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The Daily Travel Agent Bite: Mon 3 Apr

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.

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. APT celebrates 90-year journey with the travel industry

apt hero

A fun-filled evening of anecdotes, dancing and awards has marked the APT Travel Group’s 90-year journey from suburban bus line to leading cruise and tour operator.

Dancers performing 1920s style numbers and stories from ATG owners the McGeary family were highlights of the glittering gala, which was held at Melbourne’s Regent Plaza Ballroom on Friday night.

Television personality Larry Emdur swung into action as surprise MC for the evening, entertaining guests including ATG Platinum and Diamond VIP members, ATG owners the McGeary family, Group Managing Director Chris Hall and the company’s executive, and industry and media partners.

Read on

 

2. Australia to increase airport security checks

qatar etihad emirates karryon

Australia is following the U.S and U.K’s lead with increased security checks for flights from certain Middle East airports, but will not be implementing the recently introduced and controversial laptop ban at this point.

Britain and the U.S. recently banned laptops and tablets onboard flights from some countries in the Middle East and North Africa, citing fears of possible terrorist attacks.

The increased security checks will affect passengers flying direct to Australia from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai with Qantas Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.

Read on

 

3. Qantas & VisitBritain create a British buzz in new video campaign

visitbritain karryon

Qantas and VisitBritain have launched a short film series to inspire Australian ‘experience or buzz-seekers’ to take a trip to Britain.

Rolling out during April, the film series is expected to reach 14 million Australians across digital and social platforms throughout the month.

Read on

 

4. New Vibe Hotel opening up in Sydney

Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour

TFE Hotels is bringing its New Generation Vibe label to Sydney’s CBD with the 4 1⁄2 star lifestyle hotel opening in Darling Harbour in 2019.

Inside, guests will find 145 WMK design rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, fully equipped modern gymnasium, meeting rooms and an urban styled grand facade entry.

The standout feature of the new hotel wiill be its rooftop bar and infinity edge pool, which will feature views over the new Darling Harbour precinct and CBD skyline.

 

5. AFTA’s new travel trends report

Traveller

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) says it’s helping the industry understand the latest patterns in travel through a new monthly report titled ‘AFTA Travel Trends’.

The report details outbound departures and inbound arrivals data for the major Australian source markets and destinations that Australians are travelling to. The publication also provides information on the market share of airlines and the underlying purpose of international travel for Australians.

AFTA’s March Travel Trends show that Australians took 9.9 million trips over the past 12 months (year-end Jan 2017). This was another year that the travel industry saw upward growth (up 4.2 percent vs. previous year). In the inbound market a record growth rate of 10.3 percent was reported with more than 8.3 million visitors travelling to Australia.

 

6. NOTICE: A new home for Delta Air Lines at LAX

LAX 2

As part of Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) US$14 billion renovation, Delta Air Lines is relocating from Terminal 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3.

The move will take place over six days from 12-17 May and will give the airline seven extra gates as well as offer its passengers easier transit to the carrier’s domestic partners.

Virgin Australia will also be relocating its current operations in Terminal 3, across both TBIT and Terminal 2.

 

7. Majestic Princess joins the Princess fleet

Majestic Princess 2

Carnival Corporation & plc has taken delivery of Majestic Princess – the line’s first international luxury ship tailored for the China market.

Majestic Princess will start her inaugural season in Europe before embarking on a repositioning cruise, themed the Silk Road Sea Route journey, to Shanghai where she will begin her first homeport season in July.

Majestic Princess has arrived and we are thrilled to add this new jewel to our crown representing the newest, most stylish and most luxurious flagship in fleet, which will deliver an exceptional international cruise holiday experience to our guests,” Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said.

 

8. The winners of Buffalo Tours’ Travelmanagers incentive are…

Buffalo Tours

Buffalo Tours recently ran an exclusive incentive for Travelmanagers’ top sellers of Buffalo Tours products.

Twenty of the top seller were awarded two sightseeing vouchers for a scenic flight over Halong Bay with Hai Au Aviation, one of Buffalo Tours’ companies.

Winners will takeoff from the Tuan Chau Island Marina and fly over iconic sites such as Halong Bay.

 

9. Wendy Wu Tours visit China Southern aircraft

itravel 2

Wendy Wu Tours in conjunction with long-time partner China Southern Airlines recently treated a number of Queensland Flight Centre consultants to a behind the scenes inspection of a China Southern A330 aircraft while it was in Brisbane.

Agents were given the opportunity to not only view the interior of the aircraft but to also partake in a meal sampling of the food prepared for business class and economy. They also visited the lounge that China Southern utilises in Brisbane International Airport.

Wendy Wu Tours Queensland business development executive Ms Angelina Briscoe said that it was important for Agents to physically view product such as aircrafts, so they can increase their knowledge and be in a stronger position to sell the product.

 

10. itravel’s Seminar at Sea

itravel

Top cruise Agents across itravel’s mobile, franchise & Link network were invited to an exclusive Seminar at Sea onboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas.

The group found the three-day sailing hugely beneficial, not only in getting to know the ship intimately but also in the classroom session with key ship personnel.

The favourite dining experience for the group was Johnny Rockets.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news? Share your thoughts below.