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. Travel Agent goes viral with an honest response to online bookers
A WA-based Travel Agent has been hailed as an industry hero after publishing a video to Facebook, which summed up how some consultants feel about travellers who book online and then turn to traditional retailers when something goes wrong.
In the one-minute clip that went viral late last week, David van de Meer is seen having a mock phone conversation with a caller who seems desperate to rebook their flight to Bali after the recent Tigerair suspension.
During the one-way conversation, it becomes clear that the holidaymaker had used an online provider to secure their original fare and is now struggling to rebook via the same channel – a phone call Travel Agents say they’re receiving more frequently as the popularity of online increases.
2. Tigerair temporarily pauses ticket sales for Bali
Tigerair Australia has stopped taking new bookings to Bali as it continues to work with Indonesian authorities to resolve a last minute administrative change which forced the airline to ground flights to and from the popular destination last week.
In a Twitter update, the airline said it has placed a temporary pause on the sale of tickets between Australia and Bali until 25 March 2017.
The decision was made despite the airline saying it has “every intention” of resuming services to Bali “ASAP”.
3. This airline just made inflight wi-fi completely free
2017 may only be a couple weeks in, but JetBlue has already made its way into news headlines for giving travellers exactly what they want – free inflight wi-fi.
The carrier, which spent a lot of time in the news last year for giving away free flights on two occasions and making history in Cuba, revealed plans this week to make domestic travel a little more enjoyable by removing the charge on internet access.
The move comes three years after the carrier introduced gate-to-gate wi-fi, and according to the airline, will make JetBlue the first US airline to offer free internet across its entire fleet, CNN Money reported.
4. More British Airways strikes ahead
British Airways mixed fleet cabin crew are going for round two of strikes, with fresh industrial action planned from 19 January.
The three-day strike will include workers on long and short haul flights, which could potentially disrupt flights over the period.
British Airways described the call to strike as “bizarre” because it had reached a deal with Unite’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, but the Mixed Fleet Unite brach has refused to recommend it to its members.
The airline said it will revise its schedule for the three-day period.
5. Heavy snow causes disruptions around Europe
Heavy snow has disrupted households across Europe over the weekend.
Some 330,000 households in France were left without electricity when low temperatures disrupted power lines and over in Greece burst pipes cut off some 150,000 people from running water, Gulf Times reported.
Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport and a few other European gateways made a preemptive decision to reduce their flight schedules and move passengers onto empty flights in order to minimise disruptions.
6. Avis Car Rental app gets an upgrade
Avis Car Rental Australia has enhanced its mobile app with innovative new features that give holidaymakers complete control of their car hire experience from start to finish.
Now available for car hires in Adelaide, travellers can use their smartphone to know when their car is ready and see its exact location; check details of the vehicle on a single screen; confirm and edit hire informastion on-the-go; view rental agreements instantly; and see their full itemised receipt.
Other features include the options to exchange your car for another within the same car group, upgrading the car to one in a higher car group or extended the rental agreement.
7. Helicopter services commissionable to Agents
Travel Agents can earn a little extra cash when they book their clients on a scheduled helicopter service with Monaco’s Monacair.
Since January last year, the transport provider has operated regular scheduled helicopter services between Nice International Airport and Monaco at affordable prices that are now commissionable to consultants.
Rates per passenger for a one-way trip start from 160 euro or a roundtrip from 280 euro. Flights operate every 30 minutes with a flight time of around seven minutes.
8. Fly free to the USA with Contiki
Contiki is celebrating strong sales for 2017 to the ‘Land of the Free’ with its latest fly free offer to the USA.
Available on select trips to the USA and Canada, the offer is valid until 28 January 2017 and includes flights with Contiki’s airline partner, American Airlines.
Among the itineraries included in the special deal include the 55-day Epic Adventure and 25-day The Big West; OR the Southern Adventures, Wild Western , LA to the Bay and Western Highlights can be combined with return flights to L.A. for just $499.
9. Emirates to launch daily flights to Croatia
Emirates has expanded its European network work new daily flights from Dubai to Zagreb (ZAG), the capital of Croatia.
Commencing 1 June, the new southeast European destination will be served by an Emirates Boeing 777-300 aircraft, the only wide-body service operating from Zagreb.
For Aussies, the new service means travellers from Sydney on EK413, Melbourne on EK405 and EK407, Brisbane on EK435, Perth on EK421 and Adelaide on EK441 can connect through to Croatia straight from Dubai.
10. New international airport for The Maldives
The Maldives has entered a new era of tourism with the opening of its newest international airport, Gan, which has provided an alternative transportation offering that saves travellers valuable vacation time.
The gateway officially opened on 1 December when SriLankan Airlines started flying from Colombo to the upgraded Gan airport, formerly a UK Royal Air Force refilling base until 1976 when it became a domestic airport.
According to local hoteliers, since commencing international operations, the gateway has provided additional convenience for guests.