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Thurs 21 May: 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 our 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 our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.

1. What do travel agents really want?

travel agent 2

It’s a questions we at KarryOn ask ourselves everyday – what do travel agents really want? What information do they need? What can help them sell more?

The team over at Sabre must have been on the same wave length, because they just completed a survey to answer the exact same queries.

And the common answer is – more mobility.

Read on

 

2. Is this the next big stopover destination in Asia?

travel news South Korea

We’ve done Singapore and we’ve done Hong Kong, but could Korea be the next big stopover destination in Asia for Australians travelling to Europe?

It seems to be the case for Australian tour operator, Wendy Wu Tours.

According to the company’s Business Development Executive for NSW, Lachlan Burnet, the tour operator is seeing an annual increase in the number of Australians booking the company’s short Korea itineraries.

Read on

 

3. New connection between Oceania & the Philippines

Philippine Airlines

The fun flight attendants featured in the image above are flying even further into Oceania, as Philippine Airlines (PAL) announces a two city expansion to its network.

Commencing 1 December this year, the airline said it will launch triangular flights from Manila to Cairns and Auckland.

Cairns will be the airline’s fifth Australian destination, with flights already operating to Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne and Sydney.

Read on

 

4. TFE delivers real-time MICE availability

Adina edm

TFE Hotels (Toga Far East Hotels) has unveiled the next generation technology platform for Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE), which delivers real-time availability, response and enhanced customer experience for bookers and partners.

Developed by hospitality technology company, iVvy, the new platform is available across the company’s 70 hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. This includes all TFE Hotels brands including Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels and Hotel Kurrajong Canberra.

The new technology will give TFE more control over MICE bookings and inventory functions through a dynamic tool that scans availability across the entire hotel portfolio, enabling cross sell functionality.

This will deliver solutions faster than competitors, drive growth through process efficiencies and increase visibility across its properties.

Guests looking for meeting facilities will benefit from real-time bookings and quotes with information and services from TFE Hotels.

 

5. CLIA signs up first insurance company

cruise

InsureandGo has become the first travel insurance company to join Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s executive partner ranks.

It is the fourth new executive partner signed by CLIA Australasia this year – Virgin Australia joined up in February this year, making it the fourth airline in the cruising ranks.

The company offers cruise cover designed to specifically address aspects of cruise holidays that are not included in general travel insurance, such as a missed cruise departure.

CLIA Australasia General Manager Brett Jardine said the move reflected growing interest in the cruise industry by external suppliers as local cruise passenger numbers continue to expand.

“Cruising is the shining star of tourism in Australia and New Zealand so it makes good sense for affiliated businesses to build a closer relationship with cruise lines and cruise agents through CLIA membership.”

Brett Jardine, CLIA Australasia General Manager

InsureandGo’s General Manager Sebastian Kaisin added that CLIA membership would enable the company to learn more about the industry’s growth and keep cruise agents informed about key features of the company’s product.

 

6. Scenic a winner at INDABA

travel news Scenic INDABA

Australian cruise specialist, Scenic came home from South Africa this month as a winner after being named ‘Top Tour Operator’ at INDABA.

The conference, which wrapped up last week, saw hundreds of tourism buyers and sellers meet in Durban for two days of socialising, meetings and learning.

As part of the conference awards this year, the recently rebranded Scenic was named ‘Top Tour Operator’.

The award was presented by the More Hotel Group at an awards ceremony.

Nick More from the More Hotel Group, which own Lions Sands Kruger Lodge and Lions Sands River Lodge in Greater Kruger National Park among many others, presented Scenic’s Africa Journey Designer Andrew Kelleher with the award for the highest number of guests over the 2014 season.

“Scenic has been travelling to Africa for 17 years now and have been sending our guests to More Hotel Group’s iconic hotels and lodges since 2005 so it is great to be recognised as a valued partner of the group, and we look forward to another great season in 2015.”

Andrew Kelleher, Scenic Africa Journey Designer

Scenic’s new celebrity ambassador Catriona Rowntree this week revealed to KarryOn some of the reasons she loves and recommends travelling with Scenic.

Read on

 

7. First look at Vivid in the Harbour

Vivid 2

If you happened to be in Darling Harbour, Pyrmont or near The Star last night you would have been lucky enough to get a preview of what to expect on Friday when Vivid Sydney officially lights up.

The Vivid Laser-Fountain Water Theatre was shooting water jets 30 metres into the air in the Harbour and the Pyrmont Pyro digital fireworks display illuminating Pyrmont Bay Park last night.

Meanwhile, some people had the chance to play ten interactive drum kits located at Pyrmont Bay Park – the drums create a digital fireworks display (see image above).

Vivid 3

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the preview showcased that the festival ‘places art and technology into the hands of the public’.

“With just over 48 hours until Vivid Sydney lights up our Harbour city, I encourage everyone to start planning their visit.”

Stuart Ayres, NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events

The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, Vivid Sydney runs for 18 nights from this Friday 22 May until Monday 8 June.

 

8. Outrigger sponsors Hōkūleʻa

Outrigger NTK

Andrew Gee, Hokule’a Captain Bruce Blankenfeld & Andrew Denman from Hawaiian Airlines.

Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Hōkūleʻa, sponsored in part by Outrigger Enterprises Group, sailed into Sydney Harbour on 19 May as part of its worldwide conservation-themed Mālama Honua voyage.

The ceremony featured traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander canoes and cultural performances as Hōkūleʻa berthed at the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour.

Andrew Gee, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing Australia and New Zealand for Outrigger Resorts, Juliet Hudson, Sales Manager, MICE and Destinations Weddings for Outrigger and Andrew Denman, Head of Sales and Marketing Australia for Hawaiian Airlines were on hand to greet the Hōkūleʻa’s Captain, Bruce Blankenfeld.

Outrigger Enterprises Group has a long-standing relationship with the Polynesian Voyaging Society which launched the vessel in Hawaii in 1975 and is a strategic partner in the current worldwide voyage which began in Hawaii last May.

Hōkūleʻa aims to revitalise traditional voyaging and navigation traditions and will be open for a week to allow visitors and school students to climb on board, meet the crew and learn more about this unique vessel and its message.

 

9. Lido Group hits a millionth milestone!

Lido in the story

Congratulations to the Lido Group, which celebrated its one millionth booking this month!

The booking was made through the company’s central reservation hub, the Australian Accommodation Data Exchange (AADX).

The big milestone comes less than 11 years since the Group first developed AADX in partnership with the Australian Research Council.

It is designed to provide a cost-effective way for Australia’s independent and regional properties to connect with Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and online booking engines.

In 2010 the system was completely relaunched and today it provides Lido’s corporate and government clients, along with partner TMCs, with access to thousands of properties across Australia, New Zealand and key international cities.

The Lido Group Managing Director Steve Mackenzie said passing the one million mark within just five years is a remarkable achievement.

Bookings through AADX picked up over the last two years as staff numbers grew by over 50 percent.

The good news doesn’t end there – Mackenzie expects the Group will exceed its two millionth booking within the next 18 months.

He said the group has recently installed a ship’s brass bell in its Sydney call centre, which the team now ring every time AADX processes one million dollars’ worth of bookings.

 

10. Delta takes everything you love about the Internet to the sky

Delta Air Lines has just taken the battle for the best inflight safety video to new heights.

In the quirky new six-minute and second seconds video, the US-based carrier has used some of the most popular Internet memes and viral sensations since the invention of the Internet, mixed them and blended them into one captivating safety chat.

Read on

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