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. Game of Thrones flies with Qantas
Qantas is bringing Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Entourage and so many more HBO hit shows to the skies as part of a new agreement with the US network.
The agreement signed today will see the airline offer 120 hours of HBO drama, comedy and documentary content for customers flying across the entire Qantas network.
Each month, the channel will be updated with 20 hours of new shows and movies.
2. This European destination has ‘stolen’ Aussie hearts
First it was the UK, then it was Rome, this was quickly followed by France, Spain, Germany and now Norway is the must-visit European destination for Australian travellers.
Speaking to KarryOn, Bentours’ Product Manager Ryan Bennett, said the destination famous for its mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords has ‘stolen the hearts of Aussies’ in recent years.
This comes as Australian visitation to Europe exceeds 540,000 a year – 51.6 percent more than a decade earlier. Repeat visitors are looking for new and unique locations.
3. Operators fear Aus dollar will slowdown tourism
The falling Australian dollar may be good news for travellers from the US, but local tourism operators say they’re worried it isn’t doing anything to boost tourism from other key markets.
According to the latest industry survey released by Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) and MasterCard, the number one concern amongst businesses is the exchange rate.
The falling dollar was ahead of other issues such as taxes, tourist fees and even Australia’s reputation.
4. New tourism investment welcomed by NZ leaders
The peak body for the tourism industry has welcomed the NZ Government’s new foreign investment strategy, saying New Zealand needs more investment to support tourism growth.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce is promoting a new approach to attracting foreign investment that involves partnering with Australia to create a pipeline of private sector investment opportunities to international investors.
The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) has been lobbying for a change of approach and Chief Executive Chris Roberts says there is a lot to be learned from Australia.
“Many of these opportunities involve new tourism infrastructure such as hotels, attractions and theme parks.”
Chris Robert, TIA CEO
“There is even a government website, which currently lists around 40 significant tourism investment opportunities in Australia.”
Mr Roberts says TIA agrees with Steven Joyce that New Zealand has to do more to encourage investment.
However, he did also say that he is ‘delighted’ that the Minister is encouraging various government agencies to work together.
5. helloworld targets baby boomers with AAT Kings
Helloworld has announced an exclusive Silver Fox & Foxette’s 10-day New Zealand guided holiday with AAT Kings that will take travellers on a bespoke itinerary specifically designed for baby boomers.
The itinerary will kick-off in Auckland for two nights- the home town of actor Roy Billing, the man selected to star in the social media video #saysorrylater that showcases the new adventure holiday.
After exploring the City of Sails, the group will move on to Rotorua, where travellers experience a traditional Maori hangi feast followed by a campfire experience.
The group then leaves the North Island behind for the spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps starting in Christchurch before heading to Queenstown.
From Queenstown the tour is just hours away from the famous Milford Sound, where guests will spend the whole day to explore as well as Arrowtown.
The final day will see the group travelling back to Christchurch, taking in Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki and Tekapo.
6. Tahiti hosts first South Pacific Cruise Forum
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has welcomed the first South Pacific Cruise Forum to be held in Tahiti this October.
Operated by the CLIA Executive Partner South Pacific Cruise Alliance, the event will bring together Tourism Ministers, destination managers (NTOs), Ports and Airports Authorities, cruise shipping companies, airlines, tour operators and suppliers from across the region on 16 and 17 October 2015.
Meetings, discussions and conferences (in English) will highlight the development of the cruise sector in the South Pacific with the aim of further promoting the region to cruise lines.
CLIA Australasia General Manager Brett Jardine said given the South Pacific was the most popular cruise destination for Australians and New Zealanders, the forum was an important event in the region’s cruise calendar.
7. Australians still verruckt for Germany
Is it the beer, schnitzel, pretzels, bread or culture that’s enticing more Aussies to travel on over to Germany?
Whatever it is, Australians are now playing a major role in the country’s growing tourism figures, which increased by 4.3 percent during the first four months of the year.
According to the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office, between January and April there were 20 million overnights generated in Germany by international visitors. This was 800,000 more overnights than in the same period the year prior.
8. Alitrip, Travelport enter new agreement
Travelport has entered a new content and data partnership agreement with Alitrip, the online travel platform of the Alibaba Group.
With this partnership, Alitrip will have access to Travelport’s pricing and availability data to support its own fare and shopping platform, as well as the use of Travelport’s suite of flagship shopping products: ePricing and Search Control Console, which will improve Alitrip’s content richness and operational efficiency.
This partnership agreement also enables Alitrip to expand their merchant and customer base outside of mainland China, working with Travelport and Travelport enabled agencies.
On the other side of the equation, Travelport’s connected agents and partners will benefit from having a simpler access to the growing demand from mainland China by participating on the Alitrip platform.
9. Travellers Choice agents spend up in Vietnam
Travellers Choice agents know a good deal when they spot one, which is why on a recent visit to Vietnam 10 members managed to spend 86.5 million Dong – or more than $5,000 Australian Dollars – on 85 pieces of clothing in just one day.
The fashion bonanza took place in the quant town of Hoi An, one of the stops on this year’s Silver Choice Award trip, which saw 10 of the national network’s top agents tour Vietnam as guests of Wendy Wu Tours.
Michelle Barker from Jayes Travel was the most extravagant buyer, with 18 pieces of clothing, but the shopping storm didn’t end with tailoring – jewellery, homewares, kitchenware and a couple of one-metre high Pink Panther soft toys also filled out members’ luggage.
During the eight-day trip the well-dressed group cycled through rice paddies, rode water buffalos, helped local fisherman cast their nets, visited Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum in Hanoi, and attended a cooking school for instructions in the inventive Vietnamese art of vegetable carving.
10. Zombies cruise out to sea
Zombies aren’t just taking over our marathon tracks, they’re also heading out sea.
Setting sail in January next year is the world’s first Walking Dead cruise where fans of the hit TV series can not only converse over their love of the show, but meet some of their favourite actors.
Among the actors is Norman Reedus, who plays the southerner Daryl as well as Chandler Riggs aka Carl and Emily Kinney or Beth.
Makeup artists will also be onboard to assist cruisers in their dream transformation from human to one of the undead.
The cruise will depart from Miami on 15 January and sail to Nassau and the Bahamas on Norwegian Pearl.