JUNE 2023 ISSUE
HERITAGE LINE is offering travel agents the opportunity to experience its immersive Southeast Asian sailings for a discount price.
Agents can explore either the Lower Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia, or northern Vietnam’s Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay.
The offer is available for sailings between now and September and allows advisors to bring a guest for $US180 per person per night. Bookings must be made before July 15.
“Southeast Asian river cruising is certainly trending among Australian and New Zealand travellers,” said Andreas Schroetter, Heritage Line’s Director of Sales and Marketing.
“This rare offer is the ideal opportunity for agents to enjoy a personal holiday, with a partner or guest, while enhancing their personal knowledge of Heritage Line’s opulent designer vessels and the remarkable destinations we visit ahead of the August launch of our Upper Mekong itineraries and new vessel, Heritage Line ANOUVONG.”
This limited offer is available upon request for all Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay departure dates before September 30 and for Lower Mekong departure dates listed on Heritage Line’s website.
In addition to this exclusive deal, Heritage Line is also launching an incentive whereby every travel agent booking a cruise via this limited time offer will be entered into a prize draw.
First prize will be a $US500 voucher for an Upper Mekong cruise (new destination), second prize a $US250 voucher for an Upper Mekong cruise and third prize a $US100 onboard credit for your travel agent familiarisation sailing.
Kirsty Blows on a Xiaomi e-Scooter
HOW TO RIDE OFF WITH A $1,000 PRIZE
RAIL ONLINE is giving away an e-scooter and cash vouchers in its first major travel agent sales incentive.
The highest selling agent through Rail Online between May 22 and June 30 will ride off with a Xiaomi e-Scooter valued at $1,000.
In addition, Oceania’s fastest-growing rail specialist is giving away cash vouchers ranging from $300 to $50 to four other top performing agents.
All bookings through Rail Online’s online platform will count towards the incentive, including sales of Eurail passes, Eurostar journeys and tickets on Amtrak, VIA Rail and rail networks across the UK and France.
“Rail travel’s low-emissions are driving sales – not to mention investment by rail operators and governments in new networks, carriages and infrastructure – so it’s only fitting that we build our first major incentive around a sustainable prize,” said Kirsty Blows, Rail Online General Manager Australia and New Zealand.
“And, of course, an e-scooter, like international rail, is fun.”
With 600W of output power, the password-protected Xiaomi e-Scooter can travel up to 30km in a single trip. It also offers an exceptionally smooth ride thanks to an in-built gyroscope sensor, 10-inch tubeless tyres and a dual-braking system.
WIN A STACK OF VOUCHERS
YOU’VE HEARD the phrase “fill your boots”. Now one travel agency will get to “fill their fridge” with prize vouchers.
Pelikin has launched an incentive to entice agents to get more customers signed up to their travel money card product.
The incentive gives the leading agency the chance to win $1,000 worth of vouchers but also provides weekly prizes for any agency that has at least five customers sign up for Pelikin to go into a draw to win a $100 gift card.
“Our last incentive saw a lot of agents get signed up to our affiliate program but we know that now agents are looking to start handing out documentation to clients headed overseas so it is the perfect opportunity for them to offer their customers the travel money card product,” said Sam Brown, Pelikin CEO.
“With free sign ups, no international transaction fees or loading/reloading fees and competitive exchange rates it’s a great product for clients too.”
In addition, Pelikin are still offering a cashback promotion where any clients travelling can receive two per cent cashback on all money spent overseas on a range of the most common travel spending items such as food, drinks and transport.
The incentive runs until July 14.
GIVE YOUR COMMISSION A BOOST
DESIGNER JOURNEYS has launched a new incentive in which agents can earn up to $200 extra for each new booking made.
The company’s Triple Treat Travel Agent Incentive will pay agents a $50 bonus for every realistic enquiry submitted via its dedicated agent portal until June 15.
Agents need to submit their client’s name, desired travel dates and budget, with all legitimate enquiries instantly earning a $50 gift card.
For the first 150 enquiries which convert to a booking before June 30, a second gift card valued at $150 will be awarded.
Designer Journeys have a network of local designers in more than 70 countries around the world, creating bespoke travel experiences that are completely tailored to the client’s exact requirements.
“We were very impressed with the results of our last travel agent incentive,” said CEO Matt McCann.
“The top 15 agents were converting enquiries into bookings at more than 70 per cent, showing that there is a great opportunity for savvy travel agents who use our product offering to its fullest extent.
“We want to encourage all of our travel agents to take advantage of this incentive and to use our services to grow their business.”
GUIDE YOURSELF TO A FAB FAMIL
SOMETIMES THE best trips are the ones you plan yourself.
Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) is giving travel agents the chance to plan a self-famil to experience just what the country has to offer.
The Explore New Zealand Discount Program is an industry pilot scheme that allows agents and a travel companion to curate their own itinerary.
Agents can choose when to travel (close out periods apply), what regions and operators to visit and then experience Aotearoa at their own pace.
More than 450 advisors visited New Zealand on their own itineraries each year prior to the pandemic, providing invaluable product knowledge and experience which they could then on-sell to clients upon return.
The program is open to full-time frontline advisors, wholesalers and product managers.
Applicants must first complete 10, 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist online training modules and join TNZ’s closed Facebook group relevant to their region and be a subscriber to the association’s travel trade newsletter.
Those wishing to take part will be vetted for authenticity, with TNZ promising to assess each submission and respond with a decision within 10 business days.
Self-famils are only open between March and November each year, with advisors able to spend up to 30 days in New Zealand on their trip.
It’s advised that applicants submit their interest at least two months prior to their planned departure and make bookings with participating New Zealand businesses at least 30 days beforehand.
TEARS AND CHEERS FROM GRATEFUL EIGHT
EIGHT AUSSIE travel agents have just returned from a toe-tapping mega famil through the Southern States of America.
Organised by TTC Tour Brands, the Global Agent Famil involved 44 advisors from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, U.K. and Ireland heading through Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans.
The agents got to experience all five TTC Tour Brands; Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Costsaver and Contiki.
They experienced what customers would when travelling with the travel company across North America, which is TTC Tour Brands’ second largest destination by itineraries and guest volume worldwide.
The Aussie contingent were all top sellers in the TTC Tour Brands Global Agent sales incentive and in February and March this year, they became ‘TTC All Stars’ winning a coveted spot on the trip.
Those taking part were Lyndall Collins, itravel; Danielle Gonzales, Travel Managers; Lisa Beaver, Luxury Escapes; Karl Johnson, Our Vacation Centre; Megan Vaughan, MTA; Claire Kinch, Tourradar; Melissa Loynes, Travel Managers; and Kay Naran, RAC.
“I had tears streaming down my face listening to the music, walking the steps of Martin Luther King Jnr in Memphis and sleeping sound in all of our hotels we stayed in,” said Melissa Loynes.
“It was fabulous to experience the difference in brands and what unique individual experiences they offer.”
It was the first TTC Tour Brands fam trip since The Travel Corporation brought its five touring brands together in 2022.
“We covered so much ground in this fantastic part of the USA and the experience of taking our agents on tour again will, I am sure, assist them to sell with confidence the benefits of group touring across North America which allows guests on TTC coaches to experience the ‘real America’ – not just the big cities,” said famil host Mickey Mann, Sales Manager Western Australia for TTC Brands.
SELL THREE AND SAIL FOR FREE
HOW DOES a trip aboard an all-inclusive, intimate riverboat through Europe’s great waterways sound?
Tauck are offering a complimentary cabin to agents who make three new bookings on any of the company’s 2023 European river cruises before December 31.
“Our travel partners are essential to Tauck’s growth here in Australia,” said David Clark, Managing Director Australia, Tauck.
“Our European river cruises go far beyond the riverboat or the landmarks.
“The real magic is in the intimate ambiance and personalised service on board, the places we take guests to off the beaten path and in the uncommon access to local culture and exclusive destination driven experiences.”
Tauck’s fleet of custom-crafted riverboats explore Europe’s great rivers and waterways, from the Rhine and the Danube to the Rhone and the Seine, the Douro, the Maas and Moselle.
The offer is for the cruise only (to be taken before December 31, 2024) and the cabin will be based on availability for single or double occupancy. It does not include airfare, land before or after cruise, taxes, fees, gratuities or fuel surcharge (if applicable).
NOW YOU CAN BE A PIONEERING EXPLORA
EXPLORA JOURNEYS is offering a free sailing as a reward to agents who have made a booking during the brand’s inaugural year of operation.
The offer comes on the back of Explora, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, announcing its new ‘Pioneers’ status for travel agents.
This designation includes an invitation for an advisor and a guest to join a complimentary Educational Insider First Look journey between July 17 and May 31, 2024.
The brand also provides special referral benefits for engaging with other travel agents and referring them to Explora Journeys, including a bonus commission on all new bookings made by the referred travel agent in 2023.
“Our travel agent community is the heart and soul of our industry and from day one we have been bold in creating industry-first initiatives to support not only our success but also theirs,” said Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer of Explora Journeys.
“We are sincerely grateful to our Pioneers and proud to equip them with the right tools to support the growth of their business and our mutual success.”
Explora will celebrate the maiden journey of its first luxury ship, EXPLORA I, on July 17 from Southampton for a 15-night journey into the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle concluding in Copenhagen.
Qualifying agents will be notified of their Pioneer status and should reach out to their Business Relationship Lead and Head of Sales for more information.
IT’S ALL WHITE ON BINGO NIGHT
P&O CRUISES hosted a ‘Bianco Party Under the Stars’ for 50 trade partners in Brisbane’s popular South Bank Parklands recently.
Dressed in white, guests heard about the latest P&O product updates including the launch of Upgrade Me and new itineraries in the latest 24/25 program release.
They then tested their knowledge in a fun game of P&O themed Bingo.
“P&O is celebrating 90 years of sailing from Australia this year and we’re also experiencing incredible momentum right now, so we thought this was an opportune time to reconnect with our trade partners, thank them for their ongoing support and let them know more about everything that’s new at P&O,” said Erin King from the Key Account management team.
From left to right: Peter Kollar, Head of International Training & Development, CLIA, Lindsay Campbell, Megan Catterall
TRAINEE PROGRAM BOOSTS TRAVEL RECRUITMENT
AN INNOVATIVE traineeship program has been launched to help students fast-track their careers in the cruise sector.
The program enables trainees to complete a Certificate III in Travel or Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism with TAFE NSW and secure immediate employment with CLIA member cruise lines or travel agencies.
The program has been put together by TAFE NSW and Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). It is hoped to expand the program to other states across Australia.
Lindsay Campbell is the first trainee to benefit from the unique partnership, completing her Certificate III in Travel while working as a Travel Assistant to Megan Catterall, a Masters-accredited CLIA travel agent, recently named Australia’s Home-Based Agent of the Year in the annual CLIA Awards.
“I started my traineeship right out of high school because I couldn’t wait to kickstart my career,” said 17-year-old Lindsay.
“I was drawn to the industry because I wanted to help create lifelong memories for people and discover cultures of the world beyond my own.
“The cruise industry is a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, so flexible study really helps you achieve balance. I can immediately put my knowledge into practice, revisit topics and work at my own pace.”
Joel Katz, CLIA Managing Director Australasia, said the traineeship program with TAFE NSW will offer a timely boost to the sector.
“This traineeship allows our members to grow and redevelop their workforces in the short term while investing in a pipeline of talented bookings, customer service, and reservation agents.
“Our membership body is comprised of over 60 leading cruise lines and thousands of travel agents, so we’re excited to connect TAFE NSW students with potential employers and meet the growing demand.”
THIS AGENT OFFER IS JUST IN-SEINE
AGENTS CAN win their place on a famil for two to France and experience Viking’s new Seine class ships.
The cruise line has just announced the destination for its next Viking Valhalla Club voyage, revealing the top agents of 2023 will be invited to join an eight-day ‘Paris & the Heart of Normandy’ sailing.
The 10 agents with the highest volume of new passenger bookings between January 1 and December 31 will earn a place on the voyage in 2024 for themselves and a friend.
“We are excited to showcase our new Seine class ships to the lucky winners,” said Michelle Black, Managing Director ANZ at Viking.
“France is one of our most popular destinations for many reasons – the fantastic food and wine, the art, history and culture.
“Our purpose-built ships sail right into the heart of Paris and guests can walk to the Eiffel Tower in just 11 minutes from our exclusive docking location.”
The successful agents will also receive a complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, Silver Spirits beverage package, a $300 shipboard credit, $2,000 Viking Air credit to use towards their flights, two complimentary optional shore excursions for them and their travel companion, and a bonus 8,000 Rewards by Viking points.
