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. INCENTIVE: Millions of Qantas points to be won
Qantas is giving travel agents the chance to WIN a share of four million Qantas Points as part of its 2016 Early Bird celebrations.
The incentive was launched last week in conjunction with the carrier’s Early Bird savings to Europe, South Africa, North America and more. It rewards agents selling the Qantas flights.
To enter, agents simply need to book and ticket any International flight with a “QF” flight number (081 ticket stock) to: any Early Bird continent during Early Bird travel periods of 01 March – 26 September 2016; or the UK/Europe during the travel period of 1 October – 30 November 2015 on QF1, QF2, QF9, QF10 (Qantas metal only).
2. Aussies answer the City of Angels calling
It was all glitz and glamour at this year’s Emmy Awards in Los Angeles and whilst the celebrities took home their awards, the City of Angels is expecting more Aussie tourists than ever.
Last year United Airlines partnered with HLO and decided to reward six top achievers to a once in a lifetime experience at the Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles and the bright lights, celebrities, film and TV backlot tours and one-of-a-kind attractions, is making the City of Angels an increasingly popular destination for Aussies.
And despite a continued falling Aussie dollar versus the greenback, according to the destination’s 2016 tourism market outlook, LA is expected to welcome some 45 million visitors next year.
3. Why are more Aussies visiting Canada?
Why are more Aussies visiting Canada? It is the stunning scenery? The breathtaking cruising routes? The proximity to the US? Or is it because it’s home to the world’s friendliest people?
Well, according to Rocky Mountaineer’s VP of Global Sales, the main reason is none of the above.
The company, which experienced record sales last year, found Australians are booking more holidays to Canada, specifically Rocky Mountaineer trips, to see the country’s bears.
4. Australia is the ‘GOL’ for this South American airline
There may not be any plans to launch direct services to Australia YET, but Brazilian budget carrier, GOL (G3), says it has what it takes to increase its market share amongst Aussie travellers.
Currently, most Aussies use Qantas or LAN to fly over to South America. This could slightly change in the coming months, when Air New Zealand officially launches its direct services between Auckland and Buenos Aires.
Once Aussies are in the region, they’re using local airlines to fly internally, including Brazil’s largest airline and the largest low-cost airline in Latin America, GOL.
5. Aussies warned of further flight delays
Travellers planning a trip to or from Australia today are being warned to expect delays as airport custom workers walk off the job for a second consecutive day.
Immigration and Border Force staff stopped working during peak this morning and will do so again during peak this evening. The strike will impact eight Aussie airports including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Community and Public Sector Union National Secretary Nadine Flood said major delays have been reported at Sydney, Perth and Cairns, with passengers waiting in longer lines than usual.
6. Solomon sees more visitors
The Solomon Islands’ serious new tourism attitude is already paying off, with visitor arrivals for April this year jumping a massive 15.6 percent compared to the same month last year.
Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto said he was delighted with the fantastic news and indicative of the strategic approach SIVB and the government have taken in recent months.
“We have always been aware that the key to the future was to design and implement a blueprint for the successful future of our country’s tourism.”
Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto, SIVB CEO
“To that end, 2014 was the year which saw us establish a much required platform and it is from there that we have begun to build and implement the blueprint with the full backing of the government.
“There can be no doubt that while 2013 proved a good year for us, the April 2014 floods and the lingering ASA dispute had impact on our international visitation numbers last year.
“But the April 2015 result, and the confidence which it instils in all of us, represents a first turning point in the Solomon Islands tourism fortunes.
“This is a great result but now is not the time to rest our our laurels.
He continued, saying that the bureau will continue to everything possible to improve on achievements.
Australia remains the country’s number one source of foreign visitors with Fiji moving into second place and New Zealand and Papua New Guinea taking third and fourth place, respectively.
7. Wendy Wu ‘does’ NSW
Agents are being reminded to secure their place at Wendy Wu’s upcoming 2016 brochure launch across New South Wales, with first one kicking off in Sydney CBD on 29 September.
As part of the new launch, Wendy Wu will unveil new exciting announcements to build upon the already strong and positive relationship with consultants.
The evenings will be informative as well as entertaining with great hospitality.
Events will be held in Sydney CBD, Dee Why, Parramatta, Cronulla, Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast – allowing agents the convenience of attending in their local area.
To RSVP email you individual Wendy Wu rep.
8. DMS coming to new Aus & NZ cities
Destination Marketing Services (DMS) is extending its annual workshop program by taking it to Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne and Perth.
Managing Director, Marissa Fernandez, said the initiative comes in response to growing popularity of the group’s annual Sydney and Melbourne workshops.
“Now the new format will be held in March and be a standalone four-city roadshow, DMS Connect, which will bring senior executives from a wide range of well-accredited DMCs to meet a targeted audience of our business events and high-end leisure clients.”
Marissa Fernandez, DMS Managing Director
DMS’s strategy is to move the roadshow to a more effective March period and to improve opportunities for networking, sales meetings, trade education and relationship building within each marketplace. This is in line with the company’s innovative approach and strong service ethos, which has long been the basis for their continuing success.
DMS Connect will bring the largest portfolio of global DMCs to town between 7-10 March 2016. To find out more click here.
9. INDUSTRY RATES: Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji
Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji is offering travel industry staff the perfect opportunity to see for themselves just why the award-winning Pacific Harbour based all villa boutique resort has set such a benchmark for the Fiji luxury resort scene since opening last year.
Effective 15 October to 20 December 2105 and again from 7 January to 31 March 2016, industry personnel can have access to a special FJD700* (approx. AU$460) per night rate double or twin share inclusive of all meals and taxes staying for a minimum of three nights in one of the resort’s stunning beachfront Spa Suites.
Pricing includes personal butler and nanny services, use of a golf buggy, all non-motorised water sports equipment and free Wi-Fi.
Singles rates are available from FJD400* (approx. AU$265) per night based on a minimum three-night stay with similar inclusions.
10. Tempo & Hawaii join the RELAY
Both Tempo Holidays and Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania will join a number of other destination and helloworld for the world-first launch of a social media relay – #helloworldRELAY.
Held on the United Nations World Tourism Day on 27 September the groups will log onto Instagram to highlight key tourism hotspots through creative and inspiring images.
Tempo will be showcasing its diverse tour packages through the relay and raising awareness of the important positive impact tourism has on countries and communities around the world. Beginning at sunrise in Samoa, the westernmost land point of the earth, and travelling across the world like a massive virtual Mexican wave until it finishes at sunset in the Cook Islands 36 hours later.
Meanwhile, Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania will showcase Hawaii’s beautiful beaches, culture and sunsets.
Hawai‘i Island will kick off on Monday September 28 at 2.15am Australian Eastern Standard Time (Sunday September 27 at 6.15am in Hawai‘i Standard Time) handing over the baton at 2.15pm AEST (6.15pm HST).
Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania has chosen Australian landscape photographer Pauly Vella as their Instagrammer for the day. Over the 12 hour period @paulyvella will show his 296,000 followers, as well as @helloworldAU and @alohadownunder fans, the natural beauty of Hawai‘i Island. From lava tubes to waterfalls to white sandy beaches, Pauly will highlight to our joint audiences, the power of Mother Nature.