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. Victoria-based travel agent ‘disappears’
Police are looking for a 27-year-old agent from Victoria, who was reported missing by his family on Monday.
Concerns were raised for Jordan Dittloff, the owner-manager of ACE Travel in Colac, this week, after his family was unable to reach him.
His retail store, which is located in Victoria’s southwest, was closed with a note saying it would reopen on Tuesday, the Geelong Advertiser reported.
2. Want to work from the beach?
Sabre Pacific is taking travel agents into the future and simplifying their workload, with the launch of three new mobile and cost saving solutions.
Unveiled to travel agents and media at the Tech Summit in Sydney yesterday, the three new advancements include Sabre Vero – a virtual desktop; Ticketing Express – automated manual ticketing; and Travel Intelligence – solution making agency data more accessible.
According to the GDS provider, each system is to not only designed to help reduce the agent workload, but bring them into the future by making their business more mobile and cost effective.
3. NTIA 2015 sold out
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has confirmed that tickets to the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) Gala Dinner have sold out.
AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury said due to construction at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC), the group was unable to secure a venue that could accommodate the overwhelming response.
According to AFTA, some 1,220 people were able to secure a seat to celebrate with industry colleagues this year.
“We acknowledge that being unable to accommodate the large demand for tickets creates a problem. We will encounter the same situation next year as we will be at the same venue but will do our best to encourage people to make an early application.”
Jayson Westbury, AFTA CEO
4. Flight Centre agents pack ‘Suitcases’ for Sydney
Four Flight Centre agents from the UK have been whisked away to NSW, after winning a free holiday at an exclusive Destination NSW & Flight Centre hosted evening.
The winners were selected at the ‘Suitcase Party’ last week – an invite-only evet held at the Shangri-La Hotel in The Shard.
Some 100 VIP guests and loyal Flight Centre customers enjoyed an evening of glamour complete with a gala reception, NSW inspired menu and stunning views of the London skyline.
5. First look at the new ‘Old Clare Hotel’
Plans have been unveiled to turn The Old Clare Hotel into the cultural heartbeat of an up and coming area in Sydney.
Located in Chippendale’s Kensington Street Precinct, the property will be redesigned to offer an ‘authentic and semiindustrial’ feel.
Set to be unveiled in August, The Old Clare Hotel will also rework traditions around exceptional hospitality while providing personalised service in an unpretentious setting.
6. Agents get handsy with Sabre tech
Hundreds of Sydney-based agents met up at the Swissotel yesterday to learn about all the latest gadgets from Sabre.
Sydney was the second in a series of five Tech Summits the travel tech group is holding over the next few weeks.
The event started in Auckland last week, and will travel on to Melbourne on 11 June; Perth 18 June; and Brisbane on 25 June.
7. Emirates to Bali
Emirates has commenced a daily nonstop service to the island of Bali in Indonesia.
Flight EK 398 from Dubai arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on June 3, 2015 at 21.40 Bali time.
On board the inaugural flight were media from the GCC, and a senior management team from Emirates. The flight also transported passengers originating from more than 40 different cities to Bali, including Moscow, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and New York, among others, demonstrating Emirates’ global connectivity.
Bali is Emirates’ 146th global destination and is being operated by the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a two-class configuration.
“There is high interest from across our network for flights to Bali, specifically in the leisure segment, and we are pleased to now be able to serve this demand and contribute to the island’s economic and tourism growth.”
Barry Brown, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations East
Bali received more than 3.7 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2014. Emirates expects this is likely to receive a further tourism boost with the new daily direct flight from Dubai.
8. Skal turns 55
Skal International Sydney is turning 55 this year and will be holding special celebrations at its luncheon meeting on 10 June.
Members of the Sydney travel and tourism industry will gather to reminisce about the history of Skal in Sydney and acknowledge the efforts of Past Presidents and long-standing members.
Guest speakers have been invited to entertain and inform guests. They include Dr. Bill Carroll from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, USA, who will address the meeting on the topic of “Online – threat or opportunity?”
Dr. Carroll teaches on economics, new media, pricing & marketing distribution at Cornell. For over 25 years he has held senior positions in the travel industry.
He also works closely with PhoCusWright, Inc. a travel industry research, consulting & publishing company.
The event will also include a raffle to raise funds for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and opportunities for networking with industry colleagues.
The June meeting will be held from 12pm-2pm at the Four Seasons Sydney and includes a two course lunch and beverages.
Tickets for members, guests and visitors $75.00 per person. Click here to book.
9. INCENTIVE: Earn cash back
Aqua Hospitality is offering travel agents more chances to earn cash back rewards on new bookings.
Consultants that book a client at one of the group’s 20 participating properties throughout Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island, will receive a cash back bonus of up to $250 per booking.
No signup is needed. Simply submit the completed form for the property booked. Forms can be found on the website, click here.
Agents will continue earning commission on each booking.
The offer is valid for new bookings for travel through 17 December 2015.
Cash bonus amounts vary by property. Minimum night stay and other restrictions apply.
10. Dora reps NYC
What do Taylor Swift and Dora the Explorer have in common?
They’re both ambassadors for the Big Apple.
NYC & Company have announced the world’s most famous animated explorer as the seventh Official NYC Family Ambassador.
The announcement was made in Orlando, Florida during International Pow Wow earlier this week.
As part of the yearlong campaign, Dora will encourage family travel to the City’s five boroughs by highlighting New York City as a family-friendly destination.
Her recruitment also means that for the first time ever, NYC & Company’s family ambassador program will include English and Spanish content.
“I am very excited to have Dora as our official embajadora to show families from across the globe the countless recreational and cultural riches of the five boroughs.”
Bill de Blasio, NYC Mayor
New York City welcomed an estimated 17.2 million family visitors, a three percent projected increase over 2013, contributing approximately $17.8 billion in direct spending to New York City’s economy.
In 2013, Spanish was the first language of approximately 14 percent of domestic family travelers.
Since the launch of the Family Ambassador program in 2009, family visitation to New York City has grown by 30.3 percent and is currently 30.5 percent of total visitation to New York City.
Former Family Ambassadors include Curious George in 2014; Where’s Waldo? in 2013; The Muppets in 2012; The Smurfs in 2011 and Sesame Street in 2009.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift signed up to be the destination’s newest celebrity ambassador in October last year.
Although she’s not NYC born, the city’s leaders say she has the right spirit for the destination. Read on
NTK Extra: What guests are doing wrong at hotels
You may think it’s just checking in, dropping off your bags and chilling out, but apparently travellers are doing a lot wrong when staying at hotels.
A hotel professional has revealed to News.com.au 30 things travellers are doing wrong.
We’ve selected five of the most surprising. Are you known for doing any of these?
1. According to the hotel professional, people should be asking for an upgrade every time they check-in, because unless the hotel is booked out it is likely to happen.
They said if you greet the person behind the counter warmly, state your name and then very kindly thrown “Do you have an upgrade available?”, then chances are you’ll get the better room.
2. Don’t let the grouchy companion check-in. If you’re travelling with your partner who has just come off the plane with orange juice on his or her lap, tired and in a completely sour mood – they should stay away from the counter.
And it should always be the nice one – not the stressed one, not the one with the crying baby, not the one under 13 – this will make checking in much faster.
3. Don’t steal anything except the shampoo. As KarryOn reported in February, hotels have started tracking their room hotels and robes with tags. Read on
4. Don’t leave valuables in your car. According to the hotel insider, don’t leave hotel staff with your valuables – if you can’t take it up in one trip then take electronics first and luggage later.
5. Don’t send your child into the pool alone. The hotel insider said “it is wrong on about 13 levels”.