We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel stories you need to know today.
1. Virgin dropped fuel surcharges, this is how Qantas responded
Qantas responds to Virgin’s fuel surcharge drop with a sale. Image: Love the wind/Shutterstock
Qantas may not have succumbed to pressure and lowered its fuel surcharges, but it has launched a major sale that will see travellers save up to $374 on flights to LA.
The sale comes less than 24 hours after Virgin Australia announced it would no longer charge a separate fuel surcharge on flights to America. Instead, the cost would be incorporated into the base fare.
Commencing today, the surcharge drop will align the US fares with the rest of the Virgin Australia network fares.
2. What’s new in the Sunshine Coast?
The Sunshine Coast is bringing nature and events to the forefront as tourism leaders set out to prove the destination is not just a ‘one trick pony’.
Speaking at a media event in Sydney, Sunshine Coast Destination chief executive Simon Ambrose revealed the bureau has new plans to build on the resurgence of tourism last year.
Latest figures show the destination saw national visitation jump 10 percent from September to September.
3. How did Australia go in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards?
Xanadu Holiday Resort in Main Beach, Queensland was recognised as the best hotel in Australia.
TripAdvisor has announced the winners of its Travellers’ Choice awards for hotels, highlighting some of Australia’s best properties.
The 13th annual awards showcase more than 8,151 winning properties worldwide, covering eight regions around the globe. Winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travellers worldwide.
The awards were divided into nine categories including top hotels, small hotels, bargain, B&Bs, luxury, romance, family and best service.
Meriton Serviced Apartment World Tower was the only property to land a spot on a global list – number three in the Top 25 Hotels for Families Worldwide.
Out of all Australian properties, Xanadu Holiday Resort in Main Beach, Queensland was recognised as the best, with the majority of reviewers acknowledging its modern and contemporary facilities.
Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa was named Australia’s second best hotel, followed by Qualia Resort in Hamilton Island and Meriton Services Apartments Campbell Street, which reviewers said was well suited for families.
Other properties to make the top ten list of Australian properties include Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, Silky Oaks Lodge, Meriton Services Apartment North Ryde, 1888 Hotel, Meriton Services Apartments Brisbane on Herschel Street and Park Hyatt.
Saffire Freycinet in Coles Bay, Tasmania won the award for top luxury hotel in Australia, while best bargain hotel in Australia went to Stannum Lodge Motor Inn.
For the happy couples, the best hotel for romance in Australia is Spicers Vineyard Estate in Pokolbin, NSW and Albertines Beechworth in Victoria is the best B&B and inn in the country.
4. Virgin withdraws a flight
Drop in demand sees Virgin temporarily withdraw a Bundaberg – Brisbane service.
Virgin will drop one of its seventeen Bundaberg to Brisbane flights over the summer period after seeing a drop in demand on the route.
A spokesperson confirmed that flight VA1703 Brisbane – Bundaberg and the returning flight VA1698 Bundaberg – Brisbane has been temporarily removed, News Mail reported.
The spokesperson said affected guests have been rebooked on other Virgin services and the airline will continue to operate 16 flights per week between the two cities.
5. American flies DFW to Beijing direct
American Airlines to start direct flights between Dallas and Beijing. Image: Igor Demchenkov/Shutterstock
American Airlines is increasing US and China connections, with new daily services between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Beijing Capital International Airport.
Commencing 7 May [bookings available as of 24 January], it will be the airline’s sixth daily flight to Asia from DFW and the only nonstop flight between DFW and Beijing.
Service schedule:
AA 89
Departs DFW at 10:40 a.m.
Arrives at PEK at 2:15 p.m. the following day
AA 88
Departs PEK at 4:25 p.m.
Arrives at DFW at 5 p.m.
“This new route gives our customers direct access between these two key business markets for the first time and will also provide customers hundreds of connecting opportunities to destinations worldwide.”
Andrew Nocella, American Airlines chief marketing officer
6. Who is taking the stage at AIME?
Find out who has been selected to speak at AIME 2015. Image: Rawpixel/Shutterstock
AIME (Asia-Pacific Meetings & Incentives Expo) has revealed its line up of speakers presenting at the 2015 AIME Knowledge program where attendees learn practical knowledge and skills to improve their working lives.
Taking place at AIME 2015 on 24 and 25 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the knowledge sessions will cover topics such as innovation, technology, industry trends, the global MICE industry, strategy, marketing, and creativity. AIME Knowledge promises a focus on innovation with each session providing attendees with skills they can use in both their personal and professional lives.
AIME Knowledge speaker, digital strategist and social commentator, Chris Riddell has worked with some of the largest and most successful companies and brands in the world. Chris’ presentation will focus on innovation and the possibilities for organisations linked to the digital space, and will offer compelling commentary on areas relevant to their work.
Another prominent speaker will be Craig Davis who is best known for his work in the advertising industry. His focus will be creativity and how it can generate new ways for companies to do business.
Other speakers presenting include Carolyn Miller, communications strategist, keynote speaker and media commentator; Vinh Giang, presentation coach, keynote speaker, entrepreneur and magician; Wendy Mak, business mentor to bloggers and fashion stylists, speaker on personal brand, career dressing and author of 1000 Outfits; and James Adonis, employee engagement specialist and team leadership educator.
7. Are you ready for Australia Day?
No work, no chores just a whole lot of pride and partying. That’s right, Australia Day is almost upon us and to ensure you’re ready for it we thought we’d share a list of things only Australians will understand.
We’ve also copied the lyrics of the Australian anthem below – just in case you haven’t sung it in a while.
Compiled by RY.com.au, the cosmetic company says all travelling Australians understand the extensive strip-search by Customs when returning home from a holiday.
8. Fun travel news Friday
See how fast a hippo can move. Image: Colorcub.es/Shutterstock
They made us laugh, they made us roll our eyes and some even made us cringe. Wrap up your work week with fun travel news Friday #FTNF – a collection of weird stories that made headlines.
See this incredibly fast hippo chase a tourist boat; a disgruntled employee stole 115 Jetstar iPads; and we ask the big question – where are the condoms on cruise ships?
9. Agents win with Rail Plus
Rail Plus Win Big winner Robert Smith receives his $500 Coles Myer Gift Card.
What a way to start the year! Rail Plus has presented three lucky travel agents with gifts, including a Samsung Smart Curved TV, a Mac Book Air and a $500 Coles Myer Group Gift Card.
The prizes were offered as part of the company’s Win Big promotion, which saw travel agents entered into a draw every time they booked and ticketed with Rail Plus between October and December.
Alexandra Douglas from Travelcall Melbourne (VIC) took home first prize of a Samsung Smart Curved TV, with Aaron Gilden of Italktravel Hornsby (NSW) receiving second prize of an Apple Macbook Pro. Third prize of a $500 Coles Myer Gift Card went to Robert Smith of Rheom Travel (VIC).
10. China Southern brings the planes to Sydney Festival
China Southern celebrates iconic 2015 Sydney Festival.
China Southern Airlines says its participation in this year’s Sydney Festival has provided the carrier with an opportunity to build ties between Guangzhou and Sydney.
Held at the annual Symphony in the Domain on 18 January, the event saw he Sydney Symphony Orchestra combine with the ARIA-winning didgeridooist William Barton playing the late Peter Sculthorpe’s Beethoven Variations with poetry and prose narration by Aboriginal commentator Dr Anita Heiss.
Sydney Festival’s Lieven Bertels, Sydney Festival’s Chris Tooher, NSW Premier Mike Baird, China Southern Deputy General Manager ANZ Ms Min Zeng Sydney and The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales.
The final event in the festivals program will see China Southern’s ferry take to Sydney Harbour once again for the annual Australia Day Ferrython spectacular.
China Southern deputy general manager ANZ, Min Zeng said participating in the event was a ‘positive step’ toward building greater cultural and tourism links between China and Australia.
“Australia is one of the most important strategic markets for China Southern Airlines, said Ms Min Zeng, China Southern Deputy General Manager ANZ.”
Min Zeng, China Southern deputy general manager ANZ