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Thurs 14 Apr: 10 travel news stories you need to know today

We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.

We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.

 

1. This wasn’t the decision Bestjet was hoping for

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You may recall the story we posted last month when Bestjet was granted an interim injunction against AFTA after the industry body refused to renew the agency’s membership and ATAS accreditation.

Well, here’s the next instalment guys.

And it isn’t good news for Bestjet, an OTA that helps 180,000 travellers book flights to destinations all over the globe.

Read on

 

2. “Fuel price relief will not last”, but Fiji Airways is milking it while it can

Fiji airways feature

Airlines across the globe have welcomed a large increase in profits over the past year, mainly due to the low cost of fuel.

Among them is Fiji Airways, which announced another record year of growth for the 12 months ending 31 December 2015.

According to the company’s latest results, over the year group revenue reached F$815.3 million, up from F$767.4 million the prior year.

Read on

 

3. South America Travel Centre rebrands & expands into Asia

South America feature

The South America Travel Centre has not only decided to spread its wings into another region, it has announced a rebrand to better reflect its growing operations.

After nearly 20 years, the South America-focused company will now be known as Tailor Made Journeys PTY LTD. Despite the rebrand, each business will trade as their respective brand name: South America Travel Centre and Antarctica Travel Centre.

The name change comes as the company expands into Asia with Asia Travel Centre – Tailor Made Journeys.

Read on

 

4. Metropolitan Hotel in Melbourne sells for $8.6 million

Metropolitan

Melbourne’s Metropolitan Hotel has been snapped up by local investors for $8.61 million following a hotly contested auction.

The iconic corner street pub has a rich history spanning 160 years, with the sale marking the first time the high profile venue has been offered to the market in two decades.

According to CBRE’s Josh Rutman, who assisted in sale negotiations, the property attracted local investors and offshore parties who wanted to “gain a footprint in one of our most famous precincts”.

 

5. San Fran Museum prepares for May reopening

travel news San Fran

The countdown is on for 14 May when San Francisco Museum of Modern Art will reopen its doors after a major physical expansion and transformation.

SF Moma visitors will have access to some 6,100 works of modern and contemporary furniture, product and graphic design as well as 260 works from the Fisher Collection including the debut of the new Pritzker Center for Photography.

The expansion will offer nearly three times the previous exhibition space, with an art-filled ground floor open to all free of charge, interactive games for all ages, as well as outdoor terraces, classrooms and cafes. The additional gallery space will enable the museum to display much more of its outstanding and rapidly growing collection.

 

6. Aircalin’s ‘Endless Summer Sale’ begins

Air Calin

Aircalin is offering travellers return Sydney and Brisbane flights to New Caledonia from $549 including taxes.

The offer is valid from 15 April to 28 April 2016 for travel between 5 April 2016 to 30 September 2016 inclusive.

Flights from Melbourne to Noumea are also on sale from $599 return.

 

7. Contiki offers first ever ‘fly free’ deal

travel news Contiki

The youth operator has teamed up with the 2015 Airline of the Year, Qatar Airways, to offer 18-35 year olds the opportunity to fly to Europe return for free.

The offer is valid when booking one of Contiki’s selected trips to Europe before 29 April 2016, with full payment due within seven days of booking.

In addition to the fly free offer, Contiki is also offering exclusive airfares to Europe starting from just $500 return on a further 47 trips departing this summer, giving travellers plenty of great value options for 2016 adventures.

Click here for more information.

 

8. Operators discover Oregon

travel news Oregon fam1

Some 22 influential, international tour operators from around the world travelled to Oregon for the inaugural Oregon Road Rally, giving them the chance to explore and discover the destination.

The participating tour operators were seeking out new or additional bookable Oregon itineraries and trip ideas for potential visitors to purchase. Among the road rally participants were members from Flight Centre (NZ) and Qantas Holidays (AU).

The Oregon Road Rally made key stops along the route including savouring the food carts in Portland, riding dune buggies on the Oregon Coast, experiencing the beauty of Crater Lake National Park, hiking at Smith Rock and Columbia River Gorge waterfalls, exploring Oregon Wine Country, drinking hot chocolate at Timberline Lodge and letting ‘er buck in Pendleton.

Click here for more images from the famil.

 

9. Townsville agent tops the Rail Plus Expert program

travel news Rail Plus

Shannon Styles from Flight Centre Townsville Fairfield Waters beat more than 800 travel agents to be the smartest rail expert in Australia for 2016.

In addition to the title, she received a return trip to Europe flying with Qatar Airways and a Eurail Pass to enjoy in early 2017.

For the first time in its history, this year’s Rail Plus’ Global Rail Expert program was open to every travel consultant in Australia and some 1,000 agents across Australia and New Zealand completed the course’s 10 training modules.

The top three graduates were chosen based on the number of questions answered correctly and overall time taken to complete the course. This year’s runner up, Claire Scolyer (Flight Centre Townsville Fairfield Waters), took home a $750 Coles Group and Myer gift card, while third placed graduate, Anthony Hoang (Escape Travel Highpoint), was rewarded with a $250 gift card.

 

10. Egencia gives the gift of travel

egencia

Egencia, the business travel arm of Expedia, welcomed 65 clients and partners to thank them for their ongoing business. The event was sponsored by American Airlines.

Egencia Australia’s Interim Managing Director, Jacqui Timmins, and American Airlines GM of Australia and New Zealand Sales, Simon Dodd, put a bow on the night by holding a draw for two American Airlines return tickets to Los Angeles and a $500 Egencia private travel voucher.

Along with the event, the Egencia leadership team sent clients handwritten thank you notes.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news stories?