Slap some sauce on it – it’s the big fat agent wrap!

From famils to enter and post-famil photos, to industry goss and earlybird sales, all you need to know before the weekend is here.

Put the wine in the fridge and the beer on ice, book the pub next door for a staff lunch, it’s time to get clued in quick and head on down to the weekend.

Enjoy!

Phil Hoffmann Travel turns 25

Adelaide-based Phil Hoffmann was in Sydney yesterday attending a luncheon hosted by Princess Cruises. The travel agency  celebrates 25 years in business today, and will host hundreds of travel industry friends to celebrate the milestone in Adelaide tonight. Congrats Phil!

Topdeck’s top deal

For those keen to journey through Southwest America can book Topdeck’s 15-day Southwest States trip and receive a 25% discount on the trip departing September 21.

The trip starts in New Orleans and travels to Lafayette, Austin, San Antonio, Santa Fe, Durango, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Priced from $2,587.50 per person, the trip includes 14 nights in hotels, motels and lodges, 12 breakfasts and seven dinners.

Time to reward the agents

It’s time to give the good stuff back to the agents! Bangkok’s fashionable Mode Sathorn Hotel has released heavily discounted rates for members of the Australian travel industry, media and hotel staff visiting  the Thai capital before October 31, 2015.

The deal involves staying for three nights but only paying for two. Rates are per room and include breakfast for the first two nights, with studio rooms about AU$76 per night and deluxe rooms areounf AU$88 per night.

Mode Sathorn is a very conveniently located stylish property in North Sathorn Road, directly opposite Surasak city rail station (BTS). It is walking distance from the Chaopaya River  and a short distance from the restaurants, entertainment and shopping centres around the Siam Square area.

For bookings or more details visit www.modesathorn.com or email: rsvn@modesathorn.com.

Early bird catches the worm

Intrepid Travel and Peregrine Adventures have just launched a Europe earlybird sale for trips departing in 2016.

Peregrine is offering 10% off its entire range of trips in Europe, Turkey and Morocco. Agents are required to book their clients on a trip before 31 October 2015 for travel between 1 January and 30 September 2016.

For more information and full terms and conditions, visit: www.peregrineadventures.com/europe2016

Intrepid is offering 15% off a range of brand-new Europe trips for 2016 and 10% off all other Europe, Turkey and Morocco trips, including Real Food Adventures, Sailing Adventures and Family Adventures. Agents are required to book their clients on a trip before 31 October 2015 for travel between 1 April and 30 September 2016.

For more information and full terms and conditions, visit: www.intrepidtravel.com/europe-earlybird

PNG party time for agents!

Travel agents will have the chance to win an exciting eight-night holiday in Papua New Guinea if they register and complete the South Pacific Specialist Programme by 26 October, 2015.

The European Union South Pacific Specialist Programme is an on-line training module that teaches travel agents globally how to sell South Pacific holidays and eventually become a South Pacific Specialist.

The eight-night holiday in Papua New Guinea includes a three nights’ stay at Nusa Island Retreat, a three nights’ stay at Tawali Leisure and Dive Resort and a two nights’ stay at Airway Hotel. The prize includes daily continental breakfasts, local transfers, an inland tour and return air tickets sponsored by the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.

Gold Coast here we come!

The South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) will be heading to the Gold Coast in Australia on May 20 and 21 in 2016.

After hosting a successful SPTE 2015 at the Melbourne Convention Centre in Australia this year, the region’s premier tourism marketing and development authority made the decision to take the annual tourism expo up north after consultations with its members and stakeholders.

All you need is Ecuador!

Ecuador is the only country in the world to be named after a geographical feature – the equator – and an upcoming tour of the South American continent will begin right at the ‘Middle of the World’ at Ecuador’s capital, Quito, just 25km from the equator line, where travellers can stand with a foot in each hemisphere.

Sound good? Scenic’s 22-day Peru Adventure, Galápagos and Amazon Cruising tour is on sale for a damn good price, and includes accommodation, domestic flights, 48 meals, all gratuities, five Enrich experiences including a private performance by local Andean musicians, an Ecuadorian chocolate demonstration and tasting, and meeting students and teachers at a local community school supported by Scenic. Phew!

For more information and to book, visit www.scenic.com.au or call 138 128.

Flight Centre agents get wowed

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Qantas Airways recently hosted the management team at Flight Centre Marketing for a Hong Kong familiarisation from 21-25 August 2015.

Highlights during the five-day trip included an authentic local food tour, sunset cruise on an old Hong Kong junk on Victoria Harbour, sightseeing at The Peak and Stanley Markets, a new evening walking tour around Kowloon and an interactive Kung Fu Experience with Wing Chun. The group were hosted by Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel and Gateway Hotel during their stay.

Pictured are: Gary, Tour Guide;  Jill Santry, Flight Centre;  Jason Wolff, Flight Centre;  Michael York, Flight Centre; Cassandra Laffey, Flight Centre; Lisa Lee, HKTB; Christina Kerr, Flight Centre; Ashleigh Fallon, Flight Centre; Alison Riordan, Infinity Holidays; , Jenny Viali, Qantas;  Joanne Heggie, Flight Centre;  Jordan Albury, Flight Centre;  Jeanna Manifold, Flight Centre.

Why you’ll LOVE the Cook Islands!

More than 500 agents registered to attend events in Melbourne, Brisbane, with the tourism board hosting its grand finale in Sydney last night.

The roadshow coincided with a consumer sale tagline ‘You’ll love discovering new’, promoted in digital and social media advertising (and a very funny video), including an associated TripAdvisor campaign clicking through to a full range of partner packages from $1142 for flights and six nights’ accommodation on www.sale.cookislands.travel/packages.

A special Air New Zealand industry airfare has been released for a limited time only. Book by 15 September 2015 for $516 return, including taxes (total price may vary due to exchange rate). Valid for travel 24 October–25 December 2015, 9 January–8 April 2016 and 23 April–1 July 2016.

Lunch never looked so good!

Freestyle Holidays recently hosted a group of iTravel agents for a USA themed lunch at the iconic Hard Rock Café Sydney.

Partnering with Freestyle Holidays were representatives from Las Vegas, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Palm Springs and Washington who gave agents first-hand information and updates about the US destinations in a ‘speed dating’ style session. Agents enjoyed the opportunity to network while they were treated to a typical American style feast.

Magellan hits up Broome

Eight Magellan Agents from Victoria and Western Australia joined Virgin Australia and Broome & the Kimberley Holidays for a 4 night famil to Broome at the end of August.

The agents spent their time exploring Broome as well as the Ramada Eco Beach Resort. They toured Broome with Kimberley Wild Expeditions and joined Willie Creek Pearl Farm on a tour. They were also lucky enough to experience the Shinju Matsuri Festival and Staircase to the Moon.

Image – L-R: Sandy- Amity Travel, Baxter- Sorrento Quay Travel, Sarah – Hawthorn Travel, Amanda – Broome & the Kimberley Holidays, Julie – Virgin Australia, Lisa – Broadway Travel, Holly – Cathie Rice Travel, Mahalia – Emma Whiting Travel and Brian – East Burwood Travel.

Machu Picchu business as usual

Machu Picchu remains open throughout 2016, while two nearby mountains and in Inca road will undergo some maintenance.
The famous Citadel of Machu Picchu, located in Peru’s Southern Cusco region will continue welcoming visitors every day during 2015, the Peruvian Association of Inbound and Internal Tourism Operators (Apotur) chairman Enrique Quiñones affirmed.
Maintenance works will be carried out on Huayna Picchu mountain from April 1-15 and on Machu Picchu mountain on April 15-30. Access will be closed to both mountains during April.

Abu Dhabi freshens up

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has unveiled a refreshed look and feel for its abudhabievents.ae online resource bringing a series of new features to the emirate’s leading event listings site.

The eye-catching, colourful, fresh new look is designed to attract attention and generate increased public engagement to improve ease of access to discover what is happening across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The new AbuDhabiEvents branding look-and-feel is being released across the project’s website, social media channels, flyers, advertisements and all its promotional materials.

Available in two languages – Arabic and English – the website and accompanying free-to-download App features constant updates on the full list of art, music, business, lifestyle, sport, education and family events taking place in the emirate.