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. KarryOn is two and we want to celebrate with you
KarryOn is two! Where did the time go? To celebrate another massive milestone and the beginning of our third year we’re giving away two prizes every day for seven days!
After all, It’s all thanks to you, our audience, that we can celebrate together as Australia’s fastest growing online travel publication.
So to say thank you to our loyal readers we’re sharing the Birthday love by running four give-aways for each week in the month of July.
2. AFTA’s ATAS turns one – so what’s the deal so far?
KarryOn isn’t the only travel business celebrating a birthday this month. Today marks the official one year anniversary since AFTA’s ATAS replaced the TCF.
Where did 12 months go?
For those new to the industry, here’s what you missed:
On 1 July 2014 last year, the former compulsory travel agent accreditation – The Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) – was phased out in favour of ATAS – the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS).
3. NCL sets up Aus office – is a local ship around the corner?
Norwegian Cruise Line is increasing its presence in Australia, with the establishment of its first local office.
Announced this morning Norwegian revealed a sales and marketing base will be set up in Sydney.
It will be headed by Steve Odell – the current president of Silversea Cruises in the Asia Pacific – who will join on 1 October this year.
4. Air ‘Fair’ tips for helloworld agents
Valuable insights, industry updates and training tips – that’s what agents attending helloworld’s Fares at the Fair training sessions are expected to gain at this year’s event.
Kicking off from 1 July in Perth, the annual event will travel to five capital cities this year with airline partners on hand giving up-to-date information on fares, products, changes and tips.
Julie Primmer, Head of Branded Network helloworld, said the event is part of the company’s focus on providing agents with the tools, support, products and training ‘they need to shine’.
5. TA deepens China relations
Tourism Australia has signed three important strategic marketing deals in China this week aimed at promoting Australia to high yielding travellers and business events professionals in an overseas tourism market now valued at $5.7 billion annually.
The wide-reaching, multiple marketing deals consist of partnership agreements with two major airlines – China Eastern Airlines and Singapore Airlines – as well as with one of one of China’s largest e-commerce companies specialising in travel services, Alibaba.
Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan said each of the agreements were different in nature but, together, would help strengthen distribution and Australia’s ability to target China’s rapidly growing and lucrative free and independent travel (FIT) segment.
6. QBT completes transition of Australian Govt travel
helloworld’s offshoot QBT has officially started organising travel for the Whole of Australian Government (WoAG).
QBT was appointed sole provider of travel management services to the WoAG late last year with the transition commencing in February 2015.
This transition has been one of the largest and most intricate transitions in Australian travel history. It involved the transition of 142 entities, the upload of more than 120,000 traveller profiles and the migration to a single online booking tool (Amadeus e-Travel Management).
The transition was successfully accomplished, on time and under QBT’s budget. QBT’s customer service to its other corporate customers has remained at high levels during the short four month transition.
“We are privileged to be working with the Whole of the Australian Government. Today marks the end of the transition but it is only the beginning of the partnership and the real work to ensure continuous improvement starts now.”
Russell Carstensen, QBT Group General Manager
7. World Journeys’ 2016 brochure is coming soon
World Journeys’ Journeys 2016 brochure is heading out to agents this week with a number of small group escorted tours inside.
World Journeys offers clients crème de la crème of “bucket list” tours with group sizes under 24.
All Journeys are guaranteed – regardless of minimum numbers and the company offers non-coach tours where guests travel via air, train and cruise.
What’s new in the 2016 brochure? The company is reintroducing escorted itineraries in Vietnam and Cambodia as well as Ethiopia, Sudan and Cuba.
Best sellers in Grand South American and South Africa are also featured in the new program, while there’s increased focus on the ‘Voyage of the Vikings’ – a tour out of the UK and finishing up on Broadway New York.
Early booking savings of $400 per couple are available on deposits made by 30 October 2015.
8. Vail completes Perisher acquisition
Vail Resorts today announced that the Company has closed on the acquisition of Perisher Ski Resort (“Perisher”), in Australia.
Perisher is now officially included in Vail Resorts’ line up of world-class mountain resorts and its industry leading season pass program.
The US ski company announced the acquisition in March this year for some $176.6 million. Read on
Perisher’s 2015 Freedom Pass, now with Epic Benefits, provides all Freedom Pass holders with ski access at the Company’s North American resorts for the 2015-2016 ski season in addition to Perisher, the largest and most popular Australian mountain resort.
Likewise, Vail Resorts’ industry leading Epic Pass now includes unlimited and unrestricted skiing at Perisher.
The Freedom Pass and Epic Pass allow for year-round skiing and provide value that remains unmatched in the ski industry. N
9. Is Cuba snatching visitors from the Caribbean?
Leaders of some of the Caribbean’s biggest tourist destinations say they’re worried easing relations between the US and Cuba will result in fewer visitors to the rest of the region.
Concerns come after Cuba’s Tourism Ministry reported a 36 percent increase in visitors from the US alone during the first half of this year compared to the same period 2014.
In total around US$1.7 billion (AU$2.21 billion) in revenue was generated between January and May, while international arrivals climbed 14 percent.
10. AKARYN Hotel Group appoints Aus representative
Inspired Luxury, founded by Lynne Ireland, has been appointed Australian representative for AKARYN Hotel Group, a collection of luxury boutique resorts and hotels located on pristine beaches and ideal locations in Thailand and beyond.
Responsible for all sales and media activity in Australia for AKARYN Hotel Group, Inspired Luxury will be partnering with trade and media to showcase the stunning properties to the luxury leisure, wedding, family, wellness / spa, romance, culture, eco and incentive sectors.
Founder and MD of AKARYN Hotel Group Anchalika Kijkanakorn said Lynne was the first person she contacted and through her guidance and connections has learned ‘so much about the industry’.
NTK Extra: TravelManagers indulge on Scenic Jasper
Five personal travel managers (PTMs) were invited to attend Scenic’s exclusive christening of its new, next-generation Space Ship, Scenic Jasper.
The ceremony itself took place in the beautiful city of Vienna and was performed by the ship’s godmother, Australian author Kathy Lette. The guests were then treated to a bespoke week-long cruise aboard the newly-christened ship from Vienna to Budapest.
TravelManagers’ Kelly Savka, representative for Balga, Western Australia, said the trip was an opportunity to experience Europe from a fresh perspective.
NTK Extra: Pilot fired for letting playmate in the cockpit
Two Argentinian pilots have been sacked after they invited a Greek playboy model, Victoria Xipolitakis, into the cockpit and let her fly.
Austral Líneas Aéreas, a domestic Argentinian carrier, announced the firings in a statement and said she would be banned from the airline for five years.
In addition to firing staff and banning the model, Austral said the three will be facing criminal action for putting passengers at risk.