in celebration of the opening in March 2018.

Solo travellers can now save US$100 per night at the new intimate property, with a four day package now costing from US$1680 for a single use Meru style tent, it includes three nights’ accommodation at Pangolin Khwai Camp with full board and laundry, twice daily game drives (only four guests per vehicle), night drives, walking safaris and a Mokoro cruise, complimentary use of a DSLR Camera and telephoto lens, memory cards for our cameras as required, all transfers and all park, conservancy fees and tourism levies.

The new Meru-style tented property is located in the Okavango Delta ecosystem on one of the Northern fingers of the Delta on the Khwai Private Reserve, a 200,000ha private concession.

The Pangolin Khwai camp is located on a private concession and game drives can traverse across a huge area with the ability to off road at special sightings as well go on night drives. The Camp has four game viewers which take a maximum of four guests per vehicle.

Back-to-back local business award wins for Mosman Travel

 Mosman Travel backs up its 2016 success with another Local Business Award being added to the office trophy cabinet for 2017.

The 2017 North Shore Local Business Awards were announced recently at a glittering gala presentation, with Mosman Travel being named Best Travel Agency for the second successive year.

The Local Business Awards’ North Shore catchment stretches from Mosman right through to St Ives. Judging criteria covers business history and heritage, marketing, staff training, business and environmental sustainability, successes during the past 12 months, support for the community, and business plans for the future.

11 travel businesses received votes and made Local Business Awards submissions. Six were named finalists, and there was one winner: Mosman Travel.

Helloworld agents get a taste for Hong Kong

18 Helloworld and affiliated agents were recently rewarded for their ongoing support this year at two “Appreciation Yum Cha” events, hosted by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Cathay Pacific Airways.

Whilst indulging in a Chinese banquet at Sky Phoenix Chinese Restaurant and Star Capital Seafood Restaurant, agents from across New South Wales were updated on the vast new developments and events planned for Hong Kong in 2018 and their latest marketing campaign, Hong Kong Great Outdoors‘s, which was launched earlier this month.

Agents are encouraged to sign up to Hong Kong Specialist Club, an online training programme, to keep the up-to-date on all things Hong Kong and also for the chance to attend future “Appreciation Yum Cha” events.

Lucky agent scores European Avalon Waterways adventure

As a part of Avalon Waterways’ wider consumer and marketing campaign, the brand extended the celebration to agents, giving them the opportunity to go in the running to win an eight-day European river cruise for two, with a total value of up to $12,000.

Required to correctly answer a series of multiple choice questions relating to the brand and explain in 25 words or less why Aussies should choose to travel with Avalon Waterways, it was Mount Eliza’s Cruise About agent, Emma de Vos, who scored the top prize.

With a full score and creative prose detailing delicious Amsterdam cheeses and Basel fondue, the announcement came as a surprise to Emma – with her reaction caught on camera.

Agents experience the highlights of Kenya

Six agents, along with a Bench Africa representative journeyed through Kenya to experience the abundant wildlife and adventure on one of Bench Africa’s best selling tours – Kenya Highlights .

The highlights on the trip included visiting the Masai Mara Game Reserve – boasting the largest concentration of animals in Africa, Samburu – home to lions, leopards and the rare reticulated giraffe and Lake Nakuru National Park – famous for its birdlife.

The group were lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to get up close and personal to an adult black rhino. Baraka became the rhino ambassador at Ol Pejeta Conservancy when he unfortunately went blind and had to be taken in. The group had an enriching cultural experience at a Masai village and also witnessed a near kill when, on a game drive, a leopard dashed past them after an impala.

Air Canada celebrates Melbourne agents as new seasonal service prepares to take flight

With Air Canada’s much-anticipated seasonal service between Melbourne and Vancouver due to take flight on Sunday (3 December), the airline took the opportunity this week to thank its Victorian trade partners for their much-valued support.

More than 65 industry guests gathered for a stylish soiree at Melbourne’s Vue Events at Rialto, where they received an exclusive update on Air Canada’s plans for the Victorian market.

The airline’s seasonal 787 Dreamliner service to Vancouver will depart on 3 December and operate four times a week until 4 February 2018, offering a three class configuration: International Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy. Air Canada will then return in June 2018 for a year-round non-stop service departing three times a week from Victoria’s capital.

TTC’s Weekly Deals

Cherry Blossoms

Book with Creative Cruising before 15 December 2017 and you will receive a reduced cruise fare and up to US $150 Onboard credit per stateroom when you book the 16 -night Cherry Blossoms & Circle Japan cruise package. Travelling from Tokyo through Hakodate, Kanazawa, South Korea’s Busan, Hiroshima to Mt Fuji, embrace the hues of cherry blossom pink dispersed across the land of the rising sun onboard this boutique-style award-winning ship through Japan’s waters on an intimate and intensive cruise over 13-nights. This package includes 3-nights’ accommodation in Tokyo, 2-days escorted touring in Tokyo (including Meji Shrine, Shibuya, Kagurazaka, Sensoji Ginza and more), a 13-night Japan intensive cruise on-board Azamara Quest from Tokyo return, main meals and entertainment, select alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks onboard, transfers, and more! Priced from $10,989*pp discount and credit included, cruise departs 14 April 2019. *Conditions apply. Airfares not included. Please visit www.creativecruising.com.au or phone 1300 362 599 for more information.

Kangaroo Island

Your clients can now discover more of their own backyard and lock in an Early Bird Offer when they book any 2018 Australian guided holiday or Inspiring Journey before 13 February 2018. Travellers can SAVE UP TO $292 per couple on the 7-day Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Escape Guided Holiday. Guests of AAT Kings will embark on one of the world’s greatest road trips along the Great Ocean Road and experience for themselves the dazzling scenery of Kangaroo Island and the picturesque Adelaide Hills. They’ll meet local wine, whisky and marron producers and taste their specialities in the Coonawarra, on Kangaroo Island and in the Barossa. This package includes an experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide, quality accommodation, travel in luxury coach, airport transfers, and more! Priced from $2,779 per person twin share (including early bird saving) and available on select departures 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019 (subject to availability). For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit aatkings.com * Conditions Apply.

Master Craftsman

Magic is just around the corner.. There’s just two weeks left of Insight Vacations incredible air deal – fly for just $599* return to Europe when you book any 2018 Europe or Britain escorted journey before 14 December 2017. Guests can combine this air offer with the 22-day Britain & Ireland Discovery from London through York, Edinburgh, Skye, Galway, Kilkenny, Bath and more. This epic adventure illuminates the far-flung corners of the British Isles, revealing the arc of Celtic heritage, culture and legends. Travellers will meet a master craftsman on their guided visit of the world-famous House of Waterford Crystal. Priced from $7,494 per person twin share (including return flights to Europe) price reflective of a range of departures from 25 April to 6 May 2018 (other departures available for alternate price, subject to availability). For full terms and conditions visit insightvacations.com or call 1300 727 767.

European Masterpiece

Just a TWO WEEKS LEFT to take advantage of Trafalgar’s hot Fly for $699 return air deal , where guests can Fly to Europe and Britain return, when they book select 2018 Europe and Britain departures before 14 December 2017. Guests can combine this deal with the 11-day European Splendour Discovery guide that has 100% guarantee of definite departure. Travellers will marvel at the Pietà and sweep their eyes over panoramic views from la tour Eiffel. Explore the highlights of Rome, Florence, Venice, Lucerne and Paris with a few masterpieces in between. Priced from $3,795 per person, twin share PLUS Fly for $699, reflective of select definite departure dates available on 19 July, 9 August and 23 August 2018 (Other departures available for alternate price, airfare not included in from price). For more information or a further selection of Trafalgar’s authentic, fun and effortless guided holidays visit www.trafalgar.com or call Trafalgar on 1800 002 006(toll-free).*conditions apply

Golden Triangle

Book before 20 December 2017 and your clients can receive a FREE room upgrade at each hotel they stay at with Adventure World when they book the 6-day Golden Triangle adventure. Starting in the capital Delhi, guests will explore winding narrow streets crammed with ancient architecture and bustling medieval bazaars. They’ll head to Agra to witness the Taj Mahal in all its unrivalled glory, explore the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri and venture to the fabled “Pink City” of Jaipur to see the magnificent Amber Fort and the Palace of the Winds. Priced from $1,129 per person (including room upgrade valued at $174 per person) which 5 nights’ accommodation, activities and entrances fees as per itinerary, meals as per itinerary, services of a private car and driver, first class trains travel as specified and services of local English speaking guides! Available for departure between 1 March 2018 – 30 September 2018. For more information and full terms and conditions visit Adventure World at www.adventureworld.com call 1300 363 055 *Conditions and blackout dates apply

Go with the flow

You won’t want to miss this. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has returned their Best Offer Ever. Save up to 40% off select 2018 voyages when you book before 31 December 2017. Travellers can combine this unbeatable offer with the NEW 9-day Remarkable Rhine river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam and SAVE from $1,200 per person. Guests will experience a tantalizing mix of art, action and authentic encounters, showcasing The Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland at their postcard-perfect best, deeply delving into local culture and traditions to reveal the rich complexity that lies within. Including 7-days of captivating escorted excursions, a 8-night river cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the River Empress, all meals and beverages unlimited onboard and more! Priced from $2,799 pp twin-share (including discount), departing 14 & 22 March 2018 (other 2018 departures available, price may vary). For more information call 1300 780 231or visit uniworld.com .

HO HO HO

Travellers who book their 2018 Unlimited European (HO HO) Hop-on Hop-off Pass Adventure with Busabout can SAVE 15% before 21 December 2017. Busabout’s HOHO network gives travellers access to 47 of the best destinations across Europe. Whether it’s sunny beaches, delicious foods, Insta-worthy spots or history you’re after, there’s something for everyone, and can we really favour one area over the other? All those sights, culture, history, beer, wine, food and people? Not really. The Unlimited Pass is everywhere in the one ticket. From sweltering Mediterranean beaches to stunning Alpine mountains and incredible, vibrant cities – this will deliver it all. Priced from $1,699 per person twin share (including discount of $300), available on 2018 departures. To book quote promocode EB1. For more information on a range of other Europe and Asia trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/ or call 1300 287 226