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Mon 23 Feb: 10 travel stories you need to know today

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.

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. Should airlines be allowed to tell passengers how to dress?

Airport dress code

Should airlines be allowed to tell passenger how dress? That’s the hot question this month, after Qantas announced tighter dress codes at its lounges.

The ‘Flying Kangaroo’ said commencing on 1 April, passengers entering the Qantas Club and Qantas Business Lounges will be required to follow smart casual dress codes.

‘Smart casual’ means no singlets, rubber thongs or clothing with offensive slogans.

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2. Check out Royal Caribbean’s cookin’ new campaign

MKR

It’s getting hot over at Royal Caribbean as the cruise line teams up with Channel 7’s ‘My Kitchen Rules’ for a new TV campaign.

Details of the campaign are still being kept quiet, but the line has revealed the TV spot will showcase dining available on its ships alongside the meals created on the highly rated show.

Onboard, Royal Caribbean ships offer guests a wide range of dining choices that vary in style, atmosphere and cuisine, depending on your mood.

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3. New travel branch opens its doors

New agency

Introducing the Endless Discovery team:

RAC Travel has expanded its operations by opening the doors to its newest travel branch – RAC Travel & Cruise Applecross.

The store officially opened on 11 February, with Travel Supervisor Lianne Reid managing the team.

Lianne previously worked for RAC as Travel Supervisor in the Morley, Booragoon and West Perth.

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4. Only ONE day to go until Australia’s biggest MICE exhibition

Big and exciting changes coming to this year's event.

Big and exciting changes coming to this year’s event.

There’s only one day left until Australia’s biggest MICE exhibition opens.

Meetings, conferences, incentives and events industry professionals can expect a completely new AIME (Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo) as the event takes its offerings to the next level, aiming to provide more networking and development opportunities than ever.

Taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on 24 and 25 February, the Expo is the most anticipated event in the Southern Hemisphere for meetings professionals to network, learn and conduct business.

AIME 2015 will feature more than 700 Exhibitors from around the globe representing business events, global destinations and travel, all of whom will be showcasing their products and services across the two days.

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5. Tasmania takes off

Tasmania

APT is expecting 2015 to be a ‘strong year’ for booking to Tasmania, as more Aussies explore their own backyard.

Over the last 12 months, APT says its Tasmania bookings have ‘really taken off’, with more Australians bookings the operator’s luxury escorted land journeys to the ‘Apple Isle’.

Chief Marketing Officer, Debra Fox said locals are keen to experience the destination’s gourmet experiences and sightseeing options.

“We take the stunning backdrop of Tasmania and pull together some of the best suppliers and highlights to create itineraries that really capture the essence of this true Australian gem.”

Debra Fox, APT Chief Marketing Officer

“Our trade partners tell us that this product always receives glowing feedback, and for good reason.”

The tour operator’s new Tasmania Luxury Escorted Land Journeys 2015/16 brochure is available in travel agents now and includes exclusive Signature Experiences in five itineraries ranging from four to 12 days.

 

6. Korea AIMEs for more MICE

Experience-the-new-Korean-Air-Prestige-Lounge-at-Incheon-International-Airport

If you’re heading to AIME in Melbourne this year, you’ll have access to all the meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition information you could need for Korea.

Buyers will be able to meet with meetings experts from Korea Tourism Organization and twelve destination management companies, convention bureaus and hotels at the Korea stand B100.

Korea Tourism Organization stand sharers at AIME2015 include Seoul Tourism Organization, Lotte Hotel Seoul, Busan Metropolitan City and Busan Tourism Organization as well as destination management companies including  Aju Incentive Tours, Etourism Co. Ltd., Holiday Planners Co. Ltd., Holidaylink DMC, US Tours & Travel, Jane Tour & DMC, Kim’s Travel, KR Travel and Wow Corea Tour.

As well as introducing Korea’s MICE destinations, venues and facilities, the stand will also offer interesting hands-on activities such as artistic postcard making and make your own bracelets with a Korean knotting style activity.

This year’s large stand comes after UIA statistics ranked Korea third for the number of international meetings in 2013.

Since 2000, MICE space in the country has expanded by 70 percent, with new facilities being developed in key hubs.

 

7. Dubai’s plan to slash airport queues

security

Dubai Airport is hoping to trim airport screening checkpoints to just 20 seconds as part of plans to usher in around 100 million passengers in 2020.

The wait time will be cut down by a new system called the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) that will boost security while cutting checking procedures down to mere seconds, Arabian Business reported.

The city’s general directorate of residency and foreign affairs, Obaid Mohair bin Suroor said it will be gradually phased in, starting with Emirates’ first and business class passengers.

It will then be rolled out to cruise passengers by the middle of this year.

The announcement comes less than a month after Dubai International Airport knocked Heathrow off its throne as the world’s top hub for international travel.

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8. DoubleTree to debut in Egypt

DoubleTree

Hilton Worldwide has revealed it will open its first DoubleTree by Hilton in Egypt, despite ongoing protests and travel uncertainty.

The 197-room property is expected to open late 2017 in Ain Al Sokhna – 55 kilometres south of Suez and 190 kilometers east of Cairo.

It will feature facilities such as a fitness center, swimming pool, an all-day dining restaurant and five further food and beverage outlets. There’s also a multi-functional meeting room of 200 square meters in size as well as a boardroom and business center.

DoubleTree by Hilton global head, John Greenleaf said the hotel will not only meet demand for more accommodation in the country, but it will also bring the hotel group’s unique features and amenities such as friendly service, signature warm chocolate chip cookies and more.

Meanwhile, in December last year, Egypt announced its tourism levels are bouncing back, although they’re still far from reaching 2011 peaks.

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9. B2B with Brand USA

Brand USA feature

Industry joined suppliers, hoteliers and tourists bureaus at Brand USA’s B2B meetings.

The unofficial USA week Down Under ended on Friday with hundreds of industry folk sitting down with dozens of suppliers, hoteliers and tourist bureaus from America.

Held at the Hilton Sydney, the group delved into the various travel experiences for travellers to the US.

tug o war

As well as receiving updates from the popular Australian travel destination, attendees managed to fit in a quick game of ‘tug of war’.

Earlier in the week, Sydney-based agents were invited to attend the annual Visit USA Expo.

Hundreds of consultants filled the Hilton conference hall where they picked up brochures and chatted to suppliers before enjoying a sit-down session full of prizes and updates.

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10. Why don’t women apply to fly?

Female pilot 3

Female pilots – they’re a rare breed in the aviation world despite ongoing efforts from airlines to create gender equality in the skies.

And what’s the reason women are not taking the lead in the sky? It is still deemed a man’s job.

A new study conducted by British Airways, found 63 percent of women said they were put off from pursuing a career as a professional pilot because as they were growing up there was a lack of visible role models and they were constantly being told ‘it was a man’s job’.

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What are your thoughts on today’s news?