JULY 2023 ISSUE
VIKING IS taking its popular trade training program across the country, with $30,000 of prizes to be won at each event.
The cruise company will be holding events in several locations, including Newcastle, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.
Named for the Norse goddess of wisdom, the Vör training nights offer agents the chance to hear the latest on Viking’s expansive worldwide product while enjoying a three-course dinner.
“Feedback from our trade partners is that our Vör nights are one of the best training events in the business so we pride ourselves on always hosting a fun-filled but highly educational evening,” said Michelle Black, Viking ANZ Managing Director.
Upcoming locations:
- Canberra – July 27, QT Canberra
- Adelaide – August 1, National Wine Centre of Australia
- Perth – August 3, Crown Towers Perth (waitlist only)
- Newcastle – August 23, Merewether Surfhouse
Viking is also running an incentive to win $10,000 in Rewards by Viking points to celebrate the company’s new campaign, The Heart of Exploring.
To enter the competition, agents need to have booked a Viking river, ocean or expedition voyage between June 1 and August 31.
Every new booking will automatically earn an entry into the draw, with additional new bookings creating multiple entries.
In addition to the competition entry, each booking made during this period will earn double Rewards by Viking points.
Meanwhile the company hosted 10 trade partners for an exclusive preview of the new multi-sensory experience Monet in Paris at the global opening in Brisbane (main picture).
The super-scale arts and entertainment experience is housed in Le Grand Palais, a 250-metre-square custom designed marquee, featuring six transformative breakout spaces, bars, a café and gift shop.
Visitors experience a 360-degree immersion into Monet’s world. Designed by Australian theatre designer, Anna Cordingley, Le Grand Palais is one of the biggest portable exhibition buildings in the world.
TOOL KIT HELPS YOU TAKE ON THE WORLD
G ADVENTURES HAVE just launched their biggest brand campaign in four years, aimed at encouraging travellers to step outside their comfort zone.
The Bring on the World initiative features a new anthem video which the company says will help agents sell their life-changing trips to customers.
The campaign features people-focused imagery that was captured on recent photo shoots in Morocco and Vietnam.
An agent tool kit has also been created that includes unique marketing assets including social posts, window decals and consumer flyers. More assets will be added throughout the year as the campaign develops.
“Our shiny new campaign will be coming to life across digital and broadcast channels over the next few months, as well as being elevated by our agency partners and their channels,” said Adelle Clements, Regional Marketing Manager for Australia and New Zealand.
“Travel is a privilege and we want to encourage travellers to consciously celebrate all those small moments that happen on a trip.”
Described as part rally cry, part love letter to real travel, the initiative is aimed at those who desire real experiences, connection and meaning while travelling.
“It’s about everything G Adventures has always stood for and it celebrates that in a way that inspires travellers to do the same,” said Kyle Jordan, Director of Brand and Creative for G Adventures.
“We’ve learned so much over the past few years and this is our opportunity to embrace the world in a thoughtful way. This campaign seeks to inspire people to do the same.”
Agents can access assets for the campaign by logging in to the new tool kit or signing up to the G Adventures asset library.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our Bring on the World rally cry to the Australian and New Zealand markets, and to inspire travellers to embrace all aspects of small-group travel, from those messy food moments through to the beautiful connections made with local communities and fellow travellers along the way,” added Ms Clements.
HOW TO FIND AUSTRALIA’S NEXT GREAT TALENT
AT A time when attracting quality staff is at a premium, a new recruitment program could help travel agencies source the talent they need.
Virtuoso has just announced that it is bringing its Advisor Recruitment Program (ARP) to Australia following a successful debut in the United States. Some 22 regional members have already confirmed their participation in the program.
“Early participation from nearly two dozen of our regional members is a great indicator that the program will mirror the successful outcome seen in the U.S. thus far and aid agencies in growing their businesses by bringing in quality talent,” said Fiona Dalton, Virtuoso General Manager, Australia.
The ARP is designed to assist member agencies that are experiencing talent shortages to connect with and hire qualified luxury travel advisors from outside the Virtuoso network.
This includes those who are newer to the industry or small agencies looking for a host.
Advisor applications go into Virtuoso’s database, where technology matches participating member agencies with advisors based on respective needs, niches and available job openings.
“We’re thrilled to launch Virtuoso’s Advisor Recruitment Program in Australia as a resource for our members to recruit talent at a time when the demand for professional travel advisors is ever-increasing,” added Ms Dalton.
All advisors hired via the initiative are required to complete the Virtuoso Certified Travel Advisor (VCTA) course, a qualification designed to fast-track the development of those who are new to the travel advising profession.
VCTA also serves as a resource for experienced advisors who recently joined the Virtuoso network, as it lays the groundwork for establishing a solid career path in the luxury travel market segment. VCTA graduates sell an average of 83 percent more than their peers.
Left to right: Adriana Sultan-Pollock, Gai Campbell, Kathie Zagas, Sharyn Kitchener, Melissa Fergusson, Kate Vasiliou, Carina Tanna and Victoria McNeill from Mary Rossi Travel
SPECIAL TRIPS FOR THE FORTUNATE FIFTEEN
INTREPID HAS announced the 15 incentive winners who will be experiencing trips in Europe, Morocco and the Middle East.
The ‘Good Incentive’ promotion was the largest the company has run for agents since 2019.
To win, travel advisors needed to watch the ‘Good Trips Only’ webinar on Intrepid’s agent hub, email in 25 words or less what ‘Good Trips Only’ means to them and sell Intrepid.
With two prize categories – the top selling agents and random winners – entrants had several opportunities to win a trip.
“I thoroughly enjoy booking my customers on Intrepid trips as I know they are well looked after and the level of support I receive from Intrepid throughout the booking process is second to none,” said winner Liam Garvey (pictured above) from Flight Centre in Kew, Victoria.
winner Liam Garvey (pictured above) from Flight Centre
The winners are: Wendy Gunther, MTA, East Toowoomba; Chris Ezzy, Peak Escapes; Chantell-Marie Inglis, RACV Travel & Experience; Debbie Knight, World Travellers – Napier; Lucas Arthur, Flight Centre, Albany; Wendy Harrison, House of Travel – The Crossing; Louise Kinkead, Flight Centre, Toronto; Liam Garvey, Flight Centre, Kew; Linda Hogan, itravel, Surry Hills; Caroline Morgan, Flight Centre, Eastgardens; Adele Schwenke, Flight Centre, Whitford City; Rob Di Benedetto, Flight Centre, Bayside; Emma Waugh, Travel Managers, Taupo; Lisa Bechly, Travel Associates, Toronto; Sami Kreltszheim, Helloworld Travel, Wangaratta.
HERE’S AN EVENT TO TREASURE
THE TREASURES of the South Pacific is bringing its popular roadshow back across Australia this month.
The roadshow will visit Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Newcastle, bringing an immersive experience that combines information, entertainment and the chance to win prizes thanks to major sponsor, Fiji Airways.
Supported by the Pacific Tourism Office and Pacific Trade Invest, the roadshow will feature 10 Tourism Offices including Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti and some other hidden treasures.
The roadshow promises to be both informative and enjoyable, providing attendees with an exclusive opportunity to engage with representatives from some of the most popular destinations in the region.
With a wealth of insider knowledge and firsthand insights, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the activities awaiting them in the region.
Event Details:
- Melbourne: Monday July 17
- Adelaide: Tuesday July 18
- Brisbane: Wednesday July 19
- Newcastle: Monday July 24
- Sydney: Tuesday July 25
HOP ON TO THIS FLYING KANGAROO OFFER
TRAVEL AGENTS will soon be able to access fares up to five per cent cheaper than published retail levels on trans-Tasman Qantas services.
An expansion of the airline’s lower pricing initiative will take effect on August 29, offering agents booking via the Qantas Distribution Platform the lower rates.
The initiative is an extension of the discounted Australian domestic fares that were implemented last November.
“We’ve continued to invest in and modernise our distribution capabilities to the highest industry standards and we’re committed to providing agents with richer content so they can better serve our mutual customers,” said Igor Kwiatkowski, Qantas Executive Manager of Global Sales and Distribution.
“The Qantas Distribution Platform can provide customers with more choice and personalised offers in their travel experience and we’re committed to helping our trade partners access this next generation technology and value.”
Travel agents who have registered in the Qantas Channel can access QDP content via either an Approved Technology Partner, or by developing a direct connection to Qantas’ NDC XML Application Program Interface (API).
ROADSHOW WINNER SNAGS $20K PRIZE
ONE LUCKY agent has walked away with a prize worth $20,000 following the recent Whitsundays East Coast Roadshow.
Jan Ta’ale of Goway Travel in Sydney took the major holiday package which includes:
♦ Five-night stay in Villa Azure at Yangaro
♦ Three-night stay at Elysian Luxury Eco Island Retreat, including helicopter transfers from Coral Sea Marina
♦ Cruise Whitsundays ReefSleep stay, sleeping under the stars and waking up on the Great Barrier Reef
♦ Ocean Rafting Northern Exposure or Southern Lights tour
♦ Red Cat Adventures Tongarra Day Sail
♦ A sunset sail onboard Lady Enid with Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
♦ Private transfers from Whitsunday Coast Airport to Airlie Beach with Heart of Reef Shuttles
♦ $500 Webjet voucher from Tourism Whitsundays.
The Whitsundays East Coast Roadshow stopped in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane, connecting travel agents with operators of The Whitsundays representing the region’s latest tours, transfers and accommodation offerings.
