Home Travel News

Thurs 23 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 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. Is it time to ditch passports across the Tasman?

aussie_nz_2

A New Zealand politician has evoked the ANZAC fellowship spirit in an attempt to convince other leaders to ditch passport formalities across the Tasman.

In a pre-ANZAC Day statement, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne described the Aussie and Kiwi relationship as ‘akin to that of a distant cousin’ before calling for free movement amongst citizens.

He said the two countries aren’t ‘close siblings’ like they are portrayed to be, mostly because of tension built up over the years.

Read on

 

2. 4 reasons to book clients on LAN’s new 787 to Sydney

LAN

The Dream continues for Australian travellers, as LAN officially starts 787 services on flights between Sydney and Santiago.

The first next generation aircraft took off from Chile to Australia last week, making LAN the first airline to operate the aircraft on the route.

Using the aircraft on all seven weekly LAN flights between the two destinations, LAN passengers will have access to the 787-8 until the second half of this year when it will be replaced with the newer 787-9 model.

Read on

 

3. Flight Centre plans for world domination

Flight Centre

Flight Centre is on a mission to become a ‘world class retailer’, according to one of the agency’s executives.

Speaking at the MUMBRELLA Travel Marketing Summit in Sydney yesterday, Keith Stanley the General Manager of Product, Advertising and Consumer Experience, said the company is focused on evolving its strategy to drive more bookings around the world.

Among the changes is better customer relations through more personal engagement.

This has been achieved by rearranging store layouts, increasing staff training, reworking product as well as better communicating with clients.

 

4. P&O is coming for Busselton

travel news Pacific Jewel

It seems new destinations are added to Australian itineraries every year and this time around P&O says it will be the first to send a cruise ship to visit Busselton in Western Australia later this week.

Pacific Jewel will anchor in Georgraphe Bay on Friday around 8.00am with some 1,950 guests onboard.

She is visiting the area during a three-night cruise from Fremantle, as part of her first ever season of Western Australian cruises.

The ship will also enjoy a second call to Busselton on 9 May.

According to the cruise line, each visit will inject around $200,000 into the local community.

Guests onboard will be able to enjoy a range of shore tours to the region’s famed wineries, boutique breweries and chocolate factories, as well as sea kayaking on Geographe Bay

“Our three-night SeaBreak cruises to Margaret River will provide a new perspective on all the area has to offer and are a great alternative to a weekend road trip with guests arriving relaxed and ready to explore.”

Sture Myrmell, P&O Cruises Senior Vice President

 

5. CONGRATULATIONS #GetCreative winners

Creative Winners

Congratulations to Kelly Rivett, Cassie Melody and Sarah Armstrong  for winning the #GetCreative competition.

Travel agents were asked to share ‘creative’ images with their favourite Creative Holidays brochure on social media using the hashtag #GetCreative.

We received a number of incredible and hilarious entries but there could only be three winners.

The ladies above receives a $100 Coles voucher.

Congratulations and happy spending.

Meanwhile, there’s still time to enter Creative Holidays’ ‘Build & Win’ competition.

Click here for more information.

 

6. Australia’s first movie premiere at sea

travel news Princess Cruises Sydney Film Festival

More land-based events and activities are turning to cruise lines to offer fans a unique experience.

This month, a number of ANZAC commemoration events will be held onboard ships sailing close to Gallipoli and last year we saw cruise ships bring the FIFA World Cup onboard their vessels.

Now, Princess Cruises has announced a partnership with the Sydney Film Festival to bring the World Premier of Gillian Armstrong’s ‘Women He’s Undressed’ documentary onboard Sun Princess while she is in Sydney Harbour on 10 June.

It’s the first time a premiere has ever been held on a ship in Australia.

The screening will be held in the Sun Princess Theatre.

‘Women He’s Undressed’ takes an intimate look at the life of Academy Award winning Australian designer Orry-Kelly.Unfamiliar at home, the Kiama born designer created wardrobes for the silver screen from the 1930s to 1960s.

The documentary premiere will screen before Sun Princess departs Sydney on 10 June for a 10-night cruise to Queensland, with calls to Brisbane, Airlie Beach and Port Douglas.

Read on

 

7. Hurtigruten promises you the Northern Lights

Hurtigruten Northern Lights

Hurtigruten is so sure its guests will see the Northern Lights on select cruises, that it is willing to bet a free cruise on it.

The cruise line is promising the Lights will appear during a 12-day Classic Round Voyage between October 2015 and February 2016.

And if they don’t guests will receive either a free seven-day Classic Voyage North or a six-day Classic Voyage South (for departure between October 2016 and March 2017).

Staff on the 12-day cruise will scour the night skies and announce the sighting to guests onboard. It’s then up to the guests to make their way to the deck to view the night time wonder.

“Seeing the Northern Lights remains one of life’s truly incredible experiences and we are so convinced that a voyage with us is one of the best ways to see them that we have put our money where our mouth is.”

Cyril Bricaud, Hurtigruten Director of Sales and Marketing

The Classic Round Voyage hugs the Norwegian coastline from Bergen up to Kirkenes, where it turns around and starts its journey south back to Bergen.

 

8. Virtual air crashes – apparently that’s a thing

‘Hobbits’ pointing out safety exits or football players sharing life jacket tips (we love those) could soon be a thing of the past.

According to the Daily Mail, there’s a new virtual reality video out in the wide world that show passengers how survive a plane crash landing on water using a real life simulation.

If you’ve ever trialled a virtual reality headset, then you know how incredibly ‘real’ the experience can be.

Read on

 

9. Aussies getting their Zen-on overseas

travel news yoga travel

What keeps you fit and flexible, is fun to do (and sometimes a little awkward), but most of all driving more Australians overseas?

Yoga (did you guess it?).

That’s right, the remedial, physical, mental and spiritual discipline is a fast growing reason Australians are packing their mats and booking international holidays.

Read on

 

10. Destination NSW’s unfortunate ad placement

The Age Sydney ads

Cringe and cringe some more.

Destination NSW was hit by criticism this week when avid news readers spotted some poorly timed advertising on Fairfax websites.

The tourist bureau was promoting Sydney through a takeover on The Age website.

And while this would normally be considered great for the city, they were running it on Tuesday – the same day the city was being hit by severe weather.

The Sydney side banners were removed later in the day, but not after the bureau received backlash.

“Destination NSW planned its ‘Love Every Second: Sydney in Winter’ Campaign many weeks ago and the Sydney Morning Herald online takeover was booked at this time. The Sydney Morning Herald has kindly agreed to postpone the ad until the storm period is over.”

Destination NSW spokesperson

On another note, the ads are quite gorgeous!

 

NTK Extra: Agents explore the USA!

Hawaii feature

Lucky Australian agents recently travelled to the USA for the Brand USA mega famil.

The famil was organised by Brand USA and Hawaiian Airlines. Agents were taken to either New York, Portland or Huntington Beach before stopping off at Hawaii.

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