We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel stories you need to know today.
1. How the Apple Watch will impact travel
There’s another technological change swooping into the industry, and it’s arriving in the form of a mini, rectangular device called the Apple Watch.
For those of us that don’t follow new tech as closely as we’re suppose to – the Apple Watch is the first new device to be launched by the Apple brand since 2011.
As the name suggests, the much-anticipated device is a mini, rectangular device that wraps around the wrist like a watch.
But it is so much more.
2. Agents winning as helloworld transforms
There are a few more changes up ahead for helloworld as the company continues to roll out new initiatives designed to benefit agents.
Head of Associate and Affiliate, David Padman, has revealed there are still a few more initiatives in the works, which the company is keeping under wraps for the time being.
“A number of major initiatives are in the pipeline which will further entrench the advantage our Independent agents enjoy and which will be unveiled over coming months.”
David Padman, helloworld Head of Associate and Affiliate
3. Air travel was safest in 2014, no really
It’s hard to believe with one aircraft going missing and another crashing in Crimea – but 2014 was the safest year in travel.
This is according to industry leading body, International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The group said while more people died in air related incidents last year, the number of fatal accidents compared with the total number of flights was a record low.
According to figures, last year saw 12 fatal accidents with a total of 641 fatalities. This was compared to the 19 fatal accidents and 57 fatalities per year in the five-year period between 2009 and 2013.
“While aviation safety was in the headlines in 2014, the data show that flying continues to improve its safety performance.”
Tony Tyler, IATA Director General
4. Cathay adds Sydney capacity
Cathay Pacific is boosting capacity to Sydney, by replacing a second of its four daily flights from Airbus A330 to the larger Boeing 777-300ER.
Commencing 1 October 2015, the airline will have one Boeing 777-300ER service CX100 departing from Sydney at 15.40 and arriving at Hong Kong at 22.00. Then the CX101 departs from Hong Kong at 23.55 and arrives in Sydney at 12.05 the next day.
This move follows the daily deployment of the first 777-300ER earlier this year on CX138/139 which arrives and departs Hong Kong in the morning.
Replacing a second A330 increases the airline’s capacity on the route by 18 percent for 2015.
General Manager Southwest Pacific, Nelson Chin said new services meet demand for passengers wanting the best morning or night connections.
5. Sunsail partners with Queensland yacht company
Sunsail has partnered up with Queensland-based Whitsunday Rent A Yacht (WRAY) to provide sailors more access to Sunsail programs in Australia.
WRAY will be responsible for Sunsail’s base on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, managing the Sunsail fleet and all domestic yacht charter holiday sales.
They will also become an agent for Sunsail’s other international destinations ranging from the Caribbean, Mediterranean and other exotic locations.
The Sydney-based office will continue to be responsible for holiday sales to Sunsail’s international destinations and it will continue to manage sales and marketing for sister companies – Le Boat and The Moorings.
President Simon Cross said partnering with WRAY gives the company ‘huge advantage’ Down Under.
“WRAY has amassed a vast amount of expertise in the sailing area and the domestic Australian charter market which we will be able to utilise, while maintaining the very high standards that Sunsail customers have come to expect.”
Simon Cross, Sunsail President
6. GetGo-ing with CEB’s rewards program
Cebu Pacific Air has started to roll out its new rewards program for frequent flyers.
Introduced as part of the airline’s 19th anniversary, GetGo allows travellers to earn points when flying with Cebu Pacific.
Points can then be used to purchase free flights.
Those who were signed up for CEB Club, CEB’s previous membership program, are automatically GetGo members.
7. Get a look at Kongingsdam
Keith Taylor, executive vice president, fleet operations, for Holland America Line and Tineke Schröder, wife of the founder of Dutch airline Martinair.
She’s not quite ready to set sail but Holland America’s (HAL) largest ship – MS Koningsdam – floated out of the shipyard this week so she could be transferred to another location where she will undergo outfitted.
Outfitting is the final construction stage and includes interior furnishing. Her outfitted is expected to be completed by 31 March 2016 when she is delivered to the line.
President Orlando Ashford said the float out represents HAL getting one step closer to welcoming the vessel to the fleet.
Koningsdam floats out of the shipyard.
A coin ceremony was held last month, during which Tineke Schröder, wife of the founder of Dutch airline Martinair and a member of Holland America Line’s Mariner Society (pictured), served as the ship’s madrina.
During the coin ceremony, observed as a tradition to bring good fortune, two gold coins were welded to the forward mast of the ship by Schröder; Antonio Quintano, director of Fincantieri Shipyard; and Keith Taylor, executive vice president, fleet operations, for Holland America Line, followed by speeches and a blessing by the shipyard chaplain.
The gold coins bore the image of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. The word koning means “king” in Dutch, and the ship’s name pays honour to the first king of the Netherlands in over a century.
8. &Beyond’s new island opening up soon
It’s not everyday an island reopens after a makeover.
&Beyond has announced its Mozambican island retreat, &Beyond Benguerra Island will reopen on 1 June after receiving a brand new look.
As part of &Beyond’s extensive investment plan, the lodge on the island is undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment, which, aims to make it Benguerra’s premier luxury lodge.
Changes at the property include reconfigured spacious guest rooms with king-sized beds, views of the beach, new furniture, overhead fans and air conditioning, bathrooms big enough for two and outdoor showers.
There’s a new entrance designed to immediately welcome guests with warm local hospitality.
The entrance is decorated in the lodge’s fresh new island feel and has been redesigned to open out onto breathtaking beach views.
The lodge’s private villa will be reborn as the Casa de Familia, a three-bedroom suite ideal for families or groups travelling together. A master bedroom will be flanked by two interleading bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom. Casa de Familia will cater for a maximum of six adults or four adults and up to four children.
&Beyond Benguerra Island offers catch-and-release fishing trips with the lodge’s resident guide.
The lodge’s dive centre is set to be expanded with additional showers provided for divers and boats are also being refurbished, with its double-full catamaran, the Stiletto, receiving a complete overhaul, with two brand new engines also installed.
9. Luncheon with Women in Tourism
Women in the travel industry gathered at Mel Restaurant in Sydney last week for the inaugural Women in Tourism Leadership lunch.
Forty-five ladies were treated to a delicious meal before hearing from some of the industry’s most influential leaders.
Organiser, Holly Galbraith from Go Future Media said the event gave women in the industry the opportunity to question the gender balance of leadership roles and inspire women to pursue their goals.
10. Wait, I want to leave my mark on the Colosseum
Two American women have been arrested after they carved their initials in Italy’s 1,943 year-old Colosseum.
The women aged 21 and 25 had snuck away from their tour group on Saturday when they decided to carve their initials into the ancient structure.
Once the 8cm high ‘J’ and ‘N’ were inscribed, they took a selfie with their work.
Police were quick to catch the two and now they may go in front of a judge and face penalty.
This isn’t the first time tourists have chiseled away at the Colosseum – a 42 year-old man was slapped with a $21,685 fine after he was caught carving the letter ‘K’ into the historic site.
Need to Know Extra: Her Majesty prepares to break Champagne
Her Majesty is rumoured to be godmother of P&O’s forthcoming vessel, Britannia. Image: RoyalNavy.mod.uk
Today Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth won’t be drinking Champagne, but breaking an entire bottle of it on the hull of P&O’s newest ship Britannia.
Accompanied by is Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will christen the vessel before it departs on its inaugural cruise.
This is the second time Her Majesty will name a P&O ship – the first was over 20 years when she christened Oriana.
Be sure to click back onto KarryOn tomorrow for a special report on the christening.