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. Aussies finally get visa-free travel to Bali
Indonesia’s government seems to have changed its mind once again as to whether Aussies should be allowed to enter Bali visa-free.
Australians were included in the initial announcement made by the country’s Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Indroyono Soesilo back in December last year.
He explained at the time that Aussies would be among 30 countries, including several in Asia and Europe, allowed to enter the destination without forking out the US$25 visa-on-arrival fee.
2. Malaysia Airline closes a local lounge
Malaysia Airlines is said to have closed the doors to two of its lounges, including one in Perth, as part of its operations overhaul to become more financially viable.
Despite singling Australia out as one of the few destinations unlikely to be impacted by its ‘new beginnings’, the airline shut its Western Australia and Singapore Business Class spaces, ABT reported.
The news source says business class passengers as well as frequent flyers are being redirected to the lounge of the airline’s Oneworld partner, Qantas.
3. Print your baggage tags at home
New technology continues to reshape the way travellers use the airport, and is close to making the entire check-in process completely mobile.
Currently, guests can use their airline apps or websites to check-in from home and print their boarding pass or use a mobile version to board the flight.
The only thing that’s really left for travellers to do at the airport is print off a bag tag, weigh check-in luggage and send it off.
4. These airlines get the tick of approval
Air New Zealand and Air China have received approval to commence daily joint flights between Auckland and Beijing.
Commencing in December, it will be the third route the airline embarks on this year. The others are its own new services to Houston in the USA and Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Under the alliance with Air New Zealand will operate its Boeing 787 aircraft on the existing daily services between Auckland and Shanghai, while Air China will operate on the Auckland to Beijing route.
5. TravelManagers: are they the most experienced?
Quality over quantity – it’s a popular phrase designed to ensure people are delivering a superior product – but how often are companies putting it into practise?
Over at TravelManagers the concept is drilled into everything they do from products, technology, but more importantly – the agents they bring on board.
Speaking at the 2015 TravelManagers Conference in Adelaide over the weekend, CEO Joe Araullo said anyone can have numbers but TravelManagers about ensuring they have the best and most experienced.
6. INCENTIVE: Race Around North Cali with Qantas Holidays
Qantas Holidays has launched its annual Race Around incentive giving travel agents the chance to win a place on the 2016 famil to Northern California.
Sixty of Australia’s top travel agents will win a place on the annual Qantas Holidays famil, departing on 15 March 2016.
The incentive awards consultants with the highest points accrued during 1 September 2015 –15 December 2015 from selling Qantas Holidays packages and Qantas Airways international tickets.
7. Peppers opens in Adelaide
Boutique Australian hotel brand Peppers now has its first hotel in Adelaide, offering leisure and business travellers alike a sophisticated and convenient hotel option in the heart of the festival city.
Officially rebranding as Peppers Waymouth Hotel from the former Rendezvous Hotel, it offers 202 five-star hotel rooms and suites, situated amongst Adelaide’s key sites including the Adelaide Convention Centre, Casino, Rundle Mall and the cultural boulevard of North Terrace.
Centrally located on Waymouth Street the hotel has two food and beverage outlets, The Cafe and Lounge 55; a heated indoor lap pool, spa, sauna, and fitness centre. For meetings, events and private functions the 120 square metre conference room caters for up to 150 guests (cocktail) and can be divided into two smaller rooms.
8. Industry rates, promos & more with Cook Islands
More than 500 agents will be exposed to new hotels, industry rates and culture at this year’s Cook Islands Tourism showcase hitting the road this week.
Travelling to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, the roadshow will coincide with a consumer sale taglined ‘You’ll love discovering new’, that will be promoted in digital and social media advertising.
Roadshow guests will also be introduced to two 12 year old Cook Island boys, Teio and Maki (pictured), who are the face of funny new videos promoting the top 10 reasons to visit the Cook Islands from their playfully innocent persona.
They’ll also have access to industry airfares rates which are on sale from now until 15 September. Agents can purchase flights to the Cook Islands with Air New Zealand for $516 return, including taxes.
The offer is valid for travel 24 October–25 December 2015, 9 January–8 April 2016 and 23 April–1 July 2016. Book through usual interline agencies. A booking fee of approximately $75 is payable.
9. Write Your Name in Korea
Do you know what video #Krystal from f(x) is shooting? It is an introduction video for “Write Your Name in Korea!” campaign which is conducted by Korea Tourism Organization. By participating in the event, you will be able to have your name engraved on Sang Sang Gil(meaning “imagination road” in Korea) and get a chance to win a free trip to Korea!What are you waiting for? Join now at bit.ly/WriteYourNameInKoreaImagine your Korea!#ImagineyourKorea #WriteYourNameInKorea
Posted by Imagine your Korea on Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Expect more clients to be keen on visiting Korea after they come across the country’s new global tourism campaign called ‘Write Your Name in Korea’.
Unveiled late last month by Korea Tourism Organisation’s CEO Jung Chang-soo, the campaign runs until the end of the year and invites tourists to visit Korea and engrave their name on ‘Sang Sang Gil’ (meaning “imagination road” in Korean). It’s the first step toward making their imagination about Korea come to life.
The ‘Write Your Name in Korea’ campaign is split into two major promotion – the first a competition that sees the first 23,000 applicants who successfully submit their name and nationality selected to display their names on ‘Sang Sang Gil’.
The second sees those that visit their names receive a special gift and enjoy a free ride on the Changwon City Tour Bus. Click here for more information.
10. Flight Centre agents say Aloha
Pictured on Hawai‘i Island at Pololu Valley on the Kohala Coast are some of the 25 agents and their escorts.
Infinity Holidays, Hawaii Tourism Oceania & Hawaiian Airlines joined forces to host 25 top selling agents from the Flight Centre Travel Group on their Infinity Mega Educational Rewards Familiarisation at the end of August.
The group enjoyed four nights on Hawaii Island ( The Big Island) and two nights on Oahu.
HTO collaborated with local tour operators to create an itinerary that included an adrenalin inducing helicopter tour over an active volcano, zip lining and trekking through rainforest, cultural activities and a traditional Hawaiian Lū‘au with the objective of highlighting a side of the Hawaiian Islands beyond the sun, sand and surf.
P.S: Have a seen Etihad’s earlybirds?
Etihad Airways has released its Early Bird fares for travel to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and USA in 2016. The sale offers great value Economy, Business and First Class fares for bookings between now and 31 October.
Among the deals are Brisbane to Amsterdam from $1,619 or to Dublin from $1,567. There’s also Melbourne to Abu Dhabi from $1,881 and Istanbul from $1,548.
People from Perth can experience Los Angeles and New York from $1,311 while Sydneysiders can fly to Cairo from $1,908 or Paris from $1,626.
The airline is also offering huge savings in Business Class, such as Brisbane to Athens from $7,591; Melbourne to Abu Dhabi from $7,481; Perth to Dublin from $6,272; and Sydney to London from $7,722.
Early Bird fares are valid for sale from now until 31 October 2015 for low season travel on selected dates between 22 January and 26 September 2016.