We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Three dead in cruise ship fire
Three people have been reported dead after a fire broke out in the engine room of an Oceania Cruises ship.
Among the dead are one crew member and two contractors. No passengers were injured as the fire was contained in 684-passenger Insignia’s engine room, Cruise Critic reported.
A passenger told the website that around 9.30am the ship lost power. Passengers disembarked on their shore tours and shortly after they returned passengers were told to disembark again.
“Arrangements are being made for guests and crew to be accommodated at local hotels until transportation to Miami is arranged.”
Oceania spokesperson
The ship was on a 10-day cruise from San Juan to Miami. It was scheduled to end on 17 December.
2. Aussie government travels with Helloworld off-shoot
Helloworld scored a major client this week – the entire Australian Government.
According to the company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, QBT has been appointed as the sole provider of travel management services to the ‘Whole of Australian Government’.
The four-year appointment commences immediately, with Australian Government agencies transitioning from their existing agreements to the new structure over the next six months.
3. Kia ora Argentina! New direct flights from NZ
Image: Anibal Trejo/Shutterstock
Air New Zealand is opening up South America to New Zealand travellers, with its first-ever scheduled service to the continent.
Commencing December next year, the airline will operate three weekly return flights on its Boeing 777-200 aircraft between Auckland and Buenos Aires.
The service is part of a share agreement with Aerolíneas Argentinas, which will see the Argentinian airline’s code added to return flights.
4. Wyndham signs on for Sabre tech
Wyndham Hotel Group and Sabre Corporation has signed a new agreement with Sabre to utilise its cloud-based, cutting-edge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) reservations, revenue management and enhanced security solutions.
The first hotel group to leverage the technology from Sabre’s SynXis Enterprise Platform, it will allow Wyndham to integrate critical hotel functions into one intelligent system.
According to the hotel group, the system offers hotel owners an integrated and automated revenue management system that will optimise rates, occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR) to grow market share for Wyndham Hotel Group licensees while enhancing hotel-level security with cutting-edge credit card capabilities designed to support tokenisation and chip and pin technology.
Geoff Ballotti, Wyndam’s president said the decision came after six months of research to identify a leading provider.
“Wyndham Hotel Group’s strategy is to leverage partners who deliver state-of-the-art solutions across the global travel and service industry landscape for our owners and franchisees.”
Geoff Ballotti, Wyndam’ Hotel Group president
5. Aussie sports star adopts Omani spirit
Image: EvrenKalinbacak/Shutterstock
On the outside he may seem like an Aussie ‘water baby’ that spends his days chasing waves in Bondi beach – but on the inside Australian pro-sailor, Leigh McMillan, is a little Omani at heart.
Having sailed for the Sultanate on and off since 2006, McMillan is back in Sydney this week defending his Extreme 40’s Sailing title for the third consecutive year.
Competing aboard Oman’s winning vessel, The Wave Muscat, McMillan told KarryOn he feels privileged to represent the country, which he describes as so full of culture, kindness and fascinating attractions.
6. Extra air services to Singapore
Low-cost carrier, Scoot Airlines will increase its services between Singapore and Perth to daily from 1 February next year.
The announcement comes a year after the airline launched on the route, which chief executive Campbell Wilson says has received “fantastic response”.
From next year the airline will also utilise the Dreamliner 787 on services to Perth – the first destination Scoot will send the innovative new plane.
“Scoot’s 787s will deliver better comfort, a wider selection of amenities including on-board Wi-Fi, while enabling us to maintain our great value airfares so our guests can get outta here more often.”
Campbell Wilson, Scoot chief executive
7. African beats and a Mayor at the Novotel
It was a festive launch for the Novotel in Geelong this week, with the local mayor in attendance at the African-themed party.
Over 100 guests arrived to the beat of African drummers, who had lined the recently rebranded hotel’s driveway.
Guests then walked the red carpet to the event being held in the 109-room property.
Sixteen year old local Geelong musician Jamie Pye captivated the crowd with his acoustic tunes as guests feasted on freshly shucked oysters, noodles from a live wok station and sugary treats served on a colourful candy buffet.
Novotel Geelong is close to the major shopping district and cultural attractions including the Geelong Gallery and the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. A number of tourist attractions are also nearby including the National Wool Museum, Waterfront Geelong and Eastern Beach.
Simon & Bryan thanks for your kind words tonight @AccorAustralia. You have a great culture at Novotel!@DarrynLyons pic.twitter.com/NkDwGEke8n
— Geelong Mayor (@Geelong_Mayor) December 10, 2014
8. Australia’s Captain America joins agents in Bali
Pictured (L-R): Instructor, Anita Ness – helloworld Dunsborough, Brad Schell – helloworld Joondalup, Chris Evans – New Horizons Holidays, Michelle Triscari – Sunwild Holidays, Sue Holmes – Carine Travel Bug, Kim Simpson – Our Travel Agent, Steven Slicer – New Horizons Holidays, Debra Nazzari – helloworld Belmont.
He may not fight evil or wear the same star spangled outfit like the comic character (or maybe he does, we haven’t asked), but he does share the same name as the actor that plays the hunky hero in the Marvel movies.
Chris Evans, from New Horizons Holidays joined eight other agents in Bali last week for a New Horizons top achievers reward trip.
The group of nine visited Sanur, Ubud and Seminyak, while enjoying luxurious accommodation, relaxing yoga and spa treatments.
9. Surf City USA attempts Beachie world records
Huntington Beach has joined in on KarryOn’s Beach Week celebrations, by announced it will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for ‘World’s Largest Surfboard’ and ‘Most People Riding a Surfboard at Once’.
Taking place on 20 June next year, the city attempt will to get 70 professional surfers, surfing celebrities, lifeguards and local heroes aboard one 12-metre long surfboard to ride one wave.
If successful, Huntington Beach will take the record from Snapper Rock in Queensland, which holds the current record of 47 people on a 12-metre board.
Leading up to the event, local surfboard shapers and boat builders will come together to craft this massive board, designed after one of the famous short boards ridden by Brett Simpson, Hurley sponsored professional surfer and Huntington Beach local.
Following the record breaking event, the surfboard will be mounted at the International Surfing Museum in downtown Huntington Beach.
This week, KarryOn has celebrated the start of summer with features to help you and your clients get beach ready.
Yesterday, we spoke to Miss World Australia about her beach and travel tips. Click here for more.
10. Baby born mid-flight
A plane landed with one extra person onboard earlier this week, when a woman gave birth to a baby during a Southwest Airlines flight.
According to the airline, the baby was born shortly after flight 623 took off from Phoenix to San Francisco.
Luckily for the new mother there was practically an entire medical team there to assist, with both a doctor AND a nurse travelling on the flight.
Following the birth, passengers are said to have applauded after hearing the baby’s first cry and the airline diverted the aircraft to Los Angeles where the baby and mum were transferred to a local hospital.