Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Say farewell to Virgin America, the airline is being phased out
Only two Virgin branded airlines will be left standing (flying) at the end of 2019, when Alaska Airlines phases out the Virgin America brand.
The airline confirmed plans to dump the brand this week, several months after Alaska Airlines purchased the fun and eye-catching carrier for some $2.6 billion.
According to reports, the Seattle-based airline’s Chief Executive Brad Tilden had initially considered running Virgin America as a separate airline in a bid to retain its customer base and loyal flyers.
2. Went to L.A. & didn’t see any celebrities? You were probably in the wrong place
As much as we all can’t wait to see the iconic La La Land sights, explore studio back-lots and spend time at theme parks, there’s one thing we all want to do in L.A. and it’s the thing completely left to chance.
Meet, bump into, take a sneaky selfie or even pretend not to gawk at celebrities.
Don’t deny it. Even the foreign ‘I don’t have time for TV’ beings secretly want to brag about eating at the same restaurant as a famous person.
3. Has Emirates found a loophole in the US electronics ban?
Emirates seems to have found a loophole in Donald Trump’s latest travel ban, which prohibits US-bound passengers flying from or via airports in 10 Muslim-majority cities from taking electronics larger than a smart phone on board.
Essentially, holidaymakers flying from or via Cairo, Istanbul, Kuwait City, Doha, Casablanca, Amman, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi have to pack their iPads, laptops, cameras and DVD players in their check-in luggage and rely on inflight entertainment to stay occupied for the duration of their travels.
Soon after the announcement, Emirates released a cheeky video promoting its many inflight entertainment options in the hopes of easing passenger concerns. Watch it below:
4. Everything you need to know about cruising in Croatia is now under one website
Everything Travel Agents and holidaymakers need to know about cruising in Croatia is now under one roof or website called ‘Cruise Croatia’.
The new brand was launched by Beyond Travel this week in a bid to simplify the search process for consultants and their clients.
Speaking to media in Sydney yesterday, Beyond Travel’s General Manager Business Growth Peter Smith said the decision to separate the product into a new brand comes after seeing a large increase in bookings from the Australia and New Zealand markets.
5. Adina to bring urban luxury accommodation to Melbourne
A new concept in urban luxury hotels is about to be unveiled by visionary developer Trenerry Property under the new Adina Grand Apartment Hotel brand.
In a development set to become the new “hub and heart” of Melbourne’s West End. Adina Grand Apartment Hotel Melbourne West End will have a stunning design that will transform the way people enjoy apartment living, delivering memorable experiences via authentic foodie and communal adventures.
Just moments from Melbourne’s centre, guests and residents will be able to design their own lifestyle, combining shopping with visits to West End’s day spa, 50-seat cinema or its nine bars and restaurants – all without leaving the precinct.
6. What ship is the CLIA 2017 Masters Conference being held on?
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced that its 2017 Masters Conference will take place onboard the luxury Genting Dream, cruising from Hong Kong on 16 September.
Agents will enjoy one-night pre-cruise accommodation before boarding the ship for a five-night cruise with stops in Naha and Miyakojima in Japan.
Of course, in addition to experiencing the ship, Travel Agents will take part in intensive training sessions and conference sessions held by US-based sales guru and motivator Scott Koepf.
After completing the course and a comprehensive post-conference assignment, agents will enter the prestigious CLIA Cruise Masters’ ranks.
7. Etihad Airways celebrates 2000th Flying Nanny in the sky
Etihad Airways has celebrated the graduation of its 2000th Flying Nanny, continuing its relationship with highly respected UK-based higher education college ‘Norland’, which specialises in ‘early years’ education.
Yes you read it right – 2000 Nannies in the sky!
The innovative idea of the Mary Poppins esque ‘Flying Nannies’ was introduced by Etihad in September 2013, with the Nannies on board to provide an extra pair of hands and to allow parents more personal time while they entertain the children.
8. Hertz appoints Eoin MacNeill as Vice President, Asia Pacific
Hertz has announced the appointment of Eoin MacNeill to the position of Vice President for Asia Pacific. Mr. MacNeill is based in Melbourne, Australia and reports to Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International.
In his role Mr MacNeill will be responsible for the ongoing direction and management of Hertz Asia Pacific. His remit includes Hertz corporate and licensee operations as well as Ace car rental operations in Australia and New Zealand; Hertz licensee operations in Asia and Pacific Islands; and Thrifty licensee operations in Asia. He is also responsible for Hertz Car Sales, Hertz 24/7 and Flexicar car sharing in Australia, as well as outbound sales and marketing from Asia for the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly, and Ace car rental brands.
Mr. MacNeill has more than 25 years of experience in the car rental industry and has highly developed skills in logistics, operations, fleet management, franchising, information technology, sales and marketing.
He joined Hertz in 2007, with the last six years spent in key leadership roles that have had both regional and corporate responsibilities, including his previous position as Interim Vice President, Asia Pacific and General Manager of the Hertz / China Auto Rental partnership. Prior to Hertz, Mr MacNeill served in a variety of leadership roles at Europcar.
9. Good news, LAX is one of the most improved airports in the world
In the midst of a strategic and collaborative initiative to improve the guest experience, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been named one of Skytrax 2017 Top 10 Most Improved Airports.
The international air transport standards and quality rating organisation hosts the World Airport Awards, widely known as the Passengers Choice Awards, a global benchmark of airport excellence. Out of 100 top airports, LAX moved from No. 91 to No. 86, making it the No. 10 airport with the most improved score.
“We are ushering in a new era for LAX and its guests that is as exciting and as big and bold as the iconic city it serves,” said Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioner President Sean Burton.
Burton added that LAWA is moving to provide efficient, hospitable and memorable airport experiences through modern, world-class facilities, services and innovation that showcase the ambiance and excitement of Los Angeles and the lifestyle and warmth of sunny Southern California.
10. Chimu launches Peru flood aid initiatives
Chimu Adventures has launched several initiatives to provide support to the hundreds of thousands affected by the floods and landslides that hit Peru last week, causing damage and disruption across the country’s highland regions and coastal areas.
As part of the aid initiatives, Chimu has organised a fundraiser through its not-for-profit ‘Make a Difference’ (MAD) project that will assist and support the efforts undertaken by the Peruvian Red Cross in the impacted areas.
The Peruvian Red Cross has activated emergency teams in Santa Ana, Chiclayo, Chimbo, San Jacinto and Tambo where Red Cross volunteers are providing first aid, pre-hospital assistance and helping people connect with separated family members.
11. This is what you’ll find inside a refurbished Silver Cloud…
Silversea has released a selection of renderings showcasing Silver Cloud interiors, ahead of her conversion into an ice-class expedition ship, which will take place between August and October this year.
The new renderings highlight the luxurious design of Silver Cloud’s public spaces including La Terrazza, The Restaurant, Observation Lounge, Panorama Lounge, and Venetian Lounge. The extensive refurbishment will include the creation of the Observation lounge, new teak flooring, upholstery and lighting in La Terrazza and new carpet and upholstery in The Restaurant. Silver Cloud will also feature a new gym with Technogym equipment.
In addition to interior updates, the multi-million dollar refurbishment will strengthen Silver Cloud’s hull enabling her to explore polar waters. Silver Cloud’s transition to an ice-class vessel will bring expedition guests the luxury, style and comfort synonymous with Silversea’s classic ships. A guest capacity of 260 in non-polar regions and just 200 in polar regions means that guests will enjoy the highest levels of personalised and attentive service on board. The limited capacity in polar regions also means that all guests can disembark at the same time to explore each region.