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Wed 6 Apr: 10 travel news stories you need to know today

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.

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. CTM launches travel booking website with flybuys

flybuys travel

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) has become the latest travel company to move online, by launching a new travel booking site with flybuys.

‘flybuys travel’ was unveiled today as the ‘one stop destination’ for competitive prices and exclusive deals.

Unlike other online booking sites, the website distinguishes itself by acting as a market to earn and use flybuys points on every booking.

Read on

 

2. Air New Zealand to fly to Manila

Air New zealand

Air New Zealand wasn’t kidding when it said it wanted to pull out of Virgin Australia and concentrate on its own growth.

The Kiwi carrier has announced a new direct three times weekly flight to Manila in the Philippines commencing in December.

The service is the latest move from the airline to expand its presence in Asia and follows last year’s decision to fly to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and utilising its partnership with Air China to commence daily joint flight to Beijing.

Read on

 

3. Bye b#tches: flight attendant pulls emergency slide & leaves

tumblr_lis9q2eNUe1qejp6uo1_250

This flight attendant was either ticking something off the bucket list or she was well beyond done with her gig.

Either way, she may have raised the bar for iconic ways to leave a company, when she deployed the emergency slide on a plane and exited while all passengers were still on board.

The dramatic (albeit hilarious) departure was confirmed by the airline, with a spokesperson saying the slide was “deployed intentionally” after the aircraft had complete to a complete stop in Houston.

Read on

 

4. Americans want a slice of Australia

Modern Family

American high-end travellers are big business for Australian tourism, according to Virtuoso, which experienced a 20 percent increase in bookings out of the US to Australia during the second half of 2015.

Virtuoso Asia Pacific Managing Director, Michael Londregan said the figures prove Australia is a strong international destination in the luxury field.

“Australia has been on a steady climb for luxury travellers over the past few years and is one of the most popular destinations for American and Canadian high end visitors.”

Michael Londregan, Virtuoso Asia Pacific Managing Director

Queensland experienced the largest increase in luxury bookings from the US, up 48 percent, while Victoria welcomed 26 percent more high-end visitors.

 

5. Two more Princess ships are on the way

travel news Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises may be losing Dawn Princess, but it’s gaining two new vessels and thousands of new beds to its fleet.

The cruise line confirmed a new agreement with Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri S.p.A., to build two new ships to enter service in 2019 and 2020.

The unnamed ships will carry some 3,560 passengers each and will be sister ships to Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess. They’ll have signature Princess elements as well as new innovations to enhance the guest experience.

 

6. Eat & earn Airpoints Dollars

Air New Zealand 787-9

Air New Zealand Airpoints members can now earn Dollars when they dine at Nourish Group’s nine restaurant outlets across New Zealand.

Members can earn four Airpoints Dollars per $100 spent on food and beverage (one Airpoints Dollar per $25 spent) and as a special launch offer members can earn double Airpoints through until the end of April. Nourish Group vouchers will also now be available to purchase from the Airpoints Store in $50 and $200 denominations.

Air New Zealand General Manager Loyalty, Mark Street, said the partnership will enhance earning opportunities for members.

 

7. Treasures of the South Pacific is back

travel news Image: Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock

South Pacific Tourism Organisation and Pacific Islands Trade & Invest is bringing back the Treasures of the South Pacific training events, giving agents the chance to learn and receive updates about the region.

Commencing later this month, in addition to receiving product and destination knowledge, agents that attend will go in the running to win prizes, including a seven-night trip to one of the South Pacific destinations.

Click here for more information. RSVPs need to be in by 12 April 2016. The first event will be held in Melbourne on 26 April, followed by Hobart – 27 April; Sydney – 2 August; Canberra – 3 August; Brisbane – 11 October; and Sunshine Coast – 12 October.

 

8. INCENTIVE: WIN with Lindblad Expeditions

travel news National Geographic Explorer in Antarctica. 2008. It was on Christmas Day that Captain Skog and Expedition Leader Matt Drennan decided to run the ship “hard aground” into the fast ice in Bourgeois Fjord on the Antarctic Peninsula so that guests and crew alike could get a special Christmas present...walking on the frozen sea!

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is celebrating its 50th anniversary of Lars-Eric Lindblad’s first citizen explorer expedition to Antarctica with a MAJOR agent incentive.

Every time an agent sells a Lindblad 2016 Europe eight or 15-day voyage, they’ll go in the running to win a 12-day Lindblad Expedition’s voyage to Antarctica for two people.

Sell two or more cabins on any Europe 2016 voyage and go in the running to win a Galápagos or Europe 2016 expedition OR sell one cabin on any Europe 2016 voyage and be in the running to win a Europe 2016 or Alaska 2017 expedition.

Plus book any Europe voyage between now and 30 April 2016 to receive a $500 VISA Gift Card. The incentive runs until 30 April 2016, with winners announced on 3 May 2016.

 

9. Star Clippers names its new ship…

travel news Star Clippers

Star Clippers has revealed the name of its fourth ship, the Flying Clipper.

Scheduled to launch towards the end of 2017, it will be the biggest and most ambitious vessel in the Clipper fleet, carrying some 300 passengers and promising to take guests back to the ‘Golden Age of Sail’.

Flying Clipper will sail the Mediterranean waters during the summer months and relocate to the Caribbean and Cuba for the winter before heading off to Asia by sailing into Indonesian water – the first Star Clippers vessels to do so.

Onboard, the vessel will have three pools, a dining room and a glass Dive bar for younger guests.

 

10. Singapore Airlines expands Lufthansa codeshare

Singapore Airlines feature

Singapore Airlines will have access to over 20 new routes on the Lufthansa network thanks to its expanded codeshare with the carrier.

Announced today, the Singaporean airline will have access to Swiss-operated flights, to and from points in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland via the transfer hubs of Munich and Zurich.

In turn, Lufthansa and Swiss customers will be able to access codeshare travel on SIA-operated flights on routes serving destinations in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific.

Through the partnership – some elements of which are subject to regulatory approvals – the two airline groups will jointly offer customers from these markets more seamless access to flights, a broad range of joint fare products and aligned corporate programmes.

 

P.S. TravelManagers celebrates consecutive wins

TravelManagers

TravelManagers’ top sales producing personal travel managers for Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours (Scenic Tours), recently celebrated the company winning the Top Sales Multi Location award for the second consecutive year.

Scenic Tours created the Top Sales, Multi Location Award in 2015 to recognise the significant sales contribution made solely from ‘home based’ agencies.

Executive General Manager Michael Gazal sees the results as proof the luxury cruise and touring market is robust and the continued increasing sales results as proof that the TravelManagers’ home-based consulting concept is strong.

What are your thoughts on today’s travel news stories?