Home Travel News

Mon 12 Oct: 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. Qantas plans to fly non-stop to the UK by 2017

Qantas scarf

Australian travellers could be flying to Europe without stopping over in Asia or the UAE sooner than you think and it’s all thanks to Boeing’s 787-9.

Speaking to Air Transport World last week, Qantas boss Alan Joyce told attendees that the latest version of the Dreamliner has created new network opportunities for airlines and even opened up the possibility of ‘direct services from Australia to Europe for the first time’.

He said the airline was already looking at making the non-stop service a reality and it could potentially be operational by 2017.

Read on

 

2. Tourism is on the rise to… Vietnam

Vietnam tourists

Aussies are increasingly becoming a vital market for Vietnam’s tourism industry, according to Australian-based tour operator, McLachlan Tours.

The operator, which specialises in historical tours to the destination, said it has experienced a 600 percent spike in travel bookings to the region – a figure that’s expected to continue growing as the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan approaches.

“Vietnam is one of the most vibrant destinations in Southeast Asia, and this important war-time anniversary… provides an incentive for travellers to plan trips to the ‘land of the Blue Dragon’ in 2016.”

Peter Smith, McLachlan Tours General Manager

Read on

 

3. Economy passengers deserve comfort & fun

Virgin Atlantic is placing increased focus on Economy Class by introducing fun new entertainment and comfort technology in its Dreamliner cabins.

The announcement comes after unveiling its new-look Economy cabins inside its newest Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft.

New to the cabin is the #skyhighselfie concept – an application that allows flyers to check-in for free on Facebook and post a selfie in front of Virgin Atlantic’s posters.

Read on

 

4. Royal Caribbean’s super-sized season

travel news Radiance of the Seas Sydney

Royal Caribbean International’s season in Australia is going to be about as big as it’s ships with a record number of vessels sailing around our waters.

For the first time ever, all three Royal Caribbean International brands (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises) will be based in Australia with seven of the company’s ships sailing from the country.

The first of the seven, Radiance of the Seas, arrived in Sydney late last week, kick starting the record breaking season for the group.

Read on

 

5. Global Achievers gear up for the NT

travel news Global Achievers

The countdown is on, with less than five days until 170 of Australia’s top travel agents attend Qantas Holidays’ annual Global Achievers Gala Event.

Kicking off on 16 October, this year the three-day event will be held in Darwin where agents will be able to party and explore the culture and history of NT’s capital.

Teaming up with Tourism NT, agents will have the opportunity to discover the NT before or after the gala celebration in Darwin.

Read on

 

6. What’s selling out beds in Sydney?

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour

Believe it or not, boys in shorts running around with balls in their hands are doing wonders for local tourism, even selling out beds around the city.

According to PARKROYAL Sydney Darling Harbour and PARKROYAL Parramatta, both properties recorded full occupancy over the October long weekend, with the Darling Harbour establishment welcoming 13.1 percent more guests than the same time last year and the other 10.3 percent more visitors.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group’s General Manager Oceania, Craig Bond, said the rise came from a number of NRL fans travelling interstate to watch the grand final.

““As soon as the Broncos and Cowboys made it into the grand final we instantly saw pick up in bookings at both PARKROYAL’s Sydney properties for the NSW long weekend.”

Craig Bond, Pan Pacific Hotels Group General Manager

Leisure bookings led the way accounting for approximately 62.65 percent at PARKROYAL Sydney Darling Harbour and 82.4 percent at PARKROYAL Parramatta.

The average time between booking and stay over the long weekend at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour was 15 days and at PARROYAL Parramatta it was seven, indicating that many stays were planed just 1-2 weeks in advance.

 

7. Peru to host culinary tourism leaders

Peru food

Where better to indulge in all things culinary than one of the leading destinations for food – Peru.

The country will host the second United Nations World Forum on Food Tourism in April next year organised by the United National World Tourism Organisation and the Spanish Basque Cunlinary Center.

Around 200 experts in tourism and gastronomy are expected to attend the event, giving Peru an opportunity to showcase its appeal as a culinary tourist destination.

“Gastronomy… celebrates our multicultural identity and allows us to promote Peru as a unique and rich culinary destination.”

Minister Magali Silva

Click here to read more about Peru.

 

8. Travellers Choice agents takes home the Etihad prize

Travellers Choice Etihad

Elizabeth Clarke from Queensland luxury travel specialist Savenio is set to explore Europe after winning two return tickets on Etihad Airways as part of an exclusive Travellers Choice incentive.

Elizabeth, who also took home $3000 in spending money in the sales promotion, can use her tickets to travel anywhere on Etihad Airways’ network, which currently includes more than 100 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. However, she says her heart is set on flying the award-winning carrier to Paris.

Agents across the Travellers Choice network competed in the Etihad incentive, with agents receiving one entry each time they sold an Etihad Airways Economy Class ticket during June, and two entries for each Business and First class ticket.

Click here for more Travellers Choice news.

 

9. A World of Adventure in India

travel news Adventure World picture

Rickshaw rides, colourful culture and a tour of Agra Fort, they’re just some of the highlights agents experienced during a recent famil of India.

Hosted by Adventure World, the group were taken on a journey from the chaotic streets of Old Delhi to the Taj Mahal and India’s ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri.

Consultants enjoyed a family home-stay and even had the opportunity to explore the ‘Pink City of Jaipur’.

Pictured top row [L-R]: Matt Symmonds – Air India; Shelley Wyatt – Warragul Travel Club; Davina Bicker – Adventure World; Montana McCosker – Windsong Travel; Adi Bajaj – Adventure World India; Louise Askerlund – Maria Slater Travel; Jeff Griffin – Adventure World; and Pip Turner – Experience Cruise & Travel.

Picture bottom row [L-R]: Anna Mulkearns – Time Flys Travel; Denise Bradley – Moss Vale Travel & Cruise; Rebecca McIntyre – Helloworld Scone; Karin Vanner – Helloworld Geelong West; and Peggy Chan – JVL Travel.

 

10. Singapore Airlines plane collapses

A Singapore Airlines aircraft collapsed at Changi Airport over the weekend while it was undergoing a routine pre-flight inspection.

According to the airline, engineers were carrying out the landing gear system check when the A330-300 retracted, causing the nose to dive to the ground.

No passengers or crew were on board at the time of the incident and the carrier assured the engineer checking systems inside the aircraft was not injured.

“Singapore Airlines will be co-operating fully with the authorities in their investigations.”

Singapore Airlines

The plane was scheduled to fly from Singapore to Hong Kong. Singapore Airlines used an alternative aircraft for the service, which took off 40 minutes after the scheduled time.

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