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. The Sunshine Coast to get a ridiculously cool Active Park that could rival the Gold Coast’s theme parks
A Dubai-based developer is hoping to shake up The Sunshine Coast in a big (and expensive) way, that could see the destination rival the Gold Coast in terms of entertainment and parks.
Sanad Capital Pty Ltd – an offshoot of the business conglomerate, Najibi Group – is ploughing some $400 million into the ‘ACTVE’ project, which aims to attract active tourists and generator more jobs.
While not expected to begin construction until next year, the company has already started releasing information about the project’s waterpark.
2. Flights resume to Bali after volcanic disruptions
Flights to and from Bali have been on and off so frequently over the last 12 months, they’re like the travel equivalent of Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick’s relationship.
And just like the celebrity couple, as annoying as those cancellations (break ups) are, we still love the destination (their relationship).
Overnight, Aussie travellers experienced a fresh round of cancellations to and from Denpasar Airport, as ash from Mount Rinjani near Lombok clouded over the gateway.
3. Flight Centre expands to five new European countries
Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Germany – are you ready for a little Flight Centre action?
The Travel Group this week announced the acquisition of European corporate online business, eDreams ODIGEO, securing the company’s presence in five new countries (mentioned above) and strengthening its European operations.
According to Managing Director, Graham Turner, the purchase is aligned with the company’s growth strategy in corporate travel, which started in Europe with its expansion in Ireland then again in May this year in the Netherlands.
4. Emirates is flying back on the Brisbane–Singapore route
What’s up Sunshine State?! Dubai-based airline, Emirates, has a bit of good news for you, it’s recommencing its Brisbane-Singapore as of next month.
The airline temporarily suspended the service earlier this year as Brisbane Airport underwent routine construction work.
With construction complete, the carrier said it will fly resume its daily Brissie services on 1 October.
5. DFAT warns of potential threat to hotels in Turkey
Source: wikipedia.org
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has passed on a warning issued by the US Government that advises travellers of “credible threats” against US-branded hotels in Adana.
The warning did not name specific properties, however, it did recommend travellers and US citizens “exercise heightened vigilance if visiting” the major city located in the south of Turkey.
DFAT continues to advise Australians to maintain a ‘high degree of caution’ when travelling to the country.
6. Brett Walsh appointed Country Manager of All Nippon Airways
Brett Walsh has been appointed the new Country Manager of All Nippon Airways (ANA), where he’ll head up the carrier’s local operations.
Announced yesterday by The Walshe Group, Walsh joins the company from his recent role as Country Manager Australia for New Caledonia’s airline, Aircalin.
ANA’s new local boss has had over 25 years experience within the Australian travel industry, including eight years in consolidation and 11 years at Thai Airways.
7. Cebu Pacific takes delivery of new aircraft
Cebu Pacific Air has taken delivery of the very first ATR 72-600 High Capacity aircraft at an event in Toulouse, France. The delivery is the first of a US$673- million order of 16 aircraft that was placed at the 2015 Paris Airshow, which also includes an option to acquire additional 10 more planes.
The new ATR 72-600, which will be operated by Cebgo, features advanced avionics, enhanced performance in hot and high environments and increased cabin space along with additional seating capacity. The additional seating capacity will help further lower unit seat costs enabling CEB to pass on the benefits through lower fares to its customers.
CEB will progressively replace its current fleet of eight ATR 72-500s – which are configured with 72 seats – with the fleet of 16 new ATR 72-600s, with 78 seats. Deliveries of the ATR 72-600s will run until 2020.
8. Travel Counsellors explore West Hollywood & San Diego
Travel Counsellors were well fed during a recent famil up to California, which involved eating at the hottest restaurants while exploring West Hollywood and San Diego.
As top users of Travel Counsellors’ innovative in-house booking system called Phenix, Samantha Slattery, Tamsin Catto, Karen Coates, Lani Symons Vaughan, Christine Jenkins, Tracy Dodsworth, Tina Millington, Danielle Cutrupi and Anne Dugdale from the head office Phenix support team were all rewarded with a prized spot on this exciting trip to one of America’s most popular travel destinations.
Hosted by Penny Brand from Sydney-based tourism representation company Gate 7, in West Hollywood the group got to experience the very best of this vibrant area filled with boutique hotels, hip bars and must-visit restaurants. After performing site inspections at many of West Hollywood’s newest hotels, the group got to soak up the atmosphere of the Sunset Strip and dine at some of the area’s coolest restaurants including Norah and Estrella.
After catching a comfortable Amtrak train to San Diego, the group continued to enjoy California’s thriving food scene with visits to some of San Diego’s best wineries, craft breweries, bars and restaurants. With trips to Sea World and Fashion Valley Shopping Centre included on the itinerary, the group got to see many different sides of San Diego.
9. Wendy Wu kicks off new major campaign
It started with the return of the company’s popular animation (she made her comeback on Friday) and continues on today, with a new major campaign.
The Asia company’s new-look 2017 brochures are on their way to Agents and come with the promise of making it easier for consultants to book Asia for their clients.
Agents can also expect a few treats of their own, with a few upcoming competitions – keep an eye on KarryOn to find out how you can be in the running.
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