Viking has released its 2024-2025 ocean voyages season, including two new itineraries.

Viking’s new 32-day Grand Australia Circumnavigation takes in a combination of beauty and culture as it circumnavigates Australia from Sydney return, encountering iconic natural wonders and lesser-known cultural gems, as well as Indonesian highlights in Komodo and Bali.

Viking has released a number of new  dates for ocean cruise itineraries for late 2023 and early 2024, including those that cover Scandinavia, The Mediterranean, Alaska, The Caribbean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It has also launched two new combination cruise itineraries in Scandinavia.

‘The new departure dates are for some of our most popular cruise itineraries and provide more choice and certainty for travellers to plan ahead,’ says Michelle Black, managing director of Viking ANZ.

The Australian Government’s latest announcement on reopening is a is a step forward, but more can still be done,’ according to Philip Goh, International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s ) regional vice president for Asia Pacific.

‘The announcement of the November timeline and the removal of the international arrival caps are positive steps forward.

‘The reduction of quarantine period and introduction of home quarantine for vaccinated Australians are also steps in the right direction. We welcome the use of rapid antigen tests for international travel.’

The Cook Islands and (to a lesser extent) Australian bubbles have at least provided some green shoots in a challenging time and led to a change of attitude amongst brokers, says Steve Lee, director at NZ Travel Brokers.

A number of members have also found success in domestic travel, events and conferences – something they should not abandon when more borders open, Lee adds.

‘It’s a bit like only selling socks in a menswear shop, but at least our brokers are actually selling something instead of only handling credits and refunds.’

Scenic is ramping up the promotion of its just released New Zealand programme and has a number of touch points planned for agents and their clients over the next couple
of months.

The company is also reminding travel advisors about some of its tours’ special attributes – such as Scenic Freechoice and Scenic Enrich – and emphasising that the Kiwi and (when the borders

Tourism Australia is promoting a number of ways agents can encourage their clients to experience different sides of Australia while travel is restricted.

‘Storytelling is embedded in Australian culture. Thanks to our creative industry, there are many different means of soaking up our rich culture – even from the comfort of your couch,’ says Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia.

ANZCRO Connect has already generated considerable interest amongst the trade in New Zealand but this is set to increase with the current focus on domestic and, as a next step, trans Tasman travel, says the company’s managing director Nick Guthrey.

The specially designed agents’ portal allows travel agents to search, quote and book all of ANZCRO’s product from one platform. It can also be used to create an entire New Zealand itinerary.

The Aussie Specialist Team has moved the monthly Talkabout webinar series to a weekly schedule through to early June.

The new series kicked off with Annabelle Sweetman from Tourism Tasmania last week, informing agents on the sights of Tassie. Those travelling the island can taste produce straight from the farm and ocean, and meet the makers at cellar doors, farm gates and local markets.

Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) president Brent Thomas says the thoughts of the New Zealand travel industry go out to all those who have been impacted by the destructive fires in Australia. 'The bush fires are of a magnitude that we have not seen before and it is hard to comprehend just how ferocious the fire, smoke and heat have been.'

The new Broken Hill Outback Resort has two new offers for the resort’s camping and van sites and new, deluxe spa cabins.
Until 31 July 2019, outback explorers who stay on one of the camping and van sites for three nights, can stay a fourth night for free. And those looking for extra comfort can stay in one of the new spa cabins for A$155 a night per cabin, usually A$185. The self-contained cabins feature a king bed, fold-out