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. Where are travellers booking their holidays?
Online? Agents? A bit of both? According to a new study it’s the latter, with more travellers using both the internet and consultants for their getaways.
Roy Morgan research revealed that while booking holidays and accommodation online is now mainstream among Australians of all ages, traditional travel agents retain an important place in the nation’s tourism industry.
Some agencies are even being used by holidaymakers more than their online counterparts, such as Flight Centre, which was the top travel agent/tour operator used to book a holiday by an Aussie over the 12 months to June 2015.
2. Tourism Australia targets wealthy travellers
US-based travel agents with wealthy clients are about to get an education on why Australia is the ideal high-end travel destination.
The ‘education’ is part of a new partnership signed over the weekend between Tourism Australia and luxury travel network, Virtuoso.
As part of the agreement, Tourism Australia will market and educate Virtuoso members on how to sell Australian holidays to high net worth clients.
3. TripAdvisor is now selling Langham rooms
TripAdvisor continues to expand its online booking platform, with the addition of a new hotel group.
The Langham Hospitality Group this week partnered with the online giant to add its hotel inventory to the TripAdvisor instant booking platform.
This will allow users reading Langham reviews the ability to secure a room in one of the group’s properties without leaving the TripAdvisor site.
4. Goldman Travel’s big & luxurious win
Goldman Travel is gaining recognition for its leadership in luxury travel advisory, receiving its second major industry nod in less than two months.
The Group was named ‘Top Australian and NZ Virtuoso Production Agency’ at this year’s Virtuoso Awards held in Las Vegas.
The win follows Goldman’s recent win at the 2015 NTIA awards as ‘Best Corporate Agency, single location’.
Accepting the Virtuoso award, Managing Directors, David Goldman and Anthony Goldman said winning the award means ‘only the world’s top travel professionals are part’ of the group’s network.
“We are proud of our team and dedicate this award to our hard-working advisors and support teams at all our agencies.”
Tom Goldman, Goldman Travel Corporation Executive Chairman
5. Nicole Kidman ‘strikes a pose’ for tourism
From the face of Etihad’s ‘Residence’ to the face of Australian tourism – Nicole Kidman’s latest photoshoot is expected to put Australia on the map for travellers across the globe.
Vogue Australia’s September issue went on sale this week featuring Nicole Kidman photographed at the sacred site of Mutijulu, at the eastern side of Uluru – one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks.
Inside the magazine, the five-page spread shows off the beauty of the ancient site as well as the local indigenous culture.
6. INCENTIVE: Win a cruise to Japan & Korea
Agents have the chance to win a free cruise to Japan and Korea or earn gift cards as part of Princess Cruises’ new 10-week Cruise to the Top promotion.
Agents who register for the line’s online training program, Princess Academy, over the next 10 weeks will gain a point for entering, and more at each ascending training rank, with the most points awarded to those who complete the highest rank of Commodore.
Agents who gain the most points during the Cruise to the Top promotion will have a greater chance of winning a prize from the random draw, with one major prize and 20 minor prizes on offer.
7. Explorers Launches at PER AQUUM Niyama
PER AQUUM Niyama has launched a new wildly imaginative children’s club called ‘Explorers’, which brings fun and highly qualified carers to the island.
Run by an international operator, Explorers has activities tailored to various age groups that are also inspired by the out-of-this-world natural beauty of the Maldives.
The age groups are divided into infants as young as 12; ‘Globetrotters’ made up of one to two years olds; Adventurers – the tribe of three to four year olds; ‘Voyagers’ aged five to seven; and ‘Pioneers’ made up of eight to 12 year olds.
For any questions about the programs and their offerings you can contact: explorers.pniy@peraquum.com
Or click here for more information.
8. INCENTIVE: Win a cruise to the South Pacific
Celebrity is offering agents the opportunity to win a cruise to the South Pacific.
To celebrate the launch of new pricing structure, ‘Go Big, Go Better, Go Best’, Celebrity Cruises is giving travel agents the chance to win the South Pacific cruise onboard Celebrity Solstice, plus six runners-up will take home a jeroboam of GH Mumm champagne.
The new price tiers give agents the opportunity to book cruise packages that include their guests’ preferred mix of extras: Classic Beverage Package, unlimited internet, pre-paid gratuities or USD$150 in onboard credit per person.
9. Agents take ‘My Time’ out
[L-R]: Andrew Clark, HKTB; Howard Field, Cathay; Mary He, HKTB; Carla Orbell and Darren Smyth, Cathay from Cathay
Over 100 travel agents from Brisbane enjoyed a night of horse races, roulette and free flights as the Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Tourism Board cocktail function.
Held last week, the event was designed to educate agents on new routes, fares and ticketing followed by a presentation on new attractions and developments in Hong Kong.
Cathay entertained the guests with inventive games including a roulette game of their new destinations followed by an exciting punt for the horse races.
One lucky winner from the races won return flight to Hong Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific.
10. Boozy cabin crew grounded
Latvia’s flag carrier, airBaltic has not only issued an apology to customers, but recorded its sincerest apologies after four of its cabin crew were pulled from a flight for failing a breathalyser test.
Norwegian police prosecutor, Edith Ek Sorensen, said her team were acting on a tip-off from an anonymous caller when they decided to run the ran random breath check on all five crew members on flight BT7843.
The test confirmed that four out of the five, including one pilot and co-pilot were ‘above the legal alcohol limit’.