From 20% off tours to early booking savings on cruise, there was plenty to inspire agents to sell products from across the globe at Selling Travel Connect Showcase.
Agents met with Antarctica 21, Canyon Spirit, Austin and Fredericksburg, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Explore!, RIU Hotels and Resorts, The MC Collection/TreeHouse Villas, Travelpack, Visit Mississippi and Wendy Wu Tours.
Here are their key takeaways:
Early 2027-28 bookings bring savings of up to $5,000
Antarctica 21 has more than 20 years’ experience of operating fly-cruises to Antarctica from Punta Arenas in Chile. Flying means that guests avoid the often stormy Drake Passage and reach the Antarctic Peninsula quickly.
A new vessel, the Magellan Discoverer, will sail from the 2026-27 season and guests can save up to $5,000 on 2027-28 departures.
Partnership with Utah Luxury Tours continues into 2027
The luxury rail operator was an official partner of America250, the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Canyon Spirit’s partnership with Utah Luxury Tours will continue into the 2027 season. The partnership enables guests to take pre- or post-tours in some of Utah’s most popular national parks as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park.
Direct flights from Paris and new hotel openings
From March 27, 2027, Delta Air Lines will introduce its first nonstop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Austin. That will help make it easrier for travellers to visit the Live Music Capital of the World, the U.S. Grand Prix, year-round festivals and Michelin-starred barbecue before venturing into the Texas Hill Country, where wildflowers bloom each spring.
Fredericksburg is set for hotel boom, with Kimpton Fredericksburg opening in 2027 as part of The Meuse, alongside the first Waldorf Astoria in Texas.
austintexas.org ; visitfredericksburgtx.com
Something for surfers, divers and adults seeking time together
Ideal for keen divers, the Cinnamon Ellaidhoo has a house reef with a marine biologist. Surfers may prefer the Cinnamon Dhonveli as Pasta Point is a renowned location; the four-star resort’s price point is attractive to first-time visitors to the Maldives.
Luxury seekers may prefer the Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa, an adults-only resort ideal for honeymoons, or Cinnamon Velifushi, which features a 360-degree beach.
Tours ideal for travellers who appreciate in-depth insights
Explore Worldwide has introduced numerous new tours in the past six months, expanding its programme to over 400 small-group trips. Itineraries are designed to go beyond the usual highlights, offering a deeper understanding of each destination through immersive experiences and expert local guides.
The tour operator is currently running a 20% off sale on some of its tours, including its Inca Trail itinerary, available until September 24.
Agents are supported with price parity, inspirational videos, blogs and social content available to lift and shift. A dedicated trade team is on hand to help convert enquiries into bookings with confidence.
101 hotels in 22 countries around the world
RIU Hotels and Resorts has more than 100 all-inclusive properties. In prime beachfront locations around the world, they offer high-quality, reliable and stress-free holiday experiences. They offer consistent value through outstanding service standards.
Guests and agents are welcome to the jungle
The MC Collection, a Sales and Marketing company, promotes TreeHouse Villas in Thailand. It offers a dedicated agent zone packed with video, images, fact sheets, menus with prices and details of its sustainability programmes and charity contributions to the local area.
In jungle overlooking Phang Nga Bay, TreeHouse Villas Koh Yao blends into the landscape. The adults-only luxury resort is new and set in a treetop location. It has 32 exclusive villas.
Its sister website, Staff Travel Club, offers dedicated agent rates for properties, so that agents can experience them for themselves.
Tailor-made, high-value tours for every type of client
Travelpack presented its ultimate escort touring solutions to agents in London, highlighting its three-year Out of Date Range guaranteed pricing, small group itineraries as well as its packaged cruise, sports, music and Viator experiences.
Three reasons to head to Mississippi in 2027
Three engaging reasons exist to visit Mississippi in 2027. The 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s passing will be marked by special events, exhibitions and musical tributes in Tupelo and elsewhere.
Tupelo will welcome the new Chickasaw Heritage Center, offering immersive insights into the history, culture and traditions of the Chickasaw people. Meanwhile, the Amtrak Mardi Gras service – linking New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile – makes multi-centre itineraries easier, particularly for travellers who enjoy rail travel.
Opportunities for agents to attain status and to participate in a VIP trip
Wendy Wu Tours’ Agent Advocate Programme is designed to reward agents for every booking. Agents selling tours can climb the leaderboard to attain Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum status, unlocking rewards and exclusive benefits.
Platinum-status agents are guaranteed a VIP FAM trip every year, while other benefits include enhanced booking incentives, priority service, exclusive customer events, marketing collateral and support and VIP treats.
Prize-winning agents
Snaps from the night
Sign up for Selling Travel Connect events
Next up is Selling Travel: North America in Newcastle (September 21) and Chester (September 22), and then a series of Tenerife events in Edinburgh (September 28), Belfast (September 29) and Bristol (September 30).
In October, Indian Ocean and Middle East Connect events will be held in London (October 5), Nottingham (October 6) and Solihull (October 7).
During the following week, Guildford will host a Showcase-themed event on October 12.
Please register your interest in attending future events. We look forward to hosting you!
