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. Flight Centre wins price-fixing appeal
The Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) has won an appeal against Australia’s watchdog and had a judgement of breached trade practices overturned.
The initial judgement was handed down against Flight Centre in December 2013 after an anti-competitive case was initiated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The ACCC claimed that the group had made arrangements with three international airlines to eliminate differences in international airfares offered to customers.
2. Qantas’ expansion in Japan takes off
Competition is heating up on flights between Australia and Japan, as Qantas prepares to launch double daily services to Tokyo this weekend.
The increase in operations comes less than two weeks after All Nippon Airways unveiled plans to resume services on the Sydney to Tokyo route.
Qantas flight QF25 will depart from Sydney to Haneda Airport tonight. This will be followed by the departure of QF61 from Brisbane to Narita Airport tomorrow morning.
3. MH370 search: Reunion object transported to France
The long aircraft flaperon and suitcase found off the coast of Reunion Island this week has been transported to France to determine if it is from the missing flight MH370.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister said initial reports indicate that the two-metre long debris is likely from a Boeing 777 – the same aircraft that disappeared with 239 in March last year.
Oceanographer, David Griffin, who has been involved in the search for the missing plane, told the BBC that the location of the find was consistent with expectations of where debris might have turned up.
Flight MH370 went missing while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The plane is believed to have steered off path during the flight.
4. Get ready for more Carlson Rezidor rooms
One of the world’s largest hotel groups says it’s ready to commit to Australasia, particularly Australia by bringing its full portfolio to the market.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which is the parent company for brands like Park Plaza, Radisson and Park Inn, said it has major expansion plans for the region, which will include introducing new brands locally.
Speaking at the HotelsWorld 2015 conference this week, President of Asia Pacific, Thorsten Kirschke said to meet demand for more rooms in Australia, the group will roll out Radisson Red®, Park Inn® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM brands.
5. helloworld: Cairns here we come
The bags are packed and the enthusiasm is up amongst helloworld’s top consultants heading to Cairns today for the annual Frontliners Forum.
Over the next two days, a record number of agents will network with colleagues, discuss leadership skills and receive tips on ‘maintaining the momentum’.
Head of Associate and Affiliate Networks David Padman explained that in 2015, The Forum will be divided up into breakout sessions, presentations and business updates.
6. New Zealand tourism evolves
Tourism New Zealand’s new 100% Pure New Zealand brand evolution will launch alongside its North Island Touring campaign, “Everyday a different journey” this month.
Promoted across Australia’s Eastern Sea Board, the campaign delivers seamless messaging and visuals across multiple touch points including TV, outdoor, digital, social media and a dedicated hub on newzealand.com.
The campaign which runs until the end of August coveys diverse experiences that are all in close proximity.
North Island experiences include exploring the Hobbiton Movie Set in Middle-earth, uncovering a labyrinth of caves and underground rivers at Waitomo Caves and discovering the natural wonders of Karekare Falls and the Coromandel.
Tourism New Zealand General Manager, Australia, Tony Saunders says the brand evolution has been strategically timed with the launch of the North Island campaign to increase preference for New Zealand as a holiday destination and drive shoulder visitation.
7. Creative Holidays reduces booking fees
Alongside its new agent booking engine enhancements, Creative Holidays has made it simpler for agents to secure and convert bookings with the introduction of reduced deposit fees.
These fees have been reduced to just $100 per booking, down from $165 per person meaning what would have been a booking fee of $660 for a family of four, is now an easy $100.
James Gaskell, Managing Director, Creative Holidays said the reduction is in line with the company’s commitment to making booking simply and help agents secure as many bookings as possible.
Giving travellers even greater reason to book immediately, final payment is not required until 14 days prior to travel (depending on supplier terms and conditions).
If a booking is cancelled, the $100 deposit can be applied to other travel products for up to 90 days after the cancellation date.
If not used within the three month period, the deposit will be forfeited to Creative Holidays.
8. New youth itineraries in North America
Contiki has released its new 2015/17 USA & Canada brochure featuring two new itineraries in North America.
Young travellers can now book a seven-day Canadian Encounter adventure exploring Washington, Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls, Toronto and Montreal. The trip includes a visit to Gettysburg National Park, a stunning cruise on Niagara Falls and a tasty tour of Ben & Jerry’s ice creamery.
Plus there’s the eight-day Revolutionary Roads trip, taking in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York. Guests will have the chance to explore five of USA’s major cities and iconic landmarks from Harvard to the Statue of Liberty and the White House.
The new brochure also highlights the significant cost benefits of travelling with Contiki versus young travellers going it alone.
Based on the cost of spending on a typical day in San Francisco, young travellers can save over AU$100 per day by travelling with Contiki thanks to included local transport, breakfasts, centrally located accommodation and the on hand local knowledge of a Trip Manager.
9. Sydney’s newest luxury hotel wins big
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay has won two major hospitality and tourism industry accolades, recognising its outstanding bar and function venues, at this year’s Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) NSW Awards for Excellence.
In its first year of operations, the hotel has been named as Function Venue of the Year and Highly Commended for Bar of the Year for its Stillery cocktail bar and lounge.
The new hotel was also recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Sydney Deluxe Hotel of the Year category.
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay’s General Manager Paul Walters was thrilled at the new hotel’s awards success, after opening in November 2014.
10. USA ski resorts become one
Resort leadership officially combined the Park City and Canyons brands into one, under the name Park City, with a new logo combining the Canyons insignia with the Park City color palette, and the tag line “There is only one. Park City.”
The linking of Park City and Canyons is part of a US$50-million capital improvement project which will transform the two resorts into one and complete a number of critical upgrades to the infrastructure.
The project is one of the most ambitious and impactful capital programs in U.S. ski industry history and will create the largest ski resort in the United States with over 7,300 acres of skiable terrain.
Existing brand elements from both resorts combine to create the new logo, pairing Park City’s name and iconic red with the current Canyons symbol and font treatment.
Park City also announced the names of the new interconnect gondola and Snow Hut restaurant. The new gondola will be named Quicksilver.
The new restaurant, located at the base of the Silverlode Lift, will be called Miners Camp. The current Canyons base area will now be called Canyons Village at Park City. Canyons Village will be a gateway to America’s largest ski resort as guests navigate 300 diverse trails.
NTK Extra: TC celebrates agents’ anniversaries
Travel Counsellors welcomed 30 of its agents to its Melbourne head office this week to celebrate their annual anniversary day as Travel Counsellors.
Anniversaries ranged from one to eight years, and the large group of Travel Counsellors were greeted with a champagne reception and finished the day via webcam to the company’s international UK headquarters where they were thanked by Karen Morris Operations Director and Mark Hulme Head of Sales for their dedication and hard work.
This is just one way that makes us stand out compared to other travel companies.
