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. Oh dear, another computer glitch disrupts travel
Image: pio3 / Shutterstock.com
British Airways has confirmed its regular check-in processes are back up and running this morning after an unexplained IT glitch caused widespread delays on the carrier’s network on Monday.
Check-in desks at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports went offline for several hours at the start of the week, forcing staff to process tickets manually.
According to the airline, the check-in process at the two gateways was “taking longer than usual”, and passengers were being urged to check-in online instead.
2. Anthony Hayes steps down as MD of AAT Kings
Anthony Hayes (left) at a Scania signing in 2014. Image: Scania.com
After nearly four years as the Managing Director of AAT Kings, Anthony Hayes has announced his departure from the business to head up operations at FantaSea.
Hayes will remain in his current role until December this year, in the meantime The Travel Corporation (TTC) has commenced a search for a successor.
In a statement, the MD said he will be “extremely sad” to leave the organisation but is excited to maintain a good relationship with TTC as the new CEO of FantaSea.
3. Beyond Travel freezes 2017 prices
Source: Beyond Travel
Beyond Travel has announced a price freeze guarantee on FIT bookings for travel in 2017 when deposited within seven days of receiving the quote.
Sales and marketing General Manager, Bryce Crampton, said the decision was made to offer Agents and their clients the security of guaranteed rates on forward bookings while final 2017 contracts are finalised.
“Once deposited, the price will not increase even if the rate from our local suppliers increase or the AUD falls further,” Crampton said.
The offer applies to un-contracted services until further notice. For more details Agents can call 1300-363-554 or email info@beyondtravel.com.au.
4. Emirates cuts flight time from Christchurch
Image: Emirates
Canterbury travellers will save around two hours in flight time and have one less stopover when flying to Europe with Emirates from next month.
Commencing 30 October, the airline will replace its Boeing 777-300ER on daily services from Christchurch to Dubai with its A380.
In addition to adding around 700 extra seat per week between the two cities, the aircraft will also operate on a different route, which will save around two hours in flight time and cut out one stopover.
5. 99 days until Ovation, here’s what to expect
OMFG the largest and most technologically advanced ship to cruise our shores is a little over three months away from making her grand debut in Australia.
Her name is Ovation of the Seas.
She belongs to Royal Caribbean – you know, the guys that put surf simulators on their ships and have Pixar characters running around entertaining the young ones – and is part of the Quantum-class that is often described as revolutionary due to their advanced tech, high-speed wi-fi and never-ending features.
6. STA Travel’s enticing offer to youngeons
STA Travel has joined the early bird party, by offering a European deal of its own this month.
Travellers will receive a free flight with a booking of the Ultimate European Contiki trip for 2017.
The itinerary takes in Europe’s greatest sites in Barcelona, Florence, Budapest, Amsterdam, the Swiss Alps and many more.
The offer is valid on bookings between 7 September 2016 and 30 September 2016 for travel next year.
7. AccorHotels’s ‘night in Paris’
Le Moulin Rouge, Champagne, caviar and French Joie de vivre filled the ballroom at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth earlier this week in celebration of AccorHotels’ 25th anniversary in Australia.
Themed ‘A night in Paris’, and hosted in partnership with Atout France, AccorHotel put on a glittering evening to remember for 400 special guests.
Performers The Chicago’s were specially flown in from the Moulin Rouge in Paris and wowed guests with their acrobatics, while the Parisian-themed soiree also presented high-end sponsors including Christian Louboutin, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Air France and China Southern Airlines.
Chief Operating Officer AccorHotels Pacific, Simon McGrath said the hotel group has come a long way in its 25-year history from one hotel in Darling Harbour to more than 200 today.
Click here for more pictures.
8. Pan Pacific Hotel Group wins three awards
Pan Pacific Hotels Group walked away from the 2016 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence the recipient of three awards – Best Marketing Campaign and Best Hotel Chef for Pan Pacific Perth; and Best Concierge for PARKROYAL Darling Harbour.
Kurt Otto Wehinger, Area General Manager Oceania and General Manager PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney said it was an honour to be acknowledged.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group was also highly recommended in three other categories including Best Food and Beverages Associate (Kelsie Gannan, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport), Best Front Office Associate (Marie Lee, PARKROYAL Parramatta), and Best Revenue Management (Cameron Mead, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport).
9. PTM discovers there’s more to Russia than just vodka & ballet
Personal Travel Manager Margaret Freemantle representative for Turner in the Australian Capital Territory, recently experienced a once in a lifetime trip to Russia with CT Partners.
Hosted by Lalitha Murthy from Finnair in conjunction with Jan Whiteside from World Hotels, the 11-day famil took attendees to St Petersburg, Moscow and Helsinki.
Freemantle said the trip exposed her to a side of Russia beyond the ballet, politics and history. She said she found the destination caters to “so many varied interests” and has an incredible culture, which is found not only in the people but the “magnificent buildings and monumental churches”.