We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. MSC Cruises cancels all remaining summer 2015 calls in Tunisia
In the wake of Wednesday’s (18 March) terror attack at the Bardo National Museum, in Tunis, MSC Cruises has decided to suspend all remaining Tunisian calls in the 2015 summer programme in the interests of guest and crew-member safety. Itineraries affected by the change will impact four of MSC Cruises’ 12 ships as follows:
• MSC Splendida will call at Valletta, in Malta • MSC Fantasia will call at Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca • MSC Preziosa will call at Cagliari, in Sardinia • MSC Divina will call at Valletta a day earlier and head directly to Corfu, Greece
“Tunis is a key destination for MSC Cruises, and we hope to be able to restore it to itineraries in due course. But until we receive the necessary reassurances that the security situation has returned to normal, we have to take our guests to alternative Mediterranean destinations”
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises CEO
MSC Cruises sadly confirms that, based on the information available as of today, 12 MSC Cruises guests are dead (nationalities: 2 Colombians, 3 French, 3 Japanese, 2 Spanish, 1 British and 1 Belgian) and 13 are injured (nationalities: 1 Belgian, 7 French, 4 Japanese and 1 South African), of which two are in serious conditions. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, are in Tunis today to meet the injured and their families to ensure that they are receiving all the necessary assistance.
MSC Cruises statement: last two missing MSC Splendida guests accounted for safe and sound http://t.co/QjIx0WAF3j
— MSC Cruises (AU/NZ) (@MSCCruisesAUS) March 19, 2015
All updates can be found at: http://www.msccruises.com.au/au_en/About-MSC-Cruises/News/MSC-Cruises-Official-Statement-Tunisia-Events.aspx
2. Perry joins Travel Counsellors
Travel Counsellors has expanded its team with the addition of Chriss Perry in the role of Business Development Executive.
Perry will work alongside Travel Counsellors Business Development Executive Adele Barbaro to provide more support and more frequent interaction with Travel Counsellors agents based in home offices all over Australia.
Perry has an extensive history in travel, and has previously worked at Travelscene, Traveland and most recently, the Intrepid Group as a part of the Private Groups team.
Focused mainly on the leisure travel sector, this critical role will see Chriss develop and mentor Travel Counsellors agents around Australia.
Perry said she’s excited to take on this new role and work for a ‘forward-thinking, customer-focused company’.
The appointment is effective immediately and while she will be based out of the Travel Counsellors head office located in Melbourne, her role involves extensive interstate travel.
3. Outrigger Resort’s 2015 Global Showcase hits the road
Outrigger executives will visit Australia and New Zealand to talk about the company’s global expansion and mission to become the world’s premier beachfront resort brand.
The 2015 Outrigger Resorts Global Showcase will visit Brisbane on March 24, Melbourne March 25, Sydney March 26 and Auckland on March 30.
Leading the team for the family owned, Hawaii-based company will be Bitsy Kelley, Vice President Corporate Communications and a third generation member of the founding Kelley family.
4. Try and test Infinity Holidays’ new journeys
Select famil itineraries will soon be available for clients.
The famils you go on with Infinity Holidays will once again be on sale for the public.
The decision was made after receiving feedback from consultants experiencing high demand from clients wanting to book the same journey as the education they have just experienced.
After some collaboration between the Infinity Educationals and Digital Marketing Teams the idea was hatched to enable frontline customers to enjoy the same experience Infinity was able to show consultants and ‘Tried & Tested Journeys’ were born.
The educationals will act as a form of quality control and only itineraries that receive high marks from the participants will be included. The journeys will include accommodation, transfers and a range of experiences as ‘tried and tested’ by consultants.
At the moment ‘Tried & Tested Journeys’ are only loaded for Bali, Queenstown and Savusavu in Fiji but as the educational season gets going again Infinity looks forward to adding more journeys to the range.
Educational trips are going to Tasmania, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Broome, Whitsundays and Phuket in the coming month and if these make the grade they will be added to the range.
5. Sneak peak inside P&O’s Pantry
A rendering of The Pantry.
Cruisers finally get a glimpse of The Pantry – the room that replaces the buffet on P&O’s ships.
The Pantry will debut on Pacific Jewel when she sails from Brisbane in June this year and then on Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria when they set sail in November.
The eatery will offer eight fresh food outlets featuring international dishes plus a bar.
Among the dining areas are Hook’s Fish & Chips; Kettle & Bun, a delicatessen offering delicious fresh sandwiches, salads and soup; and Curry House featuring spicy delights from India, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and the Caribbean.
Guests can also enjoy Mexican cuisine from tacos to tortillas at Mexicana, while the Fat Cow carvery will be serving freshly roasted chicken, pasture-fed beef and slow-cooked pork from the finest local producers.
Asian broths will be steaming at Stix, which will also offer innovative and traditional stir-fries, while The Grill will be the place for casual eats, like pulled pork burgers and chicken wings.
Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in gourmet desserts, pastries and cakes at the Sugar Bar, while a drinks bar will offer barista-made coffees as well as wine and beer.
Food from all outlets except The Grill and the drinks bar will be included in the cruise fare.
Meanwhile, the youth team from P&O Cruises’ Pacific Jewel travelled to Burnie recently for a day of team bonding.
The team building activity on Burnie Beach was organised as an informal way for the team to get to know each other better.
Despite the planned picnic being scuppered by rain, P&O Cruises Manager Guest Experience – Programs Natalie Aroyan said the onshore event was a happy and positive affair.
6. Virtuoso Australia Roadshow heads to Aus
Next week, 32 of Europe, the Middle East and Asia’s best luxury travel products will head to Australia for the annual Virtuoso Australia Roadshow.
Around 350 travel agents are expected to attend from Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney.
Virtuoso Managing Director of Asia Pacific, Michael Londregan said luxury travel is becoming a priority amongst travellers and they’re looking for experts to help book that dream holiday.
“Luxury travellers in particular are looking for service that cuts out the interference created by the traditional booking process – through intermediaries – which eliminates direct contact with the final destination and opportunity for individual service delivery.”
Michael Londregan, Virtuoso Managing Director
Mr Londregan said both products and services such as hotel preferences and tour opportunities, as well as the consumer have recognised the value of direct relationships which offer personalised service and this is driving the desire of international hotels and travel products to engage with Australian travel advisors directly.
The roadshow gives agents the chance to chat to product representatives and pass the knowledge on to their clients.
7. TFE’s next generation hotel in North Sydney
TFE (Toga Far East) Hotels is bringing hotels in North Sydney into the future, with plans to establish a new-build, next generation property.
Due for completion in early 2017, the 188-room hotel will become one of the next generation of Vibe Hotels, joining the newly-opened Vibe Hotel Marysville in Victoria and Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport, another new-build hotel due to open in quarter four 2015.
Signatures of the property includes rooms that inspire with modern and stylish finishes, art and home-grown delicacies in the mini bar reflecting the locale; and comfortable lounges and bars to enhance social and the collective experience.
There’s also free Wi-Fi available anywhere in the hotel and fit food options in addition to an in-room yoga channel and local running track maps.
For business travellers, there is a spacious conference room featuring casual seating and creative breakout areas, note pads filled with inspirational quotes, customised lighting and music, regionally inspired menus, state of the art multimedia and high speed internet.
8. Vivid Sydney is going to be HUGE in 2015
DestinationNSW has unveiled what Winter visitors to Sydney can expect to see at Vivid Sydney this year and it has us all giddy for 22 May to come around.
The show, which runs from 8 June will once again transform the city and harbour into an incredible light show.
However, this year is going to completely outshine previous years as more suburbs and attractions get involved.
9. CWT’s responsible business practises
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has been recognised for being a leader in responsible practises within the travel industry.
The company was among the top 11 percent of all companies in EcoVadis’ credit system.
CWT was assessed through 21 CSR criteria in the areas of environment, ethics, social and sustainable purchasing performance and scored high across the board.
President and CEO, Douglas Andreson said responsible business is embedded in the company’s values.
“[It is] an important component of the value we add for our clients, today and into the future.”
Douglas Andreson, CWT President and CEO
10. Spirit Airlines’ cheeky deal
It seems as though Spirit Airlines has been flicking through Ryanair’s book of controversial marketing techniques.
The American low-cost carrier launched special fares this week to promote the purchase of its 69th aircraft.
However, unlike previously promotions, the airline used hilariously racy words to push the £69 fares.
Playing on the sexual connotations behind the number ’69’, the airline wrote in an email announcing the fares:
We’ve been waiting to hit 69 planes for years. It’s our favorite number – ever since we were twelve and found that magazine under our brother’s bed (the one with the fantastic articles). Use your mouth to spread the word: Spirit is in an even better position to get you where you’re going. We’re popping an epic Bare Fare in celebration! $69.00* round trip!
This isn’t the first time the airline has made sexual references and has previously promoted itself as the ‘Home of the Bare Fare’.
Of course, the ad has received mixed responses from travellers, but we think it’s very cheeky and smart.
What do you think?