TravelBulletin for August 2020 - Darren Rudd's first official interview as AFTA CEO, NSW food and

AUGUST 2020

DARREN RUDD a man with an AFTA mission

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CONTENTS

12

FEATURES 22 New South Wales New South Wales is a wonderland for food and wine lovers, discovers Jasmine Hanna.

COVER STORY 12 Darren Rudd: a man with an

AFTA mission Darren Rudd has taken the reins of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, and has big plans, not just for AFTA, but potentially for the wider tourism and travel sector. He spoke to Bruce Piper for his first official interview in the role.

MONTHLY 02 State of the industry 08 Issues and trends 18 Cruise

22

26 Last word

COLUMNS 02 From the publisher 06 Steve Jones 10 AFTA View 20 CLIA View

09 This month’s contributors Steve Jones, Joel Katz, Darren Rudd

Front cover: Darren Rudd pictured in front of a map of every electorate in Australia. Map ©Orangepangolin This page bottom right: Horse riding in the Hunter Valley, NSW ©Destination NSW

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travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

1

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

From the publisher Bruce Piper

IN BRIEF

2

COVID-19 continues to change the world, and it just doesn’t seem to be getting any better. With Victoria in lockdown and the brave attempts by some cruise lines to relaunch now stymied by new infections it just seems the light at the end of the tunnel is getting further and further away.

Individually there’s nothing we can do about the situation, so personally I’m trying to focus on the positives – such as the extension of JobKeeper – in contrast to the situation in NZ where the government has basically decided not to support travel agents at all.

There’s also the fact that we live in a beautiful country, there is food on the table and the sun still rises and sets each day. It seems clear the industry as we know it will undergo significant change, so let’s roll with the punches and make the best of this new reality.

It may not feel like it now, but there will be new opportunities once this is all over. The extreme measures imposed by Daniel Andrews are clearly necessary and

Debra Fox to depart ATG THE APT Travel Group (ATG) has been forced to implement a significant restructure to its business, with the changes seeing the departure of long-time Chief Commercial Officer Deb Fox. The highly respected Fox leaves the company this month, with Chris Hall, MD of parent company Australian Pacific Holdings, paying tribute. “Deb is to be recognised, not only for her significant

travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

let’s hope they pave the way to recovery. There are 40 days and nights left of the lockdown – the same length of time that it rained on Noah – and after that seemingly never-ending deluge the first thing to appear was a rainbow.

MEANWHILE I’m not at all convinced that Helloworld Executive Group GM John Constable is likely to stay with the business long term following his return to the UK for “personal reasons”.

The move was revealed in an update from CEO Andrew Burnes, who said due to border closures Constable would remain in London, adding: “I am confident he will do as great a job there as he has in Melbourne”.

It should be noted that this news came right in the middle of HLO’s $50 million capital raising, when such a senior resignation may have spooked investors.

I may be wrong, but my bet is that Helloworld will sooner or later announce Constable is stepping down because working from the UK with a 12-hour time difference is proving just too difficult.

contribution as a senior leader within ATG, but also as a female leader in the travel industry”.

Hall said the company was resilient and would recover, but COVID-19 posed the biggest challenge in its 90-year history.

Fox’s departure is part of a wider reshuffle seeing the group’s brands including APT, Travelmarvel, Botanica and TravelGlo come under a single umbrella headed up by newly appointed CEO for ATG, David Cox. A new management team will be formed with several

General Manager roles appointed internally.

“These changes are being made to ensure we emerge from this period financially solid, retaining as many people as possible, and remain a trusted travel agent partner now and into the future,” Hall said.

FAREWELL MY QUEEN

Airline policy revamp COVID-19 does not appear to have dampened the appetite for change in airline distribution methods, with several carriers pressing on with significant updates to their relationships with travel agents and other distributors.

Most notably early last month was the introduction of a new GDS fee by Singapore Airlines as it rolled out its new KrisConnect program. Although the new fee is less draconian than charges imposed by other carriers such as Qantas and Lufthansa, the move for nonNDC bookings was seen as coming at a particularly bad time for travel agents already on their knees due to COVID. Meanwhile Thai Airways appears to have completely turned its back on travel agent distribution as it grapples with bankruptcy, announcing it was reducing BSP base commission to zero worldwide.

HLO capital raising HELLOWORLD Travel Limited last month bolstered its balance sheet by raising $50 million, saying the additional funding will give it sufficient liquidity for operating and capital expenditure through

“

Deb is to be recognised, not only for her significant contribution as a senior leader within ATG, but also as a female leader in the travel industry

”

Chris Hall, MD Australian Pacific Holdings

QANTAS last month commemorated the departure of its final Boeing 747 with an event at Sydney Airport’s Hangar 96 attended by just 150 fortunate guests, most of them QF staff with a close association with the “Queen of the Skies”. COVID-19 has accelerated the retirement of the jumbo fleet, with the plane tracing a gigantic Qantas Kangaroo logo in the sky en route to its final resting place in the California desert.

until the end of 2022 even assuming ongoing disruption. An additional 30 million new shares were issued, with a new institutional investor joining the register along with an entitlement offer to existing shareholders.

CEO Andrew Burnes and Executive Director Cinzia Burnes took up 70% of their entitlements at a cost of $5 million, while other major shareholders including Qantas and Spiros Alysandratos’ Sintack Pty Limited declined to participate. The offer was led and underwritten by Ord

Minnett Limited and priced at $1.65 per share, a 16% discount to the prevailing share price at the time.

Cover-more refunds COVER-MORE Travel Insurance has amended its cancellation policy and is now set to provide 100% refunds on policies with travel dates 24 March to 17 September. Previously the company was only refunding 75% of the gross amount paid, with the move following concerted pressure from the Continues over page

travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Continues from previous page Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as well as several Facebook action groups particularly concerned about Flight Centre’s refunds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Customers who had already elected to convert their policy into a credit note will also now have the option of a refund, with the move to 100% also meaning commission on the sales of the policies will be recalled.

Cover-More is adapting its systems to manage the “expected large volume of refunds,” and is now contacting customers about the change.

GBTA CEO goes THE Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has confirmed the departure of its former CEO Scott Solombrino, after an

investigation exonerated him of allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The GBTA Board confirmed it had previously stood Solombrino down after receiving an anonymous letter with “troubling claims” but an independent probe noted that “no misconduct or legal wrongdoing” was found. Solombrino and the GBTA Board agreed it was “time for him to pursue other opportunities,” with former United Airlines executive Dave Hilfman appointed as the organisation’s interim Executive Director.

“

Airlines are still facing significant challenges including exceptionally low demand due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID19 pandemic

Airline cooperation THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is set to allow ongoing coordination of flight schedules between Qantas, Virgin Australia and Regional Express on 10 domestic routes through until 30 June 2021, with destinations

”

Mick Keogh, Deputy Chair ACCC

covered including Wagga, Dubbo, Albury, Armidale, Mildura, Port Lincoln, Whyalla & Kangaroo Island.

The move is an extension of an interim authorisation granted in March, with the ACCC recognising “airlines are still facing significant challenges, including exceptionally low demand, due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

The proposed authorisation is conditional on the carriers charging fares no higher than those that were in place on 1 February 2020, and the ACCC will also closely monitor the arrangements to ensure competition.

“We anticipate that the arrangements will help support the continuity of essential air services for regional communities on the relevant routes while the pandemic is significantly affecting air travel,” according to ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh.

HEADLINES 01 Jul 02 Jul 03 Jul 07 Jul 08 Jul 09 Jul 10 Jul 13 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul

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Webjet to raise $163 million Aeronology accepted in ATPCO Bridge Labs Thai Airways cuts commission to zero Cover-More refund offer Flight Centre launches Traveller Hub ACTE files for bankruptcy WebBeds inks tech deal Constable shifts to London Qantas status credit boost Flight Centre Livn partnership

travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

16 Jul 16 Jul 17 Jul 20 Jul 21 Jul 22 Jul 23 Jul 24 Jul 29 Jul 30 Jul

Fox to leave APT Travel Group HLO confirms closure of 125 stores Industry reacts to paper ACCC updates guidance JobKeeper extended for six months More travel agents close down CVFR launches new payment solution Travel ban to ease in Jan? New Emirates trade portal Rex coordination closer

DATA ROOM DOMESTIC ON TIME PERFORMANCE

ARRIVALS

March 2020

Jetstar Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

Qantas 80.6% 78.5% 26.8%

Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

RETURNS

Top 10 destinations, May 2020

86.1% 87.0% 11.4%

Source

Original

New Zealand UK USA India Singapore China Hong Kong Philippines Japan United Arab Emirates ALL VISITOR ARRIVALS

1,190 340 320 110 100 100 80 70 70 60 3,400

Top 10 destinations, May 2020 Destination

% change original May 19/ May 20 -99.0 -98.9 -99.4 -99.7 -99.8 -99.9 -99.6 -99.6 -99.8 -97.8 -99.5

India New Zealand USA UK China Pakistan Philippines Singapore Thailand Nepal ALL RESIDENT RETURNS

Source: ABS

Source: ABS

84.2% 85.4% 17.3%

-18.4%

Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

.2 %

All airlines

82.8% 85.1% 22.7%

2,680 1,380 1,080 1,050 820 660 330 320 310 250 13,380

% change original May 19/ May 20 -90.6 -98.5 -98.9 -97.8 -98.6 -76.2 -98.6 -98.8 -99.3 -92.9 -98.5

-28

Virgin Australia Arrivals on time Departure on time Cancellations

Original

-12

DOMESTIC AIR MARKET

.3%

May 2020

-1 7 -1 9.9 %

.5 %

Growth % -18.7 -18.5 -17.6 -0.9* -15.9

%

4.89m 5.61bn 7.25bn 77.4 54.4

Growth Yr to Yr to % May 19 May 20 0.18m -96.4 60.99m 49.57m 0.18bn -96.7 71.08bn 57.93bn 0.45bn -93.7 88.50bn 72.94bn 40.3 -37.1* 80.3 79.4 7.5 -86.2 632.9 532.1

-17.9

Total pax carried Revenue pax km (RPK) Avail seat kms (ASK) Load factor (%) Aircraft trips (000)

May 20

-17.6%

May 19

-1 9

-19.9% -20.5%

*Percentage points difference

INTERNATIONAL AIR MARKET SHARE Share of passengers carried – May 2020

INTERNATIONAL AIR ROUTES Top 10 city pairs, May 2020

Others, 22%

City pair Qatar Airways, 34.3%

Xiamen Airlines, 2.6% China Airlines, 3.2%

Source: BITRE

Qantas Airways, 3.4% Cathay Pacific Airways, 3.7% Asiana Airlines, 3.8%

Air New Zealand, 12.5%

Singapore-Melbourne Auckland-Sydney Singapore-Sydney Auckland-Melbourne Singapore-Perth Hong Kong-Sydney Singapore-Brisbane Auckland-Brisbane Los Angeles-Sydney Denpasar-Perth Top 10 City Pairs Other City Pairs ALL CITY PAIRS

Passengers YE May 19 1,612,793 1,582,510 1,506,657 1,249,751 1,118,396 1,217,638 890,926 946,880 894,858 882,215 11,902,624 30,166,682 42,069,306

Passengers % of total % change YE May 20 20/19 1,291,606 3.8 -19.9 1,267,725 3.7 -19.9 1,243,368 3.7 -17.5 993,865 2.9 -20.5 921,366 2.7 -17.6 874,187 2.6 -28.2 780,988 2.3 -12.3 759,578 2.2 -19.8 730,579 2.1 -18.4 724,523 2.1 -17.9 9,587,785 28.2 -19.4 24,408,096 71.8 -19.1 33,995,881 100.0 -19.2

Source: BITRE

United Airlines, 4.7% Air India, 4.9%

.8 %

China Southern Airlines, 4.9% Source: BITRE

travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Top 10 domestic city pairs, May 2020

City pair

MelbourneSydney Brisbane-Sydney BrisbaneMelbourne Gold CoastSydney AdelaideMelbourne Melbourne-Perth Gold CoastMelbourne Adelaide-Sydney Perth-Sydney Hobart-Melbourne ALL CITY PAIRS

Passengers Passengers % change YE May 19 YE May 20 (000) (000) 9,220.2

7,245.1

-21.4

4,818.3

3,876.1

-19.6

3,601.6

2,919.3

-18.9

2,687.2

2,029.7

-17.4

2,510.1

2,029.7

-19.1

2,115.6

1,729.3

-18.3

2,080.6

1,716.3

-17.5

1,881.3 1,693.4 1,653.9 60,994.0

1,493.0 1,369.4 1,347.3 49,572.9

-20.6 -19.1 -18.5 -18.7

Source: BITRE

AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER SPEND ON TRAVEL: NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA INDEX 0

-94 -93 -91 -89 -83 -83 -78 -81 -76 -77

-20

-40

-60

-80

-100

04 M ay 11 M ay 18 M ay 25 M ay 01 J un 08 J un 15 J un 22 J un 29 J un 06 J ul

MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTES

Source: News Corp

Steve Jones’ Say THE last few months have tested us all. Even those predisposed to extreme optimism have been forced to confront the realities of the situation.

Yet for all that – and I’m certainly not one for sugar coating this, or any other issue – was I alone in finding the recent apocalyptic “discussion paper” published in Travel Daily mildly absurd

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in its negativity?

Don’t get me wrong, it was interesting reading and discussion papers, as the name suggests, are designed for that very purpose. I’ve said and written many things to stimulate debate and argument. Nothing wrong with that. It also made some valid observations. But suggestions of an almost orchestrated and systematic shut down of the travel industry? The situation is grim, that much is patently obvious, and some businesses are in a very precarious position. But I’m not so sure we’ve reached Ground Zero just yet.

The author of the paper, who refused to put his or her name to the document, called for an Agent of Last Resort to be established, which, if I’ve understood it correctly, will manage all outstanding bookings once agents pull the plug on their businesses.

AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS

International passengers through Australia’s major international airports, May 2020 City pair

Passengers YE May 19 Sydney 16,896,281 Melbourne 11,351,007 Brisbane 6,221,825 Perth 4,353,878 Adelaide 1,052,046 Gold Coast 976,317 Cairns 660,901 Avalon (a) 204,920 Darwin 232,469 Canberra 87,207 Sunshine Coast (b) 14,303 Newcastle (c) 6,687 Port Hedland 8,708 Norfolk Island (d) ..

Townsville (e) 2,757 ALL AIRPORTS 42,069,306

Passengers YE May 20 13,396,123 9,037,802 5,208,605 3,540,823 924,726 762,642 495,689 327,397 207,195 65,227 13,084 7,371 7,319 1,878 ..

33,995,881

% of total % change 20/19 39.4 -20.7 26.6 -20.4 15.3 -16.3 10.4 -18.7 2.7 -12.1 2.2 -21.9 1.5 -25.0 1.0 +59.8 0.6 -10.9 0.2 -25.2 0.0 -8.5 0.0 +10.2 0.0 -16.0 0.0 .. .. ..

100.0 -19.2

(a) Scheduled passenger services commenced Dec ‘18 (d) Scheduled services ceased May ‘17 and recommenced (b) Seasonal services only Sep ‘19 (c) Scheduled services (seasonal) recommenced Nov ‘18 (e) Scheduled services ceased Sep ‘18

Source: BITRE

“

The situation is grim... and some businesses are in a very precarious position, but I’m not so sure we’ve reached Ground Zero just yet

”

Some may argue this is sound, logical thinking, based on cold hard realism. I call it defeatist.

It was a paper in which all hope was abandoned.

It not so much threw in the towel as lobbed in a hotel’s worth of laundry.

It presupposes that countless travel businesses are ramshackle outfits, run by clueless owners with no business acumen and which possess no capital, no plan and no generally no idea. Now while that may describe a few out there, it is by no means the majority. There are plenty of excellentlyrun organisations, with strong balance sheets, no debt and a healthy client database who will travel again. Of course, it has been, and will continue to be, extraordinarily tough, even for the smartest firms.

Regardless, let’s not write off the industry just yet.

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ISSUES & TRENDS

CVFR MINTS NEW PAYMENTS PARTNERSHIP TRAVEL agents will soon have another option to process payments, with a new five-year agreement between CVFR Travel Group and the ASX-listed Mint Payments set to see a new solution in the market by Q4, 2020.

The new CVFR Payments division will initially offer consultants debit card, credit card and EFTPOS solutions, with plans in place to also introduce bank transfers, virtual card payments options and foreign exchange services down the track.

Mint will be the exclusive payments partner across the CVFR network in Australia and New Zealand, with a co-branded solution including terminals and online systems for processing

payments.

“We look forward to working together to provide travel agents with our enhanced and intuitive product suite that has been proven to boost efficiencies and reduce

costs,” said Mint Payments CEO Alex Teoh.

Suppliers, wholesalers and tourism operators will also be able to access the new payment solution.

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travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

ACCC STEPS IN ON REFUNDS THE issue of refunds has plagued the travel industry amidst the coronavirus pandemic, as clients demand their money back in full, while agents frantically chase suppliers around the world.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Australian Consumer Law (ACL) regulators stepped in, issuing a “best practice guidance” for the travel industry in relation to COVID19 travel cancellations.

Just one week after the guidance was released, engagement with the ACCC’s COVID-19 taskforce saw Etihad switch its stance and agree to offer refunds to all consumers who purchased EY tickets in Australia which were then cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic.

But what does this document, which seemed to slide by without a great deal of media attention, mean for agents and suppliers?

The guidance calls out the struggles many businesses face to manage the cancellations and financial impact of the pandemic but emphasises the need to balance this with the concerns of consumers, many of whom are also facing financial hardship.

It lays out a broad expectation that consumers will be provided with free-of-charge refunds where

they are entitled to one – such as cases of fully refundable tickets, rights under state or territory legislation or where terms and conditions of a purchase specify refunds.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS A KEY element of the document is Terms and Conditions (T&Cs), with businesses expected to honour the fine print of their contracts.

This means that payment of a refund may be contingent on the recovery of funds from a supplier, but only if this was specified in the T&Cs. This extends to expenses incurred, with businesses able to retain amounts, and the remedy for a customer may be a “credit note or similar” rather than a refund, if this was called out in the T&Cs. However, the ACCC also urged businesses to “still consider providing refunds in cases or hardship or other exceptional circumstances”.

In the case of travel purchases through agents or other intermediaries, businesses must take “active steps” to seek to recover funds from suppliers which

must be remitted to consumers as soon as possible.

In the case of primary suppliers, customers must be offered the choice of either a refund or an “attractive remedy in lieu of a refund” such as a value-added credit note.

FUTURE CANCELLATIONS IN CASES where travel services have not yet been cancelled but there is a reasonable possibility they will not go ahead because of ongoing travel restrictions, the guidance says businesses should advise clients of the approximate date when they will be able to confirm if the service will proceed or not.

Australian Federation of Travel Agents CEO Darren Rudd confirmed the final document reflected significant changes made to the initial draft from the ACCC and ACL regulators, after submissions made by AFTA. He noted the final “best practice guidance” document was in line with information AFTA had previously shared with members.

travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

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ISSUES & TRENDS

AFTA VIEW Darren Rudd, Chief Executive Officer Australian Federation of Travel Agents

FLIGHT CENTRE LIVN IT UP Wine tasting is just one of thousands of activities Flight Centre now has access to through Livn.

FLIGHT Centre is set to gain access to realtime availability and pricing for day tours and activities following a new deal struck with Sydney-based technology company Livn.

The new solution will start rolling out across Flight Centre’s global operations from September, and will enable its consultants to manage B2B connectivity through Livn’s API-based tech, automating many parts of the booking process which currently require tours and activities to be arranged by phone or email.

Livn will provide its platform to Flight Centre via a software-as-a-service model, meaning a flat transaction fee will be charged for In Flight Centre we each booking have found a likerather than a commission, minded partner set on enabling the travel replacing inefficient agency to avoid renegotiating practices with existing technology that does commercial not fail, works 24/7 agreements with suppliers. and delivers multiple “In Flight layers of value...

Centre we have found a likeminded partner Mark Rizzuto, CEO Livn set on replacing inefficient practices with technology that does not fail, works 24/7 and delivers multiple layers of value at all of its touchpoints,” Livn CEO Mark Rizzuto told travelBulletin.

“

”

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travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

WE KNOW Australians want to travel again. We also know that travel agents want to help get Australians travelling again.

International travel is the bread and butter for Australia’s travel agents and while we’re starting to see domestic travel slowly emerge, albeit with the ongoing challenges of COVIDclusters, until outbound travel resumes, life is going to continue to be extremely challenging for our sector.

So how can we re-open our domestic and national borders in a medically-led and responsible manner while protecting lives? The answer is simple. Conceptually, travel bubbles could start right now between those states and countries that already have low rates of COVID19 and little risk of community transmission, as deemed so by epidemiologists.

This would allow Australia to work through its own international travel protocols as distinct from all other countries which are currently experiencing full commercial airline travel.

At present, the establishment of scientificallyand medically-led travel bubbles is the main focus of AFTA and we believe a step in the right direction to restarting the economy and creating jobs.

AFTA is bringing together a group of experts and business leaders within our sector, and across others, to deliver solid thoughtleadership, drive change and bring confidence to consumers, businesses and governments. We must find a better balance that accommodates both health precautions and border openings, and travel bubbles are the right way forward.

What is extremely promising is that the AsiaPacific zone is seen as one of two large travel bubbles that could occur, along with Europe.

AFTA is committed to doing all that it can to help members get through this period and will continue to work closely and collaboratively with government, at all levels and across parties, and with other industry bodies, to map out the best path forward and get Australians doing what we do best – travelling!

COVID PUSHES ACTE BEYOND THE BRINK THE global pandemic has precipitated the cessation of operations at the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), which last month cited COVID-19 cancellations as “blows” to the organisation it had “not been able to withstand”.

After 32 years attempting to advance the interests of the global corporate travel sector, ACTE filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, effectively ceasing all of its activities.

“Recent COVID-19 spikes have made investors and partners justifiably pessimistic around the viability of event-based organisations for some time to come,” ACTE said.

“At this stage, the fiscally, and morally responsible next step for us to do, is to cease operations and defer to a trustee to determine the distribution of payments to creditors,” the advocacy group added.

The timing of ACTE’s demise was made even more disappointing by the fact it had only recently launched a new corporate community called ACTEConnect in April, which aimed at facilitating networking opportunities and sharing insights.

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COVER

DARREN RUDD

a man with an AFTA missi

Darren Rudd has taken the reins of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, and has big plans, not just for AFTA, but potentially for the wider tourism and travel sector. Rudd comes to travel after a variety of roles in other sectors, but the common thread is close relations with governments at all levels. Bruce Piper chatted with the Federation’s new CEO in his first official interview since taking on the role.

Y

OU might expect that someone who is not familiar with the nuances of the travel industry would take some time to get his feet under the desk before venturing out to engage with his new stakeholders.

But that’s definitely not Darren Rudd’s style. In fact he hit the ground running, organising a meet and greet with travel agents in Sydney’s western suburbs on his very first day in the job, a Monday late in June. And it wasn’t just a one-onone to learn about the industry – he took

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travelBulletin AUGUST 2020

the bull by the horns by inviting the local MP to come along too.

But you’d probably agree that’s par for the course for someone who has agreed to head up an organisation representing an industry which was already being heavily disrupted – right in the midst of the huge global crisis presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. And that’s not to mention the fact that the job was vacant at all, after the abrupt departure of Rudd’s predecessor, Jayson Westbury, amid a firestorm of media controversy.

ion

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COVER The AFTA Board worked quickly to recruit a replacement for Jayson, and although Darren Rudd is very different, it is clear that the Federation’s directors were seeking someone with a very particular skillset to help navigate these unendurably trying times.

With the industry in crisis as its revenue streams go rapidly into reverse due to border closures and uncertainty about the future of travel, engagement with authorities across the board is vital. After all, the changes that COVID-19 has wrought have been implemented by governments, and it’s therefore important that officials are also crystal clear about the impact that coronavirus restrictions are having, whether it be border closures, gathering restrictions, health and safety requirements or even complete lockdowns. The Board is fully behind the new CEO, with Rudd meeting with Chairman Tom Manwaring prior to his appointment which was then endorsed unanimously by the full Brady Bunch screen of AFTA directors on a combined teleconference.

Although he’s new to the travel industry, AFTA’s new chief executive is no stranger to the halls of power. He has a strong pedigree in government relations, with his most recent role as Asia-Pacific Head of Corporate Affairs for Indian IT giant Tata Consultancy Services. He’s also held senior positions with other technology organisations including NBNCo and telecommunications business Alcatel-Lucent. And he’s not completely unfamiliar with the travel and hospitality sector, having started his career as a young man in hospitality IT in Hong Kong, designing hotel information systems that ran on IBM System 36 computers in the infancy of the digital age. “Instead of pulling

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beers in the UK like some of my peers, I was flying around Asia, dealing with hotel GMs and front office managers and learning all about the hotel sector and the interoperability, and interfaces to GDSs and everything from the ground up. So it’s a welcome back to the sector and back to the industry, in a way,” Rudd told travelBulletin.

Some of Rudd’s plans for AFTA include visiting every electorate in Australia to meet with together with MPs and local travel agents over the next two years. Rudd is pictured here with a map showing the electorates around the country.

PROXIMITY TO POWER DARREN Rudd’s rapid engagement with agents at the coalface alongside their local parliamentary representatives is a clear community-based strategy which aims to amplify the often forgotten voice of the travel agent, with the sector’s unique issues commonly drowned out by a wider chorus from tourism, aviation, hospitality, business events and even infrastructure stakeholders.

“Whether we like it or not, AFTA is actually a political organisation,” he said, making pains to stress the importance of a bipartisan approach – in some ways a contrast to Jayson Westbury who had close ties to the Liberal Party, along with former AFTA Director Andrew Burnes who until recently was the party’s honorary Federal Treasurer.

“We have proximity to governments across the country of all flavours. We’re very nonpartisan, so I’ve got a lot of relationships in the Labor Party and the Liberal Party at the same time,” Rudd noted.

This approach is reflected in a commitment to visit every single electorate in Australia over the next two years or so, interacting with local travel agents and their MPs. “This is the new lens through which we are looking at the world, we are going around to meet systematically, in a stable and

“

Darren Rudd’s rapid engagement with agents at the coalface alongside their local parliamentary representatives is a clear communitybased strategy which aims to amplify the often forgotten voice of the travel agent

”

Darren Rudd and MP for Greenway, Michelle Rowland (left), meeting with agents from Helloworld Travel Blacktown.

repeatable fashion, our members in every electorate,” he said. In preparation for each meeting, the AFTA team gathers information about each area including the profiles of each local member travel agent, such as their history, how many people they employ and in the current environment what their JobKeeper arrangements are. This is matched up with local government information and demographics, and then meetings are arranged in conjunction with the local MP’s office.

The approach is so bipartisan that Rudd is determined to alternate one-for-one between Liberal and Labor politicians, in some cases meeting with the MPs at the physical travel agency locations, or alternatively gathering several AFTA members with the parliamentarian at a local coffee shop.

“What I want to do is get to meet the agents and get to know what their concerns are, but more fundamentally to have the MP in there understanding what their hopes, frustrations and anxieties are,” he said.

“When you aggregate that on scale you’re bringing a theme of messaging and realism on behalf of our members’ interests back into the party rooms of both parties, which obviously will hopefully help shape their respective policies,” the new AFTA CEO added.

To some, a two-year cyclical program of engagement in the current COVID-19 environment appears to be a long-term approach in the face of what is a much more urgent problem. But Rudd is also initiating a “more rapid work stream” involving a series of meetings with senior ministers and shadow ministers, including several planned one-onones in the AFTA office in Sydney.

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COVER Rudd said he developed the approach based on his due diligence before taking the role, speaking with the offices of most of the tourism ministers around the country to evaluate the perception of travel agents and AFTA. “The reality is, be it structural change, be it borders, be it regulatory change, be it industry restructuring, there has to be proximity to government on a systematic basis in a non-partisan way,” he said.

“What’s more, we’ve got to get the narrative package right – the number of travel agents, all the economic metrics, the impact they are having, the tax paid, all that stuff.” travelBulletin attended one of the community events in Sydney’s Cherrybrook last month, and there was a clear affinity between Rudd and local Member for the Berowra Electorate, Julian Leeser, who having dealt with Darren in some of his previous roles was effusive in his praise for the new AFTA CEO.

OTHER INTERESTS DARREN Rudd is no stranger to helping rescue a sector in crisis. He holds a number of directorships in a range of organisations, some of which are related to his former role with Tata, such as the India Australia Business & Community Awards and the Australia India Youth Dialogue. But he’s also been involved as a board member of the State Library of NSW Foundation, and was last year appointed for three years by the Federal Cabinet to the board of the Australia Council for the Arts, which oversees a range of government-backed grant programs for music,

literature, community arts and cultural development, visual arts, theatre and dance. Others on the highpowered board include former Channel 7 Perth chief Mario D’Orazio, Leigh Carmichael who is Creative Director of Tasmania’s Dark Mofo festival, and Aussie songstress Tina Arena AM. During his earlier career in Hong Kong and China he also established an “art bank scheme” for Chinese art in Shanghai. And in the current context the connection to the arts and entertainment is very relevant, with Rudd saying the COVID-19 crisis had also wreaked “horrors” on that sector. “Because of the nuances of their pay and their contracts, they don’t get JobKeeper,” he said, with the Australia Council helping secure an incremental $250 million in funding to help support the industry through COVID-19. “There’s a lot of pain out there, a lot of pain,” he added. And there’s no doubt he’s aware of similar pain within the travel industry, where agents have not only had their income reduced to zero but have had to return moneys they have received from bookings in previous years, arguably making travel agents the most heavily impacted sector by COVID-19.

PEAK BODY COMING into the industry as a relative outsider has allowed him to have fresh eyes, with Rudd’s perspective highlighting the lack of a united voice from across the tourism and travel sectors. “It’s a very fragmented, acronym-driven industry,” he

Rudd sees travel as lacking a united voice across the sector, with many organisations vying for government attention.

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said, with bodies such as ATEC, ATIC, AAoA, CATO, CLIA, AHA, TTF, BECA, AAEA and more all vying separately for government attention. “Is there a need for a peak body overall, is there any value to that? I’m just floating the concept, as someone who’s new to the business,” Rudd said.

While denying he was focusing on such a body as one of his KPIs, Rudd’s fresh perspective and experience in government relations clearly highlights the attraction of such an approach. “Imagine if you corralled and focused the voice of the entire sector through one conduit,” he said. “There would be no minister who would deny a meeting or request.” While not specifically advocating for a designated peak body, the new AFTA CEO clearly believes there is a need for planned, organised collaboration across the entire travel and tourism sector “as we work on the industry as well as trying to survive within it”.

Interestingly similar sentiments have been expressed by several others recently, including APT chief Chris Hall, who in an interview on the popular Cruiseco podcast noted that the fragmentation of the various approaches to government through the COVID-19 crisis had not served the cruise and travel sector well in terms of special consideration in the coronacrisis. Similarly, Carole Smethurst from Bicton Travel in Perth lamented the lack of understanding of the plight of the industry in Western Australia after a meeting with the state’s Tourism and Small Business Minister Paul Papalia. “His total disdain for travel agents was obvious,” she said – despite WA’s push to boost tourism with a range of support initiatives for the aviation and accommodation sectors.

“

Imagine if you corralled and focused the voice of the entire sector through one conduit, there would be no minister who would deny a meeting or request

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Darren Rudd, CEO AFTA

CHANGE IS COMING, SO LET’S DRIVE IT ALTHOUGH he’s a newcomer, Rudd is not naive about the scale of the crisis that the sector currently faces. “I think the travel industry will have to look at itself – and is looking at itself, by the way,” he said. “Transformation, be it personal or professional or organisational is just part of life.

And this industry is going to be affected by change as well. So the key is to make sure that any change is done in a paced way and by design, not by default,” he said.

What the shape of that change will be, and where the travel industry will end up at the end of this crisis, is anyone’s guess.

“The government is already asking us what the interim phase – that being domestic travel

only – looks like. How do travel agents repurpose to have more of an impact and share of that?” he said – not to mention the longer term impact of an extended closure of Australia’s international borders. However there are several items on the agenda, including the possibility that the widely distributed travel agency network across Australia could be used to deliver other government services. “This is all at a very early discussion phase, but the Government has asked us to look at it,” the AFTA CEO confirmed.

But after hearing the travails of travel consultants across Australia over the last month or so, Rudd is also upbeat about the prospects for the industry, which is pressing on despite the circumstances.

“The passion that these travel agents have for what, in many cases they have done since they left high school, is phenomenal.

So if there’s anything that’s going to get this industry through to the other side of this crisis it’s that raw passion,” he said.

And while there has been plenty of industry discussion, including in the pages of Travel Daily, over the outcome of the recent JobKeeper extension, Rudd said it was important that the industry present a united front to the wider community. “It’s my role to explain and educate the sector as to why we are taking a constructive tone of language and substance/style with government,” he said.

“Frankly we need to keep the door to government open, and to do that we need to be working with them constructively. Like a family, we may have strained and sometimes heated conversations on behalf of our members behind closed doors but we will publicly display accord and a solid working relationship,” he concluded.

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CRUISE

NORWEGIAN IN SEVENTH HEAVEN SEVEN ships will be servicing itineraries in Europe for Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) recently launched 2021/22 program, offering a range of voyages in the north of the continent and in the Mediterranean.

Highlights include an 11-day roundtrip from Reykjavik, departing 14 July 2022 and visiting ports in Iceland and Greenland such as Nuuk, Qaqortoq and Nanortalik, as well as an 11-day Greek Isles roundtrip from Rome on 21 October 2022 taking in Mediterranean ports including

Santorini, Athens and Florence.

“Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting their itinerary and the best ship to meet their preferred sailing style,” said NCL Vice President and Managing Director, APAC Ben Angell.

“Whether your client is dreaming of exploring the surreal landscapes of Iceland, the azure waters of the Greek Isles or the awe-inspiring Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, our immersive European itineraries offer something for everyone,” he added.

Norwegian Jade off the coast of Santorini ©Norwegian Cruise Line

Viking Star will visit Bora Bora on its world cruise in 2021/22 ©Viking Cruises

ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS VIKING Cruises has been forced to cancel its 2020-21 World Cruise and all associated segments due to the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19.

The 161-day sailing, which was originally slated to cruise from Miami to London on 14 December this year, was canned after the line said it could no longer guarantee the quality of experience it typically offers it guests.

But the disappointment was tempered by news that Viking had recently unveiled details of its 2021/22 World Cruise,

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which is scheduled to visit 27 countries, 56 ports, including two new Australian ports of call at Phillip Island in Victoria and Eden in NSW. The epic journey will sail aboard Viking Star and explore Central and North America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe, with Yangon, Myanmar also added as a new port.

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen said that despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, the cruise line’s World Voyage would continue to showcase its focus on cultural experiences.

AUSTRALIAN CRUISE BREAKS SILENCE CRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) will “We then have to default back to our key states, be attempting to help its member regions solve particularly New South Wales and Queensland, “global problems” with “local solutions”, according where the bulk of our business operations are to the trade association’s new Chairman for based for the industry, but also more remote Australasia Gavin Smith. bases, such as Darwin and Broome.

The Royal Caribbean Group “It’s a complex challenge and we local Vice President & Managing were very available back in May, Director spoke on a CLIA webinar but now we’re very focused on We’re all working late last month of the efforts supporting very large businesses being made by the region’s cruise and very significant brands who both as a collective industry to attempt to adapt to are getting their playbook out and on a brand basis a range of different operating again and looking to navigate to derive the best restrictions. unknown territory.”

Joined by CLIA Global Chair Adam possible solution at a Goldstein, who told travelBulletin Goldstein and CLIA Australasia he was optimistic some form of Managing Director Joel Katz, Smith global level and then cruising could resume around the we’re looking for the explained that the relative radio world in the coming months, also silence from cruise lines over warned it was unrealistic to expect application of those the last few months was purely a full restart at the snap of a finger. solutions at a local level However, in the opinion of the down to the enormousness of the challenge unfolding before them. cruise industry’s most senior “Many of you know the brand executive, Australasia was the Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean executives in Australia are perfect region for a locally based Group local Vice President & remaining relatively silent and sailing program.

Managing Director unavailable at the moment Goldstein said both Australia and because this is a global New Zealand are expected to follow problem with local solutions,” Germany’s lead, inviting its Smith said. citizens back onto ships “We’re all working both with reduced capacities and as a collective and stringent health on a brand basis to protocols, derive the best embarking on possible solution short domestic at a global level routes which and then we’re could potentially looking for the be enhanced application of through a transthose solutions Tasman bubble. at a local “This isn’t level, and they cruising as we are further know it – in complicated some cases by looking for a they are just cruises to federal approach to nowhere, with only one the federal regulators and nationality on board, then because of our state but at least it’s a start,” system.

Goldstein said.

“

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CRUISE CMV no more CRUISE and Maritime Voyages (CMV) has succumbed to the pressures of the pandemic, ceasing trading worldwide and appointing administrators in the UK. The cruise line had hoped to secure additional funding to keep the company afloat and weather the storm brought on

by COVID-19, but to no avail.

“We just could not get the financing deal over the line in time to save this wonderful business,” said CMV CEO Christian Verhounig.

Ponant, APT uniting PONANT and APT have been collaborating on the development of expedition sector protocols for the resumption of Kimberley cruise operations.

Ponant APAC Chairman Sarina Bratton last month confirmed a “breakthrough” in talks with a state government, and revealed the Australian Government’s National COVID19 Coordination Commission had asked the cruise lines to formulate a plan.

Aurora appointment MONIQUE Ponfoort has been appointed as the new Aurora Expeditions CEO, to join the company in October.

“Monique is an impressive executive and her extensive experience in the cruise and travel industry will be of enormous value to Aurora Expeditions,” said Aurora Chairman Neville Buch.

Until departing last month, Ponfoort was Ponant’s local Vice President.

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CLIA VIEW

Joel Katz, Managing Director CLIA Australasia

EUROPE’S PROGRESS OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUSTRALIA IT’S early days, but restricted ocean cruising is emerging in countries overseas, giving encouraging signs of the resilience of our industry in the face of COVID-19 and a glimpse of what might be possible in Australia.

With strict health protocols in place and controlled itineraries that work within international travel restrictions, we are now seeing a careful revival in countries including Germany, Norway, France and Taiwan.

In Germany, for example, the cruise industry has worked closely with local and national authorities to open the way for limited itineraries that begin and end within Germany, do not visit other countries, and cater only to citizens of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

To help make this happen, CLIA and its member lines have engaged in the development of the European Union’s Healthy Gateways guidance, as well as the European Maritime

Safety Agency guidance.

Together, these initiatives aim to establish a pan-European benchmark for national maritime and public health authorities for the resumption of cruising.

Similar concepts may provide a pathway towards resumption in Australia and CLIA is engaged with governments to ensure they understand the work cruise lines are doing internationally to make this feasible. By creating limited domestic itineraries with comprehensive screening and health measures in place, we see an opportunity to revive cruising for Australian residents while at the same time protecting Australia from outside infection while borders remain closed.

There’s still much work to be done, but we will continue to work with governments and health authorities to create a framework that will support a revival in Australia when the time is right.

HEADLINES JULY 2020 06 Jul 07 Jul 15 Jul 16 Jul 29 Jul

Expedition cruise restart plan unveiled RCL and NCL collaborate on health Ponant receives its sixth explorer Holland America selling four ships Europe outlines a safe cruise return

AMA RETURNS TO EUROPEAN WATERWAYS IN SOME positive cruise news, AmaWaterways last month resumed operations in Europe with a series of charters aboard AmaKristina, in collaboration with a German tour operator e-hoi.

The voyages carry only German citizens, and implement EU health gateways protocols, including a 100-passenger maximum.

The APT Travel Group river cruise partner will require preboarding health questionnaires, as well as daily temperature checks for guests and crew, who have also undergone updated in-depth training.

Crew members will be required to wear face coverings at all times,

while guests will be required to wear them around the ship.

Plexiglass dividers have been added to lounge areas, and personal portable Quietvox commentary systems will allow

guests to hear guides while physically distancing on small group shore excursions.

A designated Public Health Officer will oversee the application of the new onboard protocols.

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NEW SOUTH WALES

WINERY AND BITE DELIGHTS IN NSW

New South Wales is a wonderland for food and wine lovers, home to renowned wineries, stunning views and fresh premium produce.

Jasmine Hanna explores some of the regions which are making a splash.

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HUNTER VALLEY THE Hunter Valley packs in worldfamous wineries, acclaimed restaurants, delicious local produce, and is surrounded by magnificent natural beauty. There are over 150 wineries and cellar doors in the area, more than any other wine region in Australia, including Brokenwood, Audrey Wilkinson, Tyrrell’s Wines, McGuigan Wines, Scarborough Wine and Tulloch Wines. All offer tastings and experiences that range from tours of their wine-making processes to cooking classes with wine pairings.

Travellers can combine their love

of wine with food, with a number of providers including Hunter Valley Private Tours, Two Fat Blokes and Wine Country Tours offering full and half day tours in private or small groups taking in wineries and local producers.

To get your fill for lunch or dinner, visit one of many local restaurants such as Yellow Billy Restaurant, Bistro Molines, Muse Kitchen or The Wood Restaurant, located onsite at Brokenwood.

MUDGEE MUDGEE merges country life with urban cool and food and wine

NEW SOUTH WALES

Clockwise from left (all images ©Destination NSW): Experience the Hunter’s wine and produce on a horse riding tour.

Bistro Molines in the Hunter Valley offers fine dining for lunch and dinner.

Relax at Mudgee’s Logan Wines, with views across the vineyards served up with your wine tasting.

Indulge in a pastry or two from Racine Bakery in Orange.

lovers flock to the destination for its 40 plus wineries. It is a place for gastronomic adventures, where historic buildings have been reinvented as boutique hotels, and big-city chefs sit at the helm of chic country pubs. Book in Lowe Wines’ cellar door to enjoy a bottle of premium small batch wine and an antipasto platter in the grounds of this beautiful winery or pop into Gilbert Family Wines for a delicious wine flight and small bites. Enjoy a taste of the country with Country Estate Tours who can showcase the region with a tour including food and wine experiences, horse riding or kayaking. There’s also

share platters with local produce and vineyard views at Logan Wines, or for a touch of French style in the NSW country, settle in for the Sparkling Affair experience at De Beurepaire, with a flight of three Methode Traditionelle sparkling wines paired with delicious bites.

ORANGE ORANGE combines stunning wine, landscapes and a fascinating history. The region’s rich volcanic soil from nearby Mount Canobolas and its high altitude make for a cool climate ideal for producing award-winning wines. Visit Rowlee

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NEW SOUTH WALES Wines to experience this first-hand. The estate makes wines exclusively from its single vineyard and offers guests intimate tastings, wine and food pairings and picnics in the vines. See Saw Wines also offers travellers more than just a wine tasting, with tours, lunches and hot air balloon adventures with a Prosecco breakfast all on the cards. Other wineries to add to the list are Philip Shaw and Swinging Bridge to sip chardonnay and pinot noir.

For some gourmet highlights, don’t miss Tonic, located in the charming village of Millthorpe, for its fine dining using seasonal local produce. Or for dinner with a view, head to Sister’s Rock Restaurant at the top of Borrodell Vineyard, which serves produce grown on-site including cherries, black truffles and heritage apples.

Once you’re full, head to the Agrestic Grocer and fill your suitcase with the region’s bounty to take home.

CANBERRA CHARMING towns and villages make up the Canberra District wine region, including Yass, Hall, Murrumbateman, Gundaroo and Gunning, as well as family-run cellar doors, restaurants and local producers. Tallagandra Hill is a must, with this small,

family business dedicated to producing award-winning single vineyards wines including shiraz, tempranillo, vermintino and cabernet franc. Lake George Winery is the oldest in the district and visitors can enjoy their wines along with a rustic menu at onsite restaurant, The Westering. For a more modern feel, head to Shaw Wines and enjoy your tasting with a cheese plate and vineyard views.

For a feed that satisfies, head to Poachers Pantry, which is one of the finest smokehouses in Australia, located on a working farm, or satisfy a sweet tooth at Robyn Rowe Chocolates, where only the finest Belgian fairtrade couverture is used.

SHOALHAVEN SHOALHAVEN boasts picture perfect beaches, relaxed villages, deliciously different food and fantastic wineries.

For fans of great seafood, spend a lazy afternoon at Rick Stein at Bannisters, indulging in superb fresh local seafood in an airy and light-filled coastal venue.

Bangalay Dining is also a must and draws upon Head Chef Brent Strong’s passion for native and local ingredients. For a food and wine experience, Cupitt’s Estate is a family-operated boutique winery, cellar

Clockwise from top left (all images ©Destination NSW): Rowlee Wines near Orange is the perfect spot for a picnic amongst the vineyards.

The Shoalhaven boasts vineyards like Coolangatta Estate, along with white sand beaches.

A glass of red wine from Clonakilla cellar door near Canberra.

Winemaker Ken Helm in his vineyard at Helm Wines near Canberra.

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NEW SOUTH WALES door, restaurant, bar, microbrewery and fromagerie in a beautiful coastal countryside setting in between Ulladulla and Milton. The Shoalhaven region is also home to great wineries and cellar doors, such as Cambewarra Estate near Nowra which has a restaurant on site, along with its cellar door which is child and pet friendly and offers a high tea experience for travellers amongst the vines.

It would be remiss of you to not experience the coastal highlights of the region, so make sure to book a tour with Dolphin Watch Cruises or Jervis Bay Wild to spot dolphins, seals and whales.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

From top (all images ©Destination NSW): Fans of seafood will love Rick Stein at Bannisters.

Peppergreen Estate in Berrima in the Southern Highlands is a must-visit for foodies.

NSW’s Southern Highlands is a rich tapestry of boutique wineries, heritage buildings, picture-perfect towns and green rolling hills.

Peppergreen Estate in Berrima is a must-visit for foodies with the cellar door, tasting room and restaurant located in an iconic building once home to an antique store, and the estate offering tours of its vineyard and olive grove in Canyonleigh. For travellers looking to satisfy both wine and beer lovers, head to Tractorless Vineyard and Bowral Brewing Company where visitors can do a guided wine, beer and cider tasting, or try grape stomping. If you are looking for a menu that features primarily locally grown produce, don’t go past Eschalot Restaurant with its paddock to plate experience, or the Loch, a working farm, garden and guest house just minutes from Berrima which serves long lunches on Sundays.

Luckily, selling NSW is even easier now, with all the experiences featured ready to work with the trade. For full details of experiences, see Destination NSW’s Trade Toolkit, which includes on-demand trade training tools and resources including fact sheets about all these regions in its Wine Regions of NSW toolkit. Travel distributors based in Australia and overseas are invited to access this free resource via Destination NSW’s dedicated landing page for the trade. CLICK HERE to the trade toolkit.

Find NSW products and inspiration for your clients’ next escape. destinationnsw.com.au/tradetoolkit

LAST WORD

TAME YOUR COLLECTION OF CORDS IT MIGHT be a while before we’re travelling again, but the problem of tangled cords is something that will continue to be an issue for all of us who use multiple devices (with chargers, headphones and extra attachments, all of which come with their own cords just ready to get tangled up). Particularly during COVID-19, many of us are working from home and the office (and going between the two frequently), making a cable organiser a must, even while we’re not travelling.

There are a huge variety of electronic cable managers on the market, but BAGSMART’s organisers offer both slimline and regular options, meaning you can choose the right bag depending on how many devices and chargers you have. The elastic loops are perfect for cords, while the mesh zipped sections mean you can keep more precious devices or gadgets like wireless mouses more secure. There’s also slots for portable external hard-drives and SD cards.

Both the slim version and its larger big brother are

made with water repellant nylon and semi-padded material to protect your cords and cables from everyday bumps and splashes, and come in a range of colours, available for purchase from Amazon.

Funnies Flashback We’ve trawled through the Travel Daily Window Seat archives to give you a blast from the past. Here’s a gem from 25 Jun 2013:

WHERE IN THE WORLD THIS impressive structure glistens brightly from the surrounding desert where it is located. The building is the largest of its kind in the country and can play host to up to 41,000 people a day during the peak time for visitors.

Do you know what is the name of this building and where in the world it is located?

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A US man has ended up high in a tree after flying 24 miles in a lawn chair suspended from a large bunch of helium balloons.

Sixty-years-young Joe Barbera took off on Sat morning from his home in Washington State, hoping to land “somewhere in Oregon,” about 250 miles away but some defective balloons brought him down early.

Unfortunately he wasn’t able to document the exploits - before the launch he had to dump his camera in order to get off the ground.

THESE ORGANISATIONS ARE EDUCATING AGENTS AND THEY’RE USING THE TRAVEL DAILY TRAINING ACADEMY. FIND OUT WHY. We offer a solution helping travel and tourism suppliers to develop and market a customisable online training platform. It is cost effective, scalable, user friendly and accessible 24/7 via mobile, tablet or desktop.

Designed for suppliers that value travel agent learning, development and engagement, the Travel Daily Training Academy is an effective way to get your educational content into the hands of those that will drive your future sales.

Visit our website HERE.

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Yarra Valley ©Visit Victoria

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