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Thurs 27 Aug: 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. Flight Centre hits new records

travel news Flight Centre

Flight Centre managed to break a stream of financial profits during the 12 months to June 2015 despite a slowdown in leisure sales.

For the 2014/15 year, the Group delivered a record $17.6 billion in Total Transaction Value (TTV), up $1.55 billion on the prior year.

Australian agents and businesses made an additional $445 million in transactions during the 12 months compared to the 2013/14 corresponding period, despite what Flight Centre Managing Director Graham Turner admits was a “reasonably flat trading environment”.

Read on

 

2. Qantas’ new Perth lounge is Megan Gale approved

Qantas has opened the doors to its new Qantas Domestic Business Lounge at Perth Airport and according to Aussie model Megan Gale, ‘it feels like home’.

Gale, a Perth-born celebrity, was among the first to cross the threshold into the Flying Kangaroo’s new Western Australia space during a special launch lunch this week.

The new airport lounge is latest in a string of initiatives by the carrier to set a new benchmark in business travel. It follows the recent completion of the major LA lounge upgrade and a new partnership with the renowned Rockpool Restaurant Group to select special drinks for its lounges around the world.

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3. Magellan agents have earned these bonuses

Magellan Travel Group

Magellan Travel Group joins Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways and Qantas as the latest travel company to reward its hard working staff with a portion of the company’s record profits.

This morning, the agency group revealed it had achieved a huge 48 percent increase in profits over the 12 months to June 2015.

In total, the group walked away with $8.8 million in profits – the highest record profit in the company’s history and $800,000 more than the company expected to earn.

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4. Smile Australia, Air Canada just upgraded your aircraft

Air Canada staff

Air Canada is not only expanding its Australian network but upgrading it, with plans to send its Premium Economy and International Business class product to Sydney for the first time.

Commencing 17 May next year, the Boeing 777-200 with the two additional classes will fly non-stop on flights between Sydney and Vancouver.

In the new International Business Class, passengers will have access to 40 lie-flat ‘Executive Pods’ with adjustable pneumatic cushion headrest, an 18-inch personal entertainment screen and noise-cancelling headsets.

Read on

 

5. Tigerair maps out a new domestic route

Coffs Harbour

Virgin’s low-cost carrier, Tigerair, seems to be on a mission to provide greater access from Melbourne to the rest of the country.

The airline today announced a new flight between Melbourne and Coffs Harbour starting from December this year.

It comes a month after the airline revealed additional weekly services between Melbourne and the Gold Coast as well as a completely renovated Terminal 4 at Melbourne Airport, to offer budget travellers access to latest airport technology.

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6. Oman shines in a short film showcase

Oman 1 Oman 2

A four-minute long film documenting a visitor’s journey around Oman has been featured by National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase.

The Showcase spotlights the most captivating short videos from filmmakers around the world selected by the National Geographic video team, particularly work that affirms National Geographic’s mission of inspiring people to care about the planet.

Young German traveller and filmmaker, Marko Roth, visited Oman with some friends, documenting their journey as they went. The resultant “12 Days in Oman” film is a breath-taking sequence of experiences set to music.

Roth’s film is an immersion in moments that played out across the length on Oman during his visit. It sweeps across dramatic landscapes, reveals the remarkable spaces enclosed by the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House Muscat and the Mutrah souq, and brings to life the spirit of the wonderful Omani people.

Mona Tannous, Sultante of Oman Tourism Country Manager, Australia/New Zealand said the film captures Oman’s infinite possibilities.

 

7. A new hotel brand enters Hong Kong

Cordis

The Langham Place Mongkok Hotel has officially reopened today as Cordis, Hong Kong – the flagship property for Hong Kong’s newest hotel brand.

The launch comes after an extensive rebranding, which included the installment of new technology as well as the newly renovated The Place restaurant.

Guests can also dine at the new Wine Dine Be Social restaurant, bar and lounge or the all-day restaurant, The Place.

All 664 rooms in the property have been completely refurbished with new in-room amenities and technology.

Cordis, Hong Kong also received the Chuan Spa, which offers treatments that are based upon traditional Chinese medicine in partnership with luxury global spa brand Kerstin Florian.

 

8. All peace for Skal

travel news Skal

Head of Monte Sant Angelo College North Sydney, Jacqueline Magurren with President of SKAL Sydney North, John Spencer & US Visitor Cassie de Pecol.

SKAL Sydney North recently hosted 25 year old Cassie de Pecol from the US, who is travelling as an Ambassador for the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism.

Cassie is travelling to set a world record for being the first solo female to visit every Sovereign Nation in the world (plus a few territories), a total of 196 countries, in less than three years.

Along the way Cassie is seeking the support of SKAL Clubs in 86 countries to bring her message of “Peace Through Tourism” to students in each location.

Cassie was delighted by the interest of the students in Sydney, saying it was a contrast to her previous stops.

The next Skal Sydney North’s event is on 16 September at the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel.

Click here for more information.

 

9. Myanmar National Airlines’ Amadeus agreement

travel news Myanmar International Airlines

Travel agents using Amadeus’ GDS will soon be able to book Myanmar National Airlines’ (MNA) network and services as part of a new agreement.

MNA joins 478 airlines globally whose content is available on the Amadeus system.

According to the airline’s CEO, Captain Than Tun, the agreement will give the airline a strong competitive edge in the region.

“Myanmar National Airlines has shown real commitment to build on its extensive history and experience in serving travellers in Myanmar and we are delighted they have chosen to partner with us to support their transformation and growth.”

Captain Than Tun, MNA CEO

“Our technology will enable travel agents worldwide to book MNA flights easily and seamlessly.”

MNA’s growing international routes will link to 26 domestic destinations – the most of any airline in Myanmar – with its Yangon-Singapore route launching on 17 August 2015 and growing to four more cities in the Asia Pacific region by early 2016.

 

10. Freestylin’ through Croatia

travel news croatia busabout

[L-R]: Courtney Jayne, Jodi Woolf, Cat Fanto, Taylor Allan, Annabel Tidmarsh.

Fifteen lucky agents were taken on a Croatian adventure as part of Busabout’s 2015 ‘Freestyle Famil’.

As part of their incentive, the group of top selling agents experienced a 10-day Croatia Sailing trip as well as free tickets to the world famous Soundwave Music Festival.

The agents experienced the ultimate balance of partying and relaxation as they sailed the coasts of the Croatian Islands and danced all night at Soundwave in between, fully living up to the Eat. Sleep. Sail. Rave. Repeat, lifestyle.

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