Do you love wraps with a dash of “I need to go there” teamed with a liberal sprinkle of “Oh God I wish I had more savings“? Well, joy awaits within.

Ormina Tours launches new seven-day Malta Package for 2018

As one of their best-selling Tours for 2017, Ormina Tours’ Malta City Break has been expanded to seven days and revamped to include additional site-seeing, and more time for clients to enjoy the Mediterranean Isle at their own pace.

The new seven-day tour features five days of guided tours including Malta’s 3 Cities, Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea and Malta’s archaeological history – visiting the sights of Hagar Qim and the Phoenician fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

An exciting new addition, Ormina Tours is now including entrance to the exclusive Hypogeum prehistoric burial site in their private Ancient Malta Tour. The site only allows 10 people to visit at a time making it allusive to most tour operators.

Earn DOUBLE Si Rewards Points in December with Si Holidays!

Si Holidays, Australia’s leading independent wholesale travel company, is offering Travel Agents double rewards points during December for all instant purchase bookings made through their wholesale brands – Freestyle Holidays, Waitui and The Collection. The Si Rewards program offers Travel Agents one point for every $1 nett land paid in full.

Throughout December, Agents can earn DOUBLE points for all last-minute instant purchase bookings that are paid in full by 31 December 2017, for travel between 1 December 2017 and 28 February 2018. That’s two points for every $1 nett land. Once 7,000 points are accumulated, Agents will receive a $100 Universal Gift Card.

To help Agents earn bonus points, Si Holidays has put together a collection of great value last-minute package deals all around the world, focussing on travel over the summer period.

Final weeks to Save $250 per person on Bunnik Tours Europe 2018 program

Bunnik Tours are wrapping up their $250 saving on small group tours to Europe in 2018. We’re in the last weeks for passengers to book and deposit in order to receive the $250 per person saving.

Moscow to Prague is a perennial favourite. The 25-day small group tour travels through Russia, the Baltics and Eastern Europe. Along the way, the small group spends time exploring medieval castles, a Soviet bunker and grand palaces. Tour the heritage-listed cities of Tallinn and Riga, and discover the history and opulence of Moscow, St Petersburg and Prague. With the saving of $250 per person, the 25-day small group tour is from $10,045 per person twin-share, including return international airfares, for bookings received by 22 December 2017.

Pioneers of the small group touring concept, Bunnik has a maximum group size of just 20 passengers in Europe. To take advantage of the $250 per person early bird savings, remember to book your clients before December 22, 2017.

YTL Hotels – Niseko Village 

Niseko Village is a prime winter destination resort, set at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri in Hokkaido, Japan. With two luxury hotels, bespoke townhouses, golf courses, a Niseko Village Snow School, extensive ski trails and lifts, several onsen or hot springs, an amazing culinary scene, slopeside contemporary shopping and innovative dining concepts, Niseko Village is the perfect base for travellers with a variety of interests.

YTL Hotels’ has three properties in Niseko Village including:

• Kasara Niseko Village
  Situated at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri, Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse comprises of eight luxurious three-bedroom townhouses that embody authentic Japanese charm with contemporary elegance in the heart of the village.
• The Green Leaf Niseko Village
  Located at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri in Japan, The Green Leaf Niseko Village lies in the heart of Niseko Village.
• The Hilton Niseko Village
  Adjacent to the Niseko Gondola that whisks straight to the top of Mount Niseko Annupuri, The Hilton Niseko Village is an all-season luxury hotel offering 506-rooms with outstanding restaurants, a spa and onsen facilities.

Aussie Expat offers alcohol and brewing tours of Seoul

For Australians travelling to Korea for the upcoming Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games as well as other times throughout the year, there are some exciting new alcohol and brewing tours being offered by an Australian expatriate in Seoul, Julia Mellor and her partner Daniel McLaughlin through the ‘The Sool Company’.

Julia has made a name for herself in Seoul as an expert of traditional Korean alcohol.  Julia comes from Brisbane and has been an activist for the promotion of Korean traditional alcohol over the past five years.  She has become known locally and internationally after she trained at a number of famous institutes in Korea including under Grand Master Park Rok Dam.

Her company ‘The Sool Company’ (sool meaning alcohol in Korean) is now offering various tours that can easily be booked online and are being enjoyed by many visitors travelling to Seoul.

Drop into Ziptrek Ecotours’ new Queenstown tour

Find your wings, fly like a bird and zoom through the treetops before a swooping 21m drop – welcome to the latest eco-thrill from Queenstown tourism company Ziptrek Ecotours.

The multi-award-winning company is taking the thrill factor to the next level with its Kereru two-line + Drop Tour, announced last week.

The tour is a whole new way to experience Queenstown for those looking for a heightened thrill level of a unique adventure in the shortest amount of time. It includes two existing zip lines through the trees and a 21m drop to the forest floor.

Dirt cheap return flights from Perth to Bali on sale now – starting at  $212!

Hanging for a last-minute getaway? Flights from Perth to Bali are now as low as $212 right now on KAYAK.com.au – perfect to get you beachside.

Nab a quick holiday in February, flying out of Perth and arrive in Bali to sip cocktails by the pool, enjoy some authentic Indonesian food and take in the culture at some magnificent temples.

On The Go Tours proud winners at the British Travel Awards 2017

On The Go Tours has taken home some of the top awards at the recent British Travel Awards Gala Night held at Battersea Evolution, London on 29 November 2017.

The award-winning tour operator, specialising in locally led group tours and tailor-made holidays around the world, were the second most successful company of the night, taking home nine prestigious awards.

Recognised as a ‘Symbol of Excellence’ and a valuable source for consumers, the British Travel Awards are the largest and most influential poll of consumer opinion on the performance of enterprises operating in the leisure travel and visitor attractions sector. Customers take the time to register and vote for the companies they believe deserves recognition. Between July and September, 360,000 customers voted for their favourite travel companies.

Japan’s Best Hot Spring Town emerges as the ultimate Après-Ski Add-On

Enticing culture, amazing food, unique old world charm – and the world’s most reputable hot springs (onsens) – Kinosaki Onsen is a destination that should be high on every Japan bucket list and with ski season just around the corner there has never been a better time to tick it off.

According to Visit Kinosaki, the onsen town is the ideal add-on to a ski holiday allowing travellers to experience two of Japan’s most important drawcards – skiing and culture – in one trip.

Kinosaki is an absolute must for those wanting to go beyond the slopes to get a taste of the real Japan. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself to a dose of cultural indulgence before heading back home.

What’s new in Melbourne and Victoria 2018 

Named the World’s Most Liveable City for the seventh time in a row, Melbourne is on a roll and showing no signs of slowing down.

The business events sector has benefited from the recent launch of new flights, hotels, attractions and events, with a suite of new visitor inventory and infrastructure also set to launch in 2018.

The exciting developments will provide more reasons for international business event decision makers to choose Melbourne as the host destination for their incentive, meeting, conference or exhibition.

Waitui Releases New and Exclusive South Pacific Holiday Packages 

Waitui, the South Pacific specialist wholesale brand by Si Holidays, has just released a range of sensational package deals across the South Pacific which are available for a limited time only.

Discover spectacular savings and bonuses with these fantastic flight and accommodation packages to some of their most popular properties across Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands and Vanuatu. Packages include return economy airfares and taxes, FREE nights, reduced rates, tours, day cruises and more. These deals are limited to the first 25 bookings only and must be paid in full by 15 December 2017 to secure the offer.

Agents will earn Si Rewards points for all Waitui bookings. Agents earn a $100 UGC card on every $7,000 nett land they book and pay in full through Si Holidays.

Waitui are also proud to partner and support local community development projects and will donate AUD$2 for every Waitui room night booked to local charities and projects. These donations will go directly towards providing better childhood education and village facilities, to positively impact communities across the South Pacific.

Spain & Portugal Travel Connection release 2018 brochure

Spain & Portugal Travel Connection, Australia’s leading Spain and Portugal travel specialist, is proud to announce the launch of its 2018 brochure. The new 84-page guide now includes serviced apartments in Madrid, with additional highlights in the form of guided transfer tours, exclusive cruising and multi-day tours.

• Serviced apartments in Madrid:

These beautiful serviced apartments offer an alternative style of accommodation, providing an authentic experience during your stay in Spain’s capital.

• Northern Spain and Portugal multi-day coach tour:

Discover the Iberian Peninsula with our multi-day tours featuring itineraries that last several days and span multiple cities. This tour can begin in either Barcelona/Madrid and ends in Madrid.

• Guided transfer tours in Portugal:

Our guided private transfer tours are a full-day excursion providing you with the opportunity to visit additional cities along the way to your next destination.

• Exclusive cruising in Portugal:

Explore the heart of Northern Portugal on a barge-style luxury cruise along the Douro River on board the 15-cabin luxury barge Spirit of Chartwell.

Save with Albatross Tours East Germany & the Glorious Czech Republic small group tour

Travellers can save $400 per couple when they book early on Albatross Tours East Germany & the Glorious Czech Republic.

The 15-day tour will take travellers on a holiday of a lifetime, spending leisurely night stays in Berlin, Dresden, Prague & Cesky Krumlov. Highlights include the majestic Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland National Park, gliding down the waterways of the Spree Forest and exploring medieval Prague.

Escorted by an experienced tour manager the tour package includes 14 nights’ hotel accommodation, 22 meals, sightseeing, excursions, and entrances as per the itinerary, plus more!

Hands on Journeys launches new Fiji empowerment tour 

Empowerment tourism company Hands on Journeys has announced its latest international destination as Fiji which launches 30 March 2018.

Fiji is a magical country which is exploding with culture, beautiful scenery and friendly locals. Those joining the tour will not only discover the beauty of the island but also help to support those in need who were affected by Cyclone Winston last year.

The new tour offers five days and four nights and allows tourists to spend time with local communities.

Tempo Holidays France flash sale  

Tempo Holidays are discounting a select range of France packages for a limited time, as part of their new flash sale.

On bookings made until the 25 Dec 2017, travellers can save 10 per cent off, making a dream holiday to France that bit more appealing.

The discount is available on Tempo’s superstay programs, which showcase the best of France’s regions. With time concentrated on one location, these independent tours allow travellers to really get to know the destination without feeling rushed.

Included in the deal is Tempo’s Champagne Superstay which visits the tomb of the Dom Perignon and the beautiful Reims Cathedral, as well as celebrating France’s incredible food and wine.

Club Med and Snowscene come together over ski holiday expertise

In Brisbane last night, iconic holiday operator Club Med opened its first Queensland in-store boutique at Snowscene in Woolloongabba. The holiday boutique is just Club Med’s 8th such retail outlet in Australia.

Club Med’s boutique deepens a long-term relationship between the two businesses. At a recent Club Med VIP conference in Bintan, Snowscene was recognised for delivering the ‘Highest Ski Growth’ for Club Med from Australia.

Club Med Australia & New Zealand’s General Manager Madeleine Clow-Suares said, “Snowscene will be our eighth Australian ‘Club Med in-store boutique’ and we are very pleased to add such an exceptional snow specialist to our ever-growing portfolio of Club Med experts. This new partnership coincides with the opening of three new Club Med All Inclusive Snow Resorts: Tomamu in Japan; Samoens in France; and Beidahu in China, with more on the way including Canada.

Indian buyers experience an exotic taste of the Sunshine Coast during ‘Dreamtime’

Business Events Sunshine Coast (BESC) is looking towards the Indian market for major growth as a result of hosting a group of Indian buyers following this year’s Dreamtime event held in Brisbane this week.

During Dreamtime, BESC highlighted their new Signature Experiences Guide and business products, Business Events Assistance Program, case studies, industry updates and dual itineraries in collaboration with Brisbane Marketing.

Following the trade show, BESC hosted 10 Indian buyers including Tourism Australia’s Business Development Manager for India, Samar Chokshi. The group enjoyed a VIP experience at Australia Zoo before flying to Fraser Island for further adventures

Final week to Secure a Great Offer in Scenic’s Luxury Sale

Agents are reminded they have until the end of this week to secure a great offer in Scenic’s Luxury Sale – Available until 15 December 2017.

• Set sail on a 15 Day Jewels of Europe cruise from Amsterdam’s famous canals to breathtaking Budapest, priced from $6,745* per person twin share.
• Spend 13 days exploring the South of France during a river cruise from culinary capital Lyon to coastal Marseille, priced from $7,245* per person twin share.
• Discover Myanmar’s hidden treasures on a 14 Day Mystical Irrawaddy cruise and tour from fascinating Yangon to cultural Mandalay, priced from $9,985* per person twin share, plus Fly free to Asia* and save 30 per cent on a cabin upgrades.

Rayavadee Offers 25 per cent Christmas Savings

Popular Thailand resort, Rayavadee in Krabi is offering a 25 per cent discount across all room categories from 19 – 27 December 2017 inclusive.

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Rayavadee presents the award-winning architecture, fine cuisine, a relaxation spa and a fleet of speedboats for excursions to surrounding islands.

The resort’s 96 two-storey pavilion and 5 luxurious villas are dotted throughout tropical gardens and coconut groves just a few minutes’ walk from Railay and Phranang Beach and feature fully equipped, spacious accommodation and stylish Thai-inspired details throughout.

The pavilion’s design and award-winning architecture blends perfectly with the resort’s natural surroundings whilst the villas offer another level of luxury and space with dedicated butler service.

Sports Events 365 launches Korean service, allowing tourists to buy tickets to sports events at hundreds of destinations worldwide

Sports Events 365, the international provider of tickets to sports and music events worldwide, has launched its service in South Korea. Sports Events 365 has started to operate a Korean-language website and a full-service Korean-language reservations call centre.

The website and the call centre allow Korean sports tourists, individuals, and groups to buy tickets online to some 60,000 sports events a year at hundreds of destinations, mostly in Europe and North America. Korean is the 19thlanguage for Sports Events 365.

The offerings on Sports Events 365’s Korean site include tickets to matches of South Korea’s national football team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Sports Events 365 says that South Korea attracts international interest with the approach of the XXIII Winter Olympics, hosted in Pyeongchang on 9-25 February 2018.