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. TripAdvisor rolls out online bookings in Australia
Travel agents and online booking sites have a new competitor as TripAdvisor Australia launches an instant booking function for hotel rooms.
The move comes after rolling out the function in the US and the UK last year, allowing holidaymakers to research properties, read reviews, compare prices and then secure a booking without leaving the TripAdvisor website.
Bookings, while made on the review site will be brought to consumers by online travel agency partners.
2. Want to know why Carnival’s bosses are laughing?
No guys, their laughter is definitely NOT alcohol-related, the was actually the first drink of the night. FYI it was a frosty glass of Carnival’s Thirsty Frog Summer Ale.
In case you don’t recognise them, the ladies above are Carnival Cruise Line top guns – Vice President and GM of Australia, Jennifer Vandekreeke and CEO Christine Duffy.
They were both hanging out at the Lord Nelson Hotel – Sydney’s oldest continually licensed hotel and the makers of the Thirsty Frog Summer Ale – yesterday with media when the photo was taken.
3. How Air NZ is cutting back on fuel cost
The cost of fuel may be at the lowest it has been in years, but airlines are still looking for ways to cut back on one of the most financially draining parts of flying.
Among these airlines is Air New Zealand, which today revealed its solution to save a little on oil: take more precise routes by flying at lower altitudes.
This is being achieved through a new partnership with aircraft manufacturer ATR to equip the airline’s 68-seater turbopop fleet with advanced Required Navigation Performance (RNP AR) technology.
4. Earn extra TRIP Dollar$ with Qantas Holidays
Consumers aren’t the only ones winning with Qantas Holidays’ new ‘Australia is on Sale’ promotion featuring local discounts and agent incentives.
Running through to 21 February, this year’s offer features family deals, luxury deals and cost saver options offers, including return Qantas airfares to every state and territory across Australia.
As well as bagging a deal, consumers will earn two Qantas points per $1 spent with Qantas Holidays throughout the campaign.
5. Qantas upgrades its Hobart Club
Qantas has announced it will remove the business centre at its Club in Hobart Airport to add more seating for customers visiting the airport lounge.
The removal will also allow for a new buffet to be constructed and a sandwich press added to the club’s existing menu.
In place of the business centre, Qantas will construct a workstation for customers to access a Qantas provided computer and printer.
Qantas Regional Manager for Tasmania Stephen Farquer said customers who regularly use the lounge will welcome the availability of extra seats, especially at peak times.
The lounge will be closed on 9 February and is expected to reopen just four days later on 13 February. Once completed the Hobart Qantas Club will be able to host 95 customers.
6. Aircalin welcomes more Aussie passengers
More Australians are using New Caledonia’s international carrier to visit the island nation.
According to latest figures, there was a 25 percent increase in passengers ex Australia in 2015 compared to 2014. There was also 26 percent growth in revenue.
Hoping to continue growing, the carrier is working closely with New Caledonia Tourism, New Caledonian hoteliers and local operators.
Over the past few years New Caledonia has seen a brand new Sheraton Deva Resort & Spa with 18-hole international golf course, the full refurbishment of Le Meridien Noumea and Isle of Pines and the introduction of the Hilton brand into New Caledonia.
7. TID extents insurance in Zika-affected zones
Travel Insurance Direct (TID) is giving pregnant travellers the option to access pre-trip cancellation coverage benefits of their policy under certain conditions because of the global Zika virus health emergency.
The cover is extended to pregnant travellers who purchased their TID policy before 25 January 2016 for travel to destinations listed on the DFAT site as Zika virus affected.
The extended coverage means eligible travellers can negotiate with their airline, hotel and tour provider to obtain a refund and if there are any un-refundable deposits that are lost, can lodge a claim with TID.
“We understand this is a very emotional issue, and we wanted TID customers to have the option of doing what they feel is right for the health of them and their baby.”
Phil Sylvester, TID Travel Safety Expert
This extension of cover only applies to pregnant travellers, because of the risk to unborn babies prior to departing.
Meanwhile, TID has also offered advice for avoiding mosquito bites while travelling, they include wearing long-sleeved and long-legged clothing; cover exposed skin in insect repellent; and sleep in enclosed and insect-proofed accommodation; tip out any stagnant water outside your accommodation.
8. New Adventures in 2016/17
For the first time, Adventure World will be taking guests to Canada’s farming region of Saskatchewan and Canada’s youngest province, Nunavut.
The two new destinations are featured in the company’s new 2016/17 Canada, Alaska & High Arctic programme released this week.
Also new for 2016, Adventure World has expanded on its already robust wildlife offering in the region with a number of new experiences that include close encounters of various species such as a trip that incorporates the annual caribou migration and a baby harp seal safari.
To celebrate the launch of its 2016/17 Canada, Alaska & High Arctic brochure, Adventure World is offering guests a bonus helicopter flight when booking an eight-day Gems of the Rockies valid for travel between 29 April and 8 October, 2016.
9. Star Chefs cook up for Garuda
Holidaymakers flying First Class and Business Class with Garuda will enjoy Star Chef cooking as part of the carrier’s new ‘unique and diverse’ menus.
The first chef to host the Star Chefs program is Will Meyrick, the creator of Sarong, Tiger Palm and Hujan Locale in Bali.
For his collaboration with Garuda, Meyrick will take contemporary Indonesian street food even further upscale with fine dining experiences.
His menu will include Tum bebek with ubud lawar jackfruit ferntip grated coconut and nasi kuning. There’s also ayam betutu served with long bean yellow coconut and peanut salad.
Amuz Restaurant’s Chef, Gilles Marx, will follow Meyrick in March with modern French cuisine with Indonesian flavour influences.
The final chef will be Felix Budisetiawan of Sriwijaya Restaurant at the Dharmawangsa Hotel in Jakarta.
10. The Flying Koala
Qantas crew member Beti Koltovski gives the koala the Joey Passport home.
Four Australian koalas flown to Singapore last year for a diplomatic relations mission, are returning home via Qantas.
The flying koalas were on loan at Singapore Zoo to celebrate Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence as well as 50 years of diplomatic relations with Australia.
During their visit, numbers to Singapore Zoo surged, to over 800,000 guests between May and December 2015.
The Australian Zone in Singapore Zoo is currently being revamped, and will feature other Australian animals when it re-opens.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary worked closely with both Qantas Freight and Singapore Zoo for their travel and stay overseas. Twice a week, Qantas Freight shipped gum leaves to the Singapore Zoo, supplying regular fresh food for the koalas.