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. Flight Centre goes ‘hyper’ in Sydney
Sydney is the next major Australian city to receive Flight Centre’s ‘hyper store’, with plans to open the Apple-inspired agency on George Street between the Hilton Hotel & Lowes.
It’s the sixth ‘hyper store’ for the Australian market, following Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin and Adelaide – the Adelaide store opens next month.
The agency group will spend some $1 million to recreate the 1,013 sq m space sitting opposite the iconic Queen Victoria Building.
2. Jetstar Hong Kong takeoff denied
Qantas’ plan to expand its low-cost Jetstar brand in Hong Kong has hit a brick wall as Chinese authorities back objections by local air competitors – Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines.
The joint venture with Shun Tak Holdings Limited, China Eastern Airlines and the Qantas Group was first announced in 2012 to tap into demand for a ‘low fare model’ airline in the destination.
The carrier was originally set to take off in 2013, however, was delayed after local airlines disputed Jetstar’s presence.
3. Sell your Seoul to afford eating & drinking here
You may have saved money on the flights over and even scored industry rates for accommodation, but you won’t be able to avoid forking out the big bucks for a bite to eat in these cities.
According to the latest Hotels.com Club Sandwich Index, the cost of burgers and coffees in hotels around the world continues to creep up, with some charging as much as $12.41 for a cup of coffee.
No, I didn’t make an error – the Index says a cup of coffee is actually $12.41 at hotels Korea’s capital, Seoul.
Click here for the list of 10 most expensive cities for eating & drinking at the hotel.
4. Travelling to Greece? Take extra cash
Travellers flying into Greece are being urged to bring ‘plenty of cash’ and a mixture of other payment methods with them in case the country goes into an economic meltdown.
The warning comes in the midst of the destination’s debt crisis and its impending decision to leave the euro.
Tour operators say they’re prepared to evacuate some 110,000 tourists if the country falls into chaos.
5. Less fees for Qantas FF
Frequent flyers that use their points to book international flights will save between three percent and 25 percent in fees.
The change applies to economy and premium economy tickets for Qantas’ long-haul flights that are paid for by points and booked from 1 July.
The biggest cut – 25 percent – will apply on flights from Australia to North and South America – ole!
This indicates a saving of up to $140 per passenger on flights to the Americas.
Meanwhile, Qantas has also officially restructured its international tariffs so that fuel surcharges are absorbed into the base fare.
The change was announced earlier this year and is effective for all tickets issued on/after 1 July 2015, where travel originates in Australia across the Qantas international network, fuel surcharges will be absorbed into base fares.
Qantas assured the overall total ticket value will not be impacted as all-inclusive prices advertised to customers already include base fare and Ticket Taxes, Fees and Carrier Imposed Charges.
6. Check out Princess eZAir’s new features
Princess Cruises has added new features and enhanced old ones to make the eZAir platform easier for searches, navigation and booking.
The new design offers travel consultants improved functionality to select departure and return flights separately, add a stopover flight segment, easily compare real-time flexible and restricted fares and review more detailed schedule displays.
There’s also a logic-driven calendar to guide flight planning based on ship departure and arrival dates; and new schedule displays with details about type of aircraft, connections and layover times.
Princess Cruises Vice President Australia and New Zealand Stuart Allison said the enhancements were a result of the cruise line’s ongoing commitment to innovate and provide support to retail partners.
Princess eZAir offers real-time, competitively-priced flights that complement each cruise itinerary, plus Next Port Protection — something not offered by other major air booking websites.
It also simplifies the planning process with one point of contact for cruise and air, and even allows your clients to defer payment date to the time of final cruise payment on select fares.
7. Agents rejoice – Abu Dhabi famils are coming
If you haven’t already experienced the traditional meets modern culture and lifestyle of Abu Dhabi then you may want to try and secure a spot on the city’s first trade famils for the Australian market.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has teamed up with Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia to run the inaugural trips, with the first planned for September this year and a second next year.
Fifty high achievers from an Australia-wide incentive programme by Etihad and Virgin will be invited on each of the trips.
8. Solo savings with Scenic
Good news for singles, Scenic is offering a range of solo deals from no single supplement to 50 percent of the single supplement on selected departures in its 2016 Europe river cruise season.
In March to April, and October to December 2016, solo travellers can benefit from no single supplement on any cabin category on board 21 Europe river cruise departures including the 15 Day Jewels of Europe and 15 Day Romantic Rhine and Moselle, plus eight France sailings.
Prices start from just $6,465 for 11 Day Gems of the Seine departing on 13 October 2016.
Guests can also enjoy 50 percent off the single supplement in a category BA balcony suite cabin from April to September on selected departures, including 34 in Europe, 24 departures in France and four departures in our new for 2016 destination, Portugal.
Prices start from $14,335 for 15 Day Jewels of Europe departing on 9 May 2016.
9. New aircraft & a new route for SAS
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is picking up its game, with upgrades to its flights, routes and onboard innovation.
Commencing 10 September, the airline will fly direct between Hong Kong to Stockholm – the first time the carrier will operate on the route.
SK963 and SK964 will operate five times per week on the new A330 or fully refurbished A340 with new seats in all cabins.
The new A330 is divided into three classes – SAS Go (economy); SAS Plus (Premium Economy); and SAS Business.
SAS Go is arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration and features on-demand entertainment with nine-inch HD screens.
In SAS Plus, guests have access to 12-inch HD screens and individual power outlets and a USB port.
Business seats are equipped with massage capabilities and have direct access to aisle and offer on-demand entertainment systems with 15-inch HD screens.
10. Agents explore ‘New Territories’ & culture
Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific Airways recently hosted 19 Australian and New Zealand wholesalers, retailers and special interest agents for Contract Hong Kong between 13-17 June 2015.
On the five-day familiarisation, these buyers discovered the latest tourism products and explored business opportunities with over 90 Hong Kong suppliers on Contracting Day.
To showcase the latest Hong Kong offerings, the group experienced new tours including “New Territories Culture Tour” and “The Heart of Hong Kong”; saw the new “Adventures in Australia” exhibition at Ocean Park and watched the new “Paint the Night Parade” at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Pictured: Top row: Bacon Lau, Nexus Holidays; Mary He, HKTB; Natalie Gosselin, Flight Centre; Gareth Evison, Cruise 1st; Jason Bell-Davey, Qantas Holidays & Viva! Holidays; Kelvin Chak, Acrossia; Mark Haddad, CBT Holidays; Barbara Boyce, China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd; Sam Chen, Helen Wong’s Tours; Emma Robertson, GO Holidays New Zealand (Helloworld Ltd).
Bottom row: Matthew Poon, China Travel Service (Australia) Pty Ltd; Julie Chou, Cathay Pacific Airways; Lynleigh McPherson, Keith Prowse Travel; Sarah Stevens, Venture Holidays; Rohanna Adamy, Asia Escape Holidays; Kirsty Small, Wendy Wu Tours; Claire Horton, Events Worldwide; Judy Atha, Pinpoint Travel Group; Paul Gorman, Luxury Escapes; Lisa Lee, HKTB; Staurt Lyall, Travelmarvel (APT).