Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news to help you be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Is this the perfect way to reduce airport queues?
Nothing zaps the fun out of travelling faster than an one-hour long wait at the airport check-in counter.
Even with online check-in options and free-standing kiosks, the process of getting your documents scanned before handing over your bags can be time consuming and honestly, pretty irritating.
Two American politicians think they may have found a way to drastically cut wait times during the check-in process, but it’s drummed up a fair bit of controversy.
2. New Zealand surges past Australia for visitor arrivals
New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals hit a record 3.3m in 2015. An overall increase of 10.4% year on year to overtake Australia with a wry smile in the process.
Sharing the countries best ever results at Trenz 2016 in Rotorua, Kevin Bowler (CEO Tourism New Zealand) said that the fact they had beaten Australia this year made it “even sweeter”, particularly as Tourism Australia has also had such a successful year numbers wise.
Let’s face it, the Kiwi’s love beating us Aussies at anything.
3. Qantas Group to fly Global Achievers to Hawaii
Qantas Holidays has secured the Qantas Group to fly its Global Achievers over to Hawaii for this year’s famil program.
The Flying Kangaroo, Qantas, and its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, signed up to send 150 Global Achievers and 20 Cruise Achievers to Honolulu in October this year.
They join Hawai’i Tourism and Starwood Hotels in rounding out the major sponsors for Global Achievers 2016 and together with Qantas Holidays are the key source ingredients for creating aspirational and great value five star holidays to tropical Hawai’i.
4. Pitbull tweeted about Norwegian & nobody expected this to happen
Is it the efficiency of social media? The popularity of cruise? Or perhaps it’s the power of multi-platinum recording artist, Pitbull?
When Norwegian Cruise Line named the Cuban rapper as the Godfather of Norwegian Escape back in October last year, the line knew it would have a big effect on social media and bookings and that he’d help deliver a whole new market of cruisers.
With a reach of over 84 million social media followers – 22 million Twitter followers, 59 million Facebook fans and 3.8 million friends on Instagram – how could you not expect a rush of sales post-announcement? One post from Pitbull on social media is like reaching every single person in Iran with just one click of a button – he really is Mr Worldwide.
5. Aer Lingus’ full-female flight takes off
The Irish airline has joined the likes of Fiji Airways and Royal Brunei Airways by operating a flight flown by three female pilots.
Captain Anne Marie Teevan was joined by First Officers Niamh Power and Nicki Hughes on the service, which was also the inaugural Aer Lingus services from Dublin to Los Angeles.
Check out the clip above.
6. Three Agents rewarded with Samsung Galaxy tablets
Three dedicated Agents have been rewarded for selling Hurtigruten cruises or expeditions through Bentours by receiving their very own Samsung Galaxy tablet.
The incentive, which ran from January to March, saw agents enter the draw to win when making a qualifying booking including Hurtigrutens new Antarctica range featuring Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords, which will be featured in Bentours new 2017 expedition, cruising and voyages brochure launching in May.
One winner was selected each month, they were Rebecca Taylor from Flight Centre Birkdale; followed by Lesley Famer from Phil Hoffman Travel; and Matthew Moir from Flight Centre Charles Street.
7. Club Med family offers in the Maldives
Club Med is evolving its renowned offering at Club Med Kani in the Maldives to include bespoke activities for children aged between four and 17 years.
New activities at Club Med Kani will cater to kids of all ages. Under the supervision of Club Med’s GO’s, youngsters can enjoy water sports, like kayaking and sailing, in addition to nature activity workshops, arts and crafts, group games and other entertainment such as clown hunts and sandcastle challenges.
Older kids can enjoy faster-paced fun, like table tennis, beach volleyball, snorkelling, sailing and dance shows, as well as outdoor movie screenings under the stars. Other activities will be available at extra cost.
8. Gold winners party it up in the Top End
Sixty four of Flight Centre’s top sellers of Infinity Australian and New Zealand product for 2015 flew into Darwin last month for a commemorative celebration of their achievements.
The trip involved five-star hotels, luxury train trips through spectacular Australian scenery, cultural cruising, iconic national park experiences, fishing, crocodile wrangling and partying.
Around 14 agents flew to the Top End two days ahead of the trip and spent their first night at Skycity Darwin, took a trip on The Ghan, explored the Cicada Lodge and enjoyed a three-course dinner at Il Piatto Restaurant.
