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. Farewell ‘Tours’ – hello Scenic rebrand
Scenic Tours is dropping the ‘Tours’ in its name as part of a major rebrand of the company’s title and image.
Announced today, the tour operator said from here on out it will no longer be known as Scenic Tours, but rather just ‘Scenic’.
The rebrand comes less than three months after major competitor APT revealed its company restructure and upcoming name change.
2. Australian travel company named one of the world’s best
We are excited to be nominated in one of the 4 categories, out of 350 companies, in 29 countries that are having a big…
Posted by Reho Travel on Tuesday, April 14, 2015
The travel industry’s very own Reho Travel has been honoured as one of the world’s best companies for their contribution to the community.
The Victoria-based travel company has been nominated ‘Best for the Community’ in the ‘Best for the World’ list.
Ten Australian companies were honoured on the ‘Best for the World’ list this year, split over their contribution to their workers, community and the planet.
3. Bid to ban booze in Bali
Beach, sun, culture, food and booze – they’re the five ingredients that make Bali a top destination amongst Aussies, but what would happen if you took one away?
Two government parties in Indonesia has proposed a new legislation that would see consumption of alcohol become illegal and a prisonable offence.
The conservative groups said they would like to ban the sale, production, distribution and consumption of all beverages containing more than one percent of alcohol.
4. helloworld agents equipped with new engaging skills
helloworld agents have been equipped with new skills to positively influence and engage with clients, as part of the agency group’s ‘hello You’ program.
The company said its agents have now completely the second round of the program and are now using their new-found skills in their day-to-day business.
Developed by leading global training expert and PeopleInProgress CEO Terry Hawkins, the comprehensive program empowers helloworld’s front line staff with the skills to influence, engage, and create strengthened, long lasting customer relationships.
5. Build your own holiday
To celebrate the launch of Creative Holidays’ new website, the holiday deal specialist is offering you the chance to WIN your dream holiday.
Simply build your holiday at creativeholidays.com/agents by adding flights, hotels, transfers and experiences into your shopping cart and save your quote.
The competition is open to independently owned travel agents in Australia between 13 Apr – 29 May, 2015.
Enter the competition here.
6. Cruise sales continue to sail in at TravelManagers
[L-R]: Luky Wilson (Mount Eliza), Kim Wudko (NPO) and Kathy Millett (Claremont).
TravelManagers are benefiting from the increase in cruise interest around Australia, with a 51 percent increase in cruise sales last year compared to the prior year.
Specialist CruiseManagers businesses have growth by 78 percent over the same period.
TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, said he believes the success is from the initiative agents have taken to combine resources and training with their own expertise.
TravelManagers have been swift to recognise the need for ongoing cruise education for their PTMs, and their specialist cruise division, CruiseManagers, is a growing success.
CruiseManagers incorporates a specialist group of PTMs, each with extensive cruise knowledge and first-hand experience, who are dedicated to providing their clients with exceptional personal service.
It comprises a select number of personal cruise managers (PCMs) who have met the strict productivity and qualification criteria to be part of the division.
CruiseManagers is a member of Cruiseco, which offers PCM clients a range of unique products, exclusive charters and competitively priced deals.
7. You’re invited! AFTA’s seminars
Image: Rawpixel/Shutterstock
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) will host seminars at this year’s Travel Industry Exhibition.
The group will hold two of the exhibition’s nine free-to-attend seminars, which will take place on 16 July and 17 July at Luna Park in Sydney.
Joanne Tralaggan, Marketing and Communications Manager for AFTA, said the seminar will provide attendees with an update on AFTA’S accreditation program ATAS, on day one of the program.
“We will also address ways in which ATAS travel intermediaries can maximise their accreditation to ensure they have a competitive advantage in today’s deregulated market.”
Joanne Tralaggan, AFTA Marketing and Communications Manager
Day two of the educational program will host the Director of AFTA Education & Training, Rick Myatt.
Mr Myatt will be speaking about AQF qualifications versus ‘fit for purpose’ skill sets within an industry education, explaining that his seminar will “lead the audience to a better understanding of the current qualification framework under the National Training Package for Tourism, Travel & Hospitality (SIT12)”.
Further information on the program schedule for the exhibition will be released in stages with all seminars being free to attend.
To register your attendance at Travel Industry Exhibition or for further information, visit www.travelindustryexpo.com.au
8. Insight Vacation reintroduces Egypt
Insight Vacation has officially reintroduced Egypt itineraries, in its new 2015/16 winter programme.
Released this week, the brochure features three new ‘Gold Luxury’ journeys.
The ultimate in luxury, each of these trips incorporate cruising on-board the elegant all-suite River Tosca, dubbed as the finest ship on the Nile.
Among the itineraries is the nine-day ‘Wonder of Egypt’ itinerary, taking guests from Cairo to Giza, Luxor and Aswan.
Click here for more on the new brochure.
9. IHG enhances loyalty program
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has enhanced its loyalty programme, IHG Rewards Club, to build more personalised relationships with its 84 million members worldwide.
Following extensive research into what members want from their loyalty programme, the Club will introduce a new membership level, to better reward its most loyal members with the most relevant benefits.
The research also revealed the importance of ‘recognition’ to members who want to feel rewarded for loyalty.
In response, IHG will enhance its ability to deliver a personalised experience for members, before, during and after their stay.
Through personalising this experience, the member will feel valued, understood and this in turn builds trust.
So, in July 2015 the rewards program will receive a new top membership level , which can be reached by earning 75,000 qualifying points.
Members in the new level will receive 100 percent extra bonus points on qualifying stays and be able to choose between receiving 25,000 points or upgrading a friend to Platnium.
Qualification requirements for all membership levels have been restructured to make it easier for members to be rewarded for their loyalty. Club members will need to earn just 10,000 qualifying points or stay for 10 qualifying nights to be eligible for Gold membership. Gold members will need to earn 40,000 qualifying points or stay for 40 qualifying nights to reach Platinum membership.
To enable IHG to reward guests who stay with most often, starting from May 2016, IHG will expire all points for IHG Rewards Club Members if they have not earned or redeemed any points at all in the previous 12 months.
IHG Rewards Club members will continue to maintain their point balances simply by completing a qualifying stay at one of IHG’s 4,800 hotels or redeeming some of their existing points during a membership year.
10. Aussies receive prestigious roles at InterContinental
InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto has appointed two of its concierges to new roles within Les Clefs d’Or.
James Ridenour to General Secretary, Les Clefs d’Or International and Jacob Detering to Assistant General Secretary, Les Clefs d’Or International are the third and fourth Australians respectively to be elected to the International Executive Committee, which consists of nine members.
Jacob is the youngest to be elected and its the first time two members from the same hotel have been elected to the Executive Committee. Les Clefs d’Or International was founded in 1952 in Cannes, France and is the global professional society for hotel concierges. There are almost 4,000 members worldwide in over 60 countries and has become a global hallmark for luxury service.
InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto has three Les Clefs d’Or members as part of its highly esteemed concierge team with James Spielvogel rounding out this trio of best in class concierges.
NTK Extra: Travelmarvel renames Sapphire
Travelmarvel has welcomed a newly refurbished and renamed Travelmarvel Sapphire to its European fleet.
The cruise line held a special renaming ceremony for the vessel in Germany this week, to commemorate her new position.
Around 100 VIPs and guests were in attendance to see The Reverend Andrew Sillis Chaplain of St Boniface Bonn and All Saints in Cologne bless the vessel before breaking a bottle of Champagne against the ship’s hull.
Guests then celebrated with drinks and a Gala Dinner in the ship’s restaurant.
Travelmarvel Sapphire is 135-feet in length and offers French Balcony accommodation as well as Owner’s Suite measuring 232-square-feet.
Other facilities onboard include a dining room, bar and lounge, sun deck, fitness room and hair salon.