Is it just us, or has this been the longest short week ever? So long that by the time you finish reading this agent wrap, we’ll be three drinks deep at the pub across the road.

Who’s the first agent heading to the Galapagos with G Adventures?

In a surprise twist, leading small-group tour operator G Adventures has announced a winner of a thirteenth, bonus spot on their popular incentive, UMI in the Islands.

Rebecca Owen from STA Brisbane has been announced as the first agent on their way to the Galapagos. The announcement was made via video, in the UMI Australia/NZ Facebook page. To decide who would get the lucky space, the names of all 1,411 members of the UMI Australia/NZ Facebook group were written on post-its and then stuck onto the balls in the Outpost’s infamous ball pit meeting room.

The winning ball was then randomly drawn by Director of Sales (Australia and New Zealand), Ingrid Kocijan who, whilst donning a seal onesie, dived into the ball pit and came out with the ball with the lucky winners name. The other twelve spots on UMI in the Islands, which will have agents spotting giant tortoises, sea lions and island birds in abundance, will be given to the six top sellers as well as six randomly picked agents who have booked at least one client during the months of the incentive.

So, who else is heading to the islands? G Adventures promises that all will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

Helloworld Travel Pakenham on show!

Helloworld Travel Pakenham were out and about with the Pakenham locals recently at the 2018 Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticulture Show, celebrating its 107th year.

With thousands flocking to the show across the day, the team at Helloworld Travel Pakenham were on hand with all of the latest brochures, travel deals and prizes to win, including a $200 Urban Adventure voucher thanks to Intrepid Travel. Official Helloworld Travel mascot Helloroo was also in attendance to help entertain the crowd.

Canberra and Melbourne agents get educated on new Hong Kong developments

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in conjunction with Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines hosted 60 Canberra based travel consultants at the Burbury Hotel Canberra on Tuesday 20 March 2018.

The event followed a similar trade event in Melbourne, which was held at the Emerald Peacock on Tuesday 6 March 2018 in conjunction with Virgin Australia, Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Disneyland.

In total, more than 130 travel professionals were briefed on all things Hong Kong including existing and upcoming developments for the dynamic city and updates from both airlines about their products and services.

Mauritius Famil wows TravelManagers

The island of Mauritius sits in the Indian Ocean, roughly 6,000 kilometres or an eight-hour direct flight west of Perth. As a destination, it has much to offer, from its stunning beaches to its luxury resorts and its wealth of land- and water-based activities. It’s no surprise then that Journeys & Africa had no problem finding eight travel agents and personal travel managers (PTMs) to join a six-night famil that covered all the main highlights and a few hidden gems.

TravelManagers’ Nicole Ginger, who is representative for Doncaster, VIC, was part of the group, and describes the opportunity to see and experience the Mauritian resorts first hand as invaluable, as it allowed her to gain a true understanding of what makes each of them unique.

Ginger was one of three PTMs to represent TravelManagers on the famil, along with Vikki Southern and Lauren Compton, representatives for Mount Pleasant, WA, and Townsville, QLD, respectively. Southern agrees that her time in Mauritius gave her greater insight into all that the island as to offer, rather than just thinking of it as a beach paradise.

SeaLink’s new Kangaroo Island brochure is a one stop shop for travellers!

Explore Kangaroo Island and its fascinating wildlife, spectacular coastal scenery, stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, unique local wines and produce and new wilderness trail with SeaLink’s ‘Discover the Best of Kangaroo Island and South Australia 2018/19 ‘brochure.

The new 63-page brochure features SeaLink’s day and overnight Kangaroo Island Coach tours, one, two and three-day personalised 4×4 Kangaroo Island Odysseys tours, SeaLink’s two, three and six-day Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail packages and the two-day/one-night Kangaroo Island Wilderness Explorer Tour.

SeaLink’s new two-day Food, Wine & Natural Wonders of Kangaroo Island Tour is included in the brochure. This popular tour is fully inclusive and focuses on experiencing the islands’ much sought after local food and wine and exploring some of the islands’ famous natural attractions

The ever-popular Kangaroo Island Self-Drive Holidays remain a focus of the brochure. Ready-made, self-drive short break packages are available, including ferry and accommodation and themed for food and wine lovers, romantics, families or those seeking adventure.

Wu Dynatsy Winners are in – 30 agents on the way to China!

This June, thirty lucky agents will be on their way to walk on the Great Wall of China with Wendy Wu Tours.

The unique eight day trip starts in Beijing, and hits up Zhangjiajie, Xian and Chengdu before heading back.

It’s an itinerary full of Hollywood sights, UNESCO World Heritage locations, Pandas and ancient cities. Awarded as part of an incentive to the Top 10 Top Sellers for the period October to March, this is a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary. Plus, an extra 20 lucky sellers were chosen at random.