We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. The verdict is in on Australia’s best airline
Australian flyers have spoken, and Qantas has come out on top ahead of Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Tigerair for overall airline satisfaction, according to a recent CHOICE consumer survey.
Over 1,500 Aussies aged between 18–75 years took part in the airline satisfaction survey.
According to the results, 38 per cent of passengers had a problem during their flight, with most of the problems occurring on domestic services. Virgin Australia were the worst offenders for delays and cancellations, whilst Tigerair performed poorly when it came to refunding passengers. Qantas and Jetstar were found to be the worst for over booking flights.
2. 2016 is the year of… The Maldives
The Maldives – you can see its clear blue waters in stunning imagery and hear about its breathtaking beauty from anyone who has had the chance to visit.
It attracts thousands of Australians every year and is booming as a holiday getaway for local couples and adventure seekers.
In fact it’s so popular amongst Australian travellers that between January and September this year over 15,000 Australians travelled to the Maldives – an increase of 17 percent over the last two years.
3. Next year’s Global Achievers will be held in…
Qantas Holidays revealed late last week that its best sellers will be hopping on a flight and heading to… Honolulu, Hawaii.
#SoJealous. #TakeUsWithYou. #ThoseLuckyAgents. #OhMyGoshSoExcitedForYouAll. #ButAgainSlightlyJealous.
Okay, enough of the hashtags.
The trip will take place from 15 October next year and follows this year’s successful getaway to the Northern Territory.
4. A new airline lands in Sydney
Ni hao to China’s most punctual airline, Xiamen Airlines, the latest airline to tap into the Australian market with direct services to Sydney.
The airline this week kicked off its three-weekly direct flights between Fuzhou-Sydney. The service comes ahead of its twice-weekly Xiamen-Sydney services commencing on 6 December.
Operating the Boeing 787-8 on the route, the aircraft will bring an additional 36,000 Chinese visitors to Sydney each year and contribute $136 million in additional annual visitor expenditure to NSW.
5. France Tourism’s message of hope
‘Viva la France’ – the popular French phrase brought life and hope to the recently devastated destination at a ATOUT France event in Sydney last night.
Dozens of media and industry friends gathered at the Dendy Opera Quays last night for an exclusive screening of the new French comedy, ‘Barbeque’.
Prior to the screening, ATOUT France took to the stage to express their condolences over the Paris terror killings.
6. Sunshine Coast tourism’s new name
What’s in a name? It has the potential to unite and maximise opportunities, according to the Sunshine Coast’s tourism body.
Knowing this, the tourism leaders announced a name change today from Sunshine Coast Destination to Visit Sunshine Coast.
According to Visit Sunshine Coast’s Chair, Grant Hunt, the new name will make it simpler for consumers to understand by bringing together the public and operational identities of the organisation.
7. Luxperience 2016 early bird exhibitor deals
Luxperience is offering exhibitors the chance to get in early and save with its early bird exhibitor deals.
As part of registration, exhibitors will receive pre-scheduled appointments and valuable networking opportunities at next year’s three-day event.
Additionally, they will be included in the directory listing within the 2016 LuxGuide, have the opportunity to nominate for the Luxperience Awards, and receive an initiation to the Thought Leaders Forum, Welcome Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner and Wrap Party.
All morning and afternoon tea breaks will be included in the cost as well as the 365 days exclusive access to the LuxConnect private online community.
Details on the exhibiting option and deals can accessed by contacting Eric Lewanavanua: eric.lewanavanua@luxperience.com.au or +61 2 8584 1777
Be quick, registrations will close on 11 December 2015.
8. Nevada gets a massive shout out on Aus TV
The weekend Sunrise weather team flew out to the USA to showcase the destination during their live broadcast.
JT took some time out to enjoy the slopes between filming.
Escape Travel has developed a number of special Northern Nevada packages to coincide with the broadcast, including a Reno and Lake Tahoe combo package with flights, four nights’ accommodation and car hire from $1,669.
9. A day at the beach
Those lucky guys at the itravel mobile team will probably be back at the beach today (it’s so hot!) with their laptops to promote flexibility in the workplace.
itravel believes that having days out of the office are a fantastic way to enjoy what the world has to offer as a team and meet new people along the way.
itravel mobile agents are able to complete their day to day tasks and bookings from anywhere, whether it’s with a client in a café or on the beach in Hawaii.
Sydney based agents took their work to The Bucket List at Bondi Beach and enjoyed the beautiful weather and fresh air while they shared insider tips and tricks and industry news.
Every month the itravel mobile agents will be hitting a new location to prove that there are no boundaries when it comes to working from anywhere.
Click here for more images from the latest outing.
10. Glitz & glam at helloworld awards night
The men threw on a suit while the ladies slipped on their finest dresses for the helloworld awards night held over the weekend.
Hundreds of attendees congratulated some 50 winners including Wayne Campbell who took home the Manager of the Year National.
Click here for the full list of winners or click here for more images from the awards night.
P.S. American Airlines window shatters
EMERGENCY American Airlines #AA199 to JFK diverted to Heathrow due to cracked windscreen https://t.co/wDKf9AJgep pic.twitter.com/Q6Zd7Ojeqv
— AirLive.net (@airlivenet) November 30, 2015
American Airlines pilots successfully landed a Boeing 767 despite a shattered windscreen blurring their vision.
The aircraft was carrying 183 passengers from Milan to New York over the weekend when the front windscreen suffered from excessive damage.
Pilots rerouted the aircraft to make an emergency landing at London’s Heathrow Airport where the plane was repaired.
An airline spokesperson apologised to guests for the inconvenience and said passengers were put on alternative flights from London to the Big Apple.
