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Wed 19 Nov: 10 things you need to know today

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.

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. Virgin amps up central Australia travel with new flights

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Virgin Australia is stepping up its central Australia offerings, with new direct flights and a new lounge.

From March 2015, the airline is taking Adelaidians straight to central Australia via a three times weekly service – the first full service carrier to operate directly between the two destinations in almost ten years.

Virgin will utilise its 176-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which includes complimentary wireless in-flight entertainment.

Read more.

 

2. Tuscany sues Costa Cruises over Concordia damages

Costa Concordia off Giglio Island

Concordia may be in the shipyard but Costa Cruises is still in hot water, as Italian officials look to sue the company over claims the capsized ship damaged local tourism.

Officials allege that the January 2012 incident contributed to a decline in tourism that will take ‘years’ to correct, Reuters reported.

“We will ask Costa for 30 million euros ($37.5 million) in damages to Tuscany’s image. To reconstruct the image of Tuscany as a top tourist destination will require years of work, substantial investments and costly national and international advertising campaigns.”

Tuscany’s regional president Enrico Rossi told a court in Grosseto

Read more.

 

3. Australia’s most luxurious hotels

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Tourists heading Down Under are spending a little more for ultimate comfort, according to a new study.

Data released by HotelCombined showed the number of five-star hotel bookings in Australia has almost quadrupled since 2013, increasing by 194 percent.

On average, these high-end travellers are spending $322 per night.

And while they aren’t afraid to pay a little extra, they aren’t willing to do it for too long, staying an average of only two nights in five-star accommodation.

To help you and your clients book ultimate luxury in Australia, HotelsCombined revealed the country’s ten most popular luxury hotels. They include Crown Metropol. Melbourne; Crown Metropol, Perth; Hilton South Wharf, Melbourne; Four Season Hotel, Sydney; Swisshotel, Sydney; Jupiters Hotel & Casino Gold Coast; Sheraton on the Park, Sydney; Pan Pacific, Perth; Stamford Plaza, Sydney Airport; and Hilton on the Park, Melbourne.

4. Cruise lines head back to Egypt

Giza, Egypt --- Twilight at Sphinx --- Image by © Jim Zuckerman/Corbis

Cruise lines are slowly heading back to Egypt, despite ongoing political disruptions in the region.

Today, Uniworld revealed is will set sail on the Nile River from October 2015 aboard all-suite River Tosca.

Brett Tollman, chief executive of Uniworld’s parent company Travel Corporation said the line has pent-up demand to cruise the destination.

The first sailing will be 3 October 2015, with the 12-day ‘Splendors of Egypt & the Nile’ itinerary.

Seabourn is also back in the country, but is taking no chances. The line has provided its guests with armed guards and police escorts while visiting dangerous spots like Hurghada.

 

5. Norwegian recruits Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for Epic entertainment

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Epic isn’t just the name of Norwegian Cruise Line’s forthcoming vessel, but the word used to describe the entertainment guests can expect to see onboard.

Headlining on the vessel when it launches next year will be two Broadway shows – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Burn the Floor.

Burn The Floor is a ballroom dancing-based show. It will be onboard from April.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert will feature over 500 costumes, 200 head-dresses and popular songs like ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘I Will Survive’ and ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’.

The ship will also have The Cavern Club, a new venue based on the birthplace of pop legends The Beatles.

Norwegian Epic launches in April next year and will spend her first season sailing around the Mediterranean.

 

6. APT’s Winter Wonderland Christmas ho-ho-holidays

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Plan your Christmas 2015 holidays early, with APT’s new Winter Wonderland 2015 brochure.

Available now, the brochure has six festive itineraries ranging from 10- to- 21-days in lengths.

Among them is a river cruise in Europe featuring visits to Christmas markets and the festive highlights in central Europe.

The tour has four itineraries available, with departures from 21 November to 24 December 2015.

Also featured is two 15-day itineraries that encapsulate the magic of Canada at Christmas, travelling to the Canadian Rockies with VIA Rail.

The brochure is available now and can be viewed online at aptouring.com.au.

 

7. Adventure World’s Grand America brochure

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Adventure World has released its 2015/16 Grand American Adventure brochure, with new wildlife itineraries and specialist walking tours.

Available now, the brochure also has savings of up to 15 percent off new product purchased before 28 November.

For more information visit adventureworld.com.

 

8. helloworld agents score inspiration from Aussie soccer star

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Agents attending helloworld’s Frontliners Conference in Adelaide later this month will receive new insights and life lessons from Australian soccer superstar, Harry Kewell.

The Australian sportsman and adventurer and former Young Australian of the Year, Jessica Watson are among the speakers at this year’s event running from 28- to- 30 November.

The conference program also includes traditional networking opportunities and workshops for agents to harness new skills and knowledge.

 

9. AIME wins ‘Best Exhibition’ award

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Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) has been named the Best Exhibition in this year’s Australian Event Awards (AEA).

AIME beat hundreds of entries event organisations across the country, including Australian Tourism Exchange, Taste of Sydney 2013 and PAX Australia.

The event’s director Jacqui Timmins said the win is a testament to the organisation’s determination to remain relevant in the industry.

The next AIME will be held in Melbourne on 24-25 February 2015.

 

10. Travel like a celebrity: Drew Barrymore’s travel tips

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One of Charlie’s Angels, Drew Barrymore took time out from her current role as mother-of-two and winemaker to share her years of experience travelling around the world.

Talking to Yahoo Travel, Barrymore said her number one tip for travelling is to always take your own medication because you never know when you might need it.

Also among her top tips is to eat and drink regionally and watch how much you drink on the plane.

“You just can’t gauge how tipsy you get in the air, so if you think you are getting tipsy, start to drink some water. Otherwise you are going to land, and you’re going to be superbombed.”

Drew Barrymore

Barrymore’s other travel tips include wearing comfortable shoes and choosing a smaller hotel room because they often have better windows, light and a more open floor plan.

Click here to check out KarryOn’s very own tips to get you through a long-haul flight.

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