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Thurs 3 Sep: 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. Aussies just lost their visa-free to Bali

Bali

Hold the celebrations. In less than 24 hours the Indonesian government seems to have changed its tune (once again) on whether Australians will receive visa-free entry into Bali.

All because our very own government is refusing to make a similar agreement for Indonesian travellers.

The Indonesian government announced yesterday that it had included Australia in a list of 46 other countries that would be exempt from paying the visa fee when travelling to the island. The decision came months after removing Australia from the list when online protests broke out over the executions of two Aussies.

Read on

 

2. Travellers Choice members get a share of the profits

travel news Travellers Choice feature

Travellers Choice has joined the Magellan Travel Group as one of the industry’s agency groups giving a share of its profits back to its members.

The announcement was made this morning after revealing a 15 percent growth in pre-tax operating profit or $1.86 million for the 12 months ending June 2015.

According to Chief Executive, Christian Hunter, the Company’s sustained profit was driven by sales growth across all key product categories.

Read on

 

3. A new way to see South America

Chile

Holidaying with the locals in Brazil; visiting the homes of Bolivia’s wealthy indigenous people; and exploring the America’s Pompeii.

There’s a new personalised, unique and luxurious way to see South & Central America and it has just become available in the Australian market.

DB Americas will officially expand into Australia at Luxperience next week. It’s a Santiago-based luxury service operator run by two passionate Aussies that focuses on offering indivualised luxury tours throughout the region.

Read on

 

4. Qantas unveils limited edition scarf

Qantas scarf

Travellers can take a little bit of Qantas with them everywhere they go by picking up one of the airline’s limited edition scarves designed by Qantas and leading Australian scarf brand, Bird & Knoll.

The airline’s trend consultant, model Jessica Hart was tasked with nominating a destination that “feels like home” which would be the inspiration of a limited edition cashmere blend scarf.

The chosen city was Melbourne and the scarf’s design reflects Jessica’s favourite colours and the streetscape art of Hosier Lane and its cornerstone restaurant, MoVida.

Qantas Group Executive Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Olivia Wirth, said the airline was pleased to show its support for the nation’s fashion industry and promote the unique beauty of Australia.

The scarf retails for $298 and is available to purchase at the Qantas Shop, InSky Shopping and through Bird and Knoll stockists including David Jones, Husk and Bird & Knoll.

 

5. Perth Airport goes into the Amadeus cloud

clouds 2

Perth Airport is sending its data up, up, up into the cloud as the first Australian business to implement Amadeus’ ACUS.

The cloud-based technology, unveiled earlier this year, works similarly to the Apple’s cloud system and allows customers to safely store bookings, searches and emails in ‘the cloud’.

For Perth Airport it means airlines can use the platform from a desktop computer, laptop or mobile device, and enables passengers to be checked-in and boarding passes to be printed from any location. Ground handlers will also be able to handle passenger processing for multiple airlines at the same time from any gate or terminal and from any device.

Rowan Chalmers, Perth Airport Executive General Manager Operations and Customer Experience said that this partnership will put Perth Airport in a more proactive, reliable and flexible position when it comes to the check-in process.

“The advanced systems we are delivering with Amadeus will provide a higher level of customer experience.”

Rowan Chalmers, Perth Airport Executive General Manager Operations and Customer Experience

“During our selection process, it became clear that Amadeus was the only common use provider to truly deliver on the cloud-based model, bringing clear financial and structural benefits.”

 

6. Royal Caribbean’s new Aussie port

travel news Radiance of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is giving cruisers the chance to visit Wollongong’s Port Kembla Harbour during Radiance of the Seas’ seven-night East Coast and Tasmania cruise.

The 293m long megaliner will bring more than 2,400 people to the Illawarra in October 2016. The ship will spend a day in port, allowing tourists from Australia and around the world to explore the Illawarra’s beaches, city, towns and attractions through day trips, courtesy buses and planned activity options.

Royal Caribbean’s Regional Vice President, Gavin Smith, said the addition of the new port is the first step in investigating ongoing relationships between the cruise line and Illawarra.

 

7. INCENTIVE: WIN $200 cash

Coral Princess

Coral Expeditions is enticing travel agents to sell itineraries from the line’s inaugural 2015/16 Tasmanian cruise season with the incentive to win $200 cash per client.

After 33 years of operating in Australian waters the cruise line is heading to Tasmania with a seven-night expedition round-trip from Hobart aboard Coral Expeditions 1. Highlights of the itinerary include hiking the South Coast Track at Cockle Bay, an early morning walk at Wineglass Bay and two days exploring the unspoilt world heritage wilderness area of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour.

To celebrate the expansion, Coral Expeditions is giving agents that make a booking on its 2015/16 Tasmania expeditions $200 cash per client.

The offer is valid between 27 August and 31 October 2015 and payment to agents will be made 30 days post cruise.

As part of the cruise guests receive daily excursions on Explorer, zodiacs and fleet of kayaks; all meals; Captain’s welcome and farewell drinks; Barista-style coffee, tea and selected soft drinks; use of onboard facilities.

 

8. Phi Phi Island resort signs with local reps

Phi Phi Island

Complete Travel Marketing will be responsible for promoting Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort in the Australian and New Zealand market after winning the account.

The contract was officially signed on 1 September to educate agents and consumers on what the resort has to offer.

Phi Phi Island has grown as a go to destination for those visitors who have visited Phuket and would like a different, more intimate island holiday.”

Jonathan Milburn, Complete Travel Marketing Director

The 4.5-star beachfront resort is located in the privacy of Loh Ba Gao Bay. It has 156 rooms including 144 traditional Thai style bungalows and 12 private Hillside Pool Villas.

The top-end Hillside Pool Villas offer the utmost seclusion and exclusivity. Each villa has its own private pool offering the best views over Loh-Ba-Gao Bay and distant islands.

The resort also has three restaurants and bars.

 

9. Luxperience lands Williams

travel news Tom Williams Luxperience

Luxperience has recruited TV personality, Tom Williams, to help close the annual event by hosting the Luxperience Gala Event incorporating the inaugural Luxperience Awards.

Taking place on the final night of the three-day event, the gala and awards night will recognise innovative products and services, exceptional tourism products and examples of social responsibility.

Winners will be announced in front of over 500 guests at the glittering Luxperience Gala Dinner and Awards Evening on the rooftop of The Star, with views over Sydney Harbour.

Director of Marketing, Michelle Papas, said some the Luxperience Awards will not only recognise excellence but raise the benchmark in acknowledging achievement in visionaries.

Luxperience takes place from 6 to 9 September.

 

10. Lizard Island unveils The Villa

travel news Lizard Island

Lizard Island has added to its offering of ‘unprecedented luxury’ by introducing ‘The Villa’.

The Villa features two bedrooms, with en-suites, the master with a luxury bath, a spacious lounge with butler’s kitchen and an expansive outdoor area.

It has an expansive balcony overlooking Sunset Beach and the Coral Sea, with a private 8-metre infinity plunge pool directly below.

Guests will enjoy daily sunset champagne and canapés in their room. Private dining is also available, with personal chefs and wait staff available at request.

Executive Director, Greg Magi, said the addition of ‘The Villa’ adds to the iconic Lizard Island, which reopened in June.

 

P.S: Amadeus hosts TIME mentors & mentees

TIME feature

Travel industry friends were invited to experience Amadeus’ funky new Sydney office and get the latest TIME update.

Everyone from Virgin Australia to Excite Holidays and even Taronga Zoo were at the event.

Click here for more images.

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