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Mon 22 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. Virgin, Etihad, TA to invest $80m in Australia

Virgin Australia cabin crew feature

Australian tourism is set to benefit from the ongoing relationship between Tourism Australia, Virgin and Etihad as the three parties invest millions to promote the local industry.

Australia’s tourism body, Tourism Australia (TA) revealed an intent to renew its agreement with Virgin Australia, which will see the two parties jointly spend $50 million over the next five years – the largest ever commercial arrangement TA has entered with an airline partner.

A similar five-year agreement was penned with Etihad, but will see the two parties invest around $30 million in marketing to key overseas markets.

Read on

 

2. Coral Princess rebrands after 32 years

Coral Princess

Cairns-based Coral Princess Cruises has announced it is completely changing its name and image to better reflect its evolved services.

After 32 years of operating under the Coral Princess Cruises name, the company today will switch over to Coral Expeditions.

According to the cruise line, the name stays true to the company’s origins as a small ship pioneer on the Great Barrier Reef, while updating the image to reflect its evolution to adventure cruises to the more exotic regions of Australia and the South Pacific.

Read on

 

3. Heller joins AFTA as ACCMC interim Chair

Steven

Information technology specialist, Steven Heller, has stepped in to head AFTA’s Code of Compliance Monitoring Committee (ACCMC) in an interim capacity.

Announced today, Heller’s appointment comes after the resignation of current chair Dr June Smith last week.

Dr Smith has headed the committee since October last year.

Read on

 

4. Oman delivers online visas

Oman

Australians can officially apply for visas to Oman online prior to travelling, a convenient alternative to the current visa-on-arrival system.

The news was announced by the Sultanate of Oman Tourism Australia/New Zealand last week, saying it makes for a more ‘seamless arrival’ in Oman.

“Whilst the existing visa-on-arrival is a simple process, the online service makes for a seamless arrival experience meaning visitors can quite simply start their holiday sooner.”

Mona Tannous, Sultanate of Oman Tourism Australia/New Zealand Country Manager

Read on

 

5. APT’s pre-release brochure hits the shelves early

APT brochure

APT has released its new Kimberley & Cape York Wilderness Adventures 2016 Pre-Release Brochure two months ahead of schedule in order to help travel agents to convert early interest into bookings.

The new brochure features APT’s four most popular itineraries: the 15-day Kimberley Complete, 16-day Kimberley, Kakadu & Arnhem Land Explorer, 11-day Cooktown and Cape York Adventure and 9-day El Questro, Gorges and Purnululu.

According to Rob Tandy, General Manager of APT’s Kimberley and Outback Wilderness Adventures, new itineraries and the early release is based on feedback from industry partners.

“We’ve responded by bringing the release of our Pre-Release brochure forward and offering a range of competitive deals with the intention of helping travel agents to convert early interest into firm bookings.”

Rob Tandy, APT Kimberley and Outback Wilderness Adventures General Manager

In addition to offering 2016 at 2015 prices, travel agents can also offer clients the opportunity to save up to $1,000 per couple for the three longer itineraries and up to $800 per couple off the 9-day El Questro, Gorges and Purnululu tour.

These offers are available for the first 100 bookings only.

 

6. Scoot shows off its colours with GALTA

Scoot

Scoot Airlines has signed up as a member of Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA), showcasing its support for LGBT tourism.

General Manager, Dennis Basham said that the airline is differentiating itself from other low-cost airlines by focusing on creating a sense of fun and providing a warm welcome to all travellers.

He said that choosing to support GALTA was central to this objective and that he was excited about the future opportunities and being involved with the association.

 

7. ‘Escape the Winter’ sale

Aircalin Header

Clients can save up to 20 percent on Aircalin flights to New Caledonia during its ‘Escape the Winter Sale’.

Prices start from just $549 gross return ex Sydney including all taxes.

This fare is to be booked in W-class and is effective for sales and ticketing from 22 June – 13 July 2015.

Travel dates are 22 June 2015 – 24 March 2016 inclusive, with additional details in all GDS systems.

Normal commission levels apply.

 

8. InterContinental Sydney’s exclusive drinks

InterContinental Sydney

InterContinental Sydney has expanded its Club InterContinental offering, with an exclusive after-hours Supper Club.

Supper Club is an upscale, sophisticated experience, catering to guests looking to relax and unwind with bespoke cocktails, French champagnes, and delectable dining with spectacular Sydney views.

InterContinental Sydney has engaged renowned bar and nightlife experts, Grasshopper, to provide their expertise in creating a truly unique dining and beverage offering within the exclusive space of the existing Club InterContinental.

It offers 27 champagnes ranging from Taittinger to Duval, Leroy to Ruinart. The crafting of the cocktail list has been inspired by local produce and flora; a list that respects classic favourites whilst delivering new and modern creations.

Launching 25 June 2015, Supper Club will open from 9pm, Wednesday to Saturday and is available for Club InterContinental members, hotel guests, and invited others.

 

9. Avalon sweeps MTA agent off to Paris

MTA agent

No prizes for guessing where MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’ Jacqui Vincent was photographed during a recent Avalon Waterways study tour to France.

Highlights of her study tour included an opportunity to experience many of Paris’s famous sights, landmarks and museums, the French capital just one of several locations visited as part of an 11-day ‘Paris to Normandy Seine Cruise’ program.

Additional itinerary highlights included the Palace of Versailles, Monet’s water gardens in Vernon, the Normandy D-Day beaches, a tour of Rouen and a visit to Villiers-Bretennoux.

 

10. Passenger goes berserk mid-flight

Where to sit on a plane

Male passengers jumped in to help flight attendants on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne last week, when a man allegedly attacked a female staff member.

According to reports, the man became violent during the long-haul flight when he was told he couldn’t smoke in the aircraft.

Witnessing the event, around six or seven other passengers stepped in to assist the woman from the man who was reportedly shouting and screaming.

The men were allegedly forced to hold down the man while crew used cables to tie him to a seat.

Australian police met the plane upon arrival in Melbourne and detained the man.

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