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Thurs 19 Mar: 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 our 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 our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.

1. Travellers unite for Tunisia

People have taken to the streets to demonstrate against terrorism. Image: Eric Reidy/Twitter

People have taken to the streets to demonstrate against terrorism. Image: Eric Reidy/Twitter

An Australian could be among 17 tourists who were killed by two gunmen at a famed museum in Tunisia.

According to the country’s Prime Minister, the incident occured at Bardo National Museum in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis.

Travellers have taken to social media to show their support for the country, by promising to visit despite the attack.

Plus locals held a demonstration against terrorism.

Read on

 

2. Aussies missing in Vanuatu

Vanuatu feature

Image: Humans of Vanuatu/Facebook

Eight Australians are among 19 volunteers missing in Vanuatu, almost a week after Cyclone Pam struck the island nation.

The volunteers came from Lattitude Global Volunteering, who confirmed the news in a Facebook update.

The group thanked everybody for concerns and said mobile communication issues in Vanuatu is making it difficult to locate the missing volunteers.

Read on

 

3. WOW! MSC’s new ship looks incredible

MSC Seaside from the rear

MSC has revealed details of its first Seaside-class megaship.

As well as having MSC’s European hospitality, it also features a number of at-sea firsts.

Agents on MSC Orchestra

Plus images from MSC Orchestra’s first visit to Aus.

Read on

 

4. Jetstar considers flying away from Avalon

Jetstar at Avalon

Unprofitable services has Qantas’ low-cost offshoot, Jetstar reconsidering its operations to Melbourne’s second airport, Avalon.

Jetstar has been operating domestic flights from the city’s second busiest airport since 2004. Today, the budget carrier is the only passenger airline flying from the gateway.

Now with its lease set to expire on 30 April, Avalon’s chief executive, Justin Giddings said the airline is considering terminating services to Avalon, which could have serious impacts on the surrounding community.

Read on

 

5. Pics from the inaugural Tourism Master Chat

TAFE

The spotlight was on the booming cruise industry last night at the inaugural Master Chat event held in Sydney.

Organised by the Sydney Institute of Travel and Tourism, around 50 industry professionals joined tourism students past and present at the Agincourt Hotel near Central Station.

Tourism Course Coordinator, Paula Meyer told KarryOn she had been hoping to organise the Master Chat for some time to give industry professionals – new and senior – the chance to stay up to date with new and relevant information.

Read on

 

6. 2015 NTIA voting now open

NTIA awards

Voting has now opened for the 2015 NTIA Awards.

This year, there are two separate voting forms – one for travel agents to use when voting in the supplier categories and one for suppliers to use when voting in the travel agent categories. Participants may vote for up to 5 nominees in each category.

Voting will run until 5.00pm (AEST) 13 April and industry will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the esteemed event when they go on sale on 23 March.

The winners will be announced at the NTIA Gala Dinner on Saturday, 18 July, to be held at the Dockside Pavilion Darling Harbour.

Meanwhile, today AFTA confirmed helloworld as a silver sponsor for the award show.

helloworld will sponsor the award category ‘Best River Cruise Operator’ – a brand new category, which reflects the changing shape of the industry.

 

7. Vietnam Airlines rolls out prepaid baggage services

Vietnam

Your clients that use Vietnam Airlines’ new pre-paid baggage services can save on excess baggage.

The new prepaid baggage system will roll out from 31 March 2015 on international and some domestic flights.

Clients that use it will receive lower rates, with a five kilogram block starting from VN$80,000 (AU$4.80).

Passengers can purchase up to 10 blocks or 50 extra kilograms.

 

8. A little PEPR added to Koh Samui villas

Koh Samui
Samujana– a luxury collection of villas located on Thailand’s Koh Samui island – has appointed PEPR Publicity to manage its Australian and New Zealand public relations.

PEPR will work with Samujana to position the estate’s spectacular villas in the Australian and New Zealand markets as the high-end accommodation choice for Koh Samui, and to help launch a series of new villas opening from April 2015.

Perched on a hillside at the North Eastern side of the island and overlooking a coral cove, Samujana is ideally located just ten minutes from Samui international airport and a short distance to Chaweng and Cheong Mon beaches.

The estate currently features 25 villas, available for sale or holiday rental, boasting panoramic sea and island views as well as direct access to a picturesque quiet beach.

Villas offer between three- to- eight luxurious bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, over-sized living and dining areas, state-of-the-art kitchens and private infinity edge pools ranging of 70m2 to 250m2 in size.

 

9. Trade gets a taste of all things French

New Caledonia French festival

Those who weren’t experiencing MSC Orchestra during her visit in Sydney, made their way to Chauvel Boutique Cinema to experience all things French.

Hosted by New Caledonia Tourism, travel trade and media were treated to champagne and delicious New Caledonian inspired canapés before a series of guest speakers shared their passion for the beautiful Pacific island.

One of which included the official New Caledonia ambassador and ex-Masterchef, Justine Schofield, who reminisced about New Caledonia’s breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches and the individual cuisine.

The event also showcased New Caledonia’s array of French sophistication on Australia’s doorstep, through a series of webisodes featuring Justine, from the newly launched phase two of the ‘Have It All’ campaign.

Champagne and popcorn in hand, guests then headed into the cinema room for an exclusive screening of the hilarious ‘Gemma Bovery’.

New Caledonia is two hours from Brisbane, less than three hours from Sydney and now with the new direct flight, just under four hours from Melbourne.

It comprises of the main island La Grand Terre, which is approx 400 kilometres long, and the Loyalty Islands – Lifou, Maré, Tiga and Ouvéa.

There is also the Isles of Pines which lies immediately to the south of the main island. Noumea, the capital city is located near the southern tip of Grand Terre.

 

10. Inflight entertainment company gets music therapy

Nordorf Robbins

Peter McLaughlin, Anthony Badolato, Denise Renny, Liz Alexander, Brad Power and Chanelle Bullas from Stellar Entertainment.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA) hosted its 17th Annual Music Quiz fundraising event at Luna Park, a music trivia night hosted by a number of Australia’s legendary musicians.

Inflight entertainment content service provider, Stellar Entertainment, showed its support as a proud sponsor at the event, with a number of the team in attendance.

Stellar Entertainment recently donated its entire physical CD library to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA) providing music for children with disabilities.

Founded in 1974, Stellar Entertainment is a leading content service provider, providing inflight entertainment (IFE) to the world’s leading airlines.

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