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. Indonesia scraps free visas for Aussies
Indonesia’s leaders seem to be kicking up a fuss over ongoing calls to boycott Bali, by withdrawing their planned free-visa policy for Australian travellers.
Free-visa entry was announced late last year and would see the US$25 visa-on-arrival fee dropped for Australian travellers.
The country’s Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Indroyono Soesilo said the policy was designed to increase tourism from key markets.
2. Vanuatu’s Santo still open for tourists
Tourism operators in Santo say they’re experiencing ‘overwhelming cancellations’.
As Vila recovers from category five Cyclone Pam, Santo’s tourism operators say they are still open for business and can accommodate travellers keen on visiting Vanuatu.
The ‘monster’ cyclone hit the island nation late last week, bringing with it winds over 300 kilometres per hour.
So far, around 24 people have been killed and there are fears the number will rise as rescue teams move to the outer islands.
3. AirAsia QZ8501 search called off
Indonesian officials say they have called off the search and rescue for the downed AirAsia flight QZ8501, despite 56 people still unaccounted for.
The A320-200 aircraft crashed into the Java Sea in December last year with 162 people onboard.
According to officials, the plane lost contact with air control 42 minutes into a flight from Indonesia to Singapore.
4. Processing just got easier for Flight Centre agents
WEX Inc. – a provider of corporate payment solutions – announced its subsidiary, WEX Australia has signed an agreement with Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) for a virtual payments solution for a key part of its business.
FCTG’s adoption of WEX’s virtual credit card solution for its Flight Centre Global Product business (FCGP) realises efficiencies and reduces costs by streamlining and automating the payment reconciliation process, and by providing management with in-depth reporting across multiple currencies.
WEX’s single-use virtual card technology, which assigns every transaction with a unique card number, allows FCGP to more easily track payments, boosting back-office efficiency and reducing physical paperwork.
Flight Centre Global Product – Leisure General Manager, Jason Hartley said the solution will integrate into the company’s current booking system and deliver ‘efficiencies by reducing reconciliations, queries and invoice processing’.
5. Changes coming to Travel Counsellors’ Phenix
Travel Counsellors has developed its in-house booking system to offer agents access to more pricing options and live updates.
With the latest update, consultants can now search for wholesale prices. They’ll also be able to see live availability for the World’s Leading Cruise Lines operators and low-cost flights operated by no-frills airlines.
Travel Counsellors believes this represents a significant development for its agents, as Phenix is the only system which currently enables Australian agents to access wholesale cruise prices and flights operated by low-cost carriers.
6. INDABA plays matchmaker
Attendees to this year’s INDABA tradeshow once again have access to the Online Diary and Matchmaking System that pairs buyers to the right sellers.
With only 60 days to go until the event kicks off, over 900 meets have already been secured through the completely online system.
If you’re a first-time INDABA goer, the matchmaking system works like this:
You set up a profile with details about your company and meeting requirements.
It then analysis the data and pairs profiles according to the requirements.
According to South African Tourism CEO Thulani Nzima, around 19,399 meetings were set up using the tool last year.
“This is proof of just how valuable this digital platform is, and its critical role in INDABA’s success. Taking into account user feedback, these tools have been further optimised for INDABA 2015.”
Thulani Nzima, South African Tourism CEO
7. INCENTIVE: Earn $500 worth of points
Scenic Tours is giving agents the chance to earn $500 worth of Scenic Rewards points when they book and deposit a new 2015 Scenic Tours luxury Europe river cruise between 1 March and 30 June 2015.
Members will receive $500 worth of Scenic Rewards points for each new 2015 booking they make.
Points will appear in members’ accounts at the time guests’ travel in 2015.
Members are reminded to add their Scenic Rewards number to their Express Book profile to ensure they receive their points without delay.
All points can be redeemed on an expanded catalogue of over 4,000 products and experiences.
These include David Jones, Myer and JB Hi-Fi vouchers plus big name brands like Nespresso, Breville and Oroton.
8. David Attenborough returns to the Reef
Tourism Australia has recruited David Attenborough to be part of a new multi-platform media project promoting the Great Barrier Reef.
Working with Atlantic Productions, the three-part documentary is expected to air in 2016 in more than 130 countries.
Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, John O’Sullivan said having Attenborough on the Reef will renew tourism to the natural wonder.
David spent three weeks on the Reef as part of the filming schedule, including time aboard one of the world’s most advanced research vessels equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology.
He said returning to the Reef with the latest technology and science provided an exciting opportunity to see one of the most important places on earth in a whole new way.
9. Mid-week deal: APT’s 25-day ‘Cruise Countdown’
APT is offering a free three night luxury Grand City Stay to guests who book one of its Royal Collection European river cruises departing in 2015.
The new ‘2015 Cruise Countdown’ will run for 25 days and is valid on all Royal Collection European river cruises of nine days or longer that are booked before 10 April 2015.
One of the caveats of the offer is that the luxury city stay must link directly to the beginning or end of the Royal Collection river cruise itinerary being booked.
APT Grand City Stays featured as part of the offer include Berlin, Barcelona, Paris, Prague, Monte Carlo and Lisbon.
As part of the promotion APT will feature a special ‘2015 Cruise Countdown’ page showcasing some of the trips available, including 115 of APT’s most popular cabins during the 25 day campaign period, namely twin window suites on APT’s 15-day Magnificent Europe July departures.
For example, with the ‘2015 Cruise Countdown’ offer, guests who book any cabin on any 2015 departure of the 15-day Magnificent Europe river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest will receive an additional free three night luxury APT Grand City Stay valued at up to $4,800 per couple.
Guests can choose to stay in either Paris, at the Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe; or at the Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel in Prague.
Paying the cruise only price, which starts from just $7,795 per person, as well as enjoying the free Grand City Stay guests will also cruise through five countries: Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.
The APT ‘2015 Cruise Countdown’ runs until 10 April 2015 or until sold out. Offer is not combinable and is subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
10. Personal Travel Manager putts for charity
Charity golf day organiser Kelly Browning (left) and Katy Hurd, personal travel manager for Mt Eliza, Victoria, manage to combine business with pleasure
A personal travel manager hosted a charity tournament to raise money for her team of walkers, who took part in the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life.
Held at the Mornington Golf Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the day was organised by TravelManagers’ Kellie Browning, Business Partnership Manager for Victoria.
Sixty-four people turned up to the event.
Invitations were sent out to local PTMs and their families, partner suppliers and clients of the invited PTMs.