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. Should all agencies adopt MTA’s ‘zero risk’ policy?
MTA is looking to bring some certainty to Australian travellers, with the promise to cover any financial losses caused by insolvencies in the industry.
‘Zero Flight Risk’ was launched yesterday in response to the TCF’s demise seven months ago.
According to MTA’s Roy Merricks, since the Fund’s removal last year, there has been ‘uncertainty’ and a lack of clarity amongst Australians as to what happens to their money in the event of an airline or supplier going into bankruptcy.
2. What’s the SmartFlyer Australia difference?
Goldman Travel Corporation, a 30-year-old Australian company, has unveiled plans to expand its business with a new home-based agency called ‘SmartFlyer Australia’.
Launching on 1 May 2015, the new agency is a joint initiative with New York-based travel group SmartFlyer.
Speaking to KarryOn, Goldman Travel’s joint Managing Director, David Goldman said the company has been floating the idea of a home-based agency for a number of years and sees it as a natural progression to the business.
3. Free Education seminars at AIME
Image: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
With just four business days to go until AIME 2015 kicks off, time is running out to get organised and register for Asia Pacific’s biggest MICE event next week at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
Did someone say free conference?! Register today as a visitor and you can take advantage of FREE entry to enjoy all the Education program seminars over the two days as well as skill up on all the latest trends and innovations across the travel, hotel and event industries in the community hub at the centre of the show floor.
Meanwhile, this year, AIME will also have its Knowledge program featuring an array of international renowned presenters, including digital guru Chris Riddell and advertising pro Craig Davis.
Also taking the stage during AIME Knowledge will be Carolyn Miller – a communications strategist and Wendy Mark – a business mentor to popular bloggers and fashion stylists.
AIME Knowledge is $55 per session.
The 23rd AIME happens next week on 24 and 25 February. Don’t miss out! Register now for FREE here.
4. Which Australian city has the priciest hotels in APAC?
The answer – Melbourne.
According to the HRS Annual Hotel Price Radar 2014 report, Melbourne has the most expensive room-rates in the Asia Pacific region, with hotel rates averaged at $271 per night.
The city’s rates have increased by 31.4 percent compared to the prior year, which pushed it ahead of properties in Sydney.
Melbourne’s costly rise has been attributed to the city’s growing MICE business and government initiatives to make it the events capital.
Sydney was in second place with average rates of $241 last year. This was followed by Singapore and Hong Kong with an average of $221 and $210.
Last month, Sheraton announced it is expanding its current food and beverage offerings at its Melbourne hotel to include the city’s first and only five-star cafe, Little Collins Larder.
5. Cook’s INCENTIVE WINNERS
Eight Australian travel agents are heading out to the Cook Islands after winning the tourism bureau’s January incentive.
The lucky agents qualified by registering to join the Cook Islands’ database or Facebook group or to receive a Travel Planner.
Winners won return flights with Air New Zealand to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
The lucky agents are: Jessica Lowy, Flight Centre Rose Bay; Sarah Gaunt, helloworld Camden Argyle Street; Ines Iniesta, helloworld Eltham; Jennie Marsden, Where2Travel Malvern; Lorraine McLoughlin, Varsity Lakes Travel; Heidi Gardener, helloworld Albany Creek; Ashlee Viro, Phil Hoffmann Travel; and Alison Banks, TravelManagers Australia.
Congratulations!
6. APT names new luxury ship
APT has officially revealed the name of its third ‘Sky’ expedition ship, set to join the line’s fleet from early 2016.
Formerly known as MS Sea Explorer, the vessel was purchased by the cruise line in October last year and will undergo major refurbishment before joining the APT fleet next year as MS Hebridean Sky.
When she officially becomes a part of APT’s luxury fleet next year, she will carry 100 guests in elegant suites with outside views. Onboard there will also be a library, sun deck, alfresco dining restaurant, beauty salon and ten Zodiacs that enable all guests to travel off the ship to shore together.
APT has also revealed itineraries for the new ship in its new Luxury Small Ship Cruising Program.
Click here to see what’s new in the brochure.
This month, APT announced a major restructure of the company, which will include a group name change. Read on
7. Intrepid’s best sales month ever!
Intrepid Travel expects more bookings once Cuba opens up to more travellers.
Intrepid has travelled into a new sales record, with January 2015 resulting in the company’s biggest bookings month ever.
Last month, the tour company’s sales increased by 33 percent. Most bookings were for trips in Central and South America, Turkey and Europe.
Central America saw the largest jump in bookings, with an increase to 51 percent, while more Australians have proved their keen to head over to Gallipoli this year, as bookings to Turkey jump 37 percent compared to the same month last year.
“We expect this growth to continue, particularly with a renewed interest in Cuba following the US announcement on easing travel restrictions to the country.”
James Thornton, Intrepid Travel Managing Director
Africa was the only region to experience a downturn in numbers, which the company said could be a result of concerns around Ebola in West Africa.
Congratulations Intrepid Travel!
8. Domestic travel dips
The number of Australian travellers taking local trips took a slight fall toward the end of last year and what’s to blame? A rise in airfares and reduced demand from mining workers.
The latest Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics report shows passenger numbers fell one percent in December last year compared to the same month the prior year to 4.9 million.
In total, 22.7 percent of seats were empty on commercial aircraft, with some of the biggest falls occurring on popular mining routes such as Brisbane to Mackay and Brisbane to Emerald.
Aviation expert, Bill Meeke said as well as reduced mining demand, the slight drop in passenger numbers could also be due to an airfare ‘creep’, News.com.au reported.
He said a noticeable rise in airfares can be seen on the Perth to Brisbane route, which had an average return fare of $660 and now it is over $800.
9. Dare to take a ‘Different Journey’ to the South?
Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch Airport have teamed up to drive more tourists to the South Island with a new campaign urging Aussies to take a ‘different journey’ to the south.
The ‘Every Day a different journey’ campaign promotes New Zealand as the ‘ultimate destination’ for Australians through images highlighting the South Island’s diversity of hidden gems and experiences.
Being rolled out across key media channels including print, digital and social media, Tourism New Zealand’s GM said he’s excited with renewed focus on the South Island and expects it will target Australians looking to experience shorter trips and tailored longer journeys.
10. Princess tops up Aussie wines
Image: Syda Productions/Shutterstock
Clients heading off on a Princess sailing from Australia will enjoy more local wines.
The cruise line has refreshed its cellars aboard Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess with 30 new drops, all but three are from Australian vineyards.
The cruise line spent six months trying more than 120 wines before deciding on the final list.
Wines include the first verdelho from Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley as well as a top shelf D’Arenberg cabernet sauvignon from McLaren Vale.
For guests who like an international grape, the line will still serve wines from Italy, New Zealand and California as well as French Champagne during special occasions.
The new wine lists have been introduced on Sea Princess and Dawn Princess and will soon be onboard Sun Princess.
This month, Princess launched the next phase of its ‘Come Back New’ campaign, with three videos featuring real guests.
Each tells a different story and covers all types of passengers from families, to elderly and teens.
The videos can be used to show your clients the Princess-edge.
Need to Know Extra: Fly like a dictator – inside Kim Jong-Un’s private jet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j9S4IMsot8
While the rest of North Korea is expected to fly in aircraft still stuck in the 60s, dictator Kim Jong-Un is taking off in high-end luxury.
Images of his personal plane were released this week, less than two months after he shared a video of himself flying a plane (above).
According to the Daily Mail, his plane dates back to 1963, when it was originally owned by the Soviet Union.