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Fri 15 Jan: 10 travel news 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 news stories we think 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 news stories we think you need to know today.

1. Tourism Australia appoints Superhero as global ambassador

thor5

He’s used his strength in Thor, used his charm as Kim Hyde in Home & Away, and now Chris Hemsworth will be using his good looks as the face of Tourism Australia’s latest campaign.

The 32-year-old Aussie actor and Hollywood star, Chris Hemsworth – aka Thor, will assume the role of global ambassador for Tourism Australia’s latest campaign, which will focus on the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences. Consumer research shows that Australia’s aquatic and coastal experiences are amongst the greatest drivers of international visitor demand. Two out of three international visitors enjoy Australia’s aquatic or coastal environments in some way – from scuba diving to simply going to the beach.

Read on

 

2. Emirates sends a second A380 to Perth

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Emirates is adding a whole lot of extra capacity on its Dubai-Perth flights, by sending another A380 aircraft to the city.

EK25 from Perth and Dubai and the return flight EK424 will be the second A380 service to Western Australia’s capital from August this year, following the first jumbo jet which arrived in May 2015. It will also be the seventh of the airline’s 11 daily flights from Dubai to Australia operated by the large aircraft.

According to the airline, a second A380 service from Perth adds around 100,000 additional seats on the route per year and meets growing demand from Australians utilising the airline’s services for onward travel to Europe.

Read on

 

3. Travellers can now rebook air tickets online

Amadeus Next

Amadeus has announced new Amadeus Ticket Changer technology, which allows customer of participating travel agencies to go online to rebook their flights any day, any time.

The new first-of-its-kind rebooking service is bound to make agents’ lives a little easier, by allowing them to step in and change their flight itinerary as they please.

ATC Shopper can modify all types of tickets and fares, before and after departure. With easy 24/7 online access to different routes, itineraries and schedules, customers can rebook their flights on their own and feel confident that they secured a good deal.

For online travel agents, ATC Shopper can greatly reduce the number of calls to call centres, lower the risk of errors, and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

 

4. What happened at the Sydney Opera House?

Opera House Sydney

By day it was completely off limits, with metal fences manned by police surrounding the Sydney Opera House, keeping out locals and tourists.

But a few hours later, restaurants and bars reopened, with workers saying it was ‘business as usual’.

So what happened at around 1.00 yesterday to completely shut down operations at one of Sydney’s most iconic tourist sites?

Read on

 

5. Thai Airways puts its faith in an Aussie

thaiairways

Since the early 80s, there’s been a tradition over at Thai Airways to only ever appoint Thai nationals to executive positions. Well, that’s about to change.

Effective as soon as the remuneration package has been sorted, industry veteran – Bryan Banston, an Aussie – will take on the position of vice-president of sales for Thai Airways.

Thai Airways is currently struggling in the sales department, and it’s hoped the appointment of Banston, who has over 30 years of industry experience – most recently as the vice-president for commercial operations for Australasia at Emirates, will help the airline get back on track.

Read on

 

6. No Aussies affected by Jakarta attack

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Two people were killed and 24 others injured in a series of explosions in the middle of a busy central Jakarta commercial hub.

The bomb was detonated near a Starbucks on Thamrin Street – a hub for entertainment, shopping and Western chain restaurant and stores.

Jakarta’s Police Chief Tito Karnavian placed the blame on a man named Bahrun Naim who is believed to have plotted the attack himself.

Read on

 

7. APT wins at the Travvys

travel news APT's Amabella

APT took out four awards at this year’s Tavvy Awards, which the company’s Managing Director, Chris Hall, attributed to “outstanding product”.

The company won Best River Cruise Line; Best Cruise Ships, River Cruise: AmaSerena, AmaBella; Best River Cruise Line Asia; and Best River Cruise Line, Europe.

In addition, AmaWaterways President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner was named Most Innovative Executive in the River Cruise category for the second consecutive year.

Schreiner co-founded the company in 2002 with Jimmy Murphy and Kristin Karst, with APT Founder Geoff McGeary joining the partnership in 2006.

 

8. Queenstown resort gets a makeover

travel news Mercure Queenstown - refurbished lobby - resize

The Mercure Queenstown Resort’s Lake View has competed a $2.2 million makeover of its rooms and public areas.

The property’s 82 Lake View accommodation rooms have received significant changes to enhance the views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.

New modern interiors and décor replaced the older look to offer soft relaxing hues and to compliment the designer bed heads and rich toned cabinetry and plush bedding.

Rooms are also fitted with new wifi connectivity ports, LCD TVs, Bluetooth audio compatibility, and a flexible work station for guests staying on business.

In addition to the rooms refresh, Mercure Queenstown’s lobby has new furniture, carpets and bespoke lighting.

 

9. A new itinerary over at Tempo Holidays

travel news Tempo Holidays

Clients keen to see Turkey with Tempo Holidays can now explore the famed Yedigoller or ‘Seven Lakes’ on a brand new trip.

The Nature & Wildlife at Seven Lakes takes travellers on a journey through Yedigoller where the climate produces multi-coloured forests of oak, pine and hazelnut.

Named after its seven lakes, Yedigöller is located to the north of Bolu province in Turkey and encompasses over 16,000 square metres of meandering forest trails and subterranean streams.

The new trip starts at AU$842 and NZ$944 for three nights.

 

10. 20% off with Sunsail

travel news Sunsail

Sunsail is celebrating 42 years in business by offering 20 percent off all Sailing School courses in the Whitsundays, Thailand, Croatia, Greece and the British Virgin Islands.

Saving are up to $248 when clients book a sailing course before 31 January 2016.

Courses in Croatia start from $734 for and include seven nights’ accommodation, five days practical sail training with an accredited RYA sailing instructor and meals.

Course books can also be supplied for and additional $40.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news stories?