Road & Rail Wrap: DriveAway’s new call centre, Amtrak Vacations sale + MORE!
![Road & Rail Wrap: DriveAway’s new call centre, Amtrak Vacations sale + MORE!](https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Yes, it’s our weekly dose of news covering all things on the railway tracks and on the road. We’ve even gone off-road for this wrap!
DriveAway opens second call centre
Self-drive specialist DriveAway recently opened an additional office to adhere to business growth and to better service its travel agent partners.
Led by reservations manager Deborah Stark, the new Gold Coast office has been in operation since October 2019 and serves as an enquiries hub, currently with 11 reservations sales agents, and is soon to acquire a team of approximately 20 to 25 staff members by the end of June 2020.
Amtrak Vacations launches ‘Upgrade and Save Sale’
Amtrak Vacations, Amtrak’s national tour operator and the leading supplier of rail vacations in North America, has announced its Upgrade and Save Sale.
For a limited time, when couples upgrade to a private bedroom on the train, they will save $300, and when they upgrade to a private roomette accommodation, they will save $200.
This special offer is valid for booking through to Friday 28 February. For more information on the sale, visit the Amtrak Vacations website.
International Transfer bookings jump 81 per cent
International Rail has revealed that retail bookings for its global booking system, International Transfer, rose a massive 81 per cent in 2019, which was equivalent to over 8,500 bookings on its partner booking platform, Mozio.
International Transfer’s global successful pick-up rate for 2019 was 98.5 per cent, with the highest successful pick-up rates being for its business-class private vehicle category, and the lowest for economy-type vehicles such as mini cabs.
The international airports of Rome, London and Paris came in as the three most popular for airport transfers for the booking system, with the most successful pick-up rates for those transfers that included a meet-and-greet service.
Ola introduces new safety feature
Ridesharing platform Ola has unveiled a new safety feature, Start Code, to ensure users never get in the wrong car.
Once a user has booked their ride, a four-digit code will appear above their ride details. All they need to do is share this code with their driver to start their ride.
Grand American Adventures offers 25 per cent discount
North American small-group specialist Grand American Adventures (GAA) is offering 25 per cent off departures (excluding third-party trips) through to 30 September 2020.
Whether your clients are looking to explore the national parks of the western states, the Rocky Mountains of Canada, the big cities of the east or the incredible music in the south, GAA offers more than 50 itineraries across the US and Canada.
The offer is available until 3 March 2020. GAA brochures are available to order at TIFS, or agents can call its Melbourne-based team for more details on 1300 030 714.
World Expeditions offers savings of up to $400 per person
Adventure travel specialist World Expeditions is offering savings of up to $400 on a range of its international trekking adventures.
Book a 100 per cent carbon offset adventure before 14 March and help your clients take advantage of the Mountain Lovers’ Sale. Visit the World Expeditions website or call 1300 720 000 for more info.
Mary Moody to accompany UTracks’ food-lovers experience in France
UTracks has announced that Aussie author Mary Moody will be accompanying its ‘Food Lovers Way of St James’ guided walk in France, departing in May and September 2020.
Each departure is restricted in number to ensure an immersive experience. Interested travellers should act quickly, as the May 2020 departure is almost full. The 12-day guided walk is priced from $6,790 per person (twin share).
Latest News
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Wendy Wu Tours announces three new cruise itineraries
Wendy Wu Tours has announced the launch of three exceptional river cruise and tour itineraries that are available for booking online. These new itineraries combine fully inclusive touring with unique river cruising experiences, offering travellers an unparalleled way to explore Vietnam and India’s most captivating regions. Wendy Wu Tours is among the few providers offering […]
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European Waterways expands its fleet with the Shannon Princess
European Waterways has expanded its fleet with the acquisition of Shannon Princess, marking an exciting expansion of the company’s renowned fleet of intimate cruising experiences. Cruising Southern Ireland’s River Shannon since 2003, the Shannon Princess has been owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Ruairi and Olivia Gibbons and has long been cherished part of European Waterways’ offerings. Now fully […]
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Fiji hits the magic million mark for visitors in record year
It was a big hill to climb but going from almost zero during the pandemic to 1M is a huge accomplishment.
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Virgin Australia rejects ‘unsubstantiated assertion that it turned a blind eye to safety risks’
Young staff need to be protected, but trawling their social media profiles smells of shaming to us.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises elevates onboard entertainment
We expect Tina Turner songs like What's Love Got To Do With It, not the Beyond Thunderdome version of Tina.
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Holland America Line welcomes two celebrated chefs onboard Grand Voyages
Worried that you'll be bored eating the same thing on a 100 plus-day cruise? Not with Holland America you won't!
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AmaWaterways adds complimentary land packages on hundreds of sailings
And clients can use these added extras by combining them with them with loyalty schemes. Bonus!
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Hong Kong Airlines celebrates resumed service to the Gold Coast
We've said it before and we've said it again, we'll never get bored of happy 'resume' service stories
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Intrepid Travel launches exclusive culinary journey
Visitors should expect to come back with a brain full of food knowledge, as well as a belly full of produce.
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Webjet & Experience Gold Coast partner to offer $50 off flights to OOL
Just what Sydneysiders need to escape the run of bad weather and Melburnians to escape the tennis.
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The year ahead: Joel Katz, Cruise Lines International Association Australasia
Joel is the first of several industry leaders offerings their views on what they see panning out in 2025.
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Singapore Tourism Board partners with Komodo for TikTok travel mini-series
We don't know who a lot of these people are, but this sounds like a pretty creative idea!
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Bunnik Tours launches its ‘Hot Deals’ sale
Head off the beaten track with Bunnik and you never know, Dennis or his mum might be on the trip too?
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First set of Qantas engineering apprentices arrive at Brisbane training facility
Qantas will be hoping to keep the claws of unions like the TWU away from this group of fresh faced engineers.
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CATO Touring Academy doubles achievements
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) Touring Academy has surpassed all expectations, with over 1,000 enrolments, 11,000 course completions, and more than 600 agents earning their CATO Touring Certification since its mid-2024 launch. As the travel industry gears up for another dynamic year, the CATO Touring Academy is empowering travel professionals to elevate their […]
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Explore remote Antarctica by ship and helicopter this year with Quark
A helicopter ride over some of the most incredible parts of the planet sounds like a dream. With Quark, it's a reality.
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Sapporo to become Qantas’ 100th destination with arrival of new direct flights to Chitose Airport
Just in case there aren't enough Australians going skiing in Japan...
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Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours advises final call for Anzac Day 2025
Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours has advised that the final call for Anzac Day 2025 is on 31 January 2025 with pre-registration also available for Anzac Day 2026. Travellers are encouraged to book their spot for either the 10-day Anzac Day on the Western Front departing on 19 April from Paris or the 8-day Anzac Day […]
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Two destinations to visit in Mexico for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and here are two romantic getaway destinations in Mexico to make any traveller’s day with their special someone even better. Casona Roma Norte, Mexico City This Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to visit Mexico City, as the streets come alive with roses, heartfelt gifts, and the city basks in […]
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Emirates debuts new uniform for Premium and VIP Passenger Services team
Coming soon to a flight near you!
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Exclusive: Infinity Holidays redundancies after API hotel business shutdown
Christmas seems a common time for these things to happen. Time to start the new year afresh!
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Camino Token president says new listings may open floodgates for cryptocurrency in travel
Travels crypto revolution is on the way (apparently). Don't fall behind... Click here!
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Accor wraps up 2024 with record growth for Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems
After experiencing the mesmerising Maud Bailly speech at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth opening, it's no wonder...
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BEIA appoints Rachel Cook as its new chair
The Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Approved Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Group has appointed Rachel Cook as its new chair. Cook is the business director of Conference Innovators (CI) and since joining CI 20 years ago has been instrumental in the company’s continuing growth and success. She plays a pivotal role in building and supporting […]
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GALLERY: St Peter opens the gates to Grand National’s boutique hotel in Paddington
Is St Peter Fish Fat Soap taking fin-to-fin focus a little too far? No, we say. Just dust us with a little salt after.
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Laguna Lang Co takes centre stage for Vietnam’s National Tourism Year, Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang officially open
Vietnam might just be the best place in the world to go for golf. Good food, great courses and cheap prices!
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Travel Associates advisors jump from Virtuoso to FCTG’s Luxury Travel Collection
Lips appear very tight on a big story flying around this morning. That only leaves us with more questions!
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The Ultimate Escapes: Transformative Retreats for 2025
As modern life accelerates, the concept of retreating has taken on a whole new significance, and we're all for it.
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Gaya Island Resort unveils its Wildlife Wonders package
Gaya Island Resort has unveiled its Wildlife Wonders package, a meticulously crafted 4-day, 3-night adventure designed for nature enthusiasts eager to discover the island’s rich biodiversity. The resort is nestled on the tranquil shores of Pulau Gaya, the largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just off Kota Kinabalu. Its location makes it the […]
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Celestyal celebrates 10 years with agent rewards and incentives
We like the Celestyal crew, now agents will like them as much as us with this giveaway.
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Australian Open travel industry activations help hit attendance figures out of the park
While the hotel lounges on offer look comfy, we are sure that the corporate boxes are also well attended.
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PONANT takes majority stake in Aqua Expeditions in river cruise shake up
The French do style and grace as good as any, so we're sure Aqua Expeditions guests to be are in for a treat.
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New Caledonia is open and ready for business as Smartraveller downgrades warning
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The Westin Resort Nusa Dua introduces refined elegance in Bali with revamped accommodation
If the owner could just leave their Amex Black Card on the coffee table in the lounge, then we are set.
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Atura Wellington unveils newly refurbished rooms in the New Zealand hotel
Atura Wellington, the former Thorndon Hotel by Rydges, has unveiled its newly refurbished rooms in the New Zealand hotel. The rooms were completed following a full refurbishment of all public spaces as part of a broader redevelopment plan. All 108 guest rooms have now been upgraded. The hotel is in the historic Thorndon neighbourhood and […]
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Red Cat Adventures all in on fight to save the Great Barrier Reef
Looks like a satisfying gig, too bad we didn't take the marine biology class in year 12.