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. US ‘aggressively’ targeting hotel Wi-Fi blocking
Image: Daniel_Dash/Shutterstock
An US regulator is trying to put an end to hoteliers blocking their guests’ personal Wi-Fi hot spots, even declaring the practice as ‘illegal’.
For those that don’t know – Wi-Fi blocking prevents travellers from using their own Wi-Fi on a commercial site. This leaves the visitor with no other alternative than to purchase Internet and Wi-Fi packages from the property.
According to the US Federal Communications Commission [FCC] Wi-Fi blocking has become a ‘disturbing trend’ in the hotel industry and other commercial establishments.
2. Capturing business with TC’s new sub-brand
The new website will not only support agents, but direct potential clients to their local corporate Travel Counsellor.
Home-based agency group, Travel Counsellors, is going after the growing business travel market, with a new sub-brand dedicated to supporting the company’s corporate travel agents.
‘Travel Counsellors for Business’ includes the launch of a new website for its Business Travel Counsellors and new marketing material.
There will also be a series of training programs developed for leisure travellers looking for the right tools to expand their business into corporate travel.
3. Air China flies Sydney daily
Air China will start flying Melbourne to Beijing direct from June. Image: Air China
Air China is giving Australians, particularly Victorians, access to more flights from Melbourne to China with a new, direct service to Beijing.
Commencing 1 June, the airline will fly four times weekly from Melbourne to Beijing.
This is in addition to existing flights between Melbourne to Beijing via Shanghai – giving the airline at least one flight every day between Melbourne and China.
4. Carnival Cruise Lines’ kids play in the Ocean
Carnival Cruise Lines is adding to its young cruisers’ experiences on Carnival Spirit, with a new marine-themed kids club.
Setting the ship apart from its sister vessel Carnival Legend, which offers ‘Green Eggs and Ham‘ as part of the Dr Seuss experience, Carnival will replace Camp Carnival aboard the Spirit with Camp Ocean – a new larger kids’ club area splashed out with bright blue ocean hues.
The childrens’ space will be added during refurbishments in August, which will also see the addition of a burger bar, Mexican restaurant – BlueIguana Cantina and an interactive EA Sports Bar.
5. Malaysia tourism fights through ‘challenging year’
Malaysia saw a 9.6 percent increase in tourism arrivals during the first 10 months of 2014 compared to the same period 2013.
Figures released by Malaysia’s Immigration Department showed that despite what was dubbed a ‘challenging year’, the country received 22.9 million tourists compared to 20.9 million.
Australia was one of the strongest markets, with 479,829 Australian visiting between January to October 2014.
September 2014 saw the largest increase in visitors – 6.7 percent to 2.2 million.
This year, Malaysia is expecting further growth, particularly because 2015’s official title as the ‘Year of Festivals’.
From January’s Citrawarma Festival through to the Official End of Year Sales in November and December, the yearlong program delivers a diverse mix of 50 festivals and events taking place to tempt every taste and interest.
Earlier this month, the country’s national carrier Malaysia Airlines announced two major celebrity endorsements from Australia to drive more visitors to the destination.
Click here to read about MAS’ score with tennis pro Nick Kyrgios or check out what’s cooking with MasterChef Poh Ling Yeow.
Are you planning a trip to Malaysia in 2015?
6. KrisFlyer members earn points on Tigerair, Scoot
Singapore Airlines has included Scoot and Tigerair flights in its frequent flyers program to offer travellers access to more points and rewards.
The partnerships enables KrisFlyer members to redeem their miles for travel vouchers on Scoot and Tigerair Singapore flights, or to pay for selected products offered by the two low-cost carriers, from April 2015.
The carriers also plan to offer KrisFlyer members the option to earn KrisFlyer miles on Scoot and Tigerair Singapore by the end of this year.
Singapore Airlines’ senior vice president marketing planning Lee Wen Fen said bringing the two airlines onboard is a natural development, particularly because they’re already apart of the Singapore Airlines Group portfolio.
7. Brochures of the week
New tours, new destinations and early bird savings. The internet may have changed the way travellers do their research, but travel brochures are still a popular way of obtaining travel information.
Check out new itineraries and programs from Infinity Holidays, Insider Journeys, Contours Travel, Acacia Africa and Albatross Tours.
8. TravelManagers win at Scenic awards
Julie Anderson, TravelManagers’ business partnership manager NSW North accepts TravelManagers Award for Top Multiple Location Agency at Scenic Tours “Night of Stars”. From left to right, Stevie Jacobs – MC; Michelle Black – Scenic Tours; Julie Anderson; and Rob Kalemba – Scenic Tours.
TravelManagers and House of Travel walked away winners at this year’s Scenic Tours ‘Night of Stars’, taking out awards for ‘Top Multiple Location Agency’ and ‘Top New Zealand Office’.
The event, held on 16 January at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney saw some 240 travel agents from Australia and New Zealand in attendance.
House of Travel Morrinsville’s Kate Smyth and Carol Sutton with their award for Scenic Tours’ Top New Zealand office. From left to right, Stevie Jacobs; Rob Kalemba – Scenic Tours;, Kate Smyth and Carol Sutton, Vaughan Kitchener – Scenic Tours New Zealand.
In total 11 awards and four national awards were handed out to agents.
TravelManagers’ executive general manager Michael Gazal said Scenic is an ‘important participant’ in Australian tourism and TravelManagers plays a role in the company’s success.
“It’s very pleasing for our personal travel managers to see that success recognised.”
Michael Gazal, TravelManagers executive general manager
9. Taiwan gets raunchy with sex-themed park
Image: Mr Nice Watch/Twitter
Looking for something unique to do during next year’s Valentine’s Day? Why not go to a sex-themed park?
Taiwan is currently looking to develop a 37-mile stretch called ‘Romantic Boulevard’, which will not only feature heart-shaped arches but erotic sculptures of humans and animals in, well, sex positions.
The park will be based on an existing sex park in South Korea – ‘Jeju Loveland’.
Taiwan’s tourism leaders are hoping the Boulevard will attract more visitors to the city, while others are concerned it will tarnish local reputation.
What do you think of the potential sex park?
10. ‘Our stewardesses are not fat’: Aerolineas Argentinas
Image: Telegraph.co.uk
Argentinian airline, Aerolineas Argentinas has been praised by the travelling public for defending its flight attendants who were dubbed ‘short’ and ‘fat’ by a recent flyer.
Andres Horacio Pignataro took to the airline’s Facebook to complain about the appearance of air staff, which he considered to be of ‘low quality’.
The post, which was written in Spanish, said female cabin crew used to ‘tall and nice’ but now the airline ‘only takes short, fat girls’.
Aerolineas responded by posting a list of the requirements for air crew [over 18 years old, Argentinian, speaks English and completed studies – to name a few] followed by the line: ‘your prejudices are not going to fly’.
While Andres’ original post only received about 50 likes, the airline was praised for its positive attitude with 37 replies and over 500 likes.