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. 19 confirmed dead in Bangkok bombing
The Australian government is warning travellers to ‘keep away’ from select areas in Thailand after a bomb exploded in Bangkok yesterday, killing at least 19 people and injuring 120 others.
The explosion occurred at around 6.30pm (8.30pm AEST) in front of the Erawan shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection – an area frequented by tourists and worshipers.
Early reports suggest international visitors may have been the target of the explosion, mostly due to its proximity to popular attractions such as the Siam Centre and Paragon malls.
2. Sydney Airport buys back Qantas terminal
Sydney Airport will take control of retail operations, office space and lounges at Terminal 3 next month after agreeing to pay some $535 million to buy the terminal’s lease from Qantas.
Under the new agreement, Qantas will revert ownership of the terminal back to Sydney Airport as of 1 September this year. It will bring Qantas’ 30-year lease on the terminal to an end, four years ahead of the 30 June 2019 expiry date.
In exchange for ending its contract early, Qantas will receive total cash proceeds of $535 million from Sydney Airport and will retain priority usage of the terminal through to 30 June 2025. This includes priority usage of the majority of terminal’s gates, check-in and baggage facilities.
3. Air teams locate Indonesia plane wreckage
Image: ANTARA FOTO/REUTERS
Parts of the Indonesian aircraft carrying 54 passengers has been spotted by air teams searching the easternmost province of Papua yesterday.
The Trigana Air Service flight took off from Sentani airport in Jayapura, Indonesia on Sunday to Oksibil. The plane lost contact with ground control an hour and half into the flight.
Since, rescue teams have operated searches based on reports from locals who claims to have seen the aircraft crash into mountains.
Bintang Mountains Regency Police Chief Yunus Wally confirmed to media that debris was found near the Oksop waterfall and ground search teams were preparing to head to the area today.
An official cause for the accident is still to be determined, however, initial findings suggests it was caused by bad weather.
4. See what’s new at Melbourne Airport’s T4
Tigerair helped Melbourne Airport open the doors to its new-look Terminal 4, by being the first airline to depart from the renovated space early this morning.
Located south of Terminal 3, it is now home to Jetstar, Tigerair and Regional Express operations and is capable of handling around 10 million passengers per year.
5. Virgin changes ‘The Business’ game
Virgin Australia continues to pursue those premium flyers, by bringing its Business Class suites aboard its entire A330 fleet.
The new wide-body class dubbed ‘The Business’ was unveiled this week on the line’s newest Airbus aircraft.
As well as offering more space than Economy, Virgin’s ‘Business’ has the world’s longest and widest fully lie-flat bed in domestic business class; each seat has direct aisle access and they’ve been fitted with a triple-layer seat cushion to offer maximum comfort and support.
6. It’s time to get to know your neighbours
New Caledonia’s tourism leaders are hoping to break Australia’s ever-growing anti-social attitude, by urging us to get to know our closest Pacific neighbour.
As a follow-up to New Caledonia Tourism’s ‘Have It All‘ campaign, the bureau launched the first of two phases of the new ‘Hello Neighbour’ awareness promotion this week, which aims to bridge the game between Australia and the island nation.
According to the bureau, the overall concept was founded around the ongoing debate that Australians are becoming disconnected from their neighbours.
7. Air NZ talks about… road safety
Days after launching a viral ‘Men in Black’-inspired inflight safety video, Air New Zealand has announced new efforts to help educate overseas visitors about driving in New Zealand.
In an effort to increase visitors’ appreciation for the unique driving conditions in New Zealand and improve driver safety, Air New Zealand is delivering two new initiatives.
The first is a new app onboard its inflight entertainment system which will give travellers the tools and education they need before getting in the driver’s seat.
The Driving in New Zealand app will launch next month within the inflight entertainment systems and provides tips for driving in New Zealand such as road rules and conditions.
In another initiative, a series of new short videos have been introduced this month providing an in-depth guide to driving in New Zealand with various language options.
The videos explain New Zealand’s road rules and provide great tips for visitors on driving safely in New Zealand. Developed by CamperMate, the videos are available on the airline’s inflight entertainment system in English, Chinese, French, and German languages.
8. INCENTIVE: Moet all round
Niche operator, Railbookers, is kicking off the start of August with an agent incentive offering a bottle of Moet & Chandon to each consultant for all new confirmed bookings of AU$6,000 or more between now and 31 December 2015.
Partnerships and Distribution Manager, Lisa Pagotto, said the incentive is a little ‘thank you’ to loyal and supportive travel agents.
“If they make enough bookings between now and the end of the year, they may have enough bottles to fund the staff Christmas party,” Pagotto laughed.
Contactable seven days a week, Railbookers offers the complete customised rail solution for discerning travellers seeking something more than the off the shelf travel package.
Railbookers provides a seamless service to retail agents as a one stop shop ensuring consultants lives are stress free while the experts look after their guests’ unique requirements.
9. New specialist badge for Aussie agents
Aussie agents can get to know the up and coming US destination, Utah, a little better with Brand USA’s USA Discovery Program – the online training program.
The addition of the The Utah specialist Badge allows users to learn all about The Mighty 5 ® National Parks– Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion, and to learn about accommodations, food and drink options, as well as nightlife and an array of must see and do experiences.
Once users have completed the Utah badge, agents can then take other Specialist modules, which focus on various experiences and holiday themes. With the addition of the Utah specialist badge, there are a total of 15 badges available for completion.
To celebrate the launch, Brand USA and Visit Utah have an added incentive in place for four weeks from 17 August – 13 September.
Agents who complete the Utah specialist badge after first completing the Regional Expert Badge will qualify to go into the draw to win a GoPro HERO3+ Silver Edition Camera, worth over $470AUD. The lucky winner will be announced on Monday 14th September.
Click here for more information.
10. Oaks unveils new look resort
Oaks Hotels & Resorts is progressing with its extensive refurbishment schedule across a selection of city and resort properties, unveiling the new look Oaks Seaforth Resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The popular resort property, located in the suburb of Alexandra Headland, enjoyed a comprehensive revitalisation over the past 12 months, costing an estimated $2 million.
The refurbishment project focused on the Resort’s apartment accommodation, comprising all one, two and three bedroom room types, which now reflect a warm, coastal charm that blends seamlessly with its beachside location.
Upgrades included fresh carpet, interior paint works, new bedding, headboards and linen, ambient lighting and furnishings. Apartments feature full kitchen facilities, large open-plan living areas and private balconies, some with stunning ocean views.
NTK Extra: 10 of the world’s top places to visit are in Aus
Ten of the world’s all-time best places to visit are in Australia, according to leading global travel authority Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist, published today.
More than 40 years in the making, Ultimate Travelist is Lonely Planet’s first definitive wish-list of the 500 most thrilling, memorable and interesting places in the world – ranked in order of brilliance.