Hooray! It’s a Big Fat Wholesaler Wrap! Boo! It’s Monday again. Oh well, can’t win ’em all.

Chimu launches inaugural Latin America & Antarctica Small Group Tours

Featuring a wide range of escorted small group tours operated by Viva Expeditions, the programme is designed for the discerning traveller looking for authentic and unique experiences in some of the world’s most intriguing and exotic regions across Latin America and Antarctica.

Flexibility and client choice are at the core of the programme, with itineraries falling under two categories, Overland Expeditions and Discovery Tours. Overland Expeditions are unique road trips with a maximum of 16 travellers exploring both the remoter regions and must-see highlights of Latin America offering a fairly active, yet comfortable, affordable and stress-free way of travelling.

Discovery Tours are designed to introduce travellers to the highlights of Latin America using a mix of various modes of transport staying in tourist class hotels, rustic cabins, guest houses or hiking lodges and travelling in groups of a maximum of 20 travellers. Both tour types are fully escorted and offer share options for single travellers.

For dates and cost of all new small group voyages, visit Chimu Adventures website.

Awards to sharpen focus on Queensland tourism

Following on from a record-breaking year for Queensland tourism at the 2016 Australian Tourism Awards, State tourism operators are being urged to put their hats in the ring for the hotly-anticipated 2017 Queensland Tourism Awards, hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC).

QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said the 33rd annual Queensland Tourism Awards were set to be better than ever, following on from a stellar year for Queenslanders in 2016, a new streamlined online submission process, and the exciting introduction of a new people’s choice category.

Nominations are now open and close at 5pm on Thursday 1 June. Entrants are encouraged to make the most of the new, streamlined online submission process. Gold, Silver and Bronze winners from the 28 Queensland Tourism Awards categories and the RACQ People’s Choice Award will be announced on Friday 10 November in Brisbane at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Queensland’s Gold Award winners from categories 1-25 will gain automatic entry into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in Perth in February 2018.

Intrepid Launches New Trips to East Arnhem Land

Working in partnership with the Yolngu people, Intrepid Travel is to launch a new community-based trip in the remote East Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory. With the Yolngu culture, customs and way of life being the focus of the trip, the experience will give travellers from near and far a chance to be immersed in this picturesque corner of Australia that is home to incredible cultural, linguistic and environmental riches.

Visiting the remote coastal communities of Nyinyikay, Bremer Island and Nhulunbuy (also known as Gove), the ancient culture of the Saltwater people is the cornerstone of this 7-day trip. As leaders in community-based tourism Intrepid Travel have collaborated with remote Indigenous communities to set up small-scale tourism enterprises around the world, including a partnership with Aboriginal Olkola Corporation, which allows travellers to Journey into Olkola Country, in the heart of the Cape York Peninsula as guests of the Traditional Owners who regained control of their country in 2014.

The inaugural 7-day trip, starting from $5,995 per person, will take place on August 31, 2017 and the second trip departs on September 10, 2017.

 takes home “Norway Coast Ambassador of the Year” award

Bentours has been named and awarded as this years “Norway Coast Ambassador of the Year” for the entire Asia-Pacific region, at the annual Hurtigruten 2017 conference. Currently being held in Norway, Damian Perry CEO of Cox and Kings Australia and New Zealand, including the specialist operator Bentours, was there to accept the award.

“I am thrilled and honoured to receive the award and I wish to thank everyone in our business that have been involved in making this Hurtigruten and Bentours partnership such a success. I’d also like to thank the industry for the incredible support they gave us and our specialist teams” Perry said.

Bentours was awarded GSA (General Sales Agent) in September 2016 and offer live availability, instant confirmation and best available rates with Hurtigruten.

Win from a prize pool of $12,500 – including a Pandaw Cruise with Wendy Wu Tours

It is financial year-end in the Year of the Rooster and Wendy Wu Tours are offering a huge incentive to bring in a coup-full of bookings. Book any 2017 or 2018 departure, with deposit paid by 30 June, and receive $50 Coles-Myer gift voucher. Plus, all agents who book will have the opportunity to enter the major prize pool.

Don’t put your eggs in one basket! Each week Wendy Wu Tours will pluck the most creative answer out and giveaway a weekly prize; a $500 Coles-Myer gift voucher.At the conclusion of the competition, the best overall creative answer will win a Pandaw Irrawaddy Cruise in Myanmar – including flights – valued at $9,500!

Incentive open until 30 June. Must be booked and deposit paid by 30 June.

Beyond Travel introduce India & Beyond

Beyond Travel is broadening its horizons by adding an India/Sri Lanka division – India & Beyond – fitting in with the company’s mission and tag line “discover unique destinations”.

The new brand will have a separate experienced India team including a dedicated reservation team which can be contacted on 1300 599 005, product team website: www.india-and-beyond.com.au, and will be managed by Kellie Blackett. .

The India & Beyond 2017-2018 brochure features a comprehensive selection of private tours, first-class river cruises, a luxury rail journey, pre and post land packages for cruise and rail products, an escorted tour around India as well as product from Sri Lanka.

For further information on the brand, product and brochure contact india@beyondtravel.com.au.

MTA Members score Super Netball double header tickets from Hawaiian Airlines

A special treat for mad netball fans MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’ Kisane Salib and Kim Newton who attended the first-ever Super Netball double header in Sydney as guests of Hawaiian Airlines.

Pictured enjoying the action court-side at the Qudos Bank Arena (from left to right) Kisane Salib, Hawaiian Airlines Business Development Manager Northern NSW/QLD, Janis McDonald and Kim Newton.

Win a place on an Eclipse Travel Famil to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador!

Eclipse Travel are offering Australian travel agents the chance to win a place on an intimate famil to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. This amazing trip is being organised in partnership with LATAM and will take place from Monday 16 to Wednesday 25 October 2017.

The lucky agents will get to experience LATAM’s new direct service from Melbourne to Santiago, before visiting a cacao plantation and enjoying a panoramic city tour of Guayaquil on arrival. Agents will visit the Cajas National Park – home to the famous Andean condors – and experience the Devil’s Nose Train on the way to Riobamba. The group will then visit Chimborazo National Park and the stunning Quilotoa Lagoon, then fly onto the Galapagos Islands where they will embark on a five-day cruise on board the Treasure of Galapagos.

To be in the running for a place on this amazing famil, simply email the Eclipse Travel team on enquiries@eclipsetravel.com.au with the subject line ‘Galapagos Famil’. To triple your chances of winning, make any booking with Eclipse Travel (minimum value $2,000) before 1 September 2017. Winners will be announced monthly from 1 July. Please note a participation fee applies.

Tahiti Tourism Reveals New Stars of Global Destination Campaign 

Tahiti Tourism revealed the cast of real-life travellers who will star in its next digital video series promoting The Islands of Tahiti to audiences around the world. The new stars, a family from England and two couples from Brazil and the US, were selected from a global casting call that attracted more than 400 auditions from people around the world on social media.

The lucky travellers will fly to The Islands of Tahiti in June, courtesy of Air Tahiti Nui, for an incredible experience ranging from “getting away from it all” in secluded luxury to “being a part of it all” in the vibrant Tahitian culture and adventure.

Activities will also highlight Tahitians’ belief in “Mana”, the spiritual life force that con-nects all things. Mana is at the heart of Tahiti Tourisme’s global brand “Embraced By Mana” and its current video series starring real couples, “Two Stories/One Mana”.

The stars’ travels this summer will be featured in a new video series set for release in 2018.

Last minute explorer voyages on sale with Hurtigruten and Bentours

Journey to Svalbard, South America and Antarctica on bookings made until 30 Jun 2017, and Hurtigruten and Bentours will give you 20% off your voyage.

Valid for travel between Jun to Nov 2017, take advantage of this deal on last minute explorer voyages to some of the world’s most spectacular and remote destinations.

Hurtigruten’s Spitsbergen Adventure Voyage’s six day package is with prices now starting from A$1820 // NZ$1890 per person. It includes transfers to and from Longyearbyen airport, full board meal plan excluding drinks, all hikes and landings during the voyage and is valid for selected departures 6 Jun – 12 Sep 2017.

Also included in the deal is the 14 day voyage Adventure the Chilean Fjords and Antarctica, 17 day Wildlife in the Atlantic Ocean and 16 day Expedition to the Amazon – Southbound.

 Sno’n’Ski launch Northern Hemisphere 2017/18 brochure with early bird deals

The Sno’n’Ski’s new 2017/18 brochure includes over 50 ski destinations throughout Japan, Canada, USA and Europe! Exciting new content includes some of the best Early Bird offers with many new and updated hotels. Transfer methods and times have been added to destination maps to ensure you have the best information on hand.

50 Degrees North launch New Glass Igloo Tour in Finland

50 Degrees North has added a new tour staying four nights in premium glass igloos under the Northern Lights in Levi, Northern Finland. These new well-appointed glass igloos offer the chance to sleep under the Northern Lights, complete with private kitchenettes, showers, and toilets.

Activity highlights of the tour are snowmobiling, dog mushing, and reindeer sledding; all under the spectacle of the Northern Lights. Downhill skiing at one of Finland’s premium ski resorts can also be included in this tour. This tour is designed to maximise the chances of seeing the Northern Lights, as you spend the complete 5 days staying in the Aurora zone.

This premium 5-day program is priced at AUD 4 100 per person, twin share with many included meals and winter clothing for the adventure components. Travel dates valid from 01 DEC 2017 – 30 APR 2018.