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. Cruising in Cuba comes-about
Cruise lines may have just squashed fears that Cuba is taking tourism from its Caribbean neighbours, with plans to launch operations to the destination and its nearby islands.
This week, MSC Cruises confirmed it will homeport 2,120-guest MSC Opera from Cuba from December this year, while Carnival Corporation said it intends to take travellers to the country from May 2016.
The announcements come less than a week after Frank Comito the CEO of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association expressed concerns that tourists may soon opt to visit the formerly restricted destination over current popular Caribbean islands.
2. Fresh warnings for Greece travel
Fresh warnings have been issued for Australian travellers planning a trip to Greece as the country’s financial ordeal continues this week.
Banks across the Mediterranean country have been closed for over a week now and according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) could potentially reopen tomorrow.
ATMs continue to dispense limited cash, however, money is just one of the country’s problems.
3. Tigerair tunes up East Coast services
Tigerair Australia is catering to growing demand for flights along the east coast with additional services between NSW, Queensland and Melbourne.
Commencing 18 September, the airline will add two additional weekly services between Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
The services will depart Melbourne on Friday and Saturday at 10.10am and return to Gold Coast at 12.40pm.
4. KarryOn birthday celebrations ‘Kontinue’
KarryOn’s big second birthday celebrations continue, with giveaways on our Facebook page.
Over the next three days, we will continue to thank our readers with the chance to win one of two presents everyday.
All you have to do to be in the running is hit share on the Facebook competition post.
Meanwhile, KarryOn will continue to celebrate its two-year anniversary in the coming weeks, with major prizes up ahead.
Keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for more information.
5. Perth gets a third DoubleTree
Hilton Worldwide is set to expand its presence in Western Australia, with a DoubleTree by Hilton opening in Perth early 2017.
The 205-room DoubleTree by Hilton Perth – Northbridge will be the first DoubleTree by Hilton to open in Western Australia.
Located at 100 James Street, Northbridge it will be positioned north of the Perth CBD and will feature 205 rooms including four suites, a restaurant and bar, 400m² of event space, business centre, gym and outdoor pool.
At DoubleTree by Hilton Perth – Northbridge, guests will have access to all the hallmarks of a DoubleTree by Hilton, from the signature chocolate chip cookie to an array of upscale services and amenities.
6. The Walshe Group celebrates 40 years in style
There’s no better way to celebrate turning 40 than with a complete physical makeover and that’s exactly what The Walshe Group has done.
Managing Director Jacqui Walshe unveiled a redesigned logo last week to commemorate four decades of representing tourism boards and operators.
The Walshe Group was founded by industry stalwart Rodney Walshe in 1976 in New Zealand and today The Walshe Group is one of the largest specialist representation companies in Australia and New Zealand.
7. roomsXML named finalist for top UK award
roomsXML.com has been voted by UK travel agents as a finalist for the Travel Bulletin Star Accommodation-Only Supplier Award.
In its ninth year, the awards recognise excellence in trade-friendly suppliers and those that have provided the best products and agent-friendly services possible.
After weeks of voting, roomsXML was one of the suppliers to make it to the finals.
roomsXML’s Managing Director Asia Pacific, Mark Luckey said being named a finalist in the ‘competitive’ UK market is a testament to the company’s team and quality product.
Winners will be revealed on 7 September at London’s Landmark Hotel.
Congratulations roomsXML!
8. TravelManagers share the love
[L-R]: PTMs Merran Wiggins, Kim Mason, Karen Farley and Michelle Michael Pecora
We love these ladies and now we get to learn from them!
The four Personal Travel Managers recently took part in TravelManagers’ latest initiative – webinars designed to foster information-sharing among its agents.
The webinars were hosted by the women above and shared amongst the TravelManagers community.
During each webinar, the ladies gave fellow PTMs some valuable tools aimed at overcoming some of the challenges faced by the travel industry in general.
So far, the company has hosted two webinars, both of which TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal says were very successful and left PTMs hungry for more.
Karen Farley, representative for Redbank Plains, Queensland, jointly presented the first webinar with Michelle Michael-Pecora, representative for Castle Hill, NSW, which focused on charging commitment and service fees.
“We have received some amazing feedback from the PTMs who logged in for the session – including several who had used some of our tips to secure valuable new business just one day after our session.”
Karen Farley, PTM
This highly-successful first webinar was quickly followed by another, hosted by two different PTMs, and was this time entitled “Fun, Love and Money.”
Kim Mason, representative for Cronulla, NSW explained the webinar came about they were asked how they go about ‘beating the internet’.
Mason was assisted in delivering the webinar by Merran (Mez) Wiggans, representative for Warners Bay, NSW.
9. Nominations for Luxperience Awards closing soon
It’s your last chance to vote for your favourite luxury and experiential businesses, as the closing date for nominations in the inaugural Luxperience Awards nears.
Exhibitors and buyers attending Luxperience 2015 now have until 17 July to nominate for the awards and until 20 July to prepare award submissions – click here for more information.
The awards, taking place at the annual event, acknowledge excellence in the development and promotion of the finest products that the luxury travel industry has to offer.
10. Four Seasons Hotel Sydney named #1
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney has been named No 1 City Hotel in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in Travel + Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best Awards.
The hotel was voted number one by the discerning readers of US Travel + Leisure magazine, confirming the hotel’s reputation for delivering the most memorable guest experiences in the Australasia region.
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney General Manager Rudolf van Dijk said the win was a testament to the dedicated and passionate employees.
“The guest experience is our number one priority and we place a huge emphasis on our employees providing the best possible service for every guest.”
Rudolf van Dijk, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney General Manager
The hotel will be officially presented with the award at a ceremony in New York on 23 July, with all the results to be published in Travel + Leisure magazine’s August edition.
NTK Extra: The top Ireland specialist is…
They’ve battled it out learning about Guinness, Celtic history and ideal Game of Thrones getaways – but only one could be named Ireland’s Top Specialist.
And it is… Travel Associates’ Adriana Neil Stevens.
To be given the top honour, Adriana took on daily challenges against top performing agents from China, India, GCC, South Africa and New Zealand.
NTK Extra: Anyone up for nude selfies in Paris?
The guy on the left seems to be enjoying the view.
For the first time ever, all eyes were OFF the Eiffel Tower in Paris when a controversial artist stripped off her clothes for some nude selfies with tourists.
Swiss artist Milo Moiré who is famous for her nude performances, reportedly approached a group of travellers and asked if they would be willing to take a selfie with her, while she posed in the nude.
As you can see, the group of men happily obliged, while others stood by in shock.
It didn’t take too long for police to arrive and escort the artist away for public indecency.
According to her manager, she was taken into custody, but was released the following morning with a warning.