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. Virgin’s Velocity program gets a nip & tuck
Virgin Australia is tweaking its frequent flyer scheme for the first time in five years and making it slightly easier for members to book international economy tickets.
Changes to Velocity will take effect from 1 June this year and will require members to raise fewer points in order to redeem flights in economy class for trips of more than 4,801 miles (or 7,700 kilometres).
A drop is also expected in points needed to redeem flights with partner airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines, airberlin and South African Airways, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
2. Former Busabout GM heads up G Adventures in Australia
He’s conquered youth travel at Contiki and he’s ticked off family guided holidays at Trafalgar, and now Adrian Piotto is ready to master adventure travel at G Adventures.
The former The Travel Corporation (TTC) employee has been named the new Managing Director for the company in Australia and New Zealand, replacing outgoing boss Belinda Ward who was promoted to Vice President of Industry Sales & Operations and will be based in the UK.
With over 19 years industry experience, including General Manager of Busabout, G Adventures says Piotto brings ‘outstanding business acumen to the role’ and expects he’ll be the “perfect person” to lead the company in its next phase of growth down under.
3. Peter Sommer ‘Travels’ to Croatia
Peter Sommer Travels has added Croatia to its selection of cultural and archaeological tours, making it the fourth destination alongside Turkey, Greece and Italy.
Commencing 17 September this year, the archaeological and cultural tour specialist will take guests along the Dalmatia coastline for an eight-day yacht expedition between Split and Dubrovnik.
Travelling aboard a traditional wooden gulet, they’ll have the chance to explore ancient towns, learn about the Croat warriors and witness the Greek and Italian influences on the historic culture.
4. Singapore Airlines reopens Perth lounge
Travellers will have access to Singapore Airlines’ lounge in Perth a little sooner than expected, with the space expected to reopen ahead of schedule.
It will open today at 11.15am to compliment the resumed service – flight SQ226.
Singapore Airlines apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused during the course of the maintenance works.
5. itravel opens a new store
itravel continues to expand across the country, with a new franchise store in Woonona.
Headed by former Mobile Travel Agent Stacey Arthur, the itravel Woonona store will open its doors officially today, making it the 17th franchise store under Director Steve Labroski’s belt.
“It’s a great achievement for Stacey.”
Steve Labroski, itravel Director
“She has grown her itravel business so much that a store is the next natural step. As a whole, itravel is continuing to grow and adding itravel Woonona is a great way to spread itravel’s brand of unique service.”
6. Jessica Watson cooks up a storm for MTA
She may have taken on the ocean and survived, but how will Jessica Watson cope in the kitchen?
The MTA brand ambassador will take on her latest challenge at the MTA ‘Power of Community’ National Conference from 4-6 March where she’ll assist celebrity chef Lance Seeto cook at a ‘conference wind down’ family fun event on 6 March at Broadwater Parklands.
Chef Seeto, head chef at Fiji’s Mana Island Resort, has planned a Fijian style BBQ on the day with Fiji’s national dish ‘Kokoda’ (pronounced Kokonda) top of the menu as a special treat for those MTA Members and their families attending the event.
“While not known as a Gordon Ramsay type chef, none the less Lance is a perfectionist so we hope Jessica can rise to the challenge.”
Karen Merricks, MTA Co-Managing Director
“If she doesn’t, no matter – we know Lance will keep her pretty busy with all the washing up after the event.”
7. Wendy Wu is dedicated to the Maldives
Asia specialist, Wendy Wu Tours has released its first ever dedicated Maldives brochure after successfully launching in the destination last year.
The program details a range of over 30 properties suitable for romance, family escapes, ultimate luxury and relaxation complemented by stopover options in Singapore.
Coinciding with the international “Visit Maldives Year 2016”, the stand-alone Maldives brochure has been introduced to Wendy Wu Tours’ brochure collection after a positive response from agents and customers when the latest destination was included in its India brochure – as a perfect beach add-on to its traditional India and Sri Lanka group tours.
Wendy Wu Tours Managing Director, Alan Alcock, says that although the Maldives is historically recognised for romance and honeymooners, the company believes there are aspects of this breathtaking destination which the Australian market is far less aware of, such as the surfing and diving opportunities together with child-friendly resorts.
Brochures are currently being distributed by TIFS, for a copy please contact your local BDM.
8. Promoting Peru pulls in more visitors
Peru’s Minister, Magali Silva, says the destination’s strategy of promoting the destination is working, with international arrivals increasing 7.5 percent last year on 2014.
Around 3.5 million overseas visitors travelled to the South American country to explore its history and culture while testing its culinary treats.
Minister Silva said that the strategy of promoting Peru as a diverse tourist destination has been successful in multiple markets. Peak months for international visitors to Peru were January, June and July.
“In October, the meetings of the Board of Governors of the World Bank (GBM) and the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Group generated a further positive impact, with Lima hosting these events.”
Minister Magali Silva
9. TIE sponsors the NTIAs
The Travel Industry Exhibition (TIE) has become an official silver sponsor at the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) 2016 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA).
AFTA NTIA takes place on 16 July in between the TIE Melbourne and Sydney trade exhibitions.
In line with a strong educational focus for both Melbourne and Sydney-based trade exhibitions in 2016, TIE will sponsor and present the award category for the Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution.
Event organisers, the award winning team at Exhibition and Trade Fairs (ETF), were thrilled to be given the opportunity to present the award and to be involved in the prestigious night of nights.
The Travel Industry Exhibition Melbourne will take place at the Peninsula, Docklands on 11-12 July 2016. The Travel Industry Exhibition Sydney follows one week later on 18-19 July 2016 at Luna Park.
10. “I can’t sit next to a woman”
Oh but he did.
An 81-year-old woman is suing El Al for asking her to change seats when a male passenger said he didn’t want to sit next to a woman.
Renee Rabinowitz, who had purchased an aisle business class ticket from Newark in the US to Tel Aviv, just got comfortable when a “rather distinguished-looking man Hasidic or Haredi garb” came to take his window seat next to her.
Rabinowitz said he refused to sit because of strict Jewish law, which forbids him from coming in contact with someone of the opposite sex, even in accidental cases, News.com.au reported.
The former lawyer attempted to negotiate but was urged by the crew member to look at a “better” seat closer to first class.
Rabinowitz eventually made her way to the front, but not without being made to feel “minimised”.
“For me this is not personal. It is intellectual, ideological and legal. I think to myself, here I am, an older woman, educated, I’ve been around the world, and some guy can decide that I shouldn’t sit next to him. Why?”
The Israel Religious Action Center plans to sue the airline on behalf of Rabinowitz this week.
El Al has denied the claim, saying discrimination between passengers is “strictly prohibited”.