We gather up the good stuff so you don’t have to. Happy Monday agents, here’s everything you need – and want – to know, fresh from the industry.

Tourism Tas gets bigger

Tourism Tasmania has recently filled two important marketing vacancies following the appointment of Nikki Brew (left) to the role of Executive Manager Strategic Partnerships and Kate Dale (right) to the role of International Marketing Specialist.

Scenic ups Asian product

Scenic has launched its 2016 China & Japan program which includes four new itineraries, eight new destinations, and a number of new Enrich experiences and Freechoice activities.

Guests can now explore even more of China with two new itineraries and six new must-see destinations, including the 13 Day Natural Wonders of China, 20 Day China Revealed, 12 Day Japan Highlights  and 17 Day Essential Japan.

Agents off to Peru

Five lucky Australian and New Zealand travel agents joined with agents from China and India on a PromPeru International familiarization tour, with an eight-day itinerary that took in the capital Lima, Cusco, Puno, the Sacred Valley and Macchu Pichu.

The agents included Donna Kranas from Savenio, Laura Dean from MP Travel, Penny Gordon from Concierge Traveller, Zoe Clarke from World Journeys, Michelle Barnes from Holland Clarke & Beatson along with their hosts, PromPeru’s Australia Market Specialist Jennifer Pizarro and PromPeru’s Australian Account Director Sarah Thornton.

MSC upgrades you

MSC Cruises is offering passengers a complimentary cabin or experience upgrade on a myriad of Mediterranean cruise departures between July 2015 and November 2015.

The offer, valid from July 16 2015 until the September 4 2015, allows guests to choose between an Experience Upgrade, Cabin Upgrade, or both.

Turkish delights

2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, making Turkey a firm favourite on the bucket list of more Australians than ever before.

But the eight personal travel managers (PTMs) who were lucky enough to be hosted on an exclusive ten-day TravelManagers famil to Turkey discovered that this beautiful country has so much more to offer besides the well-known Gallipoli and Istanbul.

Pictured all wrapped up warm against the snowy weather is TravelManagers’ personal travel managers prepare to experience Turkey’s magical Cappadocia region from a hot air balloon. From left to right – (front) Tracey Cosgriff, Kellie Browning, Leanne Johnston, Jo Geary, Zoe Hemming, Kristina Acevski, Antonella Damiano, and Natasha Schurink.

Bench takes Namibia

Left to right: Bronagh O’Neill – Flight Centre Kardinya Park; Richard Lee Grant – Escape Travel Rockingham; Bruna Tye – Escape Travel Balgowlah; Hanna Jones – Bench International; Tayla Collocott – Helloworld Biloela; Marco Appadoo – RAC Travel; Chasley Hauschild – Escape Travel North Adelaide; Michelle Chapman – Flight Centre Port Melbourne; Isabel Dalley – Flight Centre South Lake; Petia Rayner – Flight Centre Floreat; Lea Rocha – Flight Centre Brighton

Witnessing the sunrise over ‘Dune 45’ in Namib-Naukluft National Park, a cheetah sighting at their own private camp and a visit to meet the fascinating Himba tribe – just a handful of the many highlights of this 8-day itinerary, hosted by Bench International.

Bench International escorted this group of 10 agents, introducing them to this picturesque African country, complete with striking landscapes, spectacular wildlife and an abundance of culture.

Excite and Nevada reward agents

Excite Holidays and Nevada Tourism have joined forces to give travel agents the chance to win a place on exclusive famil to the Silver State.

The agent who books the highest number of room nights in Nevada through Excite Holidays (including at least one night outside of Las Vegas) between July 15 and August 14 2015 will join their Excite Holidays’ BDM and other winners from around the globe on the exclusive famil.

The lucky winner will be flown to Nevada for a five-day adventure which will take in Reno, Virginia City, Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, Lamoille Canyon, the Great Basin National Park and the mesmerising Valley of Fire State park.

QLD agents explore Dawn Princess

Fifty Queensland travel agents enjoyed a gourmet tour of the newly refurbished Dawn Princess in Brisbane recently, with a welcome reception in the Wheelhouse Bar, followed by a full tour of the ship’s new features and a three-course lunch served with premium local wines.

The agents all agreed the upgraded Horizon Court with its new Amuleto Italian Café, offering excellent espresso coffee and a tempting array of cakes and pastries, were major highlights of the refurbishment.

Swiss superstars

Rail Europe, Switzerland Tourism and the Swiss Travel System have announced their second batch of winners of their Swiss Travel Pass SuperStar Program.

For Module 3, Shona Bray from House of Travel took out first place, Andrew Guillaume from Helloworld Wheelers Hill came in second and Danielle Hennessey from World Travel Professionals came third.

For Module 4, Yvette Van Urk from Outdoor Travel came first, followed by Cassandra Zayonce from TravelManagers and Jennifer Somerville from MediaTravel.

Agents should note that all four earlier modules have reopened and will run until the end of July, allowing agents who may have missed one or more modules to still complete the program.

Christmas in July

Excite Holidays, VisitBerlin and the German Tourist Board this week invited a selection of agents in Melbourne and Sydney to join them in celebrating Christmas in July and the launch of a campaign which rewards travel agents with 1000 bonus rewards points for every night they book in Berlin.

Approximately 50 travel agents in each city attended the events which were held at Hophaus Bier Bar and Grill in Melbourne and at The Angel Hotel in Sydney.

Travel agents were treated to traditional German festive food and drinks, including gluhwein, bratwurst and gingerbread whilst learning about Germany’s coolest city – Berlin.

Preview brochures goes ‘Beyond’

Beyond Travel are celebrating their 21st anniversary this year and have released a range of premium and deluxe tours and rail journeys in its newly designed  2016 preview brochure.

The brochure promotes the benefits of early booking to agents and their clients by securing the best possible prices for 2016 products.

The brochure features Discover More Travel Vouchers on the majority of product with up to $800 per couple available when booked and deposited by December 31 2015.