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. Qantas’ MU agreement hits turbulence
Qantas’ plan to open new routes to China alongside China Eastern has hit a bit of a bump as the ACCC moves to deny authorisation.
In November last year, the two airlines announced a new joint venture that would include new flights between Australia and China.
Hoping to commence mid-2015, the five-year agreement proposed new routes from new cities such as Brisbane and Perth to Shanghai.
2. Want to choose your exact hotel room? No worries
Prefer the room next to the elevator or would you rather hide away at the end of the hallway?
We all have different preferences when it comes to our ideal hotel room, but it’s only by chance that our desires are fully met.
That is until now.
3. One product travel agents don’t really know about
Travel agents – they are walking travel encyclopedias. They know everything there is to know about the industry, well almost everything…
According to Cheryl Brown, if you ask consultants here in Australia about her product, they’re unlikely to know all that much.
And while this may cause anxiety for most company leaders, Cheryl says it’s actually quite exciting because she finally gets to teach the masters.
4. Wealth of benefits in Air New Zealand’s new alliance
Air New Zealand and Air China have released details of their proposed alliance that would see the two operate additional flights between their respective countries.
Subject to regulatory approval, Air China is hoping to introduce a daily direct service between Beijing and Auckland.
This is in addition to the airline’s existing codeshare on Air New Zealand’s daily Shanghai – Auckland service, which will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from late August.
5. Cruise lines reroute away from Tunisia
Image: Lyubov Timofeyeva / Shutterstock.com
More cruise lines have started adjusting their itineraries to avoid calling at Tunisia after last week’s siege.
Around 19 people, including one Australian, were killed at a famed museum in the country’s capital, Tunis.
A number of those killed were cruise guests, including 12 who were sailing with MSC Cruises.
6. INCENTIVE: Win a trip to the Maldives
Australian travel agents have the chance to win a six-night holiday for two in the Maldives through a new Freestyle Holidays incentive.
To enter, consultants need to book a Maldives holiday through the company. The agent with the highest number of ‘Maldives points’ deposited between 23 March to 23 May 2015 will win.
To celebrate the launch of the competition, Freestyle Holidays is promoting 50 percent off room rates at both the Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa and W Retreat & Spa.
The prize is valued at over $12,700 and includes return flights, transfers and six nights accommodation.
Goodluck!
7. Qantas’ dress code kicks in next week
Don’t expect to get into Qantas lounges dressed like this. Image: Housos, SBS Australia
Just reminder to let your clients know they need to get dressed up if they’re planning on entering the Qantas Club and Qantas Business Lounges.
Next week (1 April), Qantas’ new tighter dress codes will officially be introduced.
As part of the ‘smart casual’ code, travellers can’t wear singlets, rubber thongs or clothing with offensive slogans.
8. India’s ‘massive’ tourism growth
Travellers are loving India’s new e-visa system, according to new figures.
The scheme was launched in November last year to allow travellers from 43 countries to apply for an Indian visa of less than 30 days online. Read on
In December, around 14,084 tourism visas on arrival (TVoA) were issued. This is up compared to the 2,700 visas during the same month in 2013.
In January, the figure rose again, with some 25,023 tourists obtaining a TVoA, compared to 1,903 regular visas in January 2014.
Travellers from the United States were the biggest market to take up the new offer, making up 23.71 percent of tourists, followed by Koreans, Russians, Ukrainians and Australians.
9. Lux opens for MICE
One of Melbourne’s favourite restaurants, Lux Foundry, is now open for MICE groups.
Commencing this week, the restaurant has introduced new options for special events and functions.
Co-owner, Emilio Rogliano said the venue’s history and original 50’s equipment, makes it a unique spot for organisers to host their events.
“People love cafés that are typically off the beaten path in old warehouse style buildings. We all love enjoying a coffee and breakfast or lunch outside when the Melbourne weather behaves and we have one of the largest outdoor cafe spaces.”
Emilio Rogliano, Lux Foundry Co-Owner
The venue can be privately hired from 5.30pm until 11.00pm for groups of up to 90 guests for cocktail style functions.
10. An Allure-ing famil for Travel Counsellors
Three travel agents from Travel Counsellors were given the chance to experience the world’s current largest ship, Allure of the Seas.
The consultants were sent on seven, fun-filled nights aboard the Royal Caribbean vessel after winning an internal, global incentive run by Travel Counsellors.
After winning a Travel Counsellors Global Cruise Challenge, Carla Conroy, Danielle Catrupi and Carol Mills joined 23 Travel Counsellors agents from UK, Ireland, South Africa and Holland on the Caribbean cruise that departed from Fort Lauderdale and included stops in Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico.