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. Smartraveller eases Vanuatu advice
Image: Humans of Vanuatu/Facebook
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has lowered its travel advice for Vanuatu, 23 days after it was hit by category five Cyclone Pam.
The ‘monster’ cyclone hit the island nation on 13 March, causing devastation to a number of islands, including tourist favourite, Port Vila.
As well as causing significant damage to infrastructure, water supplies and electricity, Pam also left around 70 percent of the population displaced.
2. Lufthansa, Germanwings #indeepsorrow
Lufthansa, the parent company of budget airline Germanwings, says it is still wrapping its head around the crash of a ‘technically flawless airplane’.
Yesterday, one of the low-cost carrier’s A320 aircraft crashed into the French Alps, killing all 150 passengers onboard.
Flight 4U9525 was flying from Barcelona to Dusseldorf when it fell from the sky near Digne-les-Bains.
3. Hong Kong’s new look
There’s a new consumer site, new agents website, all new videos, a range of breathtaking photography and more to help you sell Hong Kong.
According to Andrew Clark, Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Regional Director, it was time reevaluate the destination’s DNA to find new and effective ways of driving more travellers to the cosmopolitan metropolis.
And next week, travellers and agents will be exposed the fresh changes coming to Hong Kong Tourism Board.
4. Brand new program to entice agents
Expedia has launched a new loyalty program for travel agents in Australia and New Zealand.
‘Expedia + program’ invites travel agents using Expedia TAAP to register for the rewards program and earn Expedia+ points for a variety of travel bookings.
The more Expedia+ members book, the more they can redeem points towards future hotel and package bookings.
5. Additional QF flights for cricket
Qantas has published four additional return services between Auckland and Australia to make travel easier for more Black Caps fans heading to Melbourne to watch New Zealand’s first Cricket World Cup Final on Sunday.
On top of Qantas’ daily flights, three extra return B737-800 services will operate between Auckland and Melbourne on Saturday and Monday and one extra return service between Auckland and Sydney on Monday, an addition of more than 1,300 seats.
Qantas says demand for the additional services is strong, with the first booking from Auckland to Melbourne made within five minutes of New Zealand winning the semi-final.
6. Tasmania’s new ‘Crowne’
InterContinental Hotels Group has selected Hobart to be home to the 10th Crowne Plaza property in Australia.
Announced this week, Crowne Plaza Hobart will be part of the ICON Complex – a development that is set to become Tasmania’s premier retail destination.
The 187-room property will be managed by Tasmania-based hospitality company, The Kalis Group and will be close to major government and commercial offices, making it ideal for business travellers.
7. MICE on the market for Luxperience
Luxperience is adding a new dimension to its annual program this year to offer attendees more tailored product for the MICE market.
‘Events by Luxperience’ is an extension to the existing business exchange and is designed to attract the very best in MICE industry buyers and sellers.
It features a Social Events schedule and a flexible Pre-Scheduled Appointments program, which according to Decorative Events & Exhibitions MD Mark Magennis, will be hosted in custom suites and innovative custom stands.
“The team at Decorative Events & Exhibitions are pleased to be assisting the Luxperience team in launching this opportunity for the participation of the very best that Sydney has to offer.”
Mark Magennis, Decorative Events & Exhibitions MD
For anyone who hasn’t yet registered, Luxperience is an annual luxury and experiential travel trade event based in Sydney.
This year, it will be held at the Australian Technology Park to cater to larger numbers.
During the show, attendees follow an appointment schedule with up to 55 individual 15 minute appointments available.
Luxperience 2015 is expecting over 300 exhibitors to meet with increased numbers of local Sydney and Australian based buyers as well as from across the globe.
8. Fez appoints Venture Holidays as Aus GSA
Venture Holidays has been appointed as the new general sales agent (GSA) for Fez Travel Turkey in Australia.
Commencing 1 April, Managing director for Fez Travel, Ekem Usta said he is confident the company will be the right partner to help achieve goals of increasing Fez’s brand awareness and market share in Australia.
According to Usta, the company has experienced ‘considerable growth’ over the last few years, with travellers focusing on the higher end product in Turkey.
Fez operates with a maximum group size of 20 passengers and delivers more than 500 guaranteed tours across 12 months of the year.
Itineraries are flexible, providing a good mix of free time, adventure, sightseeing, culture, history and fun.
Brochures will be distributed via Brochure Flow.
9. TravelSIM goes out to sea
TravelSIM has jumped onboard with the fast growing cruise industry, by expanding its products to keep customers connected at sea.
Cruisers can now use their TravelSIM make and receive calls and SMS on 48 cruise lines.
They include, Princess Cruises, Silversea, P&O Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and more.
SMS rates start at US$0.50 per 160 characters and the cost to make a call start from US$3.30 per minute.
10. Agents hit Sin City
Travel agents were invited to experience Sin City as part of Las Vegas, Nevada, Brand USA and Hawaiian Airlines’ Great Outdoor Mega Fam.
The group of 13 spent three days in the destination, learning firsthand why Las Vegas has earned the title of ‘the entertainment capital of the world’ and attracted over 41.1 million visitors last year.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority (LVCVA) rolled out the VIP treatment, which included The High Roller at the Linq – the largest observation wheel in the world, Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, the Mob Museum, a night helicopter flight down the Strip and of course and a visit to the Graceland Wedding Chapel.
Need to Know Extra: What’s in a suitcase? A woman!
Taking the phrase ‘pack me in your suitcase’ a little too literally, a man was busted trying to sneak a woman into Turkey in his luggage.
Customs officials at the border of Artvin saw the 25-year-old man acting suspicious and decided to investigate.
After talking to him, they took a closer look at his suitcase and found a 22-year-old woman packed away in the foetal position.
An official reason hasn’t been released, however, media outlets suspect the woman was banned from travelling to Turkey.
The couple were arrested and later deported.
Need to Know Extra: 7 reasons Avalon’s new ship will ruin river cruising
It’s true, Avalon Waterways has a new ship and it’s as disgustingly beautiful as the line’s other horribly incredible river cruising vessels.
Avalon Tapestry II was christened this week by best-selling US author Diana Gabaldon at the French village of Les Andelys.
Although Avalon already has two ships – Avalon Creativity and Avalon Scenery – cruising on France’s river, Tapestry II will be the line’s first ‘Suite Ship’ to debut in the country.
But she won’t be on her luxurious lonesome for too long – she will be joined by a second ‘Suite Ship’, Avalon Poetry II, which will be relocated from the Rhine to the Rhone from Friday.
Find out why it will ruin river cruise for you here.