Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news to help you be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Australian cruising is on fire
New locally based cruise ships, itineraries to Asia and investment in the market has contributed to another record year for Australian cruising.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia today revealed the stats on Australian cruising and let’s just say Travel Agents who specialise in the sector have A LOT to smile about.
2. A new deal to spice up the corporate travel world
Australian corporate travellers bored of generic hotel rooms will now be able to access a wide range of independent and boutique accommodation options around the world under a new deal.
The shift comes as German firm HRS secured a minority shareholding in Sydney-based The Lido Group signalling the start of a new strategic partnership between the two hotel solutions providers.
The tie-up brings together The Lido Group’s inventory of 7,000 hotels across Australia and New Zealand with HRS’ more than 300,000 hotels in 190 countries.
3. Former Flight Centre manager to lead Wendy Wu Tours
It’s almost the end of an era, with Wendy Wu Tours Australia’s Alan Alcock announcing his departure from the company after 13 years with the company.
The Managing Director said he’s stepping back from the business by vacating the head role, but will continue to work full time for Wendy Wu on global projects such as developing product. He’ll also remain in the industry as a non-executive director for local and global brands.
Officially taking over the reins from mid-June is industry veteran Andrew Mulholland who will be responsible for Australia and New Zealand.
4. Last chance to register for facetime Melbourne
Calling all travel industry folk based in Melbourne! Tonight’s the night for prizes, food, drinks AND your chance to be among the first in Australia to try the special KarryOn Kocktail at facetime Melbourne.
The most requested travel industry event will start at 6pm at the trendy Emerald Peacock located at 233 Lonsdale St.
In addition to a complimentary bar and nibbles, there’ll be a DJ, some incredible prizes to win PLUS a delicious KarryOn Kocktail that’s sure to get the party started.
If you haven’t already registered, there’s still time to get your name on the list by clicking here.
Click here for more information.
5. Singapore Airlines’ new Brisbane lounge looks super comfy AND super yummy
Singapore Airlines knows the way to a traveller’s heart – comfort mixed with delicious, cultural flavours – and it’s using it to entice guests to its new Brisbane lounge.
Officially opening on 7 June, the new-concept SilverKris Lounge at Brisbane International Airport will see the airline deliver its top paying passengers an all-new experience featuring new views, new dishes and extra culture.
Described as a modern and contemporary evolution of the Sydney, Hong Kong and Manila lounges, the Brisbane location is being fitted with a modern, batik screen in the welcome foyer to reflect the merging of traditional painting techniques with cutting-edge design elements.
6. Four more Travel Agents win $10,000 with TTC
Could you imagine waking up $10,000 richer? The things you could do, the trip you could book OR the house you’d be one step closer to putting a deposit on. It’d literally be a dream come true.
But four lucky Travel Agents around Australia didn’t need to imagine this morning, because they were among the last winners of ‘The Great $1,000,000 TTC Cash Giveaway‘.
Golden envelopes were sent to nearly 500 consultants yesterday, revealing whether they’d won a $5,000, $2,000 or $1,000 share in the largest cash incentives in Australian trade.
7. Ovation stays in Aus a little longer
Demand for Australia’s first Quantum-class ship, Ovation of the Seas, is so high, Royal Caribbean has once again decided to extend the ship’s local visit to add six new itineraries.
The very first new-build cruise ship to be based out of the country will spend an extra five weeks cruising out of Sydney on extra trips ranging from eight- to- 14-nights.
Among the itineraries are: an eight-night South Pacific cruise departing 18 February; five-night Tasmania sailing leaving 8 May; two 10-night New Zealand cruises departing 13 and 26 March; a three-night sampler leaving 23 March; and a 14-night repositioning cruise from Sydney to Singapore heading out on 26 March.
8. Travelmarvel prepares to sail the Portugal & Russia
Travelmarvel’s plans along the Douro in Portugal and Russia’s lakes and waterways will be out soon in the forthcoming Europe River Cruising 2017 brochure.
The Douro river cruising portfolio comprises three cruise and land combinations, all of which cover both Portugal and Spain. Cruises range from eight days to 21 days and will be set aboard the newly refurbished ms Douro Queen.
In Russia, the cruise line is offering cruises aboard the ms Surikov, with itineraries such as the new 11-day Treasures of Russia Cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow via Lake Lagoda, Lake Onega, White Lake, the Volga River and the Moscow Canal. There’s also the 14-day Treasures of Russia with Helsinki travelling further in Eastern Europe to cover Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Russia.
9. Tourism is Cook-ing in the Cooks
The Cook Islands is quickly becoming one of Australia’s favourite South Pacific destinations, with the number of Aussie arrivals increasing by 14 percent this financial year.
The rise in figures to the island nation (which was recently named in the Top 10 Islands in the South Pacific) came after launching the ‘Love a little paradise‘ campaign, that focused on differentiating the Cooks to other South Pacific hot spots.
“It reinforces to us that our strategies and trade initiatives are on track.”
Kerryn Cook, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation General Manager
Air New Zealand recently made flights to the Cooks a little more convenient for travellers, by introducing a new Friday evening flight from Sydney to Rarotonga.
10. P&O backs the Rabbitohs
As P&O Cruises prepares to base its first ship in Cairns, the cruise line has announced it will get behind the city’s honorary footy team – the South Sydney Rabbitohs – during their annual home game in the Far North.
The cruise line will be the official game day sponsor when the Rabbitohs take on the North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park in Cairns on 3 July, with punters set to be treated to a cruisey half-time show which will include the chance to win a holiday at sea with P&O.
The move is the first time the cruise line has sponsored a league fixture and further broadens P&O’s partnership with the NRL. The cruise line was the first to screen live games at sea and this year offered cruises to the NRL Auckland Nines and the State of Origin.
P.S. Back-Roads showcases the best of southern Italy
Back-Roads Touring took a group of 10 agents off the beaten track in Southern Italy to experience the ins and outs of the company’s small group itineraries.
Showcasing the country’s flavours, consultants were taken on a slow food tour of the Puglia region, which is famous for celebrating traditional growing and cooking methods.
Between meals, agents learned how to make Mozzarella cheese while sipping on copious amounts of locally produced wine.
Click here to check out more pictures from the famil.