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. Domestic air travel flies flat in Australia
Demand for Australian domestic air travel is experiencing weaker demand than any other major region worldwide, according to a new IATA report.
The Internal Air Transport Association (IATA) air passenger results for 2015 show relatively flat growth amongst Australian domestic travel due to a slowdown in flights to mining, oil and gas sectors.
Around 3.2 percent more Aussies flew locally in December last year compared to the same month 2014 – a figure relatively low compared to the global 6.3 percent spike in domestic travel. It was also well below India’s 25 percent increase or China’s 8.2 percent growth.
2. 30 people missing in Taiwan quake
At least 11 people have been killed and 30 others are still missing after a 6.4 magnitude quake struck the residential Taiwanese city of Tainan.
The earthquake occurred over the weekend at around 4.00am local time while most people were at home asleep.
Reports say the tremor was damaged several houses around the city and contributed to the collapse of a high-rise building, which was home to around 100 families.
3. What a legend! APT founder’s major recognition
Last year he was recognised for his efforts in pioneering Northern Territory tourism and now APT’s Founder has been dubbed an all-round legend.
Geoff McGeary, the man behind Australia’s Best Adventure Cruise Line and Best River Cruise Line Overall, has received an ‘Australian Tourism Legend’ award at the 2015 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
The title recognises individuals for their contributions to the tourism industry as well as their professional achievements.
4. Meet the rejected flight attendant who started her own airline
Turn me down? No worries, I’m going to take your rejection and turn it into my own money making business.
That may have been the thought process for a South African businesswoman who wouldn’t accept ‘no’ when it came to getting her dream job.
Sibongile Sambo, always imaged what it would be like assisting holidaymakers at 32,000-feet, but when she finally applied for a flight attendant role with a local carrier she was told she was too short – or in actual airline terms “didn’t meet the minimum height requirement”.
5. Calls for Australian air safety review after ‘near’ collision
Independent senator Nick Xenophon has called for a safety review of aircraft movements in Australia after an alleged near miss involving three planes at Melbourne Airport.
On 5 July, one jet travelling from Sydney and the other from Canberra were forced to abandon their night landings when a plane bound for Singapore delayed its take-off, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
According to the Senator, the three aircraft were 20 seconds from collision and only around one nautical mile apart.
He said he’d been contacted by air traffic controllers and pilots who are “deeply concerned about the incident”.
While Xenophon described the situation as a “potential disaster”, the body responsible for airspace management, Airservices Australia, assured that the planes were at the required minimum distance from each other and that passenger safety was not threatened.
“Air traffic systems are designed to be resilient with many layers of defence to ensure that in the rare cases where errors are made, these are detected and recovered without any compromise to safety,” Airservices Australia said in a statement.
6. Aussies are better with a pair of tongs & barbie
The best barbequers in Australia, South Australian locals, Craig Philpott and Grant Neal, have proven what Aussies knew all along – that we really are better than the USA with a pair of tongs and a rack of lamb.
The cooking duo beat rivals in the USA after an extensive 12-hour cook off at BBQ ASAP in St. Louis, Missouri to bring home the title, ‘Ultimate BBQ Champions’.
Teaming up under the name, Suck Knuckle Smokers, they flew to the States courtesy of United Airlines this month to take on Trafalgar’s USA BBQ Champion Jim Randall and his son Spence Randall, following a nation-wide search led by Brand USA, Trafalgar, Weber, United Airlines and Flight Centre which earned them the coveted title of ‘Australia’s BBQ Champions’ late last year.
The cook-off was judged by an elite panel of celebrated chefs and BBQ experts including barbecue heiress and daughter of barbecue legend Mike Mills, Amy Mills; Australian chef and TV personality, Dan Churchill; and member of St. Louis BBQ Society, Paul Rader.
Mills, Churchill and Rader ranked each team’s dish out of 10 based on its taste, tenderness and presentation with the winning combination of brisket, baby back ribs and lamb being handed in by the newly-crowned Ultimate BBQ Champions.
7. New insurance products & website
Fast Cover has refreshed its online presence and expanded its offerings to give its business an edge in the “intensely competitive travel insurance market”.
Targeting niche travellers, the company has added a new Snow Cover plan covering cat-skiing, heli-skiing and off-piste skiing. There’s also the new Medical Only plan – an offering Fast Cover found to be in high demand for travelling going on short trips and taking few valuable possessions.
Additionally, all policies now provide cover for pregnancy for up to and including the 23rd week of pregnancy.
Other changes include calculating the cost of policies with a daily rate and rolling out a new website designed to be more mobile-responsive.
8. Book Thailand & WIN a $100 gift card
Be one of the first 20 travel agents to make five valid bookings across Movenpick Hotels & Resorts’ Thailand properties to receive a $100 gift card.
The incentive is open exclusively to Australian and New Zealand travel agents.
To qualify travel agents must make and pay in full five individual Movenpick Hotels & Resorts bookings for a minimum four-night stay via the GDS system or preferred travel industry partners and wholesalers at any of the following properties:
Applicable properties are: Movenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 16 Bangkok; Movenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket; Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket; Movenpick Resort Laem Yai Beach Samui; and Movenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya.
Once five bookings have been made send through confirmation and payment to: Belinda.Harvy@movenpick.com.
Click here for more information.
9. RSVP to Skal’s annual GM
Skal International Sydney will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 10 February at The Grace Hotel Sydney from 12.00pm.
Members are encouraged to attend and take the opportunity to vote in the committee election for 2016.
The 2015 committee will also report on the outcomes from activities over the past 12 months.
The AGM will be followed by the usual monthly meeting and luncheon, hosted by Philip Pratley, General Manager of The Grace.
10. Agents test-ed by Kenyan warriors
Aussie travel industry were at the frontline whensporting personalities took on the Kenya Maasai Warriors at the Sydney Cricket Ground last week.
Dressed in their traditional tribal attire, the Maasai warriors performed the traditional tribal dance before battling it out in the first match against Australian Rugby Union and National Rugby League legends including George Gregan, Braith Anasta, Matty Johns and Beau Ryan.
Things then heated up in the second match against the Sydney Swans XI Legends team which included AFL champions Michael O’Loughlin, Jude Bolton, Adam Goodes and board member Brad Seymour. Goodes impressed the crowd with his cricket skills, hitting a six which landed on the members stand roof.
The visit to the SCG is part of a whirlwind nine-day tour supported by the Primary Club, a charity which raises funds for sporting and recreational facilities for the disabled.