We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Global Work & Travel Co. under investigation by ABC
Rip off alert
After a joint investigation between the ABC and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Queensland authorities are now investigating numerous complaints about a Gold Coast company that sends young people around the world on working holidays.
Dozens of former customers and employees of The Global Work and Travel Co have come forward claiming the company preys on vulnerable consumers and gives false guarantees about jobs.
Travellers said the company uses high-pressure sales tactics, while former employees have lifted the lid on huge flight mark-ups, some of which run into the thousands per airline ticket.
Read the full story here: ABC Broadcasting
2. Blumenthal to take his seat at Restaurant Australia
Heston’s on the menu
Tourism Australia has confirmed that one of the world’s greatest gastronomic talents Heston Blumenthal is to attend its Restaurant Australia gala dinner in Tasmania this Friday 14 November. Heston will be joining a culinary who’s who of more than 80 of the world’s most influential international food and wine writers, broadcasters, celebrity chefs, critics, reviewers, and bloggers.
In addition to Heston, Tourism Australia also confirmed a number of leading Australian food and wine figures that will also be attending its gala dinner at MONA. Including Matt Moran, Maggie Beer, Stephanie Alexander, Matt Preston, George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan, Jock Zonfrillo and Mark Olive.
3. Dan and Maz take the show to Dubai
Dan and Maz take on Dubai
The popular radio show duo, Dan and Maz, will hit the road for one week, broadcasting LIVE from Dubai from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November, in their regular 4pm – 6pm AEDST Drive slot.
Thanks to Dubai Tourism and as part of the Try before Dubai broadcast, Dan and Maz will be offering four lucky listeners the chance to join them in the destination to compete in a series of challenges, which will ultimately see one team win an extended luxury holiday in the city.
While in Dubai, there will be daily challenges for the winning teams, set in a mini Amazing Race-esque style competition. To keep things interesting, one team will be sent home each day until there is just one team of ‘BFFs’ remaining – with the major prize being thirteen luxurious nights in Dubai.
“With increasing Australian visitor arrivals to the city year-on-year, Dubai Tourism are pleased to bring one of Australia’s most popular afternoon drive time radio programmes to the destination. The Try Before Dubai campaign will centre on showcasing Dubai’s diversity and range of experiences and attractions in a fun and interactive way.”
Dubai Tourism, AUS and NZ Representative Office Director, Julie King
4. Cruiselings invade Aussie and Kiwi homes
http://youtu.be/NGDG93_WFjg
Following on from the ‘Be free earthlings’ print ad campaign launch last weekend’, Cruiselings have now begun their invasion of homes across Australia and New Zealand as P&O Cruises’ biggest ever TV advertising campaign.
The ad, which captures the freedom and escapism of a P&O cruise and urges earthlings to become cruiselings, debuted on Sunday in Australia and will appear in New Zealand loungerooms far and wide from November 23.
5. New Sydney Travel App connects locals and visitors
Who’s in the hood?
A new travel app combines self-guided tours of Sydney Harbour neighbourhoods with options to meet people along the way. Thirst for Sydney features five itineraries with maps, photos, ferry timetables and walking directions for exploring the harbour, while the connect function allows users to announce themselves and send messages to other users of the app — locals and travellers.
Already lining up for accolades, Thirst for Sydney has been described as “both beautiful and useful” and was a finalist in the Australian Mobile & App Design Awards 2014. It has also been nominated as one of Australia’s hottest new travel experiences.a
Thirst for Sydney is available free on the App Store. It is currently available for iOS only. Visit www.thirstforsydney.com to download.
6. Fancy a Barack Burger or an Obamarama Tiki Party?
O my goodness
As the G20 Leaders’ Summit approaches, Brisbane locals are embracing the world meet up with characteristic Queensland humour as enterprising local businesses celebrate the visit with special events and limited edition culinary specials.
Popular Brisbane bar, Alfred & Constance, will hold an Obamarama Tiki Party on November 13 and 14 in honour of President Barack Obama – dedicating ‘The Big O’ pineapple cocktail to his Hawaiian roots and the Obamarama Burger to his love of burgers. And if the world leader himself can’t make it, there will be a life-sized cardboard cutout and plenty of Obama masks for photo opportunities.
Meanwhile in the heart of Brisbane, the head chef of riverfront restaurant, Pony Dining, has designed his own version of a ‘Barack Burger’.
“We wanted to throw all the important American ingredients into a single burger so we created a Barack Burger out of patties, American mustard, cheddar cheese, pickles, deep fried onion rings and smoked barbeque sauce,” said Damien Draper of Pony Dining.
7. Take off for the G-banger long weekend
I see no secret service
Whilst Brisbane might be buzzing with G20 leaders, delegates and Barack Burgers, Brisbanites will be escaping the city in masses for the long weekend as coastal hotel bookings peak, according to Australia’s favourite online travel destination Wotif.com.
Wotif.com Product Director Donna Rodios said Brisbane hotels were already fully booked with G20 related business. The Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast as well as coastal spots across New South Wales are also recording significant increases thanks to the bonus long weekend.
“Plenty of Brisbane locals will be packing up the car and making the most of the long weekend, with the Gold Coast seeing a significant week on week increase and popular destinations like Broadbeach recording a 50% increase, Surfers Paradise seeing an increase of 25% and Burleigh Heads up by 29%,” Ms Rodios said.
8. Bond is a Sun lover after all
On Sunday fifteen of Australia’s top conference and event managers were treated to a day at Moore Reef hosted by Sunlover Reef Cruises together with their new adventure product partner, Nautilus Aviation.
The special tour was arranged as part of the Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s Business and Events signature trade show, Sell TNQ. The five-day event provides event planners the opportunity to experience firsthand the amazing and diverse event products, activities and venues that their clients can enjoy in the region.
Sunlover Reef Cruises, needed the ultimate hero, and so James Bond (aka Marcus Brady, Sunlover) and Bond Girl # one (aka Debbie Walters – Nautilus Aviation) made a special appearance to showcase the region as the ultimate destination for conference and events.
“It was such an amazing experience – and to have the opportunity to do an intro dive once we arrived at the reef was really something and to top the day off, the helicopter flight with Nautilus was totally surreal – for me this day showcased the reef from a completely different angle.“
Narelle Hollis – Event Manager, Adelaide
9. Carnival launches New QLD and NZ Summer Cruises
Are you there Bilbo?
From discovering the Bay of Islands to exploring Middle Earth, Carnival Cruise Lines is ramping up the fun factor for guests next summer with new cruises to New Zealand.
“We’ve been inundated with requests to sail to New Zealand again so we’ve decided to offer two great new summer itineraries for New Year 2015 and February 2016.”
Carnival Cruise Lines Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke.
Carnival Legend will be the first to cross the Tasman on a New Year cruise departing Sydney on December 30, 2015. Prices start from $ 1899 per person twin share*, the cruise will call at Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga and Napier during a 10-night sojourn.
Carnival Spirit will then depart Sydney on February 12, 2016 for an 11-night cruise to New Zealand, calling at the nation’s capital Wellington, as well as Napier, Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands. Fares start from $1529 per person twin share*.
10. Seabourn on sale for one week only
Seabourn on sale
Seabourn has launched a one-week only sale offering Australians the chance to take advantage of a range of cruising specials for 2015, including the Caribbean, Europe, Arabia, Asia, South America, Antarctica and Australia.
On sale until midnight on November 17, guests can also receive free upgrades to a veranda suite on 2015 cruise itineraries including seven-day roundtrip cruise from Istanbul and 12-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale to Caribbean ports.
Travel dates vary on each cruise departure, with lengths spanning from seven days to 34 days aboard Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Sojourn.