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. Flight Centre offers clients virtual reality
You may not even have to pack your bag to experience a new destination, thanks to a new virtual reality experience offered by Flight Centre at three of its Singapore stores.
Ever wanted to amble down the brightly lit streets of Tokyo in Japan, or swim with the turtles in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, or wander through the ancient town of Hoi An in Vietnam?
Well, head on over to a Flight Centre store in Singapore, chuck on a VR headset, and you can tick off all three of these exciting travel possibilities with a 360-degree virtual tour of these destinations – in a single afternoon.
2. Virgin Australia flies back to the Cooks
The crowd has spoken and Virgin Australia has listened, re-introducing direct services between Christchurch and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands starting next year.
Back by popular demand, the direct service will give South Islanders the chance to escape the chilly NZ winter and fly somewhere much warmer – touqoise water lapping on a white sandy beach, overshadowed by palm trees, and an inevitable cocktail in hand just sweetens the deal.
3. Adelaide has the best chops in Australia
Adelaide – it may not be as big or as popular as Sydney or Melbourne but it houses some of Australia’s most creative dishes and now it’s home to the country’s best barbequers.
This week, the five finalist teams in Brand USA, Trafalgar, United Airlines, Weber and Flight Centre’s ‘The Australia VS USA World BBQ Champion Cook Off 2015’ competition flew to Sydney to put their cooking skills to the test and prove they are the best behind the barbeque.
Five duos heated, grilled and turned meat for four hours at Beachside Dojo in Manly to find out who the best of the best really is.
4. Watchdog blesses Qantas/AA partnership
The Flying Kangaroo and its buddy American Airlines will continue their partnership for another five years, after the ACCC decides to bless the trans-pacific alliance extension.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has just issued a draft determination in favour of re-authorising the trans-Pacific alliance between Qantas and American Airlines for a further five years.
The decision follows interim authorisation for the partnership which was granted in July to facilitate the resumption of Qantas’ services to San Francisco and American Airlines’ new Los Angeles-Sydney flights.
5. It’s been the best year ever for Travel Counsellors
The independent travel company has been growing from strength to strength for years, and they’ve just had their best year yet.
With over 1,400 guests in attendance at the Travel Counsellors Annual Conference held in Manchester Central Convention Complex last weekend, the travel company announced their best year to date. On average, each Travel Counsellor grew their individual income by 12 percent last year.
There has also been a 21 percent increase in ‘TC multi-millionaires’, with 53 agents achieving over $2 million in sales over the past 12 months.
6. helloworld summit kicks off in Wellington today
Hundreds of Aussie travel agents, industry leaders and suppliers are in the ‘world’s coolest little capital’ today at the helloworld Owner Managers Summit (OMS).
Close to 600 people are expected to attend this ‘perfectly timed ‘ helloworld meet-up – a reference to the ‘Inspired by Wellington’ visitor campaign currently running in Australia.
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA) secured the helloworld conference in 2014 after several years of bidding against other destinations in Australasia.
7. G Adventures on sale for 100 hours
G Adventures is holding a special 100 hours (or four-day) sale, giving your clients the chance to save $100 on any G Adventures trip valued over $1,000. The offer is valid on bookings made between Friday November 27 at 8:00am and Tuesday December 1 at 4:00pm using the promo code 16GA100ADV12 which is valid for trips departing before June 30, 2016.
There’s also 15 percent off a selection of G Adventures trips around the world on ‘Cyber Monday’ (29th of November) which agents can use to help secure even more discounts, allowing travellers to lock in the next adventure.
“Although the Cyber Monday craze isn’t traditionally an Australian or New Zealand tradition, with an increasingly connected world, we didn’t want travellers in this part of the world to miss out on the savings. With consumers looking for deals this coming weekend, we know it is important to arm our agents with savings they can pass on to their clients.”
Belinda Ward, G Adventures Australia and New Zealand Managing Director
8. Flights still on sale with Scenic
Scenic still has a number of flight offers available for your clients across its 2016 Europe River Cruising portfolio.
Category E cabins on the 2 and 7 November departures of 15 Day Jewels of Europe river cruise are priced at $6,995, with this price now extended until 31 December 2015. This price includes return flights to Europe, butler service, complimentary laundry, complimentary beverages all day, world-class meals at six on board venues, return airport transfers, Scenic Enrich events, Scenic Freechoice activities and all tipping and gratuities.
There’s also Scenic’s new business class offer in lieu of fly free on all departures in March, April, October, November, regardless of cabin type. Guests can enjoy return business class airfares for just $1,995 per person. Alternatively, those in a balcony cabin travelling from May to September can fly business class for $2,995 per person in lieu of fly for $995 per person. These offers are available on all Bordeaux, Seine and South of France river cruises, and 15 Day Jewels of Europe river cruise. The first deposit of $3,000 per person is due within seven days.
9. Trade rates in Hong Kong
It’s good to be in the travel industry.
Hong Kong’s waterfront hotel, the Harbour Grand Kowloon, has released special trade rates with discounts of up to 40 percent for use throughout 2016.
The offer is available to travel agency staff, airline personnel, hotel employees and media people.
The discount is off BAR rates and applicable for a maximum of two rooms at a time for up to five-night stays. Government taxes and service fees apply.
Click here to book.
10. Singapore Airlines upgrades pilot training
Singapore Airlines has announced plans to upgrade its pilot training after a recent bomb-threat.
The airline’s flight SQ001 was flying from San Francisco to Singapore earlier this week when the threat was made. It comes after a Russian plane was downed over Egypt and earlier this month’s Paris attacks.
To ensure passenger safety, the airline has decided to put it pilots through ‘more demanding’ tests, Aviation Week reported.
P.S: Thanksgiving in Sydney with Gate 7
Gate 7 invited a group of its industry partners and friends (including KarryOn) to the Jazz City diner in Surry Hills yesterday to say thanks for another successful year.
Held on the US national holiday, Thanksgiving, the event included a delicious traditional Thanksgiving lunch cooked by US born and raised Chef Dan McGuirt.
Roast Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and of course, pumpkin pie filled everyone’s bellies.
Click here for more images.