TGIF – #ammiright?! Time for an early mark, a schnitty lunch and maybe a margarita to top it all off. Here’s your last daily dose of industry catch up for the week, wrapped up nicely just for you.

Visit USA Australia Annual Expos Start Next Week

We’ll start at the top – did you know the Visit USA expos are next week?! Lucky we reminded you! On Monday 20 February, they’re being held in Brisbane, arriving in Melbourne on the 21 February and Sydney on 22 February.

The USA experts will be in Adelaide on 21 March and Perth on 22 March.  It will host breakfasts in Newcastle on 02 May and on the Gold Coast on 03 May. An evening event will be held on 03 May on the Sunshine Coast. There will also be an event in Parramatta with dates to be finalised.

There are just few places left for each event next week. Agents interested in attending can RSVP through the Visit USA website link here.

French flare at Magellan event

3. Danielle Stucki of Hampton Travel & Cruise, Jacqui Bendall of Surry Travel & Cruise, Gary Seignior of Hampton Travel & Cruise and Simone Kaye of Worldwide Travel

On Wednesday night, Victorian members of the Magellan Travel Group enjoyed French wine and a cheese tasting as they gathered together for a night of socialising and networking with their Magellan peers at The Botanical, in South Yarra.

The event was also a great opportunity for some of the newest members to be joining the Magellan Travel Group to attend, meet and mingle with their new peers from within the Group. Liz Young of Travel Avenue, Amy Wyatt of Destination HQ and Jacqui Bendall of Surry Travel & Cruise were all in attendance representing the latest agencies that will be commencing their partnership with Magellan over the coming months.

TTC Weekly deals

TTC is back with another week of fab deals. Get a geez at them here:

Mountains and Monuments: Save 5% with Trafalgar, when you book and pay in full by the 27 April 2017 (available on select itineraries).

Luxurious Italy: Save up to $407 with Luxury Gold when you book their Ultimate Italy escorted journey before 27 April 2017 . Save 5% on any Luxury Gold 2017 Europe escorted journey before 27 April 2017.

Contrasts of New Zealand: Save up to $840 per couple when you book AAT Kings 10 day Contrasts of New Zealand guided holiday and pay in full by 26 April 2017.

Inca Discovery: Receive a FREE upgrade to an Ocean view stateroom when you book Creative Cruising’s 20-night Inca Discovery cruise by 28 February 2017, plus receive up to 10% off select Journeys Ashore.

Burgundy & Provence: Save $1,200 per person with Uniworld when you book the all-inclusive 8-day Burgundy & Provence river cruise by 28^th February 2017.

Smash plates in Santorini: Explore Santorini’s black and red sand beaches and save 10% off an 11-day Greek Island Hopper adventure when you book with Busabout.

East is best: Save from $319* when you book Contiki’s High Energy 14-day Eastern Discovery (ex New Orleans) by 28 February 2017.

Travellers Choice agents meet sharp-toothed ‘friends’

A group of Travellers Choice agents recently enjoyed an idyllic five-day educational to Moorea and Papeete, where they got up close and personal with a few sharks and stingrays.

Meanwhile, Denise Bradley from Moss Vale Cruise & Travel says the group’s collective blood pressure also rose sharply during a four-wheeled drive up to Belvedere Lookout on Moorea for spectacular views of Cook and Opunohu bays.

There were more relaxing activities, such as reclining in overwater bungalows watching the sea-life through clear glass panels in the floor (better known as ‘Tahitian TV’), enjoying the local cuisine (including raw tuna fish marinated with coconut milk and lime) and hassle-free shopping for black pearls in Papeete’s markets.

The group – which travelled as guests of Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Tourisme – also got the opportunity to inspect the Aranui 5, a mixed passenger/cargo vessel that has operated the 14-day journey between Pepeete and the Marquesas Islands since late 2015.

Magellan treats award winners, signs Maxim

1. The group enjoyed sundownders on the dunes and dinner at Al Maha Resort, Dubai.
L-R. Jodie Shelton from Travel Centre Bendigo VIC, Misha Treasure from Cathie Rice Travel WA, Megan Hutton, Spencer Travel Eastside NSW, Andrew Macfarlane, Magellan Travel Group CEO, Sheree Pekovich from Dubai Tourism, Richard French from Platinum Travel Corporation VIC, Gerd Wilmer from Landmark Travel NSW

Award winners from Magellan Travel Group recently returned from 5 luxury nights in Dubai and Oman having flown business class courtesy of Emirates.

Hosted by the Groups CEO, Andrew Macfarlane, the ‘CEO Journey’ is a reward and recognition experience which this year saw the group staying at St. Regis Hotel in Dubai, enjoying dinner at At.Mosphere on the 122^nd floor of the iconic Burj Khalifa, seeing Dubai’s many attractions whilst onboard a Seawing’s scenic flight, visiting Al Maha deep within Dubai’s desert landscape, and spending 3 nights at the magical Six Senses – Zighy Bay in Oman.

Each of the award winners on the CEO Journey was announced at the 2016 Magellan Travel Group conference in Auckland; Gerd Wilmer from Landmark Travel NSW (True Spirit Award), Jodie Shelton from Travel Centre Bendigo VIC (Corporate Travel Consultant of the Year), Richard French from Platinum Travel Corporation VIC (Corporate Travel Consultant of the Year), Misha Treasure from Cathie Rice Travel WA (Leisure Travel Consultant of the Year) and Megan Hutton, Spencer Travel Eastside NSW (Rising Star Award).

In other exciting news, Magellan Travel Group has announced Sydney based corporate travel management company, Maxim’s Travel will be joining the group. Maxim’s Travel is an award winning, corporate travel management company which has been incorporated since 1985.

APT hosts ‘thank-you’ gala for VIPs

APT Travel Group will host a glittering event for VIP agents and industry partners as its ‘90 Years of Unforgettable’ celebrations roll on.

Representatives from APT Travel Group’s Diamond and Platinum VIP agencies, as well as industry and media partners, will be invited to the special gala at Melbourne’s stunning Regent Plaza Ballroom in March, which will be themed to celebrate the APT Travel Group’s 1927 origins.

The event, which will include the presentation of awards to top performing agents for 2016, is an acknowledgment of APT Travel Group’s loyal partners and a way of saying thank you for their support.

To enquire about APT Travel Group’s VIP Agent program, call the Inside Sales team on 1300 668 298, or see your local ATG business development manager.

Travel Counsellors welcomes Michaela Jones

Travel Counsellors has recently added another member to their growing head office team. Located in Melbourne, Michaela Jones is now working within the business development unit, providing top level support and advice to Travel Counsellors running their businesses from home offices all over Australia.

With a strong background in relationship management and consulting roles, Michaela brings a wealth of travel industry experience to this role having worked for the likes of American Express, Topdeck Travel, Flight Centre and Destination New South Wales. Working in a business development role, Michaela is working to support Australian Travel Counsellors agents to strengthen and grow their businesses.

Taste of Japan in Melbourne

To celebrate the launch of direct Qantas flights from Melbourne to Tokyo Narita, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is initiating an experiential campaign that will bring a special Japan-inspired icy treat to the Melbourne streets this summer: The Taste of Japan Yummy Fun Truck.

Working with the geniuses at Gelato Messina, JNTO has created a part ice cream truck, part game show experience which gives a nod to Japan’s amazing culture.

Not only can lucky punters sample some incredible Japan inspired free ice cream, they will also have the chance to win one of five amazing holidays for two people to Japan courtesy of Qantas. To win, participants have to take part in a Japanese inspired game show and take their chances at the Yummy Fun Truck vending machine.

The Taste of Japan Yummy Fun Truck will visit multiple locations in Melbourne starting at Southern Cross Station on Sunday 19 February and visiting different hotspots every weekend until Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March.

Industry rates for plush resorts

5-star resorts Banyan Tree and Angsana Lăng Cô have introduced industry rates for Australian and New Zealand travel industry professionals starting from only $US152 per night in a Garden Balcony Grand at Angsana and from only $US414 for a Lagoon Pool Villa at Banyan Tree.

The rates include daily buffet breakfast, airport transfers, daily bus service to Hoi An & Hue and complimentary resort seasonal activities.

To book your industry rate with Banyan Tree or Angsana Lăng Cô please contact sales@ctmarketing.com.au

South Africa opens NZ Visa Application Centres

The South African High Commission in New Zealand has announced the launch of two South African Visa Application Centres in New Zealand which will be run by VFS Global. These centres are in Auckland and Wellington and went live on Tuesday 14 February 2017. Applicants who wish to apply for visas to visit South Africa no longer need to travel to the High Commission in Wellington.

The new VFS Global Visa Application Centres (VAC) will offer an easier, more accessible visa application process for applicants with the help of an appointment-based system, easy fee collection, along with a secure dispatch system. Walk-ins will also be accommodated.  The South African High Commission remains the sole authority for processing and issuing visas.

Importantly for us Aussies, though, is that New Zealand passport holders in Australia don’t need to pack up and travel to New Zealand. They can apply for visas at the South African High Commission in Canberra, they need only present a bill from their municipality or telephone account indicating their residence in Australia.

Tempo gets lucky

Uncover Ireland this year with Tempo Holidays’ fantastic expo specials! With itineraries from 6 to 8 days, together with our on-ground destination experts we have created the perfect taste of Ireland for the discerning traveller.

Enjoy an Irish Adventure over 8 days in a loop from Dublin. Prices starting from $1355 per person, twin share. Or the 6 day Taste of Ireland tour shows you all the best that this vibrant nation has to offer. Prices starting from $1040 per person, twin share.

Both of these coach tours are currently 10% off – but only if you book before the 28 of February.

Bolivian Entry Requirements

World Journeys report that the Bolivian authorities have introduced a new regulation regarding yellow fever. Effective 2 March 2017 if you have visited ANY South American country (except Chile or Uruguay) prior to entering Bolivia, you should hold a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate or a letter of exemption.

Advice received indicates that visitors 60 years or older can obtain a letter of exemption from their doctor. It is essential the vaccination certificate or letter of exemption is carried by the traveller in case it is asked to be inspected by officials on arrival.

Flash sale: Spain and Portugal

Book any Cox & Kings Spain or Portugal trip with Explore! Worldwide by the 27 Feb 2017 and save up to A$175 // NZ$185 on trips that are over A$1400 // NZ$1480.

Experience this and more with Southern Spain – Walks and Wine was from A$1689 // NZ$1785 now A$1514 // NZ$1600 or Highlights of Andalucia was from A$1136 // NZ$1200 now A$1051 // NZ$1110.

The offer is valid on all departures of all Spain or Portugal trips including small groups, self-guided and private trips.

Please note: To receive the discount on self-guided or private trips please quote the discount code: “Spain & Portugal 50” (for all departures up to A$1400 // NZ$1480 on a Land Only basis) or “Spain & Portugal 100” (for all departures over A$1400 // NZ$1480 on a Land Only basis).

Tailor-made Journeys plunges into Arctic

After the phenomenal success of the Antarctica Travel Centre, Tailor-made Journeys (more widely known as South America Travel Centre) has plunged into the Arctic offering small ship cruising to Spitsbergen, Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and the North Pole through the newly formed Arctic Travel Centre.

The timing of the launch coincides with the launch of the 2018 Arctic season (June to September) and with many Early Booking Offers available and savings between US$1000 and US$2500 now is definitely a great time to book your Arctic voyage.

Excite shares the love

A shot of the delish doughnuts sent to Travel Weekly HQ- thanks Excite <3

To celebrate the day of love, Excite Holidays this week treated its travel partners to a tray of limited edition ‘Be Mine’ doughnuts from Doughnut Time.

A combination of Vovo, raspberry, and strawberry glaze, the doughnuts were topped with chocolate hearts and garnished with mini white chocolate curls and sprinkles, so every sweet tooth in the office was satisfied.

With names like ‘Shout Out To My Ex’ and ‘Don’t Want No Scrubs’, the sweet treats injected a bit of fun into the day and helped to curb that pesky three-thirtyitis.