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Mon 25 May: 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. Ireland says ‘I Do’ to same-sex marriage and tourism

The historical vote over the weekend didn’t just see Ireland say ‘I Do’ to gay marriage, but an influx of tourism from loved-up same-sex couples looking to tie the knot.

On Friday, millions of Irish people took to the polls to decide to vote on the legalisation gay marriage.

Twenty-four hours later, the Government proudly revealed the landslide YES, which saw 62.1 percent of Irish people vote in favour of the union between two people regardless of their sex.

Read on

 

2. Australians keen on CINZful exploration of NZ

White-Water-Rafting-New-Zealand

Event organisers from around Australia are keen to cross the Tasman to New Zealand, according to organisers of this year’s CINZ MEETINGS.

Around 60 Australian hosted buyers have signed on to join regional familiarisation tours the weekend prior to New Zealand’s biggest business tourism trade exhibition.

Another 12 Australian buyers are extending their stay in New Zealand for further site visits after MEETINGS, being held on 10 and 11 June at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds.

Read on

 

3. Industry’s first Rendezvous in New Caledonia

New Caledonia

It’s going to be all culture, music and French cuisine for key Australian and New Zealand industry people this week during the inaugural Rendezvous Workshop in New Caledonia.

KarryOn is among the large number of Australian industry professionals heading over to the island nation for the week-long event.

So you know what that means! Expect stories direct from the destination as well as social media updates.

Read on

 

4. Sydney transforms into the City of Lights for Vivid

Watch out Paris! Visitors in Sydney could easily mistake it for the ‘City of Lights’ over the next few weeks as the the annual winter festival Vivid kicks off.

The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, started on Friday, lighting up the Harbour City for the 18-day event.

This year, visitors will see over 60 lights installations around main parts of the city and some new locations outside popular tourist areas.

Read on

 

5. Air NZ’s $40 million customer experience plan

Air NZ Sydney lounge

The newly renovated Sydney Airport lounge is just the first of new customer enhancing initiatives Air New Zealand has up its sleeves, according to the carrier’s Chief Sales and Commercial Officer.

Reopened last week, it is the first gateway to feature a new ‘ultra-modern’ design, which Cam Wallace says is part of a wider $40 million programme to offer flyers more during their journey.

Formulated in conjunction with award-winning architectural firm Gensler, the design was based on insights from the airline’s high-value customers across multiple international markets.

Read on

 

6. New China Links through Venture Holidays

travel news China Links

China Links Travel holidays can now be booked through Venture Holidays.

The tour operator signed an agreement with the company after launching in the Australian market earlier this year.

Owner, Helen Li, said the company is dedicated to growing its profile in the country.

Destinations available with the tour operator include the Silk Road, Yangtze River, Beijing, Tibet, Sichuan, Xian, Yunnan, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sanya.

 

7. APT’s new Canada & Alaska program is here

travel news Alaska brochure

A new rail itinerary, an exclusive luxury small ship cruise, a range of exciting new Signature Invitations and a new Wilderness Lodge & Resort extension are just a handful of the new additions to APT’s Canada and Alaska program for 2016.

APT’s expansive Canada & Alaska 2016 brochure is available in travel agents now and carries a total of 40 itineraries, including APT’s Platinum Collection portfolio.

In Western Canada APT combines luxury land tours of the Rockies, featuring rail journeys with Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf or VIA Rail, with a choice of two styles of Alaskan cruising, one of which includes World Heritage-listed Glacier Bay.

In Eastern Canada a range of combinations are available, including tours that take in East Coast USA highlights including New York and the New England Islands.

New additions to APT’s Canada & Alaska portfolio in 2016 include the Rocky Mountaineer Coastal Passage journey connecting the Canadian Rockies with Seattle. The itinerary runs for 16 days and features more Canadian scenery.

There’s also the new exclusive cruise charter. The Alaskan cruise option will be held on a full charter luxury small ship expedition cruise aboard the boutique 115-stateroom/suite luxury yacht, Le Soléal. It runs for 12 nights from Vancouver and takes guests to some of the most isolated and stunning highlights of the Alaskan coastline.

 

8. Airport parking app comes to Smartpoint

travel news Travelport

Travel agents can now access Travel Parking Group’s airport parking application ‘Looking4app’ through Travelport’s sale technology, Smartpoint.

The app provides car parking reservation and distribution systems providers parking options for over 2,000 airports and ports.

It picks up flight and customer PNR details, making the booking process fast and simple whilst increasing profitability.

The plug-in is free to download via Travelport Marketplace.

 

 9. Ladies, this one is for you

travel news Galapagos

Ecoventura Galapagos Network are catering to the ladies, with a women-only cruise to the Galapagos.

Starting on 18 October this year, the tour company said the cruise is ideal for ‘active’ female travellers who love to participate in variety of activities when they travel, while in the presence of ‘like-minded women’.

The cruise will be held on the chartered Ecoventura yacht, which carries only 20 passengers.

“It will appeal women seeking a girlfriends get-away or mother/daughter vacation.  This trip will be led by our female naturalist guides.”

Ecoventura Galapagos Network

For more information or to make a booking call World Journeys.

 

10. Man fakes bomb threat for his girlfriend

travel news plane

Talk about grand gestures.

A 33-year-old man is said to be facing up to two years in prison after allegedly faking a bomb threat so his girlfriend wouldn’t miss her flight.

The man was arrested in France for making the call to Bordeaux-Mérignac airport.

He is believed to have said ‘there is a bomb, there is a bomb’.

According to the Daily Mail, the threat was made because his girlfriend who was meant to be on the flight, was stuck in traffic on the way to the airport.

After receiving the threat, French police sealed off the airport and conducted extensive searches.

The call was then traced back to a location 12 miles from the airport and the man was taken into custody.

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