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. Flights to Melbourne are selling for HOW MUCH?!
This has got to be some sort of 21st century record for Australian aviation because flights to Melbourne are selling for up to, wait for it… $2,500!
*Gasp*
Flights between Perth and Melbourne or Brisbane to Sydney are currently selling for WAY more than an international flight and it’s all thanks to these three things:
First and foremost, this coming weekend is a long weekend for parts of Australia. People are wanting to get away, which would likely see airfares selling a little faster than usual.
2. Helloworld buys into New Zealand
Travel group, helloworld, is moving across the Tasman with the acquisition of up to 10 retail travel stores from Air New Zealand.
The announcement comes ahead of the launch of the helloworld brand in New Zealand early 2016.
Subject to certain pre-completion conditions, CEO Elizabeth Gaines said the acquisition would support the strategic growth of HLO’s operations in New Zealand.
3. Access all of Air Canada’s merch on this GDS
Good news for Amadeus customers – the company has just signed a new multi-year distribution agreement with Air Canada that will give GDS users access to all of the airline’s products.
Signed this morning, the agreement will offer agents access to all fares and seat availability as well as merchandising content through programs such as Amadeus Fare Families and Amadeus Ancillary Services.
It doesn’t stop there. The full agreement will see the companies work together to leverage existing features of the Amadeus point-of-sale retailing platform, as well as new cutting-edge features under development. This will offer Amadeus subscribers access to rich content related to Air Canada fare products.
4. New products, new destinations, new brochures
Wendy Wu Tours is giving your clients more to choose from with a range of new itineraries and products in brand new brochures.
Unveiled this week, the China, Vietnam, India and Japan 2016 programs feature 15 new tours as well as one hot new destination – the Maldives.
Styles of touring include the ‘Classic Group Tours’ on which the company‘s reputation has been built, offering great value for money and fully inclusive itineraries.
New ‘Discovery Tours’ have been introduced to offer a more active program with up close and personal cultural experiences in lesser visited locations with intimate groups of up to 18 people.
The ‘Deluxe’ range has been designed for the more discerning traveller looking for unique experiences, often with activities exclusive to Wendy Wu Tours, along with the highest level of accommodation.
The fourth style is the range of private tours and tailor made arrangements- ideal for independent travellers.
The introduction of the Maldives in the India brochure is the result of a combination of an increased demand in clients wanting to partake in a group tour and then extend their holiday with private arrangements, such as a beach stay in one of the many Maldivian resorts.
All brochures are currently being delivered to agencies by TIFS.
5. Tigerair approved for Bali flights
Virgin Australia can go ahead and palm off some of its Bali flights to its budget airline, Tigerair, after receiving the greenlight from the Australian International Air Services Commission (IASC).
Approval came through this week and allows Virgin to withdraw on flights from Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to Denpasar in March and hand them over to Tigerair instead.
“The Commission considers that Tigerair’s proposed services between Australia and Denpasar will likely benefit consumers as Tigerair’s presence on the Indonesia route will likely promote competition on this popular route.”
IASC
6. Does tourism have a digital skills shortage?
Social media is the future of travel. While it won’t completely replace agents, it will be where holidaymakers go for travel inspiration and even find someone to help secure their next holiday.
In fact, according to Amadeus research, there’s going to be one entire group of holidaymakers that travel purely to share their holiday experiences online (they’re called the Social Capital Seeker).
Despite the importance of digital technology to tourism, Sydney TAFE says there is a shortage of travel professionals equipped with the information they need to survive the communication age.
7. Solomon Airlines does Nadi direct
The Solomons and Fiji have well a truly settled their differences, so-much-so that Solomon Airlines will launch direct Honiara-Nadi flights from 4 November.
Pending regulatory approval, flight IE708 will depart Honiara on the A320 on Wednesday at 3.15pm and arrive at Nadi at 8.15pm. Flight IE709 will then return from Nadi at 11.00am on Thursdays and arrive in Honiara at 12.00.
The new service builds on the national carrier’s existing Honiara – Nadi service which operates via Port Vila, Vanuatu, on Saturdays and returns to Honiara, again via Port Vila, on Sundays.
Solomon Airlines General Manager Operations & Commercial, Gus Kraus said the commencement of the new Honiara-Nadi service held great significance for the prospect of increased trade and business links between the two countries as well as a closer relationship with a key Melanesian neighbour.
Click here for more information.
8. CINZ launches new website
Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) unveiled a new fully mobile-optimised website in a move to integrate all its activities.
CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan launched the site to members this week at the association’s annual conference in Christchurch.
She says the content-rich site is designed to be a silo of information and answers for both event managers and members.
“Our new website is the go-to source for everything from membership, to statistics and data, and events.”
Sue Sullivan, CINZ Chief Executive
“For our clients it provides the detail on New Zealand’s regions, bureaux, venues, activities, events, CINZ-approved PCOs, DMCs, and where buyers can find us at events such as MEETINGS, AIME, and PCO Conference.”
Phase two of the website project is now underway and will see CINZ develop an online planning tool for event managers.
Click here to check out the website.
9. A PTM meets Branson
He’s travel’s biggest celebrity and a Personal Travel Manager had the pleasure of not only meeting Sir Richard Branson but snapping a selfie with him too.
Josie Puglia, representative for Geelong, Victoria was one of ten travel agents invited as a guest of Virgin Australia to the Adelaide Crows VS Western Bulldogs game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which Branson also happened to be at.
Puglia said she noticed Branson sitting a couple of rows behind her sporting a Bulldogs jersey.
She said she was so excited that she asked Virgin’s Industry Sales Manager for VIC/TAS to introduce her.
“I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask for a selfie together.”
Josie Puglia, PTM
Branson was in Australia earlier this month to help launch Virgin Australia’s new domestic terminal at Brisbane Airport. Read on
10. Flight Centre opens another hyperstore
Flight Centre is going ‘hyper’ all around world and has opened up a new and interactive hyperstore in Chester, UK – the first outlet of its kind in the city.
While Sydney patiently awaits the opening its first hyperstore on George Street later this year, Flight Centre UK opened the doors the new department store-style agency this week.
The Bridge Street property celebrated its grand opening with a number of customers on hand as well as a local Sheriff and Sheriff’s Lady.
P.S: Is this the world’s most luxurious cruise ship?
One look at these renderings and we think you’ll agree that this vessel could very well be the ‘world’s most luxurious ship’.
Regent Seven Seas unveiled additional artist impressions of its forthcoming vessel Seven Seas Explorer – the fourth ship in the line’s fleet which is currently being built in Genoa.
Dubbed as the grandest and most appealing vessel for cruisers that like to live it up at sea, the ship is expected to ‘far surpass the current standard in luxury cruising’.