Two Selling Travel Connect: Asia events were held during the last week of February. The first, on 24 February, attracted 58 travel agents to the Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hotels. A day later, 48 agents attended the event at the Grosvenor Hotel in Chester.
Attendees had opportunities to network over food and drinks and then had face-to-face meetings with suppliers. Key points were summarised at the end of each evening. Then after question and answer sessions, agents had opportunities to win prizes in the draws which concluded each event.
Here’s a summary of the key messages shared by each of the suppliers:
APG (Air Promotion Group)
Ticketing is simplified through APG IET’s GP-275 ticketing solution which empowers travel agents to issue tickets for over 150 airlines, including 34 carriers from the Asia Pacific region.
Using GP-275 as the validating carrier means travel agents can issue tickets for Asian airlines, ensuring greater flexibility, easier ticketing and more booking opportunities. It also means lower fees, a selection of payment options and dedicated sales representatives offering assistance in the UK.
Issuing on GP-275 protects agents against airline bankruptcy, denied boarding, lost luggage and includes one free date change before departure. Agents can contact allairlines@apg-ga.co.uk to find out more.
Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions’ luxury small ship expeditions explore the world’s most biodiverse and culturally significant destinations.
In Southeast Asia, Aqua Expeditions explores the remote islands of East Indonesia on the 15-suite Aqua Blu, a long-range explorer which once sailed as the Royal Navy’s HMS Beagle. From August 23-30, 2025, Michelin-awarded Australian chef Benjamin Cross will be aboard for a chef-hosted sailing to Komodo National Park.
In October 2025, Aqua Blu will introduce an all-new set of expeditions to the Asmat and West Papua regions of Papua New Guinea. The Asmat and West Papua cruises in October and November have four itineraries and a total of six sailings, with options for explorers who also want to discover the best of the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat.
Bangkok Airways
Great customer service is one of Bangkok Airways’ key selling points and its boutique lounges are open to all Bangkok Airways passengers at no extra cost. Travellers and eat, drink and check email. Tasty meals are also offered onboard.
Bangkok serves destinations in Thailand and Indochina, and is the only airline to have won Skytrax Best Regional Airline and Best Regional Airline Asia for eight consecutive years.
The airline’s new morning flight from Phuket to Bangkok (PG270) connects with codeshare partners’ lunchtime services to London.
Emirates
Emirates has resumed daily scheduled flights to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, via Singapore. On a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering First, Business and Economy Class, travellers can enjoy Emirates’ award-winning service and industry-leading products across all classes. Regionally-inspired dishes and complimentary beverages are available onboard.
From its global hub in Dubai, Emirates flies to over 140 destinations across six continents, together with its partner flydubai that includes more than 20 destinations across the Far East. From the UK, travellers can choose from eight airports: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow and now Edinburgh.
The new Emirates A350 recently joined Emirates’ fleet from Edinburgh to Dubai and eight more destinations will soon follow. An award-winning inflight entertainment system is available in all seats across the airline’s fleet, offering up to 6,500 channels.
Explore
Explore operates more than 100 trips to Asia with themes including culture, wildlife, walking and trekking. Food and drink, cycling and family adventure tours are also offered.Within Asia, new tours include The Three Stans of the Silk Road, Everest Base Camp Trek, Discover South Korea.
The new Explore Upgraded range is ideal for travellers who prefer premium accommodation. There’s a collection of Explore Upgraded itineraries in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia,
Explore creates unforgettable travel experiences in extraordinary destinations through expertly crafted itineraries, expert tour leaders, small group sizes and a commitment to responsible travel.
Explore is trade-friendly, has a dedicated trade team and offers price parity. The new trade-friendly brochures list reasons to book with a travel.
Exsus Travel
Offering luxury, tailor-made travel, Exsus Travel is a trade-friendly company that employs people who have travelled extensively, particularly in Asia and Australasia, meaning they have specialist knowledge to draw upon to satisfy clients. Exsus takes pride in being able to offer quotes quickly.
Bespoke holidays in Asia are among the company’s major core areas and examples and ideas are on the Exsus website. Luxury beach holidays in Asia, including Thailand and Vietnam, are another of the company’s strengths.
The team’s knowledge means being able to offer experiential add-ons and exploratory travel. Top-end, five-star properties typically feature on itineraries and, at present, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and also Japan are in vogue at present.
Global Hospitality Services (GHS)
A worldwide sales and marketing consultancy, GHS was launched by hotel sales experts to fulfil the growing needs of independent hotels for personalised innovative sales, marketing distribution and procurement solutions in the increasingly competitive global marketplace.
With a diverse portfolio spanning major destinations, GHS provides travel agents with exclusive access to unique properties, competitive rates and tailored experiences.
By partnering with over 154 independent hotels worldwide, GHS empowers travel agents with special rates, bespoke packages and seamless global booking solutions. Additionally, agents benefit from a dedicated team of industry experts, ensuring effortless access to distinctive properties that cater to leisure, corporate and MICE travellers.
Within Asia, GHS proudly represents a collection of exclusive hotels in India and the United Arab Emirates.
Major Travel
Travel agents can take advantage of competitive rates for tours, transfers and hotels in top-selling Thailand, Bali and Malaysia, fast-growing Vietnam and Cambodia, and expanding Japan and Korea.
With leading hotel partnerships and a state-of-the-art Major Go B2B platform, travel agents can easily create, quote and share itineraries instantly, directly with clients or on social media. Travel agents can leverage competitive rates while earning Major Miles loyalty points to use towards personal travel.
Major Travel serves agents across the UK and Ireland, offering rates in both pounds and euros.
View latest offers by following Major Travel on Facebook. Travel agents can register with Major by emailing commercial@major.travel. Bookings can be made by calling 0207 393 1000 or emailing reservations@major.travel.
Royal Brunei Airlines
Royal Brunei Airlines is a niche, boutique carrier offering critically acclaimed service. It was awarded for having the World’s Leading Cabin Crew at the 2024 World Travel Awards, for the fifth consecutive year. That means travellers can look forward to exceptional service while flying that reflects the warmth of Brunei’s people.
Flying from Heathrow three times a week, Royal Brunei Airlines offers competitive, tactical fares to Dubai and access to destinations across Asia and Australasia.
Singapore Airlines
From the UK, passengers can enjoy world-class service on four daily flights from London Heathrow, a weekly flight from London Gatwick or five weekly flights from Manchester Airport to Singapore. Using the Singapore Airlines network, it’s possible to seamlessly connect to destinations across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
Singapore Airlines is an award-winning carrier with connections to over 40 destinations in Southeast Asia. The network includes popular countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. More off-the-beaten path destinations are included too, such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei.
Singapore Airlines has partnered with chef Monica Galetti to bring her gourmet menu to Suites, First Class and Business Class customers. The culinary dining experience is available on Singapore Airlines flights departing from the UK and the seasonal menus celebrate the finest in British produce with a nod to Monica’s South Pacific influence.
Shizuoka
Less than an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen high-speed train, Shizuoka prefecture is home to the Mount Fuji. The beautiful Izu Peninsula has been described as Japan’s Riviera and is a UNESCO Global Geopark. It offers traditional ryokan inns and onsen hot springs. Its natural environment produces some of the country’s best food and drink, from green tea and wasabi to fresh seafood.
Shizuoka sits on the Golden Route between Tokyo and Kyoto and Osaka, yet it is also off the beaten track. The retro Tenryu Hamanako Railroad is a way of viewing the landscape.
The Kakegawa Castle and Sake Shibori tour explores Shizuoka’s landmarks and offers sake tasting with English-speaking guides. Atami’s new Geisha experience includes a dance show, games and photo opportunities.
So too are new hiking experiences by Fuji Sunrise include the Fuji Sunrise Hike, East Fuji Nature Hike and Mount Fuji Two-Day Climb.
The MC Collection
The MC Collection is a Sales and Marketing company offering travel agents access and insider knowledge about hand-picked hotels and resorts in Thailand and Bali. It is the extended arm of the hotels’ marketing team pushing to drive sales by ensuring partners know as much as possible about each hotel.
The MC Collectionspecialises in market-leading, volume-driving properties. They range from hotels with over 380 rooms to unique concepts including a treehouse with 32 villas and a private villa. The assortment of properties can cater for multiple budgets. Dedicated agent rates are available on the website.
The company looks after travel agents by providing a one-stop shop to understand and sell its hotels. That includes videos, images, factsheets and menus. Information about the MC Collection’s sustainability programmes and charity contributions to the local area are available.
The MC Collection also aims to ensure that agents are looked after with discounted staff stays.
One World Travel Sales and Marketing
Representing outstanding boutique and luxury hotels in Asia, One World Travel introduced the character and beauty of the Villa Deva Resort and Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. With 42 rooms, including unique features such as swim-up rooms and a two-bedroom pool villa, Villa Deva is a low-rise property in the Sathorn district of Bangkok.
The St Regis Langkawi, in Malaysia, has a secluded beach and is renowned for the beauty of its sunset views over the Andaman Sea, pool suites and overwater villas. Designed by Bill Bensley, the hotel’s Kayuputi restaurant features antiques, has atmospheric interiors and serves pan-Asian cuisine for dinner.
Visit Okinawa
Japan’s southernmost and westernmost prefecture is one of the world’s five ‘blue zones’ where people live exceptionally long lives. It has introduced a new four-day wellness tour in the north of Okinawa Main Island. Operated by Okinawa Adventures, it allows people to discover the secrets of longevity through plant-based meals and community bonds while experiencing traditional foods, nature treks and local crafts.
Due to open in July 2025, JUNGLIA is a nature-immersive theme park in the heart of Okinawa’s Yambaru forest. JUNGLIA offers cutting-edge attractions, family-friendly entertainment and delicious cuisine.
Cycling is popular across Okinawa and rentals are available for all abilities. Dirt bikes are favoured in Yaeyama while e-bikes are common in Naha, where guided tours and equipment hire help visitors explore the region’s history and culture.
Rosewood Hotels and Resorts’ first Japanese property, the Rosewood Miyakojima will open on March 1, 2025.
Wendy Wu Tours
There’s a last-minute booking surge for Japan’s 2025 April and May cherry blossom season, despite the best-practice booking window being six to 18 months in advance.
Solo travel is booming and dedicated solo departures to Japan in 2025 have nearly sold out. Southeast Asia and India are seeing particularly heavy demand by solo travellers.
From Japan’s Shinkansen to Vietnam’s Reunification Express, rail travel is emerging as the definitive way to experience a destination in depth. Wendy Wu Tour’s Japan by Rail, China by Rail and Singapore to Bangkok by Rail tours are among the tours available. Legends of the Silk Road – The Ultimate Rail Adventure takes travellers to destinations along the ancient trading route in China and Central Asia. The Tibetan Railroad Tour is also experiencing high demand.
China by Land, Japan by Sea remains the company’s most sought-after cruise and tour programme and new itineraries combining the countries are being developed. Two new 2026 departure dates for the popular Osaka to Seoul tour have been announced.
The new Japan and South Korea by Land tour extends time in Japan with immersive experiences in Kanazawa and Takayama, before cruising from Seoul to Tokyo. Unique experiences include soba noodle making in Takayama and gold leaf crafting in Kenrokuen,
Prize-winning travel agents
Selling Travel Connect: Asia gave attending agents opportunities to drop their business cards and be entered into prize draws.
The cards selected in London were those of Carol Smith, Greg Jama, Debbie Mitchell, Cristina Horvat, Louise Turner, Lourdes Huelgas, Ardy Capodanno, Natalie Nespereira, Celeste Foreman, Elena Palkova and Patricia Dantas.
London Winners
Chester Winners
The prize winners in Chester were Holly Ruecroft, Cheryll Jacks, Lynne Woodward, Luke Roberts, Joanne Pattison, Emily Lythe, Owen Bennett, Elise Williams, Victoria Dixon and Jenny Evans.
Selling Travel Connect
See the Selling Travel Connect Calendar to find out about the events which are planned and to register. The next event, in London on March 1, will have North America as its theme.
We look forward to seeing you at an event in the near future.
