TravelBulletin for August 2015 - Official NTIA coverage, Careers, Africa, Drive, South America, by Travel Bulletin

AUGUST 2015

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contents

From the managing editor Bruce Piper

COVER STORY

NTIa

features 28 46 52 56 64 68

NTIA 2015 Africa Drive South America Ireland Pacific Islands

monthly 02 09 21 38 41 42 44 72

State of the industry Issues and trends Brochures Careers Travel management Business Events News Cruise report Last word

columns 02 06 09 43 45

Ian McMahon Steve Jones AFTA View Penny Lion CLIA View

www.travelbulletin.com.au Travel Bulletin is part of the Travel Daily family of publications

In this issue we recap one of the busiest months in the Australian travel industry calendar so far this year. There was the inaugural ATAB Business Builders Conference, a one-day event convened by industry veteran Simon Bernardi which included a powerful presentation from Phil Hoffmann who shared some of the secrets of his powerhouse travel industry success. The following week the second annual Travel Industry Exhibition took place in mid-July at Sydney’s Luna Park, with several hundred exhibitors showcasing their wares to more than 1000 trade visitors over two days, along with a standing room-only social mediafocused seminar program. In the midst of the exhibition the Travel Daily group held a big celebration with key industry partners who helped commemorate our 21st birthday. And then it was on to the National Travel Industry Awards. The industry’s night of nights took place at the new Dockside Pavilion at Darling Harbour in Sydney, and saw excellence honoured across the industry. The NTIA continues to evolve to reflect the changing travel sector, with new awards this year for Best River Cruise Operator and Best Online Travel Agency – while the evolving distribution landscape saw the debut of the Best Non-Branded Travel Agency Group award, taken out by Magellan Travel. As well as the comprehensive coverage already published in Travel Daily we feature a full wrap-up of the awards in travelBulletin this month. We are proud to be associated with the NTIA as media sponsor. As if that wasn’t enough activity, Flight Centre held its global gathering in Las Vegas on the same weekend as the NTIA. In true Global Ball style the massive event included high profile performers, with One Republic and Human Nature on stage along with a keynote presentation from none other than Gwyneth Paltrow. Next year the annual Flight Centre extravaganza will once again take place in Singapore – and hopefully there won’t be a clash with NTIA 2016. MEANWHILE with this issue of travelBulletin we farewell Louise Wallace, who has done a sterling job as the publication’s editor since the Travel Daily group took over last year. Louise is heading off to a communications role in the not-for-profit sector, and we are thrilled to announce that the new editor is Kris Madden – a long-time travel trade specialist writer whose expertise and experience is set to build even further on the “new” travelBulletin’s reputation. We welcome Kris to the team and look forward to continuing to bring you an edifying, interesting and entertaining read each month.

This month’s contributors Steve Jones, Brett Jardine, Jayson Westbury, Matt Lennon, Penny Lion, Sean Johns, Amanda Woods, Lee Mylne, Gary Walsh

EDITORIAL Managing Editor – Bruce Piper bruce.piper@travelbulletin.com.au Co-ordinating Editor – Louise Wallace Ph: 02 8090 3125 louise.wallace@travelbulletin.com.au Editor at Large – Ian McMahon Ph: 03 9568 4464 or 0414 320 321 imcmahon@travelbulletin.com.au

Advertising National Sales Manager Lisa Maroun Ph: 0405 132 575 or 02 8007 6760 lisa.maroun@travelbulletin.com.au Production Co-ordinator Sarah Piper Ph: 1300 799 220 or 02 8007 6760 sarah.piper@travelbulletin.com.au www.travelbulletin.com.au

DESIGN TEAM Wendy St George, Hannah Power, Sarah Piper FINANCE Jenny Piper jenny.piper@travelbulletin.com.au 4/41 Rawson Street Epping NSW 2121 PO Box 1010 Epping NSW 1710 Australia Tel: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760) Fax: 1300 799 221 (+61 2 8007 6769)

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

STATE OF THE Industry Qantas returns to Sunshine

Ian McMahon’s perspective

bigger isn’t always better We all love a David and Goliath contest – well, we do when David wins. And such was the case at last month’s National Travel Industry Awards when the (relatively) small Travellers Choice vanquished not one but two giants, Helloworld and Flight Centre, in the contest for the coveted Best Travel Agency Group award. In June I labelled the Travellers Choice challenge for this award “quixotic”. I was wrong. Don Quixote’s windmill-tilting was fruitless. But Travellers Choice, like David against Goliath, has slain its bigger rivals. Congratulations are also due to the “boutique” Magellan Travel Group which took out the new Best Non Branded Travel Agency Group award. It is surely significant that in 2015 the nation’s premier awards for travel agency chains have both gone to relatively small groups founded on the premise that agents should control their own destiny. Travellers Choice, now a national chain, was born out of the Western Australian agency co-operative, Community Travel. While its corporate structure has been refined, a key feature remains that Travellers Choice cannot be sold without the consent of its members. Magellan Travel Group was born out of the frustration of a number of former American Express travel agents, dismayed to find that

they had been merged into Travelscene when Amex withdrew from retail travel. Magellan is set up as a trust and, as with Travellers Choice, a key feature is that it cannot be sold without the consent of its members. These models – which also include the Australian Travel Agents Co-operative – have attracted many agents once loyal to other chains who became disillusioned as Harvey World, Jetset, Traveland, Travelscene, Travelworld and others were swallowed up by mergers over which they had no control. Another major element attracting recruits to these business models has of course been transparency. Member agents are kept aware of overrides earned by the group and they can see how the funds are distributed to members. It is a relatively easy task for recruiters to portray this as superior to the more opaque processes of companies diverting an unspecified percentage of override funds to dividends for shareholders. It is possible to exaggerate the potency of these features of the business models of the two chains adjudged as the nation’s best in 2015. When all is said and done, they account for only a few hundred of Australia’s travel agencies. Many more continue to operate in more traditional set-ups. However their NTIA victories are testament to the power of agents taking responsibility for their future.

Premium tourism operators on Queensland’s Sunshine and Gold Coasts would have been jumping for joy last week when Qantas announced it would deploy twoclass services on the Sydney-Maroochydore and Melbourne-Gold Coast routes. The move marks the return of mainline QF flights to the Sunshine Coast after a ten-year hiatus, while direct Qantas flights from Melbourne to Coolangatta will also provide a significantly better option for Victorians heading north for a luxury short break. The Sunshine Coast flights will be operated using two-class QantasLink Boeing 717 aircraft, while Qantas will fly daily 737 flights to the Gold Coast from the Victorian capital. Other changes in the new schedule announced by Qantas Domestic CEO Andrew David include an additional daily Qantas mainline frequency between Sydney and the Gold Coast. He said the expansion had been enabled in part by shorter B737 turnaround times which “gives us more flexibility to take advantage of opportunities when we see them”.

Helloworld awareness growing Revelations from Roy Morgan Research at the ATAB Business Builders conference that consumer awareness of the Helloworld brand is significantly lower than all of the brands it replaced must have caused some ructions at Helloworld head office. Angela Smith from Roy Morgan cited figures from the company’s ongoing surveys which found that just 11% of Australians had heard of the brand – in contrast to 58% recognition for Harvey World Travel, Jetset/Travelworld with 50%, and Travelscene with 34%.

business monitor OUTBOUND MARKET

INBOUND MARKET

MAIN DOMESTIC ROUTES

Top 10 domestic city pairs at May 2015

Top 10 destinations, May 2015

Top 10 sources, May 2015

Destination Trend Seasonally Original Trend Trend Apr 15/ May 14/ Adjusted May 15 May 15 000 000 000 % % Indonesia 94.8 94.8 94.8 +0.2 +5.2 USA 81.0 80.5 88.8 -0.1 +4.0 New Zealand 104.2 102.6 70.6 -0.2 +5.3 UK 44.4 44.2 62.9 -0.8 -2.3 Thailand 45.7 45.4 39.4 -0.4 -6.8 China 36.8 36.9 36.3 +1.4 +11.2 Fiji 29.2 29.0 28.3 +0.9 +4.8 Singapore 28.8 28.2 25.1 -1.5 -9.9 Italy 15.3 14.8 22.3 -1.2 +1.3 France 12.3 12.7 18.5 +0.6 +1.4 All outbound 776.6 766.1 744.2 -0.1 +2.5

Source Trend Seasonally Original Trend Trend Adjusted Apr 15/ May 14/ May 15 May 15 000 000 000 % % 103.8 +0.6 +6.2 New Zealand 109.1 109.4 China 84.4 86.0 62.3 +2.4 +23.0 USA 48.5 47.8 38.5 +0.1 +7.7 Malaysia 27.7 27.6 32.0 +1.9 +0.0 UK 57.5 56.1 29.4 +0.4 +5.0 Singapore 32.3 31.8 28.7 +1.6 +2.7 India 20.0 19.2 23.1 +0.4 +21.8 Japan 26.9 27.5 18.9 +0.4 -3.3 +14.8 South Korea 19.0 18.6 15.9 +0.0 Hong Kong 17.7 17.6 13.5 +0.6 +2.5 All inbound 613.6 606.8 483.0 +0.6 +7.0

City pair

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Source: BITRE

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Melbourne-Sydney Brisbane-Sydney Brisbane-Melbourne Gold Coast-Sydney Adelaide-Melbourne Melbourne-Perth Adelaide-Sydney Perth-Sydney Gold Coast-Melbourne Hobart-Melbourne

Passengers Passengers % change YE May 14 YE May 15 (000) (000) 8,263.7 8,435.3 +2.1 4,454.5 4,415.5 -0.9 3,267.2 3,317.7 +1.5 2,588.8 2,579.1 -0.4 2,230.5 2,286.3 +2.5 2,200.5 2,137.3 -2.9 1,772.5 1,822.4 +2.8 1,809.0 1,773.0 -2.0 1,702.6 1,758.8 +3.3 1,386.6 1,449.9 +4.6

STATE OF THE Industry Helloworld responded late the next day, with outgoing ceo Elizabeth Gaines issuing a statement saying the Roy Morgan results had been based on a year-long survey which started just after the launch of the Helloworld brand, meaning awareness at the start of the study was negligible and would “skew the aggregate result”. She cited internal Helloworld research of Australians aged 25+ planning to travel within the next 12 months which she said highlighted the “significant and continual growth in brand awareness” of Helloworld.

And the winner is…

Amadeus expands air offering The US$830 million acquisition of Navitaire by Amadeus will see the technology firm expand its domination of the airline IT space. The move will complement Amadeus’ Altea suite which was pioneered by Qantas as a “shared services” model in which the technology company provides a comprehensive suite of products ranging from reservations, check-in, kiosks and baggage management right through to departure control. Navitaire, which has traditionally targeted the low-cost-carrier market, will boost Amadeus’ global airline customer base by about 50 new operators and give it a solution for every part of the market. Amadeus said it intends to continue to market and sell the two product portfolios separately, and will YEAR ENDED APRIL 2015 continue to invest in both platforms. Chart I

India Australia manager Madhu Mathen and Air India sales, marketing and reservations manager Marie Anderson. A massive congratulations also goes out to Tamara Hitchcock from Cover-More who won the travelBulletin lucky door prize, and Rose Ilett from Qantas Credit Union who took out the Travel Daily lucky door prize. Both winners received a $1000 voucher towards advertising.

Cara Blyth from Intrepid Group was all smiles at the National Travel Industry Awards last month as she pondered how to fit this generous prize from Air India into her handbag. Blyth took home the Air India lucky door prize including two return economy class tickets to Delhi ex Sydney or Melbourne, with both tickets upgradable to business class subject to availability. Pictured with the lucky winner are Air

British giant TUI, was hailed in early 2011 as managed global leader in adventure travel”. The combined business was said to comprise more than INBOUND OUTBOUND It must have seemed like a good idea at 20 brands with a combined revenue of $400 the time. The PEAK Adventure Travel Group, million, taking 340,000 passengers to all formed as a joint venture between the seven continents every year as a “one-stop Australian founders of Intrepid Travel and shop for adventure experiences”.

Fast forward to 2015 – just a short four years – and the rhetoric has changed somewhat. Now the businesses are going their separate ways by mutual assent. Intrepid founders Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester will take back full ownership

International Passengers Carried (thousands) - April 2013 to April 2015 creating an “independently

Intrepid goes off PEAK

1950 1700 1450 1200

Continues over page

950

business monitor

International passengers by major airline – year ended April 2015 Chart II

Apr-15

Mar-15

Jan-15

Feb-15

Dec-14

Oct-14

International Air Market Share

Nov-14

Sep-14

Jul-14

Aug-14

Jun-14

Apr-14

May-14

Mar-14

Jan-14

Feb-14

Dec-13

Oct-13

Nov-13

Sep-13

Jul-13

Aug-13

Jun-13

Apr-13

May-13

700

International Passengers by Major Airlines - Year ended April 2015 Qantas Airways, 15.7% Others, 26.5% Emirates, 9.7%

May May Growth Yr to Yr to Growth 14 15 (%) May 14 May 15 (%) 4.57m 4.53m -0.9 57.73m 57.27m -0.8 5.30bn 5.27bn -0.6 68.12bn 67.48bn -0.9 7.40bn 7.23bn -2.3 89.38bn 88.31bn -1.2 71.6 72.9 +1.3* 76.2 76.4 +0.2* 53.7 51.9 -3.4 642.1 640.6 -0.2

Source: BITRE * Percentage points

Domestic On Time Performance – May 2015

Etihad Airways, 2.5% Jetstar, 8.7%

AirAsia X, 3.8% Malaysia Airlines, 4.3% Cathay Pacific Airways, 5.0% Air New Zealand, 7.4%

Departures on Time Arrivals on Time Cancellations No. % No. % No. %

Jetstar 5,460 Qantas 8,626 QantasLink 8,518 Tigerair 1,725 Virgin Australia 9,802 All Airlines 41,128

Singapore Airlines, 8.6% Virgin Australia, 7.8%

Source: BITRE Table I

DOMESTIC AIR MARKET – May 2015

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

83.4 5,359 81.8 90.7 8,694 91.4 86.1 8,649 87.4 87.5 1,764 89.5 92.1 9,921 93.2 87.9 41,555 88.8

102 113 252 14 121 702

1.5 1.2 2.5 0.7 1.4 1.5

Source: BITRE

International Passengers by Uplift/Discharge City Pairs (a)

Foreign

Australian

Year ended

% of

% Change

Port

April 2013

April 2014

April 2015

Total

2015/14

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

STATE OF THE Industry Continues from previous page of their company as well as Adventure Tours Australia, Geckos, Peregrine, Urban Adventures, The Family Adventure Company and the group’s international network of destination management companies. TUI will in turn create its own Adventure Specialist division which will incorporate brands such as Exodus, Headwater, TrekAmerica and Quark Expeditions. Wade said that while the formation of PEAK had “served all brands well at the time, we now recognise that we have different priorities and business philosophies”. See page 12 for more.

Local office for Norwegian Norwegian Cruise Line has enlisted Silversea’s Steve Odell to head up a new Australian office which will also look after Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Odell, who has been living in Europe for some years, will return to Sydney to run the operation effective from October this year. The move was not unexpected, having been flagged some months earlier when ceo Frank Del Rio suggested the acquisition of Prestige Cruise Lines would give the company sufficient critical mass to support its own local office. At this stage, Norwegian insists it will maintain relationships with its existing representatives, providing further on-site support to the efforts of Wiltrans and Cruise Office which currently look after Regent Seven Seas and Oceania respectively. The statement also didn’t mention whether the new office would represent Star Cruises – or indeed Crystal, both of which are majority owned by Norwegian’s major shareholder, Genting Hong Kong.

Revenue surge for CT Partners TMC consortium CT Partners is set for a significant increase in volume, with confirmation that both Concierge Travel Group and World Travel Professionals have joined the group effective from 01 July 2015. Both were formerly Helloworld associate members, with CT Partners chair Grant Wilson saying the network’s annual turnover “now exceeds $1.5 billion, giving our members real leverage in the market”. Helloworld confirmed that the departure of World Travel Professionals was on “very amicable terms” and associated with a change in ownership for the business, with further details expected to be revealed in the coming months.

ABS back on track The passenger card processing debacle which caused a major delay in availability of inbound and outbound passenger numbers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has finally been resolved, with the ABS now back on track, producing its results on a monthly basis. A glitch in processing due to a switch to a new provider in October last year found significant problems with the data and for some months the industry was flying blind. New quality assurance procedures have now been introduced, so the figures going forward should be able to be treated with a high level of confidence. However, disturbingly, these procedures have also revealed that during May more than 50,000 cards disappeared from Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast airports – surely disappointing to the passengers who had so painstakingly completed them.

HEADLINES 01 Jul VA/DL add weight to trans-Pacific 02 Jul Amadeus to acquire Navitaire 02 Jul Govt air consultancy paper 02 Jul NZ visitation jumps 4.1% 03 Jul Air NZ dubious of AA/QF 03 Jul QF to pay $90m in staff bonuses 03 Jul Intrepid splits from TUI 06 Jul Tramada TAAP integration 06 Jul Cover-More 24/7 doctors 07 Jul NZ in third place for May 08 Jul Maldives signs local reps 08 Jul Webjet TTV surges 41% 09 Jul Air Canada nonstop to Brisbane 09 Jul ACCC grants interim authorisation to QF/AA alliance 10 Jul OTAs ‘inch up’ on suppliers 10 Jul QF/AA pact concerns Hawaiian 12 Jul Jetstar, VA cancel more Bali flights 13 Jul American Airlines “will” fly to NZ 13 Jul CHOICE blasts Jetstar opt-ins 14 Jul Qantas ancilliaries jump 8% 14 Jul TA Indigenous highlight 14 Jul Qantas opens sales for SFO flights 15 Jul Shanghai Disney revealed 15 Jul QF committed to Johannesburg 16 Jul Mantra ready for China 17 Jul ANA confirms Sydney flight from Dec 20 Jul NTIA 2015 hails excellence 20 Jul NT agent facing charges 21 Jul LH to pay comm on levy 21 Jul Five new hotels for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane

business monitor INTERNATIONAL AIR ROUTES

internet agency market shares

Top 10 city pairs (at April 2015)

June 2015, compared with May

Rank Company

Market Visits Relative Rank share % share % difference position June 15 May 15 Jun to May May 15 1 Webjet Australia 15.86 15.40 103% 1 2 Wotif 9.60 8.79 109% 3 3 Expedia Australia 9.20 9.11 101% 2 4 Flight Centre 7.46 8.00 93% 4 5 Skyscanner Australia 6.24 6.01 104% 5 6 Lastminute.com.au 3.57 3.78 94% 6 65% 7 7 Velocity Frequent Flyer 1.65 2.54 96% 8 8 Cheap Flights Aus & NZ 1.52 1.59 9 Luxury Escapes 10 FareCompare

1.51 1.36

1.39 1.43

109% 95%

Source: Experian Marketing Services – www.experian.com.au/hitwise

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

12 11

City pair

Passengers YE Apr 14

Passengers YE Apr 15

% of % change total 14/15

Auckland-Sydney 1,455,572 1,503,401 4.5 +3.3 Singapore-Sydney 1,369,351 1,376,810 4.1 +0.5 Singapore-Melbourne 1,111,037 1,160,739 3.4 +4.5 Auckland-Melbourne 1,009,095 1,075,283 3.2 +6.6 Singapore-Perth 1,042,986 1,011,080 3.0 -3.1 Auckland-Brisbane 891,688 941,481 2.8 +5.6 Hong Kong-Sydney 935,800 917,718 2.7 -1.9 Los Angeles-Sydney 900,473 902,910 2.7 +0.3 Denpasar-Perth 847,372 900,397 2.7 +6.3 Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne 874,275 885,067 2.6 +1.2 Top 10 city pairs 10,437,649 10,674,886 31.7 +2.3 Other city pairs 21,662,348 22,993,982 68.3 +6.1 ALL CITY PAIRS 32,099,997 33,668,868 100.0 +4.9 Source: BITRE

AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS

International passenger through Australia’s major international airports – April 2015 Airport

Passengers Passengers % of % change YE Apr 14 YE Apr 15 total 15/14

Sydney 13,162,300 13,462,586 40.0 +2.3 Melbourne 7,543,349 8,324,298 24.7 +10.4 Brisbane 4,775,074 5,102,332 15.2 +6.9 4,045,417 4,162,102 12.4 +2.9 Perth Adelaide 865,043 950,296 2.8 +9.9 Gold Coast 873,497 870,789 2.6 -0.3 Cairns 477,327 475,593 1.4 -0.4 Darwin 337,979 298,418 0.9 -11.7 Norfolk Island 11,606 11,770 0.0 +1.4 Sunshine Coast* 8,405 10,248 0.0 +21.9 All Airports 32,099,997 33,668,868 100.0 +4.9 * Sunshine Coast operated scheduled services from July 2013-Sept 2012, June 2013-Oct 2013 and June 2014. Source: BITRE

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Steve’s Say

ancillary potential overlooked By Steve Jones Some years ago, I covered a story about dog walking that drew some of the fiercest condemnation from travel agents I can remember. The criticism was not directed at me, I should add, but at the suggestion of a business consultant called Nolan Burris. He argued that to make up for airline commission cuts, travel agents should become a little more imaginative in the way they earn money. Burris then unwisely proffered the idea of walking the dogs of clients to partially offset the declining revenues they were earning through good old-fashioned commissions. Suffice to say it did not go down too well. There were howls of protest as retailers objected to being told to take dogs for walks to earn a living at a time when their skills and expertise were being devalued by commission cuts. My recollection of the dog walking tale was triggered by a story in Travel Daily last month which detailed a study from IdeaWorksCompany. The research firm, which advocates a strategy of “building revenue through innovation”, released figures showing how much

revenue airlines generated through the sale of ancillary product in 2014, which included baggage fees, seats with extra legroom, commission from hotel and car hire bookings, and earnings from co-branded credit cards.

Diversification is something ‘travel agents have never been particularly good at ’

The results were remarkably impressive. Qantas saw ancillary revenue jump 8% to US$1.38 billion, the equivalent of US$50 per passenger, while United Airlines topped the table with US$5.86b. It got me thinking. If airlines have been able to build revenue streams beyond their core function, namely the sale of airline tickets, why haven’t travel agents explored opportunities to expand beyond the booking of travel? Fundamentally, diversification is something agents have never been particularly good at. While other retailers have taken a good hard look at their business model and tried to diversify and spread their risk, travel agents, as a rule, have stuck rigidly to what they have always

done – book travel, and nothing more. Not one of the agencies I have visited has ever had anything on sale. There are racks of free brochures, but never is there anything to buy. Yet the travel spin-offs are wide and varied. You’ve just put down a deposit on a US holiday, are excited, and the chances are you’ll be in the market for a guide book. But when was the last time you saw a travel agent selling Lonely Planet guides or maps? Surely an outlet specialising in sending people on holiday should be stocking guide books to the very destination they have just sold to a customer? What about selling a range of travel gadgets? What about plug adapters, sun hats, flight pillows, sunglasses, phrase books – the list of travel related ancillaries is endless. Larger stores could offer a small selection of luggage, with a broader range available online. Consumers want and need this stuff, yet I am unable to buy any of it in the very place I have booked my travel. It’s not even an innovative thought – it’s common sense – but so few retailers appear to do it. No one is suggesting it would generate rivers of gold, but any idea that creates additional revenue in a competitive industry with slim margins must be worth exploring.

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ISSUES & TRENDS

Industry hurting but struggle will pass: HoffmanN

AFTA view Jayson Westbury, chief executive AFTA

ntia evolution continues

T:297 mm

B:307 mm

S:267 mm

Travel agents are feeling the squeeze as the struggling Australian dollar and online rivals bear down on the industry, but agency groups remain optimistic that the pressure will ease as the sector pushes through the current cycle. In an extensive interview with travelBulletin, Phil Hoffmann Travel founder Phil Hoffmann explained that business was “hard work” at the moment as travellers become increasingly reluctant to put their cash on the line. While the softening Australian dollar was causing some selffunded retirees to think twice about long haul travel, Hoffmann said the federal government’s move to change superannuation has been the main culprit. “The government has attacked superannuation for baby boomers -- which is our main market -and put people on the conservative side of spending. While lower interest rates has helped one part of the market, baby boomers are realising they will not earn as much as they did in the past and think they can’t afford holidays. “It is creating nervous travellers and affecting people’s thinking.” The sentiment is not, however, felt across the industry, with Travellers Choice CEO Christian Hunter claiming that its members have not necessarily reported the same trend. “There is no indication of a fall in commitment [from consumers] however booking patterns are still unpredictable,” he told travelBulletin. However, Hoffmann remained confident that the business of travel would again pick up, branding the current state of play as “cyclical”. “It is hard to push travellers over the line at the moment, but we’ve seen this before. We just need perceptions to change,” he said. Hoffmann claimed that the recovery would be price driven and that the cost of travel would inevitably decline in response to subdued bookings. “A lot of things have added up to make the current market difficult for everyone, but prices will come down further and airlines will respond with cheaper fares. That’s the only way,” he said. He also urged consultants to turn around the conversation on pricing and assure travellers that the cost of travel has dramatically decreased over the past 25 years. “Breaking down perceptions is difficult, but [consultants] should take the high ground and highlight that the price of goods is in fact 35% cheaper than two decades ago,” he said. “Earlybirds to Europe used to cost $3500 and they opened this year for $1530 – the landscape has changed and we need to change the conversation.”

The government has ‘attacked superannuation

for baby boomers – which is our main market

’

It seemed appropriate to add my thoughts to the history of the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) which is being celebrated so wonderfully in this issue of travelBulletin. Without question, the NTIA has become the single biggest event of the Australian travel industry as it brings together everyone from all sectors of the travel industry to celebrate. I am not just talking about the gala dinner; the awards themselves are the real engine room of the success of the NTIAs. As the industry has changed, so too have the NTIA categories and I am really pleased that AFTA continues to renew, change, update and modernise the awards. Importantly also is the shift that was made several years ago to bring in more “people” categories. Industry awards are often just about companies, and that is why so many of the categories added over the past few years have focused on people. The judging process is a critical part of the success of the awards, and one important part that AFTA ensures a continuous improvement process is in place. The NTIA has also stood as a mark in time for the industry to celebrate good things, bad things, terrible things, and wonderful things, as over the many years we have had plenty of challenges that the industry has had to face. The NTIAs acts as a central point in the year upon which the industry can look forward to and reply upon. For all of the years that I have been involved, and that now tips eight, Travel Daily and travelBulletin have been the media partners of NTIA. The commitment that both organisations have made to increase the awareness of NTIA and help to build the event into the success that it now is, is remarkable. With Travel Daily and travelBulletin now both owned by the Travel Daily Group, the process of building the trade awareness has been seamless and I am excited to see how much further we can all take the NTIAs together; I am sure we can always go bigger and better. Look out for the fresh plans already being conjured up for 2016. On a final note I wanted just to say thank you to Louise Wallace who is departing travelBulletin and in fact the travel industry this month. Louise joined the industry several years ago and I have found her to be a terrific talent to work with and have enjoyed every minute. When Louise took on the co-ordinating editor’s role for the re-launch of travelBulletin I was sure it would continue to make its mark as a trade publication of authority. Congratulations to Louise and I wish her well and all the best of luck in her new career.

The NTIA event has ‘become the single biggest event of the Australian travel industry as it brings together everyone from all sectors to celebrate

’

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

ISSUES & TRENDS

Share and share alike By Kris Madden

he age of collaborative consumption is well and truly upon us, with ventures such as Airbnb and Uber now household names. But is the sharing economy a threat to traditional travel agents, TMCs and the accommodation sector at large? The growth of collaborative consumption is not just about cash-strapped backpackers settling for a cheap room; it’s also growing in popularity with high-end consumers and business travellers. A recent report by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) titled ‘Faster, smarter, better?’ stated that the sharing economy is not a fad, but a robust trend that is transforming society and traditional business models. According to the report, 43% of travel managers consider the sharing economy to be a notable trend, with 31% saying it is important for accommodation. “As the pace of technological change is accelerating, so is market readiness for new ways of buying, managing and experiencing travel. In this increasingly connected world, the role of the Travel Management Company (TMC) is also continuing to change,” CWT executive vice president global enterprise strategy David Moran says. “Companies should not ignore the sharing economy. As brands adapt their offerings to the managed travel market, barriers are coming down.” Airbnb estimates that 10% of its current sales come from guests on business trips. In July 2014, the company launched Business Travel on Airbnb, offering 500,000 listings that it considers appropriate for business travellers. At the same time, Uber announced a customised service for 10

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

corporate travellers enabling them to bill their travel directly to their company and access reports such as trip details and expense management. Last year, United

As the pace of ‘technological change is

accelerating, so is market readiness for new ways of buying, managing and experiencing travel

’

Airlines became the first airline to offer Uber services to customers via its mobile app. While hotel groups don’t believe Airbnb will take away the lion’s share of their business, they’re still watching with interest. “Airbnb is a great example of how the travel industry continues to evolve and we can potentially learn from them,” Accor Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath says. “We respect all players in the travel sector and ultimately Airbnb are likely to be encouraging a new wave of traveller

that we see as our potential future guests. We don’t see ourselves as competing with Airbnb, but we do need to align ourselves because at the end of the day it’s going to be the same 18 year-old customer that is choosing to stay with them today. And as their travel habits and preferences change, they are likely to stay in one of our hotels in the future. “This is why we are focused on driving our digital strategy and reinvesting over €250M in mobile and online distribution as well as improving our loyalty programs and benefits to ensure that we continually evolve with the industry and keep our customers engaged.” So far, the effect on travel agents and the travel industry has been minimal. However, the awareness and popularity of these kinds of services are mushrooming at a rapid rate, so travel industry players need to ensure they aren’t caught on the back foot by the speed of change. Professional services firm Price Waterhouse Coopers reports that global revenue from sharing economy companies is expected to be worth $335 billion by 2025. With Airbnb’s inventory of 1.2 million properties across 190 countries, and a total of 35 million guests to date, that should be enough to make the travel industry sit up and listen.

ISSUES & TRENDS While the Airbnb Australian office was unavailable for comment, according to Airbnb sources overseas, the company is open to working with travel agents. Airbnb UK and Ireland general manager James McClure recently told a conference in London that while there is no official system set up, the company is evolving and is very open to ideas. “We are all in the business of getting people the best experience possible. We

The challenge for sharing ‘economy companies is to figure out how to sell through travel agents

’

Meanwhile, Henry Harteveldt, a renowned US-based travel industry analyst, was recently quoted as saying the challenge for sharing economy companies is to figure out how to sell through travel agents. “They would be foolish if they ignored that channel. A travel agent selling four or more nights is a sweet spot for home sharing. It would be perfectly logical for an agent to say, ‘I’ll search Airbnb and other sites and charge a service fee for that’.” One thing is for certain; the sharing economy is not going away. Instead of fighting the new model, agents could look for ways to work in tandem with these services to grow their business. The sharing economy revolution may well lead to new marketplaces, new partnerships and new connections for those who are nimble enough to adapt.

want to know what people are looking for and what they want to get out of their holiday and then put together the best experiences,” he said. McClure said he doesn’t consider Airbnb to be a threat to the traditional travel industry, but rather, a choice in an array of options for people to consider, including luxury travellers.

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ISSUES & TRENDS

intrepid travel embraces new risks INTREPID Group and UK-based TUI have filed for divorce, but the split also marks the beginning of a new venture for Intrepid as the travel company looks to embrace its entrepreneurial spirit and delve deeper into philanthropic projects. Intrepid and TUI Group parted ways last month, marking the end to the PEAK Adventure Travel Group which was formed almost five years ago with the hope of becoming the largest adventure travel seller on the planet. Discussing the move in more detail, Intrepid co-founder Darrell Wade explained that the split first came to a head nine months ago when both shareholders realised they had “different strategic ventures and philosophies on travel”. Wade stressed that the split was amicable, describing it as a natural evolution for Intrepid as publicly listed TUI turned its focus to turning a profit for shareholders.

We have a more entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy testing new products, markets and destinations... We’re used to working that way and it sits well with us

‘

’

“It’s been a stressful nine months, but there were a few different strains for us as a company. TUI has a legal obligation to maximise returns for shareholders, and I respect that. But from a personal perspective, it doesn’t sit with me that well. “We have a more entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy getting out there, testing new products,

Darrell Wade, Intrepid co-founder

markets and destinations. Some things work and some things don’t, and we’re happy to embrace that risk. “If you don’t do that, you don’t grow and challenge yourself. It’s worked well for us for 25 years; we’re used to working that way and it sits well with us.” With the split to see both companies take full ownership of their own brands, Wade said there was still a complicated process ahead for both companies to “unwind” over the next six to eight months. Intrepid will continue to do business with “different parts” of TUI, but Wade said the split now gives Intrepid free rein to forge ahead with its own ventures, particularly new philanthropic projects. “We’ve got a long heritage in responsible business and ‘purpose beyond profit’, and we want to take that considerably further,” he said. “Tour operators can play a much

bigger role in responsible tourism in the future, and the split [from TUI] is a great opportunity for us to move forward on this.” Using the Nepal earthquake as an example, Wade said Intrepid responded quickly with a series of fundraising campaigns to pour money back into the local economy, rebuild schools, and to eventually encourage travellers to return to the region. “We can do more, and we really want the philanthropic side of our business to become a bigger part,” Wade told travelBulletin. While the finer details of Intrepid’s new strategy are yet to be confirmed, the company plans to use The Intrepid Foundation as a vehicle to build on philanthropic projects with strategic partners, and to help preserve local habitats and work with local communities. Unlike voluntourism, Wade said the focus was not on having travellers on the ground for individual projects, but instead about encouraging travellers to support local communities by travelling to destinations that would benefit most from tourism. “We’re not very big on voluntourism because we don’t want to lock travellers down – there are a lot of people who can do the work on the ground – but travellers are active players in the end product. “For example, if we want to support orangutans in Indonesia, we encourage tourists to visit those areas which supports communities – but all the traveller is doing is going on a holiday.” For now, Intrepid is “regrouping and deciding on the company’s new philosophy”, but Wade is confident that the company will have greater flexibility to move forward in the years ahead. “We’ve had a great response so far and we’re excited about looking back to the old days where we were more innovative and again making that a central part of what we do,” he concluded.

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ISSUES & TRENDS

AFTA douses training concerns By Louise Wallace

he industry remains divided on the current state of play on travel agent training, with some experts saying professionalism is plummeting - a claim strongly refuted by AFTA Education & Training. In an extensive interview with travelBulletin, Wildlife Safari managing director Trevor Fernandes brought training to the foreground, claiming that quality standards have nose-dived in the absence of mandatory training schemes which went out in the late nineties. With no onus on consultants to attend product training or complete approved training modules, he claimed that “stupidity has rocketed”. “Training was once seen as being essential because people had to prove their qualifications and maintain a certain level, but that is now a thing of the past. How can we now say we’re a profession when not everyone is a professional?” Openly discussing his frustrations after stepping down from the CATO committee last month, Fernandes also claimed that a number of operators were finding it difficult to encourage agents to attend training workshops unless they put on “lavish affairs” with an expensive food and beverage package. “Standards are dropping. The problem is that more people should watch ABC’s

How can we now say ‘we’re a profession when not everyone is a professional ’

Q&A program rather than MasterChef,” he said. “We used to spend a lot of time and money doing these things, but it’s just not valued anymore.” InPlace Recruitment managing director Sandra Chiles echoed much the same sentiment, claiming that the industry has taken a “backward step” as training processes have softened over the years. “People used to have to stamp brochures for two years to acquire the knowledge to sell travel, and now that role doesn’t exist. Agents no longer need any qualifications to sell which is a real cause for concern,” she said. “You shouldn’t be taking people’s money if you don’t have the qualifications; it’s as simple as that. It is not servicing the customer in a professional manner. As an 14

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

industry, we have easily gone backwards 30 years.” While Chiles and Fernandes share strong views on the need for training improvements, their ideas on how to combat the perceived problem vary. Chiles, for instance, suggests that AFTA should implement a benchmark requirement for all new entrants to have completed formal qualifications such as a Certificate III in Travel. Fernandes, meanwhile, claims that a mandated points accrual system would be an effective means to promote ongoing training within the walls of the industry. But history shows that the solution is not clear cut. As AFTA stalwart Mike Hatton recalls, the industry was bound by a training scheme in the 90s called Australian Travel Agent Qualifications (ATAQ) which rewarded consultants with various levels of expertise for completing mandatory training modules. But the system, which was in itself voluntary, was phased out when the scheme was re-named and membership levels dwindled. In essence, the industry doubted its relevance and clout, and opted out over time. “It was almost impossible to monitor the system and it eventually dropped off the radar. People lost interest so we wound it up

and I never saw a need to bring it back,” he told travelBulletin. AFTA Education and Training director Rick Myatt also claimed it would simply not be feasible to strictly mandate the training requirements for travel agent qualifications because needs vary on a case by case basis. “It doesn’t quite work by lumping all agents into one basket and setting a common denominator,” he said, adding that some roles require more training on business management, others need risk management, and some require a stronger focus on airfares knowledge. He also warned that doing so would produce a “realistic risk” where new entrants tick off minimum mandatory requirements and think they are good to go for the remainder of their career. Speaking with travelBulletin, Myatt strongly denied that professional standards were slipping, instead stressing that the type and amount of skills are now growing faster than they can be adopted. “Therefore, from time to time, this will appear as if it is due to a lack of training, but this is not so. It is a work in progress,” he said. Myatt acknowledged that it is within AFTA’s remit to implement training requirements and benchmarks, but he added that standards

ISSUES & TRENDS

have taken a step in the right direction since the implementation of ATAS last year. While managers were only required to hold a single competency unit pre-ATAS, ATAS requirements now stipulate that 20% of staff in accredited agencies must hold a Certificate III in Travel or two years of experience. As Myatt explains, that equates to around 1.16 formally qualified staff per agency – or one to two staff in real terms. “Clearly, ATAS qualification requirements are much higher than what was required in the past,” he said, stressing that suggestions that travel agent training is lagging are “inaccurate”. “While I can see the merits of encouraging training, I strongly reject the effectiveness of mandating based upon a single qualification requirement. While we would like to see the knowledge and skills level of our industry increase to a Cert III level as a minimum across the board, we do not support the idea of imposing this upon an existing experienced workforce ... for the sake of compliance to a mandatory scheme,” he commented. Instead, he suggested that one way to

Clearly, ATAS qualification ‘requirements are much higher than what was required in the past

’

improve the effectiveness of product training was for operators to collaborate with AFTA to deliver product seminars on a cyclical basis. He suggested it could be done online or onsite with all attendees certified individually with proper certification at the end of the session for a negotiated cost. “My personal view is that most operators are already doing product training very successfully but there are some that can do with improvements. However, there is simply not enough evidence to support the claim that professionalism is slipping away,” he concluded. n Got any ideas? Send an email at haveyoursay@travelbulletin.com.au to share your thoughts.

ISSUES & TRENDS

China grip on Aus travellers slips Emerging destinations in Asia are stealing the thunder from China, with several operators reporting that Australians are increasingly overlooking China in favour of experiential tours in Vietnam, Myanmar and Japan. Australian travellers have had a strong affinity with China over the years, with Australians comprising the top ten source markets for the best part of a decade. China slipped just outside of the top 10 in 2014, making 11th place with over 670,000 Australians. But with that figure slipping from around 770,000 arrivals in 2012, wholesalers and tour operators claim that China’s tourism sector is shifting in the eyes of Australian travellers. China Travel Services business development manager Matthew Poon told travelBulletin that Australians’ eyes are wandering from the China mainland as their appetite for more “adventurous” destinations increases. And with the cost of travel to China continuing to rise, he said other destinations are stealing the limelight. “China’s inbound Australia market was doing well for a number of years with the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai, but it’s a different market now and we are struggling to get the numbers up,” he said. Poon said price was driving Australians to competing countries, adding that most travellers do not perceive China as a repeat travel destination. “While there are a lot of people who haven’t been to China, there is no big incentive to go back for people who have already visited Shanghai for instance,” he said. “China is slowing down.” Wendy Wu Tours managing director Alan Alcock reported a similar trend, with growth for “mainstream” China tours slowing as interest for more unique itineraries increases. 16

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

He also reported “significant growth” for India, Japan and lesser visited areas of South East Asia as consumers become more familiar with China. “China has always been a strong growth destination for Wendy Wu Tours, but now instead of the year on year double digit growth we are used to, the last year has been low single numbers,” he told travelBulletin. “On the other hand, business to India is up almost 30% while business to Japan has more than doubled during the same period.”

While there are a lot of ‘people who haven’t been to China, there is no big incentive to go back...

’

Like Poon, he said familiarity with China was deflating arrivals figures as people seek out more unique experiences. “Consumers’ interests have changed and getting on and off a bus to look at things isn’t enough anymore,” he said. Helen Wong’s Tours founder Helen Wong echoed the same sentiment and pointed to the China National Tourist Office for more targeted efforts to promote the destination’s historic and contemporary attributes. “China has been targeted as a destination for some companies to offer holidays at ‘below cost’ which has created a great deal of confusion among customers as to what is the benchmark price of a tour. “These ‘below cost’ deals have also created a great deal of angst among traditional wholesalers and a great deal of suspicion lies within these low cost deals. This has all eroded the market,” she said.

But China National Tourist Office (CNTO) strongly denies that China’s appeal is slipping and cited Tourism Research Australia figures showing that China was ranked as the sixth most popular destination for Australian outbound travellers in 2013 and 2014. “China is still one of the most favourable destinations for Australians… and estimated trends show that China will still keep the popularity during the following years,” CNTO director Weijian Luo claimed. He did not deny that some wholesalers have seen tour bookings taper off, but insisted that the trend was not related to the appeal of China as a destination. Instead, he claimed that the sluggish uptake was related to the dip in the Australian dollar which was “inevitably” increasing the cost of tours. He also pointed to “fierce competition” from online travel agents as another possible reason. Luo also acknowledged that Australian wholesalers play a leading role in shaping China’s tourism industry and welcomed more input from wholesalers on how to find a “better solution” to attract more Australians to China. “CNTO is eager to build a stronger relationship with wholesalers to promote China in the future,” he said. In response to Wu’s call for more intensive marketing efforts, CNTO said the organisation is ramping up its social media promotions, investing “heavily” in public media, and facilitating a range of promotional campaigns between airlines and wholesalers. CNTO also flagged plans to launch a China specialists training program to help agents improve their product knowledge of the destination. “CNTO is willing to take any possible means to give agents more opportunities to know China well and enable them to sell it as a tourist destination to their clients,” he said.

CMY

ISSUES & TRENDS

Premium growth within reach: Sabre Sabre Corporation has its eyes on the prize following the acquisition of Abacus International last month, with the GDS heavyweight making no secret of plans to step up its game in the Asia Pacific market. Newly appointed senior vice president Sabre Asia Pacific Roshan Mendis has big plans following the $411 million deal, telling travelBulletin that significant investment in products and service remains the company’s first and foremost commitment. While the ownership transition is still ongoing, Mendis vowed that no disruptions will occur for agents as he also pointed to bigger picture plans for the company. “The acquisition means that we can now participate directly in this region’s growth [and] manage the business in a way that best aligns the business strategy with the opportunities we see in this region,” he said. Without going into detail, Mendis singled out online as an “engine for growth” for the company, with a particular focus on Online Travel Agents (OTAs). With many Australian OTAs now looking to branch out to international markets, he claimed that Sabre was “uniquely placed” to Smartpoint ad_Travelbulletin_140x210.pdf 1

Roshan Mendis

as a market ‘forAsiatravelPacific and distribution is growing at a healthy clip ’

support their expansion plans with its new technology advancements and breadth of products and services. But when it comes to the Asia Pacific business, he remained bullish that growth was within reach 20/7/15 16:35following the Abacus acquisition.

“Asia Pacific as a market for travel and distribution is growing at a healthy clip. Just participating and being exposed to it will result in attractive growth rates,” he said. And with the combined assets providing customers with a broader range of products and services, he is confident that expansion will follow at a “premium” rate. Mendis said Australian travel agents remain at the core of his vision as he touched on plans to customise Sabre’s existing products for the Australia market. “We will expand on our portfolio [and] over time, agents can expect the core product development effort to be more informed about Australia’s specific market needs,” he said, adding that the Pacific was an “important and growing region” that featured highly on Sabre’s agenda. Mendis claimed that growth was likely to be the most significant change Australian travel agents can expect to see in the future: “As we help our existing customers grow and attract new accounts, we expect the local business to expand. Australia is a top Asia Pacific market and we’re very focused on its development and growth.”

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TRAVEL DAILY 21ST

21 years young... The Travel Daily team welcomed several hundred industry guests to a gala birthday celebration last month, with the group commemorating its 21st year of publishing. In that time Travel Daily has grown from a simple one-page daily fax to an industry powerhouse which also comprises Cruise Weekly, Business Events News, Pharmacy Daily and of course travelBulletin. Attendees including travel agents, suppliers, advertisers and longtime supporters were welcomed by publisher Bruce Piper, who hailed the vision of founder Mike Heard who printed and faxed the first issue of Travel Daily on 4 July 1994. The team very much appreciate the good wishes from the industry, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to the next 21 years with some big plans afoot, so watch this space.

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

16 JULY 2015

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

TIE 2015

Travel Industry Exhibition 2015 The second annual Travel Industry Exhibition, held at Sydney’s Luna Park last month, included a free seminar series which was so popular that the organisers had to expand the space available. Despite removing some walls and adding more chairs there was still standing room only at some sessions, with delegates particularly keen to learn about the evolving travel landscape in the light of the ongoing digital revolution. Sessions on ‘Writing for the Web’ and ‘Twitter for Travel Agents’ were a highlight, along with a panel of bloggers and a presentation from Facebook’s Nick Tubb which unlocked some of the mysteries of the uber-popular social networking site. In between the sessions, visitors took in the latest updates from exhibitors across the globe, with some of the participants coming from as far afield as Cuba, Mozambique and even Turkmenistan. The show also included plenty of networking opportunities, and plans are afoot for an even bigger and better event in 2016. The blogging panel: Prue MacSween, Caz Makepeace and Amanda Woods

Solomon Islands

Switzerland Tourism

Japan

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Collette

Jo Tralaggan from AFTA gives an update on the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme

Capital Link Services

The JetMax team showcase their wares

Brochures

WORLD Journeys has released its 2016 program featuring 14 small group journeys that take in Africa, South America, Japan and more. The 19-day Ethiopia and Sudan itinerary marks the latest addition, with travel to the pyramids of Meroe, the ruins of Aksu, and the Bayuda Desert. Departing 6 October, prices start from $10,895. The Grand Tour of South America is another favourite which includes a five-day Galapagos Islands cruise, four-day Amazon Jungle experience, and travel to Ecuador.

APT has released a dedicated France river cruising program as the operator looks to showcase its new Bordeaux product range. Featuring 11 itineraries, the program highlights five Bordeaux cruises including the 11-day Grand Bordeaux River Cruise which includes sightseeing, a threenight city stay and sailing onboard MS AmaDolce. Passengers can also combine waterways on the 18-day Wonders of Bordeaux and Rhone or the 21-day Douro, Basque Country and Bordeaux.

Scenic has released two mini brochures covering France & Portugal and Russia. Designed to help agents sell the destinations, the programs include detailed information on highlights and inclusions. Complementing the main brochure which runs at over 200 pages, the mini programs provide a stronger focus on individual destinations. Prices lead in from $7295 per person for the 15-day Jewels of Europe journey including return international airfares and a bonus hotel night.

Topdeck is helping travellers to get in early with the launch of a pre-release brochure for the 2016 European summer. Featuring 24 adventures, the A5 program includes travel at 2015 prices in addition to a further 10% discount for travel booked and paid in full by the end of August. Highlights include the 27-day Summer Fun and Sailing itinerary which covers all the popular favourites including Paris, Rome, Greece, Germany and Amsterdam. Prices lead in from $3505 per person.

Wendy wu Tours has released a dedicated early bird program with savings of up to $1355 per person available on selected departures from January to July next year. A West Australian version has also been released including pricing out of the west coast. The 18-day Vietnam Panorama itinerary is priced from $3460 including savings of up to $1140 per person.

The latest Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Explorations brochure features over 40 itineraries across the fleet of 10 ships. All featured vessels travel year round. Covering the South Pacific, Borneo, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Alaska and more, the program also features the 2016 European program for the National Geographic Orion including 22 sailings throughout Europe.

Contikiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015/16 Europe Autumn, Winter and Spring program showcases the perks of travelling off peak, with lower costs, shorter queues and fewer crowds than the peak summer season. The 25-day European Quest itinerary has been included in the winter program for the first time, taking travellers to Paris, Berlin and Prague in hostel accommodation. Priced from $3959, the tour includes accommodation, coach travel, sightseeing tours and some meals.

Adventure World has released a stand alone Africa brochure featuring more detailed information on product and destinations. The 61-page program contains region specific information, along with top selling trips and information on lodges throughout Africa. New to the line-up is the nine-day Luxury Treasures of Tanzania journey which covers Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park from $9304 per person.

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Cover

That winning feeling 22

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

COVER

By Louise Wallace

s the saying goes – from little things, big things grow – and there couldn’t be a more fitting adage for the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs). It’s taken the best part of a decade for the awards to become worthy of a calendar shuffle for over 1000 travel industry folk, and with last month’s gala maxing out Sydney’s Dockside Pavillion at 1220 attendees with a wait list of 300, it has evolved to become the most anticipated event on the travel industry calendar. A far cry from the early days when the awards were tagged on the end of the AFTA annual conference with little more than a lectern and a bar tab, several hundred thousand dollars were poured into last month’s gala, along with months of planning and countless hours of preparation. But the evolution hasn’t come easy. As AFTA stalwart Mike Hatton recalls, the industry was slow to embrace the awards and it has been a struggle to the top for the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) which had a hard time winning the industry’s favour in the early days. According to Hatton – who held the federation’s reins for a decade from 1998 – AFTA was in bad shape when the national awards first emerged on the scene. “I inherited a situation where there had been a lot of infighting about how AFTA was run, how money was being spent, and what the organisation was achieving. Member numbers had dropped to around 1200, and not many people got involved in the awards,” he told travelBulletin. To be fair, the awards were in a very different shape when Hatton held the top post, with AFTA state branches each hosting their own gala every year. That all changed when they were shut down in 2000 and the awards were consolidated to a national event to cut costs for suppliers who were propping up the events in each state. AFTA’s national conference – which had been the highlight of the year in the late 90s – was also scrapped at around the same

time as attendance numbers dwindled from around 1000 to 100. But as Hatton recalls, AFTA turned a corner when industry heavyweights including Flight Centre and Harvey World Travel finally warmed up to the organisation and pledged their support.

major change was ‘inThe 2006 when all of the

major operators became AFTA members

’

“The major change was in 2006 when all of the major operators became AFTA members. It wasn’t easy and we had to prove to them that the organisation had relevance and a voice, but we did eventually get them over the line,” he said. “The focus shifted and everyone adopted an industry-wide approach rather than worrying about their own group. The conversation changed, attendance for the awards hit around 900 people, and we realised the real value of honouring others in the industry – it was a snowball effect from there.” But while AFTA’s evolution continues, memories from previous NTIAs remain chiselled into the minds of many. And Hatton has seen his share of blunders, such as when the management company overseeing the NTIAs went broke six weeks out from the event and saw Stephen Lewis from Regent Four Seasons Hotels come to the rescue at the 11th hour, transferring the 600 pax event from the Gold Coast to Sydney. And the industry has not forgotten the 2003 awards gala when emcee Ernie Dingo fell off the rails. “He was the star attraction that night. He couldn’t pronounce the chairman’s name properly and we couldn’t work out if he had taken pills or drank too much scotch,” Hatton quipped. Continues over page

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Cover

Continues from previous page Hatton has seen his share of “legless industry notables”, but he also singled out the 2001 awards as a stand out when dozens of Ansett staff turned up within days of losing their jobs following the iconic collapse. “It was a sombre event – 9/11 had just unfolded, followed three days later by the Ansett collapse, and yet the turnout from Ansett was astounding. We were all blown away,” he says. But the NTIAs have matured somewhat since then. Not only in terms of numbers which have ballooned from several hundred attendees, but also in award categories which have more than doubled from 15 in the late 90s to 37 categories this year. And according to regular NTIA podium finisher, Phil Hoffmann, the desire to win has exploded as the event continues to swell. “The first couple [of NTIAs] I won, I used to play it down because I thought ‘that’s nice’. But later on when we missed out and saw how our opposition used it against us, we thought – hell, they are more perceptive of this than we think,” he says. “We used to be very placid about the whole thing, conservative even. But now, a win earns you bragging rights, and everyone does it. If you don’t, you lose the opportunity.” Competition is at the heart of the awards – that’s what makes a win so sweet. But the recognition doesn’t only buy 12 months of

We used to be very ‘placid about the whole

thinkg, conservative even. But now, a win earns you bragging right, and everyone does it

’

Phil Hoffmann, regular award winner gloating from within the walls of the industry. According to Hoffmann, the awards also catch the eye of consumers – and therein lies the hunger to win. “Initially you think it’s only your colleagues who care about these things, but the public is more observant than you think. When clients started to bring these things to our attention and saying things about the awards, that’s when I first realised its merit,” he says. Hunter Travel Group managing director Brett Dann, whose group took out the top gong for best multi location travel agency for the 24

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Former Qantas Head of Corporate & Industry Sales Karen Tsolakis with Craig Smith of Corporate Travel Management. second time running this year, shares much the same sentiment. He claims the award has not only lifted the morale of staff and improved the credibility of the brand, but also brought new business to the table. And in Dann’s case, the benefits are easily quantifiable. “We recently won a new client who admitted that their decision to go with us came down to the award. We included the NTIA win on all of our marketing collateral, which the client then cross referenced on the AFTA website and then locked in the business because of the recognition,” he said. “It is probably quite difficult to put the value of winning [an NTIA] into real terms, but let me put it this way – that account alone was worth over one million dollars.” As the sheer size of the NTIAs continues to mount, so too do the requirements involved in the submission process. And many industry heavyweights pour more effort – and money – into preparing submissions than they care to openly admit. One national tourism office, which requested to remain anonymous, told travelBulletin that its marketing department puts weeks into preparing NTIA submissions, and countless hours into tweaking and refining the finished product. Hunter Travel Group’s Dann also claimed that several days of work goes into each submission, while Spencer Travel managing director Penny Spencer noted that the NTIAs form a core part of the company’s annual business plan as the agency eyes off a number of award opportunities each year. “Winning an NTIA helps in the request for proposal process and definitely gives you a competitive advantage. We ask clients why they choose us and a lot of the time they say ‘because you have won so many

We recently won a new ‘client who admitted that

their decision to go with us came down to the award

Brett Dann, Hunter Travel Group

’

awards, you must be good’,” Spencer says. Hoffmann – whose business has taken out the coveted Best Travel Agency award almost a dozen times in the NTIA’s history – was more candid in his comments: “We have been lucky to win a number of awards, but there are absolutely people in the industry who care too much about the NTIAs which is worrying because it does detract from business.” And as the selection process becomes more involved – requiring elaborate details on training, marketing, and even sustainable tourism practices – Hoffmann says NTIA submissions are eating up more time as the event gets bigger. “The bottom line is that you can’t spend too much time on these things and take your eye off the ball of the actual business, especially when markets are tough. The NTIAs are a popularity contest of sorts, but June 30 – the end of financial year – is much more important ... The bottom line figures don’t lie,” Hoffmann says. His comments do bring into question the voting process which has been scrutinised from within the walls of the industry for favouring larger companies with healthy marketing budgets. And it’s no secret that some companies spend thousands of dollars on advertising to fish for votes.

COVER

The recognition of the ‘NTIAs is a great reward,

but it is becoming ‘campaignish’ as the value of the awards increases

Phil Hoffman, Phil Hoffman Travel

’

“The recognition of the NTIAs is a great reward, but it is becoming ‘campaignish’ as the value of the awards increases. It’s clear that companies want to use an NTIA win to improve brand awareness, but there is a need for integrity to ensure the awards don’t only become controlled by voting numbers,” Hoffmann says. AFTA chief executive Jayson Westbury concedes that some awards are driven by a “numbers game” because it’s simply not possible to assess all categories with a judging panel, particularly with suppliers. “How would you have an airline come to front a judging panel? It’s a difficult proposition but there is no other way,” he says. “Non judged categories are a popularity contest – most of the supplier categories are – but we don’t see the same companies win every year so it is not a major concern.” Dousing any suggestions that the playing field is not level across the board, Westbury says the addition of more categories opens up the doors to more players in the event’s history. “The industry has diversified and adding more categories highlights the maturity of the awards. It’s a natural progression via feedback,” he says. It’s a move that he says has been embraced by the industry, and clearly he is on the right track, with Spencer, Hoffmann and Dann agreeing in unison that it adds to the weight of the awards. “The awards are fairer with more categories; it doesn’t dilute the value of a win at all. It’s great to get more people involved,” Hoffmann says. However, the move to introduce a mandatory ATAS requirement for all nominations has still failed to gain favour of some industry naysayers who claim it forces the industry to take part in the scheme. Westbury has stood his ground and has no plans to ease the requirement for future NTIAs. “A few people are shitty about [the mandatory ATAS requirement], but in a

deregulated environment it is a critical part of elevating standards – especially with what we have seen go on over the past few months. It hasn’t detracted from the calibre of nominations, the number of nominations, or the number of people who have voted,” Westbury says. He is clearly confident that the NTIAs has legs for the future, and while the two-year contract with Dockside Pavilion means attendance numbers will be capped at around 1200, Westbury has made no secret of his hopes to take the figure to two thousand when the event moves to the larger International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney in 2017. “Popularity is rising and the industry will come [to the awards] when we have the ability to move into a bigger venue. If

they don’t, it doesn’t matter, but we want a venue that will allow us to grow and the momentum is at the ICC,” he said. Time will tell if the 2000 target is still out of reach, but as far as Mike Hatton is concerned, the current state of play is nothing short of a success: “The NTIAs have grown to become the highlight of the year and we would never have dreamed about having 1400 people hoping to attend in the old days. It’s good to see that all of the people from outside the tent in those days have come on board and everyone is on the same team.” travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

2015

NTIA WINNERS

Category 1 | Best Travel Agency Group (100 outlets or more) Sponsored by Qantas Airways

Category 10 | Best Travel Consultant – Retail Sponsored by Royal Caribbean International Phil Smethurst

Bicton Travel

Travellers Choice

Category 11 | Best Travel Consultant – Corporate Category 2 | Best Non Branded Travel Agency Group Sponsored by Star Alliance

Sponsored by Virgin Australia

Bicton Travel

Uschi Howard

Category 4 | Best Travel Agency Retail – Multi Location

Category 13 | Best Travel Agency Manager – Retail Multi Location

Sponsored by Qantas Airways helloworld Hunter Travel Group/RACT Travel

Sponsored by Qantas Airways Goldman Travel Corporation

Sponsored by Avis World Travel Professionals

helloworld Hunter Travel Group

NSW

Category 14 | Best Travel Agency Manager – Corporate Single Location Sponsored by Virgin Australia Kerby Reimer

Category 6 | Best Travel Agency Corporate – Multi Location

NSW

Sponsored by World’s Leading Cruise Lines Lisa Tjandi

Category 5 | Best Travel Agency Corporate – Single Location

The Travel Authority Northern Beaches

Complete Business Travel

QLD

Category 15 | Best Travel Agency Manager – Corporate Multi Location Sponsored by Cover-More Travel Insurance Kingsley Dawes

Carlson Wagonlit Travel

WA/SA/VIC

Category 7 | Best National Travel Management Company Sponsored by Qantas Airways FCm Travel Solutions

Category 16 | Rookie of the Year – Agent Sponsored by Travelport Jonathan Pichaloff

helloworld Newcastle Corporate

Category 8 | Best Online Travel Agency (OTA) Sponsored by Amadeus IT Pacific Global Journeys

Category 17 | Best Specialty Wholesaler Sponsored by South African Tourism Insider Journeys

Category 9 | Best Business Events Travel Agency Sponsored by Cover-More Travel Insurance Event Travel Management

Category 18 | Best Domestic Airline Sponsored by Air Tickets Qantas Airways

NSW

Category 19 | Best International Airline – Online Sponsored by The Travel Corporation

Category 31 | Best Sales Executive – Industry Supplier Sponsored by Royal Caribbean International

Emirates

Stella Hritis

Trafalgar

NSW

Category 20 | Best International Airline – Offline Sponsored by Consolidated Travel

Category 32 | Rookie of the Year – Supplier Sponsored by Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre

Finnair

Category 21 | Best Cruise Ship – Domestic Deployment

Cam McDonell

G Adventures

QLD

Sponsored by AA Appointments Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Cruises

Category 22 | Best Cruise Operator – International Deployment Sponsored by Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers Royal Caribbean International

Category 33 | Best Hotel/Resort Group Sponsored by Expedia Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Category 34 | Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution Sponsored by ASEAN Promotional Chapter Tourism Franklyn Scholar

Category 23 | Best River Cruise Operator Sponsored by helloworld APT

Category 35 | Best Travel Writer Sponsored by World’s Leading Cruise Lines Louise Goldsbury

Category 24 | Best Tour Operator – Domestic Sponsored by Travel Trade Recruitment APT

Category 36 | Best Travel Agent Technology Innovation Sponsored by Qantas Credit Union Amadeus Ticket Changer

Amadeus IT Pacific

Category 25 | Best Tour Operator – International Sponsored by Dubai Tourism APT

Category 37 | Emirates Travel Consultant Scholarship Sponsored by Emirates Jamie-Lee Holloway

Category 26 | Best Car/Campervan Rental Operator Sponsored by Expedia Hertz

Category 27 | Best Tourist Office – International Sponsored by Global Blue Dubai Tourism

Category 28 | Best Wholesaler – Australian Product Sponsored by Accor Infinity Holidays

Category 29 | Best Wholesaler – International Product Sponsored by AA Appointments Infinity Holidays

Category 30 | Best Agency Support Service Sponsored by The Travel Doctor - TMVC Cover-More Travel Insurance

helloworld Kotara

NSW

afta ntia 2015

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Best River Cruise Operator Best Tour Operator, International Best Tour Operator, Domestic APT is overwhelmed to receive these three awards. It is an outstanding achievement and we are all very proud.

We would like to thank our valued travel industry partners for their ongoing support.

NTIA 2015

Franklyn Scholar WINNER Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution 2015 National Travel Industry Awards Steve Limbrick from Qantas with Travellers Choice CEO Christian Hunter

Best Travel Agency Group: Travellers Choice The 2015 NTIAs will no doubt go down as a career highlight for Travellers Choice CEO Christian Hunter whose group muscled out industry heavyweights Flight Centre and Helloworld to win the coveted Best Travel Agency Group award. Marking the company’s first ever NTIA in its 38 year history, Hunter congratulated all Travellers Choice members and thanked them for their continued support. Speaking with travelBulletin after the win, Hunter said the company’s unique co-operative model also got the group over the line. “We’ve gone from being a small co-op to a large office, and we are very proud of the win considering the strong competition,” he said. “You are only as good as the staff behind the company, and I truly believe that our consultants see the value of our model, and that drives them to work so hard.”

I was completely blown ‘away to be a finalist, so

it’s extra special to win the Rookie of the Year award. There are probably thousands of rookies out there, and the competition was really tough. I am really glad to win

’

Ryan Davis from Travelport with Rookie of the Year Jonathan Pichaloff

Jonathan Pichaloff helloworld Newcastle Corporate

SAY HELLO AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2015 WINNERS Jonathan Pichaloff Lisa Tjandi helloworld Hunter Travel Group /RACT Travel Jamie-Lee Holloway

helloworld Newcastle Corporate, Rookie of the Year (Agent) helloworld Hunter Travel Group, Best Travel Agency Manager Retail (Multi Location)

Best Travel Agency Retail (Multi Location) helloworld Kotara, Emirates Travel Consultant Scholarship

helloworld Hunter Travel Group and RACT Travel would like to extend a huge thank you to all our industry partners. Without your support we could not achieve such incredible accolades.

HUNTER TRAVEL GROUP

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

NTIA 2015

This has been a year of ‘transition for us and this award shows that we’ve focused on our partners and customers. It is a testament to our whole team for their efforts during the challenging times.

’

Russell Cartensen, Air Tickets with Steve Limbrick from Qantas Airways

Steve Limbrick, sales manager Qantas Airways Best Domestic Airline

Apt: Best Tour Operator - Domestic, Best Tour Operator - International and Best River Cruise Operator APT staff had plenty of practice for their NTIA acceptance speeches, taking home three awards for Best Tour Operator Domestic, Best Tour Operator International, and the new Best River Cruise Operator category. APT has had consistent success at the NTIAs, winning the Best Tour Operator Domestic category for four years running and taking out Best Tour Operator International at last year’s gala. The operator also picked up three NTIAs last year, but APT director Robert McGeary claimed that the latest round of wins came as a great surprise. “It’s so wonderful to be recognised by our peers, and thanks to everyone for helping to take us on our 60 year journey,” he told travelBulletin after accepting the third award. “I dedicate this award to our amazing staff.” APT chief marketing officer Debra Fox also thanked staff for their continued dedication, adding that it was “no easy feat” to win the accolades. “I would like to thank our valued travel industry partners for voting for us and for their ongoing unwavering support,” she said.

Best International Airline - Online: Emirates

Bicton Travel

rence m a k i n g a w o r l d o f d i ff e

THANK YOU

to all who nom

inated and vo

ted for us Phil & Bicton Tr avel Team

Best Trav el Agen cy Sing le Loca tion Bict on Trav el Best Trav el Cons ulta nt Phil Sme thur st

outstanding to win ‘thisIt isaward three years in

a row – the team will be thrilled. We would like to thank the team at Dubai Tourism who are such great partners. Now we will just focus on what we’re good at and what lies ahead

Rob Gurney, Emirates divisional VP

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

’

Big thank you To our valued trade partners for voting us the Best Cruise Operator at this year’s awards. We couldn’t do it without you.

Awarded Best Cruise Operator – International Deployment at the 2015 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards.

NTIA 2015

just over the moon. ‘OurWe’re retailers get behind us

every day of the year and it makes me proud to know we work for the world’s best. Cruise has never been so competitive, and our team in North Sydney are dedicated to making us a household name

’

Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean Cruises regional vice president Asia Pacific Best Cruise Operator - International Deployment

Best travel Agent innovation: amadeus ticket Changer amadeus IT pacific TRAVEL technology innovations are coming in thick and fast, but it was Amadeus who took out the top gong for its Amadeus Ticket Changer solution at last month’s NTIAs. Battling out fierce competition from Air Tickets, Sabre, Helloworld and Travelport, the Ticket Changer technology is designed to minimise the complexities of manual ticket reissuing and slash processing times to around two minutes. Amadeus managing director Tony Carter was quick to congratulate the team as he accepted the award. “We are extremely proud to have come out on top in the Best Travel Agent Technology Innovation category. Our winning solution is the result of listening to our customers’ biggest pain points,” he said. “We are very grateful for the recognition at the AFTA awards.”

Matthew Lawrence, Qantas Credit Union with David Katz, Nick Ward and Fergus Park from Amadeus IT Pacific

Travel Daily and travelBulletin congratulate all the NTIA 2015 winners. Want to relive the thrill of winning? Contact Lisa Maroun (lisa.maroun@travelbulletin.com.au) for information about a professionally produced winner’s video.

tB NTIA larg Aug.indd 1

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSORS

27/07/2015 2:21:50 PM

NTIA 2015

amazing to win ‘thisIt feels award. I’m glad I

made the transition from hospitality to travel, as I feel like I’m in the right place

’

Cam McDonell, G Adventures Rookie of the Year - Supplier

TravelManagers Corporate travel. Personal travel managers share the secrets of their success

“I realised the idea of being independent and in charge of my destiny was immensely appealing. Being a personal travel manager, I am my own boss, setting my own goals and working to my own timetable.” To find out more call us: P: 1800 019 599 E: join.us@travelmanagers.com.au join.travelmanagers.com.au

Cam McDonell with Halina Kubica from Greece & Mediterranean Travel Centre

Part of the House of Travel Group ACN 113 085 626 Member: IATA, AFTA, CLIA

Best Travel COnsultant - Corporate: Ric Pattaro, TravelManagers TravelManagers’ Ric Pattaro again took to the stand at the NTIAs last month, winning the Best Travel Consultant – Corporate award for the second year running. Speaking to travelBulletin fresh off the podium, Pattaro said it was an overwhelming feeling to again take home the award. “I feel really privileged to win for the second time,” he said, adding that good service is central to being a good consultant. Pattaro thanked AFTA for the recognition and said the NTIA win was further encouragement for him to hone his skills in selling travel. “My message to the industry would be – believe in what you do, do it well, and the rest will take care of itself,” he commented. Avis’ Jenny Lorkin with Ric Pattaro from TravelManagers

Innovation wins the day Amadeus Ticket Changer has won the prestigious 2015 NTIA Award for Best Travel Agent Technology Innovation. Congratulations to all the NTIA Award winners, in particular to Amadeus partners.

To find out how Amadeus Ticket Changer can help you increase the productivity and profitability of your agency, speak to your Amadeus Account Manager or visit amadeus.com

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

NTIA 2015

BEST SPECIALTY WHOLESALER

Thank you for your support!

Thank you for your support. We’re honoured to have been named the Best Specialty wholesaler for 2015. With over 22 years of experience in the region, we know Asia intimately. With your support we will continue to deliver hand-crafted small group journeys and insider experiences to your clients.

Call 1300 362 777 | Email agents@insiderjourneys.com.au

Our agency has always been at the top of the game in cruising, but it is great to be recognised as Best Travel Consultant. It is the pinnacle of my career and we will be displaying this proudly for the rest of the year

‘

Phil Smethurst, Bicton Travel Best Travel Consultant - Retail

Best Travel Agency Manager - Retail Single Location: USCHi HOWARD

I’ve been in the industry ‘since 1979 and left a few

times, but it always draws me back. It’s so satisfying to win this award as it makes you feel like you’ve made a difference

’

Uschi Howard The Travel Authority Northern Beaches

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

’

Harvey Lennon and Brett Dann from helloworld Hunter Travel Group/RACT Travel

helloworld hunter travel group/RACT Travel Helloworld Hunter Travel Group came out on top at last month’s NTIAs, taking home four awards out of six categories in which it was nominated. The winning streak started straight off the mark with Jonathan Pichaloff from helloworld Newcastle Corporate taking out the Rookie of the Year award, while Lisa Tjandi was recognised as the Best Travel Agency Manager – Retail Multi Location. Jamie-Lee Holloway from helloworld Kotara also received the second ever Emirates Travel Scholarship, while the group also received the top gong for Best Travel Agency – Retail Multi Location. Hunter Travel Group managing director Brett Dann told travelBulletin it was a validation of last year’s win to again take out the coveted award. “We had an incredible year in terms of results and this award proves that there is strength in working together and collaborating,” he said. “We want to continue to do better, but it’s amazing to win, especially being from a regional area.”

AVEL GROUP 2015

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP WINNER 2015

Careers

the real value of an mba Is it worth the paper it’s written on? By Louise Wallace

ERTIARY qualifications don’t come cheap. Nor do they guarantee a prosperous career or job satisfaction. But there is good reason why parents dangle carrots in front of their children in the hope that they will invest in university qualifications, with the latest Graduate Careers Australia report showing around 70% of graduates were in full time work within four months of completing their qualifications. According to the report, average salaries of university graduates aged under 25 were $25,000 in 2014, with longer term job prospects also significantly higher than those without an undergraduate degree. But for the increasing number of experienced and degree qualified individuals working in travel companies across Australia, the question remains – what’s the next step when workplace learning dries up and career progression draws to a halt? The options are many and varied, but a Master of Business Administration (MBA) could help to reignite the spark for employees whose mind is starting to wander. For Mantra Group director of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events, Paul Wilson, an MBA has done just that. After a number of years with the hotel group, Wilson saw the need to dig deeper to take his career to the next level and signed up to a part-time MBA with Macquarie University. “I had learned a solid base of knowledge on marketing and finance with Mantra, but the MBA has allowed me to think differently and approach economics and business on a completely different level,” he told travelBulletin. “I obviously want to climb higher in my career and I can now confidently take on complex projects with a far deeper understanding.” 38

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Tourism Australia social media and advocacy manager, Jesse Desjardins, took a slightly different approach, opting for an Executive MBA at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership which is a two-year parttime course with five two-week modules which are completed overseas. Desjardins, who completed his MBA last month, said the program was a valuable way of complementing his existing skill set after working in a “silo for a long time”. Having worked for Tourism Australia for two years before starting the MBA, he said the study modules became like therapy sessions that helped him to think outside of the box. “Many of us have been put in management or executive positions without any proper training, and this provided the foundation that I needed for the next step in my career,” he said. Certainly, everyone’s motivations for tackling an MBA are different; Wilson was

often talk about ‘thePeople financial cost of an MBA, but it’s much more taxing on your personal life than your finances

’

driven by the fact that most CEOs now hold an MBA qualification, while Desjardins saw the need to dive deeper into areas of leadership, finance and strategy. Meanwhile, Rocky Mountaineer national sales manager APAC Steve Farrelly has long had his sights on a senior management role with an iconic travel brand. With a little nudge from a mentor, he settled on an MBA program with Sydney Business School. “We identified a gap

in that many companies were hiring business and finance managers from outside the industry with very few years’ experience in travel and tourism. I had a desire to become a well-rounded candidate with knowledge of many different business facets that are required in today’s competitive environment which would add value to an organisation,” he told travelBulletin. As one would expect from an intensive two-year study program, Farrelly said the MBA gave him a solid understanding of the commercial world, and the ability to thrive in a competitive business environment. But in hindsight, he admits it’s not for everyone. With costs alone exceeding $70,000 for some Australian MBA programs, he said the toll it takes on students’ personal lives can also be exhausting. “People often talk about the financial cost of an MBA, but it’s much more taxing on your personal life than your finances. You need to study around 20 hours per week, your social life comes second, and you need to work many late nights after your kids have gone to sleep,” he said.

CAREERS

“There are a lot of mixed opinions about MBA programs and whether they guarantee career progression or not. Your friends stop calling because you’re spending many nights and weekends on assignments and projects, and not everyone is ready for that kind of commitment,” Desjardins added. But both Farrelly and Desjardins claimed that the late nights were worthwhile in the end. “The struggles you go through completing an MBA develops the strength you need for tomorrow,” Farrelly said. “My father always said ‘you need to do what others won’t to achieve what others don’t’ and I was happy to sacrifice a few social weekends to achieve my goals.” Lawrence Potter from the Macquarie University Faculty of Business and Economics agreed that an MBA is not for the fainthearted, and he admits that prices are becoming increasingly “prohibitive”. But like Farrelly and Desjardins, he claimed the short term pain was worth the long term gain. “The benefits of an MBA would be questionable for a travel agent, but very valuable from a management or business perspective. It brings a whole range of disciplines and benefits to the fore, particularly in marketing management and financial governance,” he told travelBulletin. Potter said an MBA was best suited to those who have dabbled in business or commerce for several years and are ready for their next challenge. But he also stressed that the golden piece of paper does not necessarily buy a better career path. “Most graduates end up in mid management level positions, not necessarily CEO level. Senior management these days is not just about qualifications; it’s about experience and time spent in the role. “Someone with five years of experience and an MBA simply doesn’t have the same level of ability than 25 years of experience. However, an MBA does provide a solid platform to advance your career,” he says, adding that many graduates go on to work in consulting roles. Potter, who comes from a long line of traditional learning institutions, said on-campus learning provides the greatest benefits in terms of collegiate support, with most graduates calling on fellow students for professional support years after graduating. But with a myriad of new MBAs now emerging with institutions from all over the globe, he added – almost reluctantly – that online learning may be a better fit for some students. “There are a number of online MBA programs out there that don’t hold as much weight as traditional programs, and employers do take notice of the difference. They realise that traditional learning provides the greatest benefits, but they can also assess the calibre and quality of employees regardless of whether they have an MBA,” he said. His advice: think carefully before signing on the dotted line, research the institution you’re considering, and approach your employer for financial and moral support.

WANT YOUR EXECUTIVE CAREER SEARCH HANDLED CONFIDENTIALLY?

CALL AA

There are a number of online MBA programs out there that don’t hold as much weight as traditional programs, and employers do take notice of the difference

‘

’

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

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FOR MANY MORE EXECUTIVE VACANCIES VISIT OUR WEBSITE travelBulletin APRIL 2015 xx www.aaappointments.com.au

cAREERS

Q&A

Staffing issues are one of the greatest headaches for travel agency owners, but American Express Global Business Travel vice president Jo Sully claims that attractive travel policies could be the winning ticket to get great staff over the line. Here she explains how.

How can small businesses implement changes to their travel policies so that they are more appealing to staff? Small businesses typically don’t have the finances to justify significant upgrades to their business travel policy, but ensuring that employees have a reasonable level of comfort across flights and hotel accommodation should be considered a base level expectation. Small businesses could consider what trips could be upgraded to business, or look at higher tier hotels. How do business owners stand to benefit? Travel policies could be the final piece of the puzzle which convinces talented candidates to take a job over a competitor, so it may be worth considering the benefits of such an offer against the associated costs. It’s a healthy and sensible approach for a company to regularly review its business travel policy to potentially improve the ability to acquire great talent.

When has this trend come to the forefront? Generous business travel policies were common before the global financial crisis, but policies have tightened since then. With cheaper fuel prices, stable airfares and an improving global economy, companies are once again reviewing travel policies to attract top talent.

Are business travel policies really that important to staff? Improvements above the standard result in employees feeling highly valued by their employer. A small increase in costs can result in an employee feeling a greater level of engagement and motivation from their organisation.

What other factors may encourage new talent to sign on the dotted line? Travel opportunities for work may not always be immediately apparent to potential candidates, but these opportunities are often attractive – particularly to millennials. With this in mind it is wise to articulate these opportunities during the interview process as it can provide additional appeal in attracting the preferred candidate.

PHONE A

EARN MORE, WORK LESS.

to find out how

03 9034 7079

Uncapped earnings and a work schedule to suit your lifestyle means you can build a business with Travel Counsellors to be proud of. “Travel Counsellors gives you the chance to put your years of travel industry experience and passion for travel to work to finally earn what you’re worth”. Travel Counsellors empowers all agents to reach for the sky and earn what they’re worth. “If you want to find out more about

the possibility of uncapped earnings and the flexibility that comes with being a Travel Counsellor then give me a call”.

Have an informal, confidential chat on 03 9034 7079 Find out more at www.travelcounsellors.com.au or email the team at connect@travelcounsellors.com.au

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT

Strategic thinking is

executive thinking By Judith O’Neill

re you working as hard as you can, but not making real progress? Do the same things appear on your to-do list, day after day? Would you work smarter, not harder, if only you knew how? If time is not spent working in the most valuable way possible, it is wasted. And the most effective way to stop wasting time is to develop the habit of thinking strategically – about everything. One way to combat this is to stop and ask yourself the following strategic ‘big picture’ questions. 1. What do I need to achieve? It is essential that you are clear on your objectives so that you know what results you need to deliver, and most importantly, how the work you do today fits into the bigger picture you have for your company. Every time you go to an industry lunch or have a meeting with staff, ask yourself what you need to achieve. It’s amazing how much time can be lost when you are not clear on what your real objectives are.

2. Why do I want to achieve it? Next, ask yourself why you are doing it. This seems so simple, but it is fascinating that so many responses are ‘because I always do’, ‘because everyone else is’, or ‘just because’. Ask yourself how the task you are working on supports your objectives.

If this doesn’t support your vision, performance KPIs, or your personal goals, then the big question is – why are you doing it at all? 3. What am I willing to do? If you understand why something is important, you will immediately have a clearer understanding as to the compromises and tough decisions you are willing to make in order to achieve your goal. You may be willing to offer blood, sweat and tears for some objectives, and work weekends or late nights for others, but make sure that you don’t apply this level of effort unless the objective is worth it to you or to your company. One of the biggest causes of managerial and executive stress is treating everything as high priority and attempting to deliver 110% effort indiscriminately. Make sure you take a strategic approach to the way you utilise your energy. 4. Who can I delegate the rest to? Once you have determined what demands your focus and why, you may find that there are some things on your to-do list that still need to be done, even though they are not a high priority for you. If you have a team – delegate. Give staff a chance to expand and showcase what they can do. If you don’t have a team or the right person to do the job, consider outsourcing, calling in a contractor, or building a support team of niche service providers.

5. Have I got all the support I need? With so many things requiring your attention, it’s important to ensure you are getting the support you need to make it all happen. This includes ‘buy in’ from your managers, stakeholders and key decision makers, as well as more personalised support like working with a specialist consultant, mentor or coach. Mentoring is an area that may be valuable to your strategic thinking, decision making, and the profitability of your company. Another strategic question to ask yourself is ‘how much more could I achieve with a mentor?’. The mentoring relationship is one where a wiser and more experienced person assists another person to grow and learn; they are listeners, encouragers, supporters, challengers and friends. Mentors encourage mentees to take risks, and those who have been mentored know how to take a risk and apply strategies to minimise potential problems. Think about this and your strategies in this new financial year.

Judith O’Neill is a management consultant, business and corporate coach. She is the principal of Aspirations Consulting and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

business events news

gold coast poised for growth By Jill Varley

“Given the volume of competition worldwide to win these prestigious events [such as the Commonwealth Games], it is extremely difficult. But our ability to attract globally ranked conferences adds another important dimension to the fabric of the Gold Coast,” she said. The Commonwealth Games is fuelling much of what is happening on the Gold Coast, with a host of new construction and refurbishments including the $670 million redevelopment of iconic shopping centre Pacific Fair, expected to open in April 2016. The RACV Royal Pines Resort convention centre has also undergone a total refurbishment, while the Sharks Events Centre was also overhauled in 2014. A permanent outdoor events area along the Broadbeach Broadwalk is also set to be constructed ahead of the Commonwealth Games, with the new facility expected to cater for up to 500 guests. One thing is for sure, when it comes to the Gold Coast, there’s never a dull moment.

Business events are big ticket earners for the Gold Coast. The annual ‘This is Gold Coast Business Exchange’, held in June every year, allows the destination to showcase its meetings and events facilities and why the Gold Coast shares the title with Brisbane as one of the most desirable places to live. As the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games looms on the horizon, bringing with it new venues, services and facilities, there is much happening in the Gold Coast’s business events landscape. With the destination contributing $306 million to the local economy in 2014, the Gold Coast also attracts one of the highest conference partner participation rates in Australia. Director Gold Coast Tourism Business Events (GCTB) Anna Case says the destination is renowned for its relaxed beach vibe, but it is also a world class meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition location.

Q&A

Event Travel Management has gone from strength, taking out the prestigious Best Business Events Travel Agency award at last month’s NTIAs. General manager Tracey Edwards told travelBulletin what’s next on the cards for the successful events management agency.

Congratulations on the win! You must be very proud of your team. What do you believe got ETM over the line in the end? We work side by side with our clients to get the best outcome. In the past 12 months we helped a client organise an event in the Middle East which had to be cancelled because of the local conditions. We worked with our suppliers and were able to deliver a 100% refund, and then saved the day by assisting delegates with holiday packages in the region. I think a team’s true value is shown in difficult circumstances, and that was certainly true of our team. What has been ETM’s key focus in the previous year? Being part of the broader CTM business means we can take advantage of the investment in technology to deliver tangible results for clients, such as giving greater visibility over travel and venue options and the available savings. Our focus in the past year has been embedding this technology and ensuring our clients maximise their benefits from it.

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

What would you consider to be ETM’s greatest achievements in the past year? One of the most rewarding aspects of our business is hearing from clients that their event was a success and had a meaningful impact on delegates. What is the greatest challenge for industry at the moment, and how are you working to overcome this? Businesses have an understandable focus on controlling costs, which flows through to our clients’ requirements when organising events. The recent pressure on the Australian dollar increases this impact, meaning we need to help clients find ways to deliver more impact for their existing budgets. What do you see as being the next big innovation for the industry? The trend to fulfil information and procurement requirements online continues, and our industry is not immune to this challenge. Clients expect transparency of costs, and measurable improvements (including savings) over their own online

searching and purchasing capabilities. This is something ETM has in our DNA. We agree that customers should be able to see measurable and sustainable benefits from partnering with us, and we work to deliver and demonstrate those benefits every day. Do you have a key message that you would like to share with the industry? It is not enough to simply connect a client with a supplier; you need to constantly ask yourself what your client needs for their event to succeed, and what added value can I provide in making that happen. And finally, is there anyone that you would like to thank following the NTIA win? Success is a team effort. I would like to thank our suppliers for working with us, and the broader CTM team who support us every day and ensure we can provide big picture solutions to our clients.

New advisory board to lead AIME strategy AIME 2016 is likely to be an evolution from the 2015 showcase, with a number of industry heavyweights called together to provide “honest” feedback on this year’s show. Including 16 members from across the Asia Pacific, the inaugural Advisory Board – which consists of senior event buyers and representatives from suppliers, hotels and venues – has been formed with the sole focus of providing “shape and vision” for the annual event. The move, led by Melbourne Convention Bureau and Reed Travel Exhibitions, follows a series of new features which were rolled out at the 2015 show, some of which received critical feedback from attendees and stakeholders. “The Advisory Board will play a vital role in ensuring we evolve AIME for the benefit of the whole business events industry,” MCB CEO Karen Bolinger commented.

Global recognition for ICC chief International Convention Centre Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy has clearly proven his worth on the global stage, being elected to lead the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) for a second term. Donaghy, who was the first Asia Pacific region representative to be appointed as president back in 2013, will serve another two-year term alongside his leading role in the ICC development in Sydney. Accepting the award at the group’s conference in Boston last month, Donaghy said it was a great honour to be recognised by his global peers, and added that the appointment was a recognition of the profile of the ICC Sydney development in world markets.

headlines 29 Jun 02 Jul 02 Jul 06 Jul 06 Jul 09 Jul 13 Jul 16 Jul 20 Jul

ISES local chapters close BCD combines groups, M&I Mantra takes Outrigger AIME gets industry on board Andrews sues Luxperience Auckland seeking events Team Fiji promotes MICE ICC ceo re-elected to AIPC ETM honoured at NTIA

BEA View Penny Lion, general manager Business Events Australia

australia reels in business events Demonstrating its importance to the economy, the Australian business events sector was worth A$13 billion in 2014. This record result puts the sector well on track to achieve the industry’s Tourism 2020 goal of A$16 billion in overnight business events visitor expenditure annually by 2020. Australia’s business events industry is going from strength to strength, with infrastructure developments across the country, new and redeveloped convention centres, and hotel inventory leading the charge. Add to this Australia’s growing global reputation in key industry sectors including creative services, the digital economy, medical and scientific research and education, and it’s no surprise that the Australian industry is positive about the future outlook. Recent research conducted by Tourism Australia further highlights that we are not only seen as having excellent business events facilities and unique experiences for visitors, but that we are also recognised as having the raw appeal of our natural environment and friendly people to inspire travel to Australia. This winning combination means that Australia remains highly aspirational as a business events destination, and that we meet all the criteria for planners when deciding on the location for their next event. Not only does Australia offer high levels of service and excellent infrastructure, but the quality of our accommodation, food and wine provide yet another dimension to the experience. These factors also deliver a ‘wow’ factor for any event. We also offer the assurance of safety and security, and a proven track record in delivering successful events, regardless of size. However, there are always competitors and as such, it is important that we continue to stay ahead of the game in an increasingly fierce business environment. The Australian government also recognises the value of business events and continues to support the sector, seeing the potential to showcase Australia’s business capabilities, foster

trade and investment outcomes, facilitate stronger people-to-people links, and make a significant contribution to our economy. The recent release of ‘Attracting Business Events to Australia – A Guide for the Australian Industry’ is an example of how Tourism Australia and Austrade can provide support to industry. The guide outlines potential Australian government agency assistance during the bidding, marketing and event delivery process, and provides clear criteria and communication

Australia prides itself on ‘having a mindset geared

towards collaboration, imagination and excellence, and nowhere is this more evident than the business events sector

’

channels for industry to access when considering requests for support. This approach is aimed at ensuring that Australia maintains a competitive advantage when bidding for events internationally, and sends a clear message to global business events decision makers that Australia is open for business and ready to work holistically to secure events. Australia prides itself on having a mindset geared towards collaboration, imagination, excellence and an appetite for success, and nowhere is this more evident than in the business events sector where creativity, innovation and the highest quality standards prevail. This positive environment, coupled with new infrastructure developments and Australia’s proven track record of delivery make it an exciting time to be a part of the business events sector. Tourism Australia will continue to work internationally to deliver the clear message that there is nothing like Australia for business events.

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

CRUISE REPORT

could Garden Island become the next Badgerys Creek?

photoeverywhere.co.uk

By Matt Lennon

OULD you imagine – 30 to 40 years down the track – when Sydney’s cruise industry has long hit its capacity ceiling over the peak season, and the debate over Garden Island still hangs in the balance? It could happen. Chew on this then. The first inkling that Sydney would one day need a second airport first began way back in 1946 – nearly seven decades ago – when Ben Chifley was the Prime Minister of Australia. It took until last year for PM Tony Abbott to finally declare Badgerys Creek as the site, with a tentative opening date in the mid-2020s. A second airport is poles apart from a second cruise terminal, but the precedent for critical infrastructure has been set. After seemingly endless debates, reports, studies, and the political tug-of-war over opening up cruise ship access to Garden Island, a resolution could be some way off. An array of considerations need to be taken into account in order to come to an informed assessment on the situation. First, the current tenants of Garden Island – the Royal Australian Navy, occupants for over 200 years – are reluctant to move, primarily because of the costs and suitability of nearby ports rather than the threat of Sydney Harbour being attacked. Newcastle, Port Botany and Port Kembla have all been tossed around as alternatives, but the costs and logistics of relocating the Navy are, for now, out of reach. Next is the cruise industry. It is no secret 44

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Sydney’s cruise sector is soaring at heights never seen before, and there are no signs of abatement in the near future. To the industry and its proponents, cruising is on the crest of a seemingly endless wave, but where all the cruise ships will dock remains the question.

Unlike a second airport, ‘Sydney doesn’t need a second cruise terminal year-round...

’

Also not to be forgotten are the three levels of government, all with strong views on the Garden Island solution. At federal level there are concerns over defence and immigration, while the NSW government is apprehensive about roads and transport around the area – where would hordes of tour buses fit at a Garden Island terminal to take passengers on shore excursions? The City of Sydney also has matters such as local traffic flow to consider. Cruise ships usually arrive in the height of peak morning traffic, meaning local residents would have to deal with fleets of coaches, adding to the existing traffic bottlenecks. See the headache? Many different parties have opinions on who should go where and whether Garden Island should be opened up to the booming cruise sector. The latest idea came from Sydney architect and urban designer David Vago and his firm Habit 8 around one month ago. Vago’s

vision offers up a $20 billion plan for a major overhaul of the inner-city zone. His design includes the development of a new cruise terminal, a holiday resort and restaurant precinct, ferry wharf, naval museum, and 16.6 hectares of green space, on top of residential and serviced apartments. But the key element is that Vago’s idea involves the relocation of the Navy, which has subsequently earned its dismissal from local MP Malcolm Turnbull, who has sided with the Navy in that it would cost too much to move. Vago, meanwhile, is a realist, claiming that his design has been met with “mixed reactions”, but that it at least puts a concrete design on the table. Another important element to consider is the Sydney Ports Cruise Schedule for next year. A quick glance shows there is ample availability from early May until mid-September, with gaps also in April and October. Unlike another airport, Sydney doesn’t need a second cruise terminal year-round – only in the ultra-busy period of November through to March. Carnival Australia has long held the same view on Garden Island, and according to a submission to the 2015 Defence White Paper – due out this year – its message remains unchanged; cruising and the Navy can share. The submission points out the irrepressible growth of the cruise sector, stating that it is “one decimal point from being a $3 billion-a-year industry”. Labelling the sector as “an Australian industry success story”, Carnival is hopeful the Navy will open the doors to the cruise industry and allow it to move in next door. “Looking toward the future, this sustained growth means that the Royal Australian Navy should look forward to sharing Australian waters and ports with even more cruise ships than they do today,” the submission said. Carnival has bolstered its lobbying forces in recent months too, with former Carnival Australia employee Sandy Olsen being welcomed back to the role of vice-president corporate affairs. Olsen returns to Carnival after a four year hiatus to assist CEO Ann Sherry in making the cruise industry’s voice heard on Macquarie Street and in Canberra. Key to its ammunition is a 10-year Cruise Development Plan, released last year, which puts Garden Island firmly in the spotlight. However, the strongest point of view will come from the federal government on the release of the aforementioned White Paper. It’s a virtual certainty that not everyone will agree on the Garden Island solution, but until then, all ideas and suggestions are destined to remain just that.

cruise report

CLIA view Brett Jardine, general manager CLIA Australasia

all aboard for masters program As the local cruise industry has matured to take its place as a world leader in terms of growth and market penetration, our training has also gone from strength to strength. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the cruise industry’s annual Masters Conference, with a few spots remaining for this course as this column goes to print. The Masters Conference is a unique event and in my view there is nothing like it in the entire travel sector, let alone the cruise industry. In developing the course, we have spent a lot of time focusing on the skills that front-line consultants need in order to be a successful retailer. Naturally, the content required to learn these skills is very important but just as critical is how this knowledge is delivered. To this end we are privileged to have a very talented member of the travel industry facilitating the Masters Conference – Scott Koepf. Scott is based in the USA, has a teaching degree, has worked for cruise lines, and he also been both a franchisor and a franchisee. Better still, he is a comedian, is inspirational, and above all, he is a motivator. Scott now works full-time with one of the USA’s most respected host agency networks and takes time out each year to deliver our event while on annual leave. This in itself gives an insight into the character of someone who wants to see others improve. And it’s not just me who thinks he’s fantastic – we have received many glowing testimonials from recent Masters Conference attendees. Of course, everyone’s view will vary but we receive positive comments each year,

so I would encourage anyone who aspires to be the best in their field to consider attending this year’s event. Here are just a few points to consider: n Master Cruise Consultants (MCC) Accreditation is issued by CLIA on behalf of the Cruise Line Members of the association. n Master Cruise Consultants are officially endorsed by the cruise industry body as the most qualified individuals to be advising about cruise holidays. n Achieving MCC Accreditation will see you join an elite group of consultants across Australia and NZ.

COMMUNIQUÉ FROM… KAREN CHRISTENSEN General Manager & Director Sales/Marketing, Australasia

CHRISTMAS IN ASIA The festive season is just around the corner, and what better way to spend the holidays than cruising in luxury to powder white beaches, exploring World Heritage Listed sites, and experiencing ancient cultures.

The Masters ‘Conference is a unique

Now extended for bookings to 31 August, Silversea’s Silver Select promotion offers second-suite savings, giving you the perfect excuse to take your family away or spend the holidays with some close friends.

event and there is nothing like it in the entire travel sector

’

HOLIDAY SAILINGS ABOARD SILVER SHADOW

n The skills gained through attending the Masters Conference will set you apart from your competitors. n You will gain the tools necessary to promote yourself and your agency as a cruise specialist. One final point to be aware of; once you return to the office you must complete a post-event assignment that we take very seriously to ensure only the best have truly earned the right to achieve Masters Accredited status. n For more information click on the Masters Conference tab at www.cruising.org.au

9-day Treasures of Vietnam Departs Hong Kong 12 December Fares from au$4,150 per person 15-day Myanmar and Malaysia Departs Singapore 21 December Fares from au$11,850 per person 14-day Vietnam and Thailand Departs Singapore 5 January Fares from au$6,550 per person

headlines June & JUly 2015 23 Jun Rebrand for Coral Princess 25 Jun CLIA separates 2016 events 30 Jun Huge demand for Ovation 30 Jun Geelong a long term plan 01 Jul NCL to set up Australian office 02 Jul New capacity at Silversea 07 Jul Cruise forum for Sth Pac

09 Jul 1m cruise pax for Vanuatu 14 Jul Hoffmann shares wisdom 14 Jul Safety at sea legislation 16 Jul Rivercruising.com for sale 16 Jul Norwegian goes à-la-carte 18 Jun Ovation cruises go on sale 18 Jun Mystique Princess to return

travelBulletin JULY 2015

For more information or to book call 1300 306 872 or visit silversea.com Visit silversea.com for full terms and conditions.

AFRICA

Adventure World Sunning leopard (image courtesy of Collette East Africa)

Masai (image courtesy of Collette East Africa)

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

AFRICA

By Amanda Woods

hen most people think about going on holiday in Africa, images of wide open plains and game drives usually spring to mind. But there is more to Africa than what lies on the mother continent; it is also home to some of the most extraordinary islands on the planet. Mauritius and Zanzibar are some of the more familiar names, but there are a number of lesser known gems waiting to be discovered. The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar, is described as the ‘eighth continent’ by ecologists, largely because of its array of flora and fauna that can’t be found elsewhere on the planet. To put it into perspective, around 90% of all wildlife and plant life is unique to the island – and scientists are constantly discovering new species. A long list of national parks work around the clock to protect wildlife, coral reefs and rainforests, and a range of accommodation can be found near some parks, from budget offerings to luxury lodges. Nosy Be, an island off the island of Madagascar, is the most popular beach destination and is home to an array of hotels and resorts. Travellers can find everything from familyrun budget bungalows such as Hotel Le Grand Bleu for around A$40 a night, right up the spectrum to secluded luxury resorts. It’s a 90 minute flight to the Relais & Chateaux property Anjajavy L’Hotel on one of the island’s remote peninsulas, but the 12 private beaches, tropical gardens and rare island creatures make this resort one to write home about. Take high tea among the lemurs,

Great East Africa (Image courtesy of A&K)

go snorkelling and windsurfing, explore forests filled with more than 1800 floral species, and visit nearby villages by boat. Rates vary throughout the year but costs for a villa start at just ¤390 per night which includes a sea facing terrace, large corner bathroom, loft room that could be used as a guest room for two extra people, as well as dinner and breakfast. Over in Zanzibar, visitors can explore the historic Stone Town’s winding alleys, bazaars, mosques and charming shops, or head to the beaches and soak up the sun on the endless coast line. If that doesn’t cut it, Zanzibar’s other claim to fame is big game fishing, with Fishing Zanzibar offering professional charters year round. Travellers looking for an exclusive experience can head to the private &Beyond Mnemba Island which is found off the coast of Zanzibar. Seclusion is what brings visitors

is described ‘asMadagascar the eigth continent by ecologists because of its array of flora and fauna that can’t be found elsewhere on the planet

’

to this gem, with only 20 guests allowed on the island at any one time. Best known for its romantic charm, guests are welcomed with personal butler service away from the crowds, with all guests made to feel like they are on a deserted island. Couples can share private dinners on the beach or in secluded forest clearings, and can even go kayaking or paddle boarding on the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. Scuba diving, snorkelling and fly fishing are also available to guests. Mnemba Island is also home to some of the smallest and rarest antelope species in Africa, and the coconut crab which can grow up to one metre in length. Bird lovers should make their way to Bird Island, which – as the name suggests – is a twitcher’s paradise with around a million terns nesting on the island every year. Located on the edge of the Seychelles plateau, Bird Island is a top spot for big game fishing. Here, guests can take on marlin, tuna, sailfish and more just a few minutes from the resort. Interestingly, the resort is free from light pollution and has no lights on the grounds at night, setting the perfect stage for stargazing.

The island’s position also shows all of the major southern constellations as well as a few of their northern counterparts. Travellers who are drawn to the water will feel at home on Moheli, the smallest

&Beyond Mnemba Island

island in the Comoros archipelago, which is underdeveloped with few modern amenities. The Moheli Marine Park is filled with colourful coral and fish, while sea turtles, dolphins and whales are all protected in the park. It is also possible to hike across the island in a matter of days, staying in community run bungalows along the way. Meanwhile, those who want a taste of some of Africa’s more popular tourist islands may want to consider a cruise. Princess Cruises’ Ocean Princess has a 35-day cruise from Cape Town to Rome, which includes stops in Port Louis, Mauritius, Nosy Be, Madagascar, and Mahe in the Seychelles. Along the way guests have the chance to explore beaches, visit markets, snorkel and see exotic flora and fauna. With so many fascinating islands in Africa to choose from, travellers could easily spend an entire holiday simply getting to know a single island, or add an island stay onto their African safari adventure. Who says travellers can’t have it all on a trip to Africa?

Princess Cruises’ 35-day voyage from Cape Town to Rome aboard the Ocean Princess departs on October 28, 2015 and is priced from $8160 per person twin share. The 46-night Indian Ocean and South African Odyssey departs Fremantle on January 8, 2016 with prices leading in from $6824 per person. n Visit www.princess.com &Beyond Mnemba Island rates range from US$632 to $1600 per person per night depending on the season and length of stay. Rates include accommodation, meals, game drives, activities and return transfers between Zanzibar and Mnemba. n Visit www.andBeyond.com

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

AFRICA

Operators expect strong year ahead AFRICA’S tourism industry has had a turbulent 12 months in the wake of recent safety and health concerns, but enquiries are again filtering through and operators are confident of a full recovery. A&K managing director Sujata Raman told travelBulletin that 2015 was a “tough year” for all parts of Africa following the Ebola outbreak and the highly publicised terrorist attack in Nairobi. But with enquiry levels now showing signs of recovery, she conceded that demand for travel was on the rise. “It’s very pleasing to see that enquiry levels have started to go up again, and the general feeling across the industry is that 2016 is going to see significant pent up demand,” she said. Raman predicted that southern Africa and Botswana would recover faster than east Africa, while Kenya and Tanzania would likely see incremental gains in the following 12 months. Sanctuary Retreats director of sales for Australia, New Zealand and Asia Michael

Adventure World

McCall added that the level of interest for 2016 was “certainly up on 2015”. While last minute bookings were the norm over the past 12 months, he added that lead times were longer than previous years, with many bookings now filtering through for 2016. He also noted an increase in uptake of hosted group safaris and voluntourism. Meanwhile, Bench International general

manager Martin Edwards claimed that east Africa was now “coming back”, with sales and enquiries for the month of June “far better” than last year. “This year has been topsy turvy because the peak booking season is generally early in the year, and people have held off on their travel plans until now. But they are now looking to commit and we are obviously very happy with that,” he told travelBulletin.

On the ground

New likes for SAT South African Tourism has created a dedicated Facebook page for the trade to keep agents in the loop on all the latest information. The South Africa Travel Industry Facebook page features detailed information on new attractions and highlights, and regular posts on what is happening on the ground in South Africa. SAT also responds to all agent comments to provide a comprehensive platform for the trade. “We want to ensure we are providing up to date, relevant information that is also engaging for agents to ensure they recommend South Africa as a destination of choice to their clients,” a SAT spokesperson said - to like the page see facebook.com/SouthAfricaTravelIndustryANZ.

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Collette’s Complete African Experience traverses Cape Town’s highlights including Table Mountain, Moorish Malay Quarter, and Milnerton Lighthouse before continuing on to the Cape Peninsula and Boulder Beach to see the local penguins. Visitors also travel to Stellenbosch for a winery visit, and then on to Johannesburg to the Entabeni Conservancy for an afternoon game drive. Priced from $4939 over 13 days, rates are per person, land only. A&K is finalising several new itineraries for 2016 including a 14-day Ancient Ethiopia hosted journey which includes travel to the Simien Mountains and the chance to see traditional tribes in the Omo Valley.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Highlights include a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and travel to the painted monasteries of the country’s north. Passenger numbers are capped at 24 pax, with departures scheduled for May, 2016. Wildlife game drives in the Serengeti and travel to an elephant orphanage are high on the agenda of BUNNIK TOURS’ 19-day Kenya and Tanzania itinerary. Highlights include a visit to a Masai school in Amboseli and a safari drive through the Masai Mara. Group sizes are capped at 12 pax, with prices starting from $12,380. WORLD Journeys’ Ethiopia and Sudan itinerary takes in the Bayuda Desert, the pyramids of Meroe and the ancient city of Aksu over 19-days, including the Blue Nile Falls in Ethiopia. Prices lead in from $19,895 per person. Adventure World’s seven-day Kenya Classic remains the operator’s stand out Africa tour, covering the plains of the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuyru National Park and Amboseli National Park for great game viewing. Highlights include a picnic lunch at Amboseli National Park and game viewing at Lake Nakuru, priced from $2779.

AFRICA

What’s New Mont Rochelle is new to the line up in 2015, with the Richard Branson property offering all the bells and whistles for discerning travellers. The 22-bedroom hotel and vineyard is located within an hour’s drive from Cape Town in the heart of the Winelands, with all suites offering impressive views of the vineyards with a hint of five-star luxury. The resort is offering a pay-4 stay-5 offer for stays before 30 September. n Email enquiries@montrochelle.virgin.com

With new hotels, tours and attractions all coming online, Africa is coming of age. Here are just a few of the latest additions.

Miarestate Hotel and Spa

Mont Rochelle

The newly constructed Franschhoek Wine Tram has hit Franschhoek, with the hop-on hop-off tour offering a unique way to explore the valley. The 32-passenger tram has comfortable benches allowing guests to enjoy the picturesque vineyards, with a transfer service also available from the Cape Town area. Travellers can take their time at the region’s most popular wine estates for wine tasting, lunch or a stroll around the vineyards. n See www.winetram.co.za for more details and information on the updated service.

Miarestate Hotel and Spa has opened its doors on the Wild Coast, offering panoramic views of the ocean and the bushland. With access to a secluded beach, the hotel is perched above 740 hectares of wildlife estate, with fine dining and a selection of local wines on hand. Whale watching, hiking, game viewing and mountain biking – you name it, this one has got it. Rates start from R$1943 (A$209) per person per night. The Spice Route is a new take on the old favourites where a selection of artisans showcase their produce and share their knowledge with the public and each other. A great day trip destination that’s only 40 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, the idea is to serve local and international tourists with a selection of hand picked artisan producers who pour their efforts into their craft. n Check it out online at www.spiceroute.co.za

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AFRICA

pricing swells as aus dollar drops Bench International has vowed to limit price increases in its upcoming 2016 Africa brochure despite the value of the Australian dollar which has sunk by around 30%. Set to launch in September this year, work on the 2016 brochure is well underway, with Bench general manger Martin Edwards flagging the release of a new five-star itinerary which uses the operator’s own aircraft to cover Africa over two weeks. Discussing price in more detail, Edwards said the devaluation of the Australian dollar had proven to be a challenge when pulling the brochure together, with most African product priced in US dollars. However he insisted that the operator had been “proactively” reducing rates where possible. “There will be a bit of a price increase in tours next year, but we’re talking a maximum of 10% compared to the 30% devaluation of the Australian dollar, and we’re happy with that,” he said. Edwards also stressed that Africa was not the only destination to be affected by currency fluctuations, with Europe also suffering the same effect as the Australian dollar weakens against the Euro.

Adventure World

While the Rand is currently more favourable against the Australian dollar – making South Africa more modestly priced for Australians – Edwards said East Africa also offers good value because tours and lodges offer all inclusive options. “Kenya and Tanzania tend to cover everything including game drives, meals and accommodation whereas some itineraries in southern Africa tend to require flights to different areas,” he said.

Advisories queried

Eastern ventures

Botswana, image courtesy A&K

Ongoing safety concerns in Africa are having no effect on Collette’s East Africa itineraries which are seeing steady demand from Australian travellers. Collette’s Australian business manager Alison Mead told travelBulletin that Africa remained a popular option for Australian travellers in the wake of recent developments, with particular interest for East African itineraries. The company has also seen steady interest in its Spectacular South Africa tour which covers Oudtshoorn, the Drakensberg

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Edwards also claimed there were lingering misconceptions about Africa in terms of cost and safety, but remained confident that perceptions were changing as Australian travellers become more confident in venturing off the beaten track. Bench hopes to host 100 consultants on famils by the end of the year, with over 50 places still up for grabs. Agents are encouraged to complete the Safari School training program to be in the running. n Visit agents.benchinternationalcom.au.

Mountains, Kruger National Park and Cape Town over 13 days. “Africa is selling well for us which is positive bearing in mind that we’re new to the [Australian] market,” she said. The Plains of Africa tour remains the most popular among Australians, according to Mead, with the 13-day tour taking in Mt Kenya Safari Club, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara game reserve, and the Shaba game reserve. A total of nine game drives are included with prices starting from $4949 per person. n www.gocollette.com

Wholesalers have expressed disappointment at the Australian government’s hesitation in easing safety warnings for travel to Kenya, claiming they are having a “devastating effect” on tourism on the ground. Wildlife Safari director Trevor Fernandes said safety warnings issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in the wake of the Nairobi terrorist attack were no longer required since normality has returned. He urged the Australian government to follow the lead of the Britain which has since removed such safety warnings, insisting that they are “no longer necessary”. “DFAT is continuing to employ unreasonable travel advice on certain African countries, but I fail to see why there is this blanket approach after so many other western governments have lifted their advisory,” he told travelBulletin. “This is having a devastating effect on tourism… our bookings are way down and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out the cause and effect that advisories have on tourism.” A DFAT spokesperson told travelBulletin that the advisories reflect the “current assessment of the safety and security environment”.

AFRICA

Q&A

Africa is renowned for its vast plains and exotic wildlife, but there is much more of this gem to explore as Travel Counsellors consultant Kim Rudd explains.

How popular is Africa among Australians? South Africa in particular has become more of a destination of choice as people have started to realise that it’s not as unsafe as it’s sometimes made out to be. South Africa is great place for families as there are some great malaria-free game lodges that specialise in games and activities for children. Is safari still the main draw card, or are other activities coming to the foreground? Wildlife safaris are still the main attraction but there has been a steady increase in rail travel on the Shongololo Express and more upmarket rail options like Rovos Rail and The Blue Train. There has also been quite a substantial increase in people combining a South Africa visit with a cruising holiday, with many itineraries commencing or ending in Cape Town.

Are there any attractions that you consider to be the bread and butter of Africa? Southern Africa’s Kruger National Park, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls and Cape Town are all top places to include. In eastern Africa, the Masai Mara and Serengeti are popular, as well as Uganda and Rwanda to visit the mountain gorillas. And let’s not forget north Africa where Morocco’s culture is a big drawcard. What activities would you include on a first-time visitor’s itinerary? Definitely game viewing – after all it’s Africa. I would also recommend spending a night or two on a houseboat on the Chobe River in Botswana where you can see amazing sights like masses of elephants and hippos. I would also encourage first-time visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture by shopping at markets and doing village visits.

In your view, which are the best game parks in Africa? I absolutely loved Etosha National Park in Namibia; it is completely unlike any of the other parks and the night time viewing at floodlit waterholes is a once in a lifetime experience. The Serengeti is also high on my list and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is also very unique as you will see a prolific amount of game in quite a small amount of time. When is the best time to visit? Winter time is a good time to visit southern Africa as the grass is shorter and therefore ideal for game viewing. The Great Wildebeest Migration in east Africa follows the rain, with September being an ideal month to see thousands of animals crossing the Mara River.

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DRIVE

By Lee Mylne

USTRALIANS love a road trip. According to Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey, the domestic drive market, which accounts for 73% of all domestic overnight trips, increased seven percent to 58.1 million trips during the year ending September 2014. This growth was particularly evident in Victoria where drive trips increased 12% to 14.9 million. But Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road faces some stiff competition for clients planning a road trip, with a slew of new touring routes being heavily promoted by other states. South Australia has launched five new selfdrive touring routes aimed at encouraging more interstate and overseas visitors to visit its wine regions, scenic coastline, Murray River, outback and farmgate regions. Launching the routes, South Australian Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said self-drive

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

tourists were a major proportion of all visitors to the state, and the new routes would make exploring South Australia by car much easier. “There were 4.2 million domestic overnight leisure trips made in South Australia for the year ending March 2015 and 81% used a private, rented, hire vehicle or a campervan as a means of transport. That’s 3.4 million leisure purpose driving trips made in our state,” he said. “Self-drive holidays are one of the fastest growing tourism sectors and promoting these routes puts us in a great position to attract interstate and overseas visitors to SA. “These touring routes make South Australia more accessible, and make planning a road trip easier as they highlight some of our must-do experiences in an easyto-follow format.” The five new routes are: Epicurean Way (McLaren Vale to Clare Valley via the Adelaide Hills and Barossa), Explorers Way (Adelaide to Darwin via the Flinders Ranges),

Seafood Frontier (Adelaide to Eyre Peninsula via Yorke Peninsula), Mighty Murray Way (the Murray River from Renmark to the Mouth) and Southern Ocean Drive (Mt Gambier to Adelaide via Kangaroo Island). The routes are being promoted on the South Australia Roadtrips website with downloadable maps, suggested itineraries, and an interactive map that provides detailed information about experiences available along each route. In New South Wales, a new collaborative partnership between the Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Port Stephens – called Top Spots North – showcases selfdrive holidays available within two-and-a-half hours’ drive from the Sydney CBD. Top Spots North combines the experiences on offer in each region into self-drive itineraries for one, two, three or four-night stays. Four itineraries currently on offer include the Food and Wine Odyssey, the Culture and Heritage Experience, Get Back to Nature, and Non-Stop Adventures.

DRIVE

The new product brochure and sales tool is aimed primarily at repeat visitors from key international source markets – the UK, New Zealand, USA and Germany – all of which are traditionally self-drive travellers. The numbers of repeat visitors from all markets, but in particular South East Asia, is increasing. According to Destination NSW’s Regional Snap Shot for the year ending December 2014, 84.4% of Central Coast and 86% of the Hunter Valley’s overnight domestic visitation were self-drivers. In Queensland, the newest touring route on the block is Australia’s Great Beach Drive which traverses more than 100km of beach driving, taking in the coastline, scenery and wildlife along the Sunshine and Fraser coasts, and on Fraser Island. Australia’s Nature Coast, which has been established by the Sunshine and Fraser Coast tourism organisations, has put together six drives in the region which can be tailored to meet the visitors’ specific interests and length of stay.

The new website, australiasnaturecoast.com, provides full details of self-drive 4WD options in addition to guided tours across the region. The Great Beach Drive starts in Noosa where travellers can complement the sophisticated lifestyle of the beachside village with a kayak, canoe or cruise of the Noosa Everglades. Next is the 4WD “beach highway” to Rainbow Beach, along which travellers can see whales, dolphins, birds of prey, kangaroos and monitor lizards. Turning south, the route takes in Tin Can Bay where the Barnacles Dolphin Centre offers a chance to interact with wild IndoPacific Humpback dolphins. While subject to tidal and weather conditions, the Great Beach Drive is suitable for most experienced off-road drivers and the route can be covered in anything from a long weekend to a full week. Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd CEO, Simon Ambrose, expects the drive to appeal to both international and domestic travellers.

“Not only is this a very exciting product to promote Australia’s Nature Coast; it is launched at a time when petrol prices have come down dramatically, making it a very affordable way of discovering the best of Australia’s coastline,” he said. Fraser Coast Opportunities general manager David Spear said the combination of easy accessibility and the rich diversity of the destination made the Great Beach Drive one of the most exciting international and domestic products released in Australia this year. “We will build on the international renown of Fraser Island by offering a new structured product that provides a very compelling structured itinerary that will allow visitors to discover the attractions of the Fraser Coast and surrounding region,” Spear said. “The range of itineraries provides flexibility, allowing everything from longweekends to those who want to explore the region in far greater depth.”

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

DRiVE

Luxury hits a new level AUSTRALIANS embarking on self-drive holidays in the UK now have a luxury option, with the launch of the Hertz Dream Collection. Featuring the Bentley Continental GT, the Bentley Flying Spur, the Aston Martin and the new Range Rover Sport, the Hertz Dream Collection also includes other iconic brands such as Mercedes, Audi and even Maserati. With a VIP customer service, the Dream Collection has been rolled out at Hertz’s London Marble Arch and at Heathrow Airport. All vehicles can be booked via hertzdreamcollection.co.uk and are available to rent for a minimum period of one day up to a maximum of 28 days. Dream vehicles are also available in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the US. Hertz Dream Collection cars are handed over in person by trained staff so that clients can bypass the counter. Staff also load bags into the car and configure devices such as the GPS system according to the customer’s requirements. Clients must be aged 30 and over and have held their driving licence for at least five years. Two credit cards are needed in order to qualify, and other terms and conditions apply.

Bike-friendly cars take off in NZ EUROPCAR has expanded its fleet of rental cars with bike carriers into the New Zealand market to capitalise on the boom in cycling tourism. First trialled in Australia, the fleet of bike-ready SUVs have been welcomed by Kiwi cyclists for simplifying the process of transporting bicycles. Europcar Australia/NZ

managing director Ron Santiago explained that the decision to roll out bike-ready SUV hire vehicles followed “strong demand” out of Australia. “More customers were asking us about transporting bikes safely and conveniently in New Zealand, so it made sense to introduce this solution,” he said.

DriveAway biz spike DRIVEAWAY Holidays has thanked the trade for driving an upswing in business over the past five years, with overall car rentals increasing by over 20% in Australia for the year ending June 2015. Bookings in New Zealand have also increased 22% over the same period. National sales manager Nathan Baber attributed the trend to the operator’s strong backing from Australian agents. “Around 86% of our business is done through agents, and we have established great relationships with the major consortium groups,” he said, adding that domestic bookings now account for around 35% of DriveAway’s overall rentals. n Visit www.driveaway.com.au for details.

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DRIVE

Q&A

Thousands of Aussies take to Ireland’s shores each year, with many making the journey to trace their ancestral history. Joanna Allen from RAC Travel in West Perth explains what travellers can expect to see and how agents can sell the destination to their clients.

Which are more popular for Australians; overseas or domestic drive holidays? Road trips have always been a part of the Australian psyche, from interstate drives to visit family at Christmas to the Grey Nomad migration that happens every year. They are very popular as a way of travelling. As far as organised car hire and drive packages, I would have to say the overseas option is the most popular – except for Tasmania and perhaps the Northern Territory. It seems we do our own road trip driving holidays at home in Australia. Which destinations are most appealing for drive holidays? New Zealand, North America and Europe traditionally, but we can organise self-drive holidays in Argentina and Chile and they are proving to be increasingly popular. We have also sent a few more adventurous travellers on self-drive holidays in Namibia and Cuba.

What should an agent consider when selling drive holidays? The first question I always ask people who are considering a self-drive holiday is whether they will have a confident driver or a competent navigator onboard. If they answer no, I ask them whether their relationship is up to the challenge! Do you have any tips regarding insurance for this type of holiday? Read the fine print and make sure you know what you are covered for. Travellers now have the option of using their travel insurance to cover the excess or pay the per-day buy out excess locally. If the buy out excess is not that high, it may be worth it to walk away with nothing to pay in the event of an accident. Or you can save the money by paying for excess cover which involves paying for the damage to the vehicle and then lodging an insurance claim to recoup the money when you get back home.

What kinds of travellers are taking drive holidays? It helps to be a confident driver, but most people who take self-drive holidays like to do their own thing. It is more often couples in Europe and South America, and families in North America and NZ. Are FIT drive holidays are more popular than all-inclusive packaged options? As a general rule, destinations like New Zealand and Tasmania are more likely to be an all-inclusive package. That however is also because of the length of the driving holiday which is generally only 1-2 weeks. The longer the driving holiday, the more likely it is to be an FIT option. When you have all the time in the world it’s much easier to be footloose and fancy free.

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SOUTH AMERICA

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Machu Picchu postcard, Dimitry B, bit.ly//1M2I7t5

SOUTH AMERICA

buenos Aires Beckons By Bruce Piper

REALLY didn’t know what to expect on my first visit to Buenos Aires. Vague thoughts of Evita, meat, red wine, revolutions, polo, tango, soccer and rugby mingled – all of which proved to be accurate – but the overwhelming impression I was left with was one of colour. Colourful buildings in the Boca tourist precinct. Colourful countryside, with rolling manicured fields replete with polo ponies. Colourful, everchanging graffiti across the city which truly embraces street art. Colourful, welcoming people from all walks of life. And a colourful, passionate, tragic recent history which seems to infuse every element of Argentinian life. Travelling courtesy of Air New Zealand, which launches Auckland-Buenos Aires non-stop flights later this year, our group was given a quick taste of this city and its amazing, fun, intriguing culture. As with any new destination, a city tour is a must, but you definitely need a guide who can explain the poignant reminders of the harsh dictatorship which ruled the country with an iron fist until just over 20 years ago. Reminders of the Falklands War with Britain abound, not to mention the brutal regime during which many young people who opposed the junta “disappeared” and their infant children were adopted to senior military families. Symbols representing the mothers and grandmothers who lost their babies are everywhere, on walls across the city and with a weekly parade in the main square to remind everyone that the search still goes on. Despite this sadness the spirit of Buenos Aires seems irrepressible. Restaurants on every corner serve amazing cuisine – with lots of meat on the menu at every venue. On our first night we visited a soccer-themed eatery where, despite his chequered history Argentinian star Pele is worshipped like a God – and the steak was to die for! But Buenos Aires isn’t just for carnivores, with omnipresent “dolce de leche” – basically spreadable caramel – appearing on every menu; in fact some of our group took a sugar hit at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tango clubs are everywhere, and a must-do is to have a dancing lesson before dinner and then later head to a “Marengo” to try out your

new-found skills. The one we visited featured an amazing band of accordions whose melodies are still haunting my memory. Rather than being seen as visual pollution, graffiti in Buenos Aires is an expression of the city’s spirit. The ever-evolving landscape sees every blank wall in some districts quickly covered – over and over again – with several street artists becoming quite notorious for their distinctive style and pithy comments on Argentinian society. Some of them have even made a living out of their skills, with shopkeepers commissioning special designs which make their premises truly works of art. In other parts of the city – notably the waterfront area of Boca which boasts one of Buenos Aires’ most popular soccer teams – it would be sacrilege to paint over the walls of the buildings which come in every colour of the rainbow. Heading out for a day in the countryside saw colour of a different kind – the stunning blue eyes of Juan, our impossibly good-looking personal polo instructor. There are a number of immaculately manicured polo clubs about an hour from Buenos Aires and our group enjoyed a day of spectacular sunshine as we fumbled and laughed our way through a game before watching some of the professionals go to work. I was particularly struck by the efficiency of the two minute lesson sitting on a kitchen stool during which I was taught to ride a horse – fortunately my mount was a veteran polo pony who knew exactly what to do! On our final night in Buenos Aires we crossed the road outside our hotel to visit a local flower shop. It seemed unusual to see a woman in a brightly-lit florist outlet creating bouquets late at night – and things became even odder when our host knocked on the door and we were granted entry to the store. She proceeded to open the coolroom door, and lo and behold there was a sweeping stairway downstairs - leading to the coolest underground bar and restaurant I have ever seen. Packed to the gills, Fioreria Atlantico is actually ranked as one of the best bars in the world. I’m not sure what the password was, but once inside our group enjoyed a fabulous atmosphere, with some stunning cocktails and a great meal – definitely a must-do for any visitor to this stunning city. travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

South America

SOUTH AMERICAN SPIKE SOUTH America’s tourism industry has seen quick gains thanks to increased air access and a wave of new infrastructure, but operators are confident of further improvements as awareness of the destination continues. Visitor numbers have increased across the board, with tourism in Chile increasing from 2.8 million in 2010 to 3.6 million in 2015, and Peru recently welcoming 2.8 million tourists. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation also expects inbound tourism arrivals to reach 40 million by 2020, up from 27.4 million in 2013. Contours Travel director Ted Dziadkiewicz told travelBulletin that awareness was constantly on the rise as infrastructure improves and more land product comes to the foreground. Australians are also becoming more savvy about the range of product that is now available – such as hotels and cruise holidays – following more concerted marketing efforts from wholesalers, Dziadkiewicz added.

“Tourism is evolving in South America as people are discovering that there are incredible hotels and attractions. That is evident by the fact that airlines like LAN and Qantas are adding more capacity, and Air New Zealand is launching its direct service to Buenos Aires in December,” he said. However, Dziadkiewicz claimed that awareness was still lagging among the trade, noting that many consultants were unaware that there are 13 different countries spread across the continent. He remained confident that knowledge gaps would narrow as the destination garners more interest from consumers, and as agents seek out more information.

Tourism is evolving in ‘South America as people

are discovering that there are incredible hotels and attractions. ...

Ted Dziadkiewicz Director Contours Travel

’

“South America is emerging as a destination and we are seeing more and more travellers combine travel to central America such as Mexico and Guatamala,” he said, adding that Peru remained the most popular country among Australians followed by Chile, Colombia, Cuba and Easter Island. Contours Travel sees particular interest in 30-40 day tours in South America across three to six countries. Travel to the Salt Plains of Bolivia has also seen ongoing interest along with cruising in the Amazon and travel to the Atacama desert.

HOT PRODUCT Three departures of World Journeys’ Highlights of South America itinerary are scheduled 2016, with the 20-day journey covering popular landmarks in Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Buenos Aires. Highlights include a cooking class in Cuzco, travel to Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, and Lake Titicaca. Departures are scheduled for April, July and September, 2016. Chimu Adventures’ 33-day South American icons itinerary remains one of the wholesaler’s most popular, with highlights including Rio de Janeiro, a visit to the Uros floating islands, and travel to the Inca Empire. Prices lead in from $10,930 including accommodation, transfers, internal flights and some meals. Insight Vacations’ inaugural 12-day Treasures of the Incas Luxury Gold tour in Peru covers a number of UNESCO heritage sites and highlights, including Lima, the Sacred Valley, Puno and Machu Picchu. Prices start from $8095, with tours scheduled from Feb 2016 to May 2017. A tango dinner in Buenos Aires and a walk on Copacabana Beach are some of the activities on BUNNIK TOURS’ 23-day Brazil, Peru and Patagonia Lakes journey. Starting in Santiago, guests travel to Maipo Valley and on to Puerto Varas and Bariloche from $13,325 per person.

SOUTH AMERICA HAS NEVER BEEN CLOSER

LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines form LATAM Airlines Group which serves over 130 destinations in 22 countries offering access to the largest network of destinations in South America. LAN Airlines flies seven times per week direct from Sydney to Santiago, Chile. From Santiago LAN and TAM offer onward connections to over 115 destinations in South America, taking you closer to the most extraordinary wonders of the region.

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South America

Americas in one Trafalgar has rolled up its product across the USA, Canada, Central and South America into a single stand alone brochure in a bid to help agents customise travel for their clients. The 2016 The Americas brochure features 60 itineraries, more than 160 Insider Experiences, and seven new guided holidays. Trafalgar MD Matthew Cameron-Smith explained that the move to consolidate the America program was part of a broader strategy to “support” agents selling the destination to their clients. “By combining our entire Americas product into the one brochure, it will simplify the process for our agent partners and enable them to confidently sell the real Americas,” he said. The Secrets of Ecuador journey is new to the line up, including travel to Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador and a Be My Guest dining experience from $2925 per person. Also new is the 16-day Secrets of Panama and Costa Rica itinerary which is priced from $6825 per person.

Aussies keep coming back

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Chimu Adventures has recorded an upswing in repeat travellers in the over 50s market as infrastructure improves and access opens up to more destinations in South America. Speaking to travelBulletin, Chimu Adventures director Greg Carter made a special mention of repeat visitors which he singled out as the most “notable” upward trend in South America. And as more hotels come online and air access improves, he said travellers were increasingly realising that there is more to

South America than Machu Picchu. “It is now viewed more like Asia or Europe – you simply can’t visit once to tick it off the bucket list. It’s too big and varied,” he said. Carter said Peru was a popular destination among Australians for its diversity, but added that travellers are also heading further afield to areas such as Chile and Ecuador. Luxury eco-lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon are also attracting travellers from across the globe, he added. n www.chimuadventures.com

Thank You! A huge & heartfelt thank you to all of our colleagues for entrusting us with your clients’ Latin American holiday itineraries. We have loved working with you over the past 40 years and we look forward to working with you for many more years to come! 5

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For more information or to book, call 1300 130 134 or visit globus.com.au Terms & conditions: All care is taken to promote correct pricing at time of printing, is subject to tour availability and will be confirmed at time of reservation. 10% discount applies to new bookings made by 15/09/15. All prices are per person, twin share and include any applicable port charges / intra-tour air taxes and the 10% early booking discount. Non-refundable deposit of $250 per person per tour is required within 14 days to secure reservation. Not combinable with any other offer other than save 5% Second Tour discount and/or save 5% Journeys Club repeat traveller benefit (must be a Journeys Club member and present member number at time of booking and before deposit is paid). All discounts based on land-only portion of core tour on twin share price, not including extra night accommodations, extensions, taxes/fees, tips and supplements/reductions. Offer reliant on space availability and applies to new 2016 bookings only. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions apply refer to the 2016 Globus United States and Canada brochure or visit globus.com.au Licence 2TA00637

SOUTH AMERICA Sunset over Iguazu, SF Brit, bit.ly//1NU8U9U

Agent Know-How South America Tourism Office director Delfor Pelletti sat down with travelBulletin to share his tips on how to sell the destination. What kind of training is available for Australian agents wanting to sell South America, and how can they sign up? Agents have to keep an eye out for road shows from tourism boards including Chile, Peru, and Colombia which is the best way to learn about each destination. Educationals are also a great way to build a solid base of training about South America.

Adventure add ons Adventure World has rolled out a standalone South America brochure following continued demand for travel to the destination. Featuring a number of popular itineraries which can be tailored to client requirements, the brochure also sees the reintroduction of tours in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. More options to Cuba have been added, along with a five-day Rio Carnaval package and a new Galapagos Islands itinerary. The 11-day Rhythms of Brazil journey covers all the key highlights including Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls and Salvador, with immersive experiences such as an open jeep ride, a cruise along the Amazon River on a motorised canoe, and a walking tour in Salvador. Priced from $4832, the tour includes 10 nights of accommodation, some meals, sightseeing and internal flights. n www.adventureworld.com.au

Lan sinks teeth into sth america

lan Airlines is set to ramp up capacity by almost 30% in the Pacific region in the coming months as the airline looks to reinforce its position as a leading carrier to and from South America. The airline also plans to roll out further upgrades to its 787 fleet by introducing the 787-9 model into the schedule in the final quarter of the year. The move comes just months after LAN launched the 787 fleet between Sydney and Santiago in April. LAN Airlines currently flies daily from Sydney to Santiago via Auckland with onward connections to over 115 destinations including Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador and Brazil. 62

travelBulletin AUGUST 2015

Which destinations in South America are most appealing to Australians? Peru continues to be the number one destination for Australians for the mystical Machu Picchu citadel. However, the Galapagos Islands are slowly closing in for their rich diversity of underwater creatures, close encounters with giant tortoises and brilliantly coloured beaches. Any recommendations for first time visitors? South America has a large variety of climates, regions, people and cultures. Don’t attempt to conquer the whole continent in a small amount of time. Take it slow when going to countries and cities with altitudes as it affects people differently. But most importantly, just enjoy your holiday. What are SATO’s picks for up and coming destinations? Patagonia is a remote and relatively untravelled wilderness area located in the southern regions of Argentina and Chile. It captivates travellers who have an eye for beauty, a passion for adventure, and who want to get up close to the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. However, the up and coming country of the year is unquestionably Cuba which has something to offer anyone who makes the journey. From losing yourself with musicians at every corner and the classic 1950s cars in the cobbled streets of Havana, Cuba also has some of the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean and the romantic colonial town of Trinidad. What are your top selling tips for travel agents? Learning about the destination and asking the right questions is the key to selling South America because it is extremely large, diverse, and every country is different to the next. Finally, be confident in selling South America – it’s a destination that sells itself!

SOUTH AMERICA

Q&A

South America is a land of many adventures, and that’s what catches the eye of Australian travellers year after year. With so much ground to cover, getting started can be a challenge. But as MTA consultant Jonica Gilbert explains, South America can be a cinch to sell.

What makes South America so appealing to Australian travellers? The fact that the seasons are the same as in Australia, plus it is a land of many contrasts. Travellers also like its close proximity to Australia compared to European destinations. Which countries are the most popular and why? I would have to say Argentina which offers Buenos Aires (the Paris of South America), tango lessons, and the spectacular Iguazu Falls. Brazil is popular at Rio Carnival time and Peru is another popular option that has Machu Picchu and trekking the Inca Trails. Visitors are astounded to see the relics of an ancient civilisation. Is cost a significant factor for Australians, and is it considered expensive? Airfares are usually quite expensive but visitors can be assured that once they arrive, the cost of living is not so high.

What kind of clients are most attracted to the destination? Usually more adventurous travellers or nature lovers. History buffs are also fascinated by South America. What kind of product is most popular in your opinion? Tourists seem to enjoy cultural experiences the most. They are not only interested in visiting the cities, but also the villages in each country to see how the locals live. What are some of the most underrated attractions or sights? There are so many, but one that comes to mind is the Atacama Desert, north of Santiago. It is one of the driest places on earth and has a delightful village named San Pedro which is truly amazing. There are also a few lagoons in this desolate place and a great five-star property called Alto Atacama Resort Hotel.

Another underrated place is the little township of Puerto Natales which is close to Patagonia. This has some of the most incredible architecture and is close to national parks and caves where remnants of ice age animals have been found. Great hotels include the Singular, the Indigo and the Remota. What does your ideal South America itinerary look like? I would take six weeks to cover the basics, starting in Santiago and then on to Cuzco. Then I would trek up to Machu Picchu, fly back down south to Punta Arenas for a Patagonian cruise, head to Buenos Aires to see the Iguazu Falls, and then visit Rio and the famous beaches of Ipanema. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg and there is so much to see.

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ireland

Ireland Uncorked By Gary Walsh

N marketing terms, Tourism Ireland’s development of the Wild Atlantic Way driving route along the west coast of Ireland has been a stunning success. The 2500km route from the far north of County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork has driven – no pun intended – a surge in tourism to the entire island of Ireland. In 2014, the year in which the ambitious Wild Atlantic Way concept was made reality, Ireland attracted a record 8.6 million visitors. And so far, the country is on track for another record year. Arrivals grew by 13% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2014, while Oceania arrivals – mostly from Australia – were up by 18% over the previous year in the March to May period. And Australia matters. Tourism Ireland statistics show that Australian travellers average 50% more time in Ireland than other visitors, and spend double the amount of money. The average Aussie spends 13 nights in Ireland, including Northern Ireland where Australia is the third largest international market. In fact, a third of all Australian visitors to Ireland visit Northern Ireland. Significantly, Tourism Ireland notes that the travel trade has a greater influence on

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the travel decisions of Australians than elsewhere in the world. Australians also take more time to decide on their travel plans that other travellers. All of this means that Tourism Ireland is prepared to put time and energy into the travel trade in Australia. The Wild Atlantic Way will remain a major focus for Tourism Ireland in 2015, along with the Causeway Coastal Route which covers the northern coastline of Northern Ireland, including the famous Giant’s Causeway. The two have great synergy, both focusing on the scenic fringe of the island and virtually running into one another.

minute you are on ‘a One four-lane motorway

travelling at 100kmh; the next you are meandering down a tiny country lane lined with drystone walls

’

It seems unlikely that a country of Ireland’s size – it is, after all, smaller than Tasmania – could have a coastal drive along just one part of the island that could extend for 2500km. It’s because the Wild Atlantic Way is not

simply a linear route from north to south; it deviates onto countless small roads and laneways which lead to sights that are worthy of note. One minute you are on a four-lane motorway travelling at 100kmh, and the next you are meandering down a tiny country lane lined with drystone walls at walking pace – at all times following the distinctive blue-andwhite Wild Atlantic Way signposts. The route features 15 Signature Discovery Points, which are essentially the best that the coast has to offer. These include such places as Slieve League, a wild and windswept spot where the tallest sea cliffs in Europe tumble into the Atlantic; Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord; and the stunning Cliffs of Moher, south of Galway Bay. But there are hundreds of sites and attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way, from hotels and historic homes to beaches and horse riding establishments. And you can add some of the country’s glorious islands to the list, even though they are technically not a part of what is essentially a driving route. The Aran Islands west of Galway are perhaps the best known. Inishmore, the largest of the three islands, is a dramatic place comprised of swathes of limestone, drystone walls and stunted trees. There are Iron Age forts clinging to tall sea cliffs, ancient churches and tumbledown ruins of

ireland

HOT PRODUCT Holidays on Location is operating regular departures on its Irish Pubs & Folklore Tour until October, with the eight-night itinerary covering Dublin, Kilkenny, Blarney and Galway. Including transfers, sightseeing and luxury accommodation, highlights include a visit to a farmhouse for morning tea, a walking tour of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile and a day tour to Achill Island. Prices lead in from $1484 per person twin share, with an optional add on tour at the Old Jameson Distillery. Celtic Tours is again operating its Irish Rose coach tour which traverses Belfast, Donegal, Galway and Killarney over ten days. With evening entertainment, sightseeing and scenic drives in Donegal, most meals are included with prices starting from US$2019 per person, land only. Earlybird savings of $100 per person are available for bookings secured 125 days ahead of departure. Group sizes are capped at 10 pax.

All images courtesy of Tourism Ireland

abandoned cottages. It is bleak but also incredibly beautiful. In summer it is thronged with visitors, but off-season you may be among a bare handful of people who arrive by boat from the mainland each day, or fly into the island’s tiny airport. You can hire bicycles right on the end of the jetty where the ferries arrive, and head off to visit Dun Aengus, the biggest and most spectacularly situated of Inishmore’s forts. Or you can take a pony-and-trap ride around the island in a jaunty little carriage steered by a voluble local. The Wild Atlantic Way also takes in perennially popular areas such as the Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula, but one of its main aims – and one that is beginning to bear fruit – was to boost tourism to the northwest of the country. Whatever you have in mind, one thing is for sure; the Wild Atlantic Way is truly worth the visit.

The three-day Shamrocker Adventures Southern Rocker itinerary is proving to be a popular option for Australian travellers. Travellers can kiss the Blarney Stone, visit the Cliffs of Moher, The City of the Tribes, and the Dingle Peninsula, with accommodation in hostel dorms provided over the three day tour. Tailored for young FIT travellers, prices lead in from $349 for students. The CIE Tours Best of Ireland South journey is new to the line up this year, including one night in Dublin, two nights in Killarney and two nights in Dromoland. Highlights include scenic drives through the Irish countryside, a visit to the Blarney Woollen Mills, a trip to the Dingle Brewing Company, and travel on a horse-drawn jaunting car through the Killarney National Park. Weekly departures are available with prices starting from $1388 per person twin share. Rates include dorm beds with up to eight people, but private room upgrades are available from around $80 per person.

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ireland

Eastern revitalisation Newgrange, Bea Fredi, bit.ly//1CAXwyV

WITH Ireland’s west attracting the bulk of the country’s tourism numbers, Tourism Ireland has devised a plan to encourage tourists to explore the other side of the country. The ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ promotion is aimed at turning what has become a transit zone into a touring region. Stretching from Newgrange and on to Waterford’s Viking Quarter, the new branding intends to match and complement the Wild Atlantic Way in terms of scale and ambition. The new promotion, which is hoped to boost tourism by 20% to the region with an additional 600,000 overseas visitors a year, focuses on four thematic pillars; ancient Ireland, early Christian Ireland, medieval Ireland, and Anglo Ireland. Positioning Ireland’s east as an “umbrella destination”, Tourism Ireland expects the new marketing push will portray the region is a unified manner to create an “emotional pull and inspire visitors to travel to the part of the country”. Visitors can explore Viking settlements, walk a medieval mile and see battlegrounds from ancient times while travelling at their own pace. n Visit www.failteireland.ie for more.

Agent Know-How Tourism Ireland explains how agents can scrub up on their product knowledge and secure a place on an upcoming famil. How can travel agents improve their product knowledge of Ireland? By signing up for our Ireland Specialist Training program, subscribing to our trade e-zine and logging on to our consumer site www.ireland.com. All agents are also welcome to attend our Ireland Trade Shows which take place around Australia and New Zealand bi-annually. Are there any useful resources for Australian travel agents? Agents can check out the Tourism Ireland trade website at trade.ireland.com/AU. This site provides agents with information on the latest news and events, industry contact details, sample itineraries and downloadable images and brochures. We also keep the site updated with all the latest travel trade opportunities as they become available. Which destinations are most appealing to Australians? With an average stay of 13 nights, Australian visitors to Ireland tend to travel through more regions than most other international markets. The top three destinations for Australians are Dublin, the West Coast, and Northern Ireland. What makes Ireland unique compared to other destinations in the UK? Ireland is differentiated by its landscapes, its people and culture. The warmth and friendliness of the Irish people is known throughout the world, and there is nothing quite like an Irish welcome. How can agents join famils to Ireland? Sign up to the Tourism Ireland trade e-zine and receive regular updates on upcoming famil trips and incentive offers. Anyone who signs up to the Ireland Specialists online training program in 2015 and achieves gold certificate status will be automatically entered in the draw to win a place on the 2016 Ireland Specialists Mega Famil.

Explore Ireland A NUMBer of new products are showcased in Explore Holidays’ latest Britain & Ireland brochure, including the 24-day Grand Tour of Britain & Ireland journey which includes tours of London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin and Plymouth. Sightseeing options include walking tours in London, a Loch Ness cruise, and a tour and whisky tasting at the Oban Distillery. New towns have also been added to the 2016 brochure including Galway, Kilkenny, Kilarney, Cornwall, Embleton and regional Ireland. 66

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Carrick-a-rede, Grace Smith, bit.ly1CAXJC5

Gobbins overhaul WHILE the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast remain major focuses for Tourism Ireland in 2015, The Gobbins experience in Northern Ireland is also gathering attention. The three-kilometre long cliff path near the town of Islandmagee in east Antrim was a major tourism attraction in the early 20th century when metal bridges and walkways were first cut into the rock to allow visitors to experience the dramatic views and waves beneath. Following many failed attempts to bring the iconic path back up to scratch, this year marks the opening of the ‘re-imagined’ version of The Gobbins which features updated infrastructure allowing travellers to easily traverse the popular route. The massive renewal project has been a long time coming, with the new route veering away from the original path in some sections and featuring around 15 bridges. A new visitor centre has also been constructed featuring a café and interactive display of the route’s colourful past. n Visit www.discovernorthernireland.com for more details.

ireland

A beer lover’s delight THE search for the perfect pint is an obsession for many, and it doesn’t get much better than Guinness downed near its place of creation. You can’t get any closer than the Guinness Storehouse where the stout is made. The site remains a working brewery, producing three million pints a day, but it has also been partly redeveloped into a sevenstorey tribute to Ireland’s world-famous drink. The Storehouse remains one of the most popular tourist attractions for beer lovers, but here are some other fashionable hangouts.

Tourism Ireland

Q&A

Nancy’s, Ardara Ardara is a quaint little village in Donegal, known for its production of Irish tweed. Nancy’s has everything one would expect, in addition to higgledypiggledy rooms which hive off a bar dispensing excellent Guinness and terrific, simple food. The pub has been in the same family for seven generations.

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Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast The Crown is a marvel of Victorian interior design. Sit in one of the ‘snugs’, ring the bell for service, and enjoy the unique atmosphere. Tigh Neachtain’s, Galway City In a city bursting at the seams with great pubs, Tigh Neachtain’s

is among the finest, and as traditional and unspoiled as you will find in all of Ireland. Visitors will find more than beer, with bartenders also specialising in drinks from across the globe.

EJ Morrisey’s, Abbeyleix A museum of old wares as much as a pub, this place on the road between Dublin and Cork is partitioned into snugs and odd-shaped sitting areas by thrown-together walls. Beguiling.

Thomas Connolly’s, Sligo A long corridor devolves into snugs and private drinking areas. The walls are full of old photos, postcards and pub receipts. It’s warm and dark and dripping with character.

How much interest is there among Australians for travel to Ireland? It’s not a major destination among Australian clients, but a lot of visitors travel as part of a UK & Ireland coach tour. It is also popular for travellers on a second visit, or if they have done a lot of the major cities in the UK and Europe. Do you believe there any impediments to selling Ireland? Not many airlines fly into Ireland with one stop from Australia, and it’s not marketed enough. I didn’t find it too expensive when I was there – I would say it is priced very similarly to the UK.

What are Ireland’s strong selling points from a travel agent’s perspective? Landscape, history and family heritage. Having recently taken part in a famil to Ireland, what were your impressions of the country? I visited Dublin, Belfast, County Fermanagh, Donegal, Slieve League cliffs and Sligo. I loved Ireland – the people were friendly, the countryside was lovely, and it was easy to get around. There are also a number of fantastic restaurants and bars and I didn’t have a bad meal while I was there.

What advice do you have for other agents who are hoping to sell Ireland? Don’t put too much into the itinerary. Have a minimum of two nights at every hotel so you can cover more ground, and at least three nights in Dublin and Belfast so you can actually see some of both cities. Hiring a car will allow you to take things at your own pace and appreciate the scenery on your own time. Don’t rush it and contact the tourist board if you need help as they are a great source of information.

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Pacific Islands

Pacific Paradise

By Lee Mylne

S the beaches, coral reefs, palm trees and culture of the Pacific Islands lure more and more Australians to their shores, the island nations are gearing up to meet demand and provide travel agents with their own opportunities. The Pacific Islands have long held a special place for Australians, with the likes of Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu all seeing continued increases in visitor numbers out of Australia. The Solomon Islands is also gaining ground on its larger competitors, with the sleepy island now averaging stays of 15 days compared to around seven days for Fiji. With the healthy length of stay representing a more valuable proposition for agents, Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) chief executive Josefa Tuamoto says travel agents stand to make “a lot of money” out of commissions on sales to the Solomon Islands. Fresh from a week long marketing campaign in Australia, SIVB has been proactively marketing the destination to the lucrative Australian market, but it is not the only organisation keen to convince Australians of the charms of the Pacific Islands. Eighty tourism operators from the South Pacific Tourism Organisation’s 18 member nations took part in the recent South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE), meeting with international buyers to spruik their 68

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product. The organisation - which includes representation from all the major players including Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu - has been pushing hard to reel in visitors and put the island nations centre stage for potential tourists. Featuring a strong presence at the Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE) in June and a concerted push at the inaugural SPTE last year in Auckland, SPTO chief executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi said the interest shown by the region’s private sector was “very positive”. “Australia is the main tourism source market for the Pacific region and many of our Pacific Island countries are targeting the SPTE to help promote their destinations and its products and services,” Mr Vuidreketi said. “The SPTE offers a great opportunity for our Pacific Island members to meet, network and do business with Australian and New Zealand buyers – who were attending the Australian Tourism Exchange - as these two countries are our strongest source markets,” he said. According to the SPTO’s latest quarterly review, more than 154,000 Australians visited Pacific Island nations in the quarter to December 2014. Most Australians – more than 59% of those travelling to the South Pacific - travelled to Fiji, followed by PNG and Vanuatu. Overall, countries that recorded positive growth in tourist numbers included Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua

Australian tourists ‘dominated visitation to

the region with a share of 34% of all arrivals

’

New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, while American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Solomon Islands recorded declines. Australian tourists dominated visitation to the region with a share of 34% of all arrivals. Australia currently represents 51% of Fiji’s total tourist arrivals, and is second only to France for visitors to New Caledonia, with 31% of the market. Australia also dominates PNG’s tourism industry, with nearly 58% of visitors coming from Australia, although many are visiting for business or conferences. Holiday makers only account for 35.5% of PNG’s visitor numbers. The Solomon Islands is working hard to redress its 19% fall in visitor numbers from Australia, earlier this year holding its largest ever promotional campaign in Australia and introducing the first direct flights between Sydney and Honiara. Reasons for the decline are believed to be negative reporting of the effects of the floods that devastated Honiara in April 2014, and the general elections held in November. Solomon Airlines and Solomon Islands

Pacific Islands

New Caledonia Tourism

Visitors Bureau (SIVB) representatives hailed the week-long travel industry road show in Queensland and New South Wales as “a major success”. With travel agent workshops taking place in Brisbane, Wollongong and on the New South Wales Central Coast, the Solomon Islands message was also delivered to senior Australian travel industry representatives, airline management, and travel agents in Sydney.

Now things have ‘changed and for the first

“But now things have changed and for the first time, the Solomon Islands government is serious about tourism and is putting resources into it.” South Pacific product will also be on show at the Luxperience trade show in Sydney from September 6-9. Among operators available to meet travel agents this year are the new luxury resort The Island Grace, and the recently upgraded Vomo Island, both from Fiji. Agents wishing to learn more about selling South Pacific product can also benefit from

the South Pacific Specialist Program (SPSP), which is funded by the European Union through the Pacific Regional Training and Capacity Building Program. This online accreditation program provides travel agents with the opportunity to develop and enhance their knowledge of tourism products and services in the South Pacific, and aims at helping agents increase their ability to sell the South Pacific “with confidence and passion”. There are currently 361 South Pacific Specialists worldwide.

time, the Solomon Islands government is serious about tourism and is putting resources into it

’

SIVB’s Jo Tuamoto said the Solomon Islands government was ready to take the next step forward, with the launch of its national strategic plan to address tourism. “For us as industry players, that tells us where we want to go,” Tuamoto said. “Tourism has always been a ‘pillar’ for economic growth in the Solomon Islands but until now it has just been a ‘pillar on paper’. There has been no real resource placed behind it.

New Caledonia Tourism

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Pacific Islands

NEW SHERATON for New Cal

Norfolk Island Tourism

Food festival back by popular demand Norfolk Island’s food festival, Taste Norfolk Island, will return in November following outstanding success of the inaugural event in 2014. Set to take place from November 23-27, the festival will serve up a winning combination of hearty food and local wines in popular island locations. Oxley Travel is offering a seven-night Taste Norfolk Island Food Festival package including return economy flights with Air New Zealand, twin share accommodation, island airport transfers, care hire and entry to selected festival events and dinners. Prices lead in from $2079 ex Sydney or $2039 ex Brisbane. Taste Norfolk Island special events include an Island Discovery Tour exploring the island’s culture and history, and an Indulgence Tour to an Arabica coffee plantation and local chocolate factory.

Ultimate spa bonus

Yasawa Island Resort

Fiji’s Yasawa Island Resort & Spa is offering guests a bonus 50-minute spa treatment for every day of their holiday, no matter how long they stay. For FJ$570 (around AU$360) per person including taxes, guests can choose from a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, body wrap or body scrub each day. Yasawa’s Baravi Spa is just metres from the ocean’s edge and features a relaxation room, plunge pool and an open-air ocean-view 70

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massage deck perched over the sand. The offer can be combined with any other resort special and can be booked through any preferred Fiji specialist. Yasawa Island Resort & Spa is an exclusive retreat on one of the most remote and unspoiled islands of Fiji. Just 18 luxury beachfront bungalows are hidden among tropical greenery, each only a few steps from a white-sand beach.

Sheraton New Cal.

SHERATON New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa is the latest addition to Starwood’s portfolio of three properties in New Caledonia, joining Le Méridien Nouméa and Le Méridien Ile des Pins. Owned by the Société Hotelière de Deva, the new-build resort has 180 luxury guest rooms, including 60 bungalows, 40 suites, and 80 guestrooms in 17 separate twostory buildings. It has a beachfront location on the west coast of New Caledonia, about 90 minutes drive from La Tontouta International airport, at the base of the Deva Domain. Surrounded by vast natural reserves, the hotel also faces the UNESCO World Heritage-listed lagoon and reef that is rich in marine fauna and flora. Guests can take part in a variety of activities including catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddling and peddle-boating. Resort amenities include the largest outdoor resort pool in New Caledonia, including a warm water Jacuzzi, the Deep Nature Spa, and a golf driving range and championship 18-hole golf course. It is also home to New Caledonia’s first Sheraton Kids’ Club which caters to children between the ages of two to 12 and offers a wide range of interactive and educational activities. For business travellers, the hotel offers nearly 6000 square feet of naturally-lit meetings space, which divides into a flexible ballroom, as well as indoor and outdoor pre-function areas and state-of-theart meetings technology.

Pacific Islands

Become a nanuku fan If you’re looking for the next place to get away to, look no further than Nanuku Auberge Resort in Fiji. Located about 20 minutes from the Coral Coast on Fiji’s Viti Levu island, Nanuku has everything you are looking for in your next beach holiday. Accommodation is all in villas (a first for the island), with large air-conditioned living and entertaining areas, luxurious en-suites with spa baths, private yoga bures and plunge pools. The beach is a long 5m walk across your private lawn from your own villa, with incredible snorkelling literally right on your doorstep. Nanuku caters for both families and couples. There are plenty of activities to entertain everybody, including kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling, bike riding and of course lazing by the pool. Every villa is accompanied by a villa buddy and a villa mumma - friendly Fijian staff who are there to take care of your every need. They can even look after the kids, while mum and dad get some well deserved R&R. Nanuku’s food is exceptional. All your food is included in the price of your stay. Each meal is three courses (if you want to order all of them), and the menu changes each day, with a mix of Fijian and Western food, all made with the freshest local produce. If nothing on the menu takes your fancy, the talented chefs can also whip up something more to your liking. All of this food is served with a smile by the wonderful staff. They are always

obliging and ready for a chat. A chorus of “bula!” will greet you every time you head to the Kanavata Restaurant and Lounge in the clubhouse where meals are served. Nanuku has recently launched a new website as the final stage of its rebranding under the new management of the US-based Auberge Resorts Collection, designed to make contact with the resort and booking accommodation more streamlined. These include ‘push to chat’ and ‘push to talk’ functions allowing agents and clients to engage directly with the resort’s staff. n http://nanuku.aubergeresorts.com

Pitcairn opens up

PITCAIRN Island is so remote that more people climb to Mount Everest than visit the isolated island each year. But with up to three sailings now available every few months, Pitcairn is becoming easier to access. South Pacific specialist Omniche Holidays has released a 16-night package that combines Tahiti with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Pitcairn Island. Priced from $9195 per person twin share, it includes two nights in Tahiti, four nights’ sailing aboard Pitcairn’s supply ship MV Claymore II and 10 nights in home stay accommodation on Pitcairn. All meals are included.

Aerial shot of pitcairn RSPB

Located halfway between New Zealand and Peru, with a lush and fertile climate, Pitcairn has a colourful history. In 1789 Fletcher Christian led a mutiny on the English vessel, HMAV Bounty and, several months later, together with eight fellow mutineers and 19 Polynesians, sailed the ship to Pitcairn Island. By 1808, when the tiny colony was rediscovered, all but one of the mutineers and all the Polynesian men had died. The surviving mutineer, John Adams, 11 Polynesian women and 25 children remained. Today, almost all of the 60 or so inhabitants of Pitcairn are direct descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Polynesian consorts.

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last word

APP HAPPY

ket case!

s You’re a ba

We have a winner Congratulations to Donna McHugh from helloworld Settlement City who was the lucky winner of last month’s Malaysian Getaway competition. We received dozens of creative captions to the above photo, but her entry “You’re a basket case!” was just too good to pass up. Courtesy of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts and Malaysia Airlines, Donna and a friend will enjoy a dream holiday in Malaysia. The prize includes return flights to Langkawi, three nights at Berjaya Langkawi Resort, and two nights at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

> win A GUIDEBOOK!

A new travel app has been launched by travel industry professional Lisa Pagotto, called Crooked Compass. The app includes over 1000 unique experiences designed to allow travellers to get off the beaten track and find something new. The experiences are located across 134 countries and are categorised so that you can find one that appeals to you. They range from animal encounters, eating like a local, to unique accommodation and adrenaline fuelled adventures. Each experience has its own page in the app which provides thorough information on what the experience is, the best time of year to go, where it’s located, how to get there, how much it costs, and how to book. An interactive map makes it easy to find as well. There’s also an ‘Experience of the Day’ which appears each time you open the app, helping to provide inspiration for your bucket list. Why not go above and beyond for your clients by suggesting that they download the app for those incredible, once in a lifetime experiences that will let them escape any tourist traps and gain that local flavour to their trip?

Funnies Flashback Where were you on 06 December 1999? We took a trip down memory lane and uncovered this gem from that day in the Travel Daily Window Seat archives: A PET STORE owner from Barbados was arrested at Miami International Airport after customs officers found 55 tortoises stuffed in his pants. Rodney Carrington initially said he had nothing to declare, but officers became suspicious when they saw his trousers were wriggling and had “ominous bulges in unusual places”. We know that some people can be a bit nutty about their pets, but we’ve never heard of such desperate measures to take them on holidays.

There are plenty of little islands around the world, but where is this beauty located? If you have any idea, send your answer to comps@travelbulletin.com.au and go in the draw to WIN your very own travel guidebook, courtesy of Marco Polo Travel Publishing. Each guidebook features full colour maps, insider tips on how to get off the beaten track, and recommendations on how to make the most of each destination.

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