Journey Beyond, Australia’s largest tour operator, has officially announced that their Become a Beyonder trade incentive program has returned following it’s record-breaking success in 2025, and now, for the first year ever, the competition is open to North American travel agents (both United States and Canada).
The competition’s grand prize is a spot on the brand’s ‘Bespoke G-Day Mega Famil’ an all-inclusive nine-day journey spanning Rottnest Island, Margaret River touring with Outback Spirit and the Indian Pacific – three signature experiences woven into a single unforgettable itinerary, taking place in March 2027.
This year’s campaign offers 14 places on the 2027 mega famil across five categories:
To qualify, agents must book clients on Journey Beyond Rail, Outback Spirit, Vintage Rail Journeys, or Grand Pacific Tours for 2027 travel between September 1 and October 31, 2026.
Full campaign details are available at www.journeybeyond.com/becomeabeyonder, and agents are encouraged to register on the Experience Hub to access new trade assets at agents.journeybeyond.com.
Travel Nevada has launched the Nevada Specialist Challenge, a new trade incentive designed to support Canadian travel advisors and front-line staff by strengthening their destination knowledge and helping them better sell Nevada to clients.
The initiative invites non-specialist agents and front-line staff to complete two simple steps for the chance to win one of eight Nevada FAM spots. Existing Nevada Specialists may also be eligible to apply to host one of the trips.
The launch comes at a time when destination expertise is increasingly important for the Canadian travel trade, with travel advisors seeking fresh, compelling product knowledge to confidently position Nevada to clients looking for city breaks, self-drive journeys, outdoor adventure and immersive USA experiences.
The challenge is designed to make it easier for the trade to engage with the destination, build confidence and convert interest into bookings.
The eight prize experiences available through the challenge showcase the breadth of Nevada’s appeal, from the bright lights of Las Vegas and Reno to scenic drives, outdoor landscapes and regional experiences that extend beyond the state’s best-known gateways.
Canadian travel advisors and front-line staff are encouraged to complete the challenge, strengthen their Nevada knowledge and enter for the chance to win one of eight prize experiences.
For more information, visit the Nevada Specialist Challenge Canada landing page, or find out how to Get a Little Out There in Nevada at travelnevada.com.
For nearly a century, CIE Tours has set the gold standard for travel to Ireland and Britain, delivering authentic experiences shaped by the people and places we know best.
Irish-owned and operated, our legacy is rooted in Ireland—built on decades of partnership and firsthand knowledge that only those who call Ireland home can truly share. Together with our trusted local partners and long-standing tour directors, many of whom have been part of the CIE Tours story for decades, we bring every journey to life with genuine warmth and care.
Now, CIE Tours is inviting travel advisors to experience the CIE Tours Difference firsthand, with a chance to win a 5–6 day European guided tour for two, of their choice*.
Discover all the details HERE!
Visit Seattle is excited to announce the launch of the Seattle Destination Training, a free interactive online program designed to equip travel professionals with in-depth knowledge and skills they can use to showcase the Emerald City’s exceptional experiences to their clients.
The self-paced program takes roughly two hours to complete in full, offers a robust curriculum that covers Seattle’s diverse attractions, culture, and natural beauty.
For more information or to enroll in the Seattle Destination Training Program, visit www.seattledestinationtraining.org/.
Quark Expeditions has launched its Arctic Sweepstakes, a limited-time contest designed exclusively for travel advisors. This opportunity offers six lucky winners the chance to experience the wonders of the Arctic aboard the Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway expedition, taking place May 29 – June 8, 2026.
By booking Arctic voyages for their clients, advisors will earn entries into the contest. To participate, travel advisors must first register by completing a simple sweepstakes registration form here. From there, every eligible Arctic booking earns them entries:
Entries are counted per passenger, not per cabin, so a single booking with two guests equals two entries. Bookings must occur between April 7 and June 30, 2025; group bookings are also eligible. Six winners will each receive a free cabin aboard the Svalbard Explorer and can bring a guest along for the adventure.
The more Arctic voyages advisors book, the more chances they have to win.
AmaWaterways continues to expand its educational offerings to the travel advisor community with the release of Course 5: The Rivers of France.
This interactive online course provides travel advisors with in-depth knowledge and understanding of AmaWaterways’ French sailings along the Saône, Rhône and Seine and many of their tributaries. Travel advisors completing each of the courses earn rewards – Course 1: Heart of the River – qualify for reduced FAM rates. Graduates of each course also earn a $50 gift card by booking a new reservation within 90 days of course completion.
Bedsonline, part of the HBX Group, has unveiled its new loyalty program, Bedsonline Rewards, designed to reward and recognize the hard work of travel agents around the world. This new reward program, which will substitute the prior Star Rewards programme in some markets, will allow agents to earn points for any of their purchases, whether it be accommodation, experiences or other products.
Designed with travel agents in mind, Bedsonline Rewards is built on a tier-based structure. Starting at Bronze level, agents new to the program will be awarded a 2,000-point welcome bonus. As agents earn more points through each booking, they can move up to higher tiers, each offering more valuable rewards. The higher the tier, the greater the benefits agents receive.
Visit Orlando has launched a new Outdoor Adventures Specialization module within its Orlando Travel Academy. The online training resource platform provides travel advisors with an additional tool to boost their knowledge of Orlando.
The Outdoor Adventures Specialization is designed to provide travel advisors with detailed information about the vast outdoor experiences Orlando has to offer, highlighting specific attractions throughout Orlando with engaging content, empowering them to create specialized, nature-filled itineraries for their clients.
Orlando Travel Academy graduates also gain access to exclusive benefits upon completion of the program. Designated “Certified Orlando Experts” can take advantage of up to 20 offers ranging from complimentary attractions tickets to airline perks.
Carnival Cruise Line has set sail with an enhanced Learn & Earn training platform as part of its popular Loyalty Rocks! program for travel advisors. Travel advisors will now be able to partake in new curriculum options, having access to more than 50 video-based courses that sharpen expertise on a variety of topics on both Carnival offerings, such as ship overviews, as well as industry trends and helpful tools, like social media training.
Advisors’ participation in the training program will also offer a variety of benefits, such as double Loyalty Rocks! reward points for each course completed and a 50-point bonus at graduation. Loyalty Rocks! Reward points can be redeemed for a variety of items including gift cards, Travel Agents Rock t-shirts and other merchandise. The new Learn & Earn coursework was created with extensive input from travel advisors who have graduated from the program. www.GoCCL.com
Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan have deepened their loyalty partnership. Through this enhanced loyalty partnership, Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite Members will receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, while Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members will receive complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status.
The joint member must link their Marriott Bonvoy account and Aeroplan account to unlock the status match across programs. In addition, Aeroplan Elite Status Members can now convert their Aeroplan points into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio.
This is in addition to the existing ability for members to convert their Marriott Bonvoy points into Aeroplan points at a 3:1 ratio. For more details visit https://travel-partner.
Atlas Ocean Voyages has launched a new online booking tool within the Atlas Advisor Central portal.
Designed to make it easier for travel advisors to book, manage, and track their client’s voyages, this tool is designed to simplify the booking process, offering an intuitive experience with features such as searching expeditions by destination, booking staterooms, accessing promotional rates, and tracking current and future bookings.
Advisors can now create, view, and review bookings more efficiently by visiting Agents.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.