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Mon 15 Jun: 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 our 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 our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.

 

1. Travel agent charged after handing himself in to police

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Jordan Dittloff, 27, Owner-manager of Ace Travel in Colac.

‘Jordan Dittlof’, the disgraced travel agent who has been on the run for the last fortnight handed himself in to the police after being wanted for questioning over the collapse of his Victorian travel agency

Jordan Dittloff, 27, owner-manager of Ace Travel in Colac, handed himself in to Melbourne West police station. He has since been charged with 36 counts of theft, Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper reported at the weekend.

Some AUD 207,000 is reportedly owed to up to 45 clients, with many local people having come forward to allege their travel bookings had not been made, although payments had long since been finalised.

He will face Geelong Magistrates’ Court for a committal mention on 18 September 2015.

KarryOn previously reported on the missing 27- year-old travel agent from Victoria who was on the run.

 

2. MAS flight MH148 returns to MEL after engine fails

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Last Friday afternoon Malaysia Airlines flight MH 148 bound for Kuala Lumpur was forced to turn back to Melbourne after a fire broke out in its engine shortly after take off.

Whilst the Airbus A330 had to circle around Melbourne airspace for nearly an hour, “the plane landed safely,” an Airservices Australia spokesperson said. “The fire trucks were in attendance but were not needed.”

Melbourne Airport said operations were continuing as normal following the incident.

Malaysia Airlines states that safety is of the utmost importance to the airline and more information will be released when available.

 

3.Is the best advert for Vietnam Airlines EVER?

An  astonishing video clip has been released showing Vietnam Airlines’ new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner taking off in a near vertical 90-degree angle, like a rocket.

The clip, shot during a rehearsal by Boeing for the show, shows the agile and manoeuvrable plane rising at such a steep angle, it appears to be vertical. The clip is so popular it has clocked up more than 6 million views in three days.

“Some of what you’re seeing on takeoff is a trick of perspective. It looks like the takeoff is at a near vertical 90-degree angle – trust me it’s not.”

B767 pilot Patrick Smith told CNN

 

Read On

 

4. Default Insurance Policy (DIP) for IATA agents

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The Australian Federation of Travel Agents today has welcomed the announcement that International Passenger Protection (IPP) will be the Default Insurance Policy (DIP) the for the IATA BSP & CASS agents in Australia.

“AFTA has a long history with Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers and an excellent working history with IPP. Together these two organisations know the Australian travel industry and this is an important part of any provider in the IATA DIP market”

AFTA Chief Executive Jayson Westbury

Agents, whose current CBL policies expire or require replacement insurance coverage, will be required to renew through IPP. IATA will be sending individual notices to all agents regarding the change of DIP provider along with specific instructions as it relates to the changeover.

 

5. New agent sharing platform developed for Australia

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Brand USA has released a new knowledge sharing facility within the USA Discovery Program – the online training website for agents in Australia.

The Knowledge Forum allows users to ask a question which other members answer, providing an opportunity to share their insight into a specific destination.

Brand USA Australia will have an incentive in place for one month from June 15th until July 12th, 2015.  The agent who receives the most votes on an answer to a posted question on the Knowledge Forum will win an Apple Watch. Nice!

Read On

 

6. Virtuoso expands in Australia

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Luxury travel network, Virtuoso, today announced the appointment of two new Business Development Managers (BDMs) in roles which will help the organisation meet the needs of its expanding membership in the Asia Pacific region.

“Our two new BDMs, Cristina Magni and Evan Pierce, have great, hands on experience in travel businesses and understand what our members are all about.  They will no doubt be a great asset to Virtuoso and its members.”

“Cristina is joining Virtuoso from a background in luxury travel product marketing and sales including major international hotel chains and exclusive boutique properties and has recently worked to deliver buyer lists for the luxury travel trade show Luxperience.

“Evan has worked in travel sales and retail in the US,  and with Infinity wholesale in Sydney where he has built great relationships within the travel industry that will serve him well in this BDM role.”

Mr Londregan (Pictured far right) said Virtuoso would be announcing its first new memberships in Asia over coming months.

 

7. Helen Wong’s Tours open the doors to new office

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After six years in its Sydney Bathurst Street address, Helen Wong’s Tours is moving its Australian headquarters to a new office within the nearby Sydney Town Hall precinct.

From Monday June 29, 2015 the leading Asian specialist will open a new contemporary operation on the 17th level of 456 Kent Street.

Managing director and founder Helen Wong urged travel agents and customers to be patient as on the days before (June 26) and after the move phone disruptions may occur.

Despite the change of office address, telephone numbers and email and website addresses will remain unchanged.

 

8. INCENTIVE: Earn cash back on Ashton bookings

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Ashton Hotels & Resorts is offering travel agents the chance to earn cash back rewards for new bookings at the property.

Book a client at one of the 26 participating properties, and receive a cash back bonus of up to $250 per booking.

No signup is needed. Simply submit the completed form for the property you booked. Click here for the forms. That’s it. You’ll even continue to earn commission on each booking.

The offer is valid for new bookings for travel through December 17, 2015. Cash bonus amounts vary by property. Minimum night stay and other restrictions apply.

 

9. Agents deal at Outrigger

Outrigger

The accommodation deal for bona fide Travel Agents is for a Deluxe Seaview double room with breakfast and dinner and includes taxes.

It’s available until 19 December for a minimum of two consecutive nights, subject to availability and can be combined with current Air Mauritius agents’ fares from Perth return from $250 plus $50 service fee plus taxes.

Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort at Bel Ombre is located near the Heritage Golf Club and Frederica Nature Reserve and features three restaurants, three swimming pools and a private beach.

The Air Mauritius fares are available until further notice but subject to a blackout from 1 December – 15 January and a maximum stay of 14 days.

The airfares also apply to a spouse, companion, dependent children under 12 years of age and immediate family members.

 

10. 30 dangerous animals on the loose in Georgia

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Georgia has not seen anything like this before in their capital city. These are not tourists on a sightseeing trip, but wild, dangerous animals.

Over 30 wild animals, among them a hippo, seven bears, six lions, six tigers, jaguars, 13 wolves and others are roaming the streets of Tbilisi, the capital city of the Republic of Georgia.

Residents in the Georgian capital have been warned to stay indoors.

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