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. Aus to London in three hours? Branson’s working on it
Board a plane in Australia and be in the UK before finishing that second in-flight movie. Flying across the globe in less than three hours – that’s the future of travel as Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson sees it.
Speaking in Sydney this week, the entrepreneur said airlines have exhausted their options when it comes to enhancing the inflight experience.
That’s why they need to start looking at new avenues to make passengers happy and this could include faster and environmentally-friendly aircraft.
2. The secret to stimulating travel bookings
Some studies show that travel bookings are increasingly moving online, which in-turn is hurting the way travel agents do business.
What if there is a way to capture that digital business without completely comprising the role of the consultant?
It’s the question a number of travel groups are attempting to answer by investing in digital platforms and looking at new online avenues. But this new Australian agency group not only has the answer but is successfully utilising its findings to drive $100,000 bookings back to its consultants.
3. Qantas meets demand to Asia
China isn’t the only country in Asia Qantas is hoping to pick up new business, the airline is also looking to Hong Kong and the Philippines where travel demand continues to rise.
Revealed this morning, the Flying Kangaroo will add additional services to both destinations to meet passenger traffic growth.
Commencing 26 October this year, Qantas will operate an additional four Sydney-Hong Kong services each week, on top of the current daily services available from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
4. Flight Centre takes Sunrise around the world
Flight Centre has teamed up with Channel 7’s ‘Sunrise’ to make television history by taking the breakfast show around the world in five days.
Organised by the agency group’s ‘Round the World’ experts, the ultimate breakfast adventure will see Kochie, Sam, Nat, Beretts and Eddy carry out their daily TV show duties while visiting Dubai, London, New York, Niagara Falls and Cancun in one week.
According to Kochie, the challenge has never before been attempted by any other television show and will set a record when completed.
5. Travel Counsellors showcases the future
Want to know what Travel Counsellors has planned for the future? Wonder no longer, the home-based agency group is hosting three mini-conferences to highlight new developments and initiatives.
The events, taking place in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, will see almost 75 percent of all Travel Counsellors in attendance and will include a series of presentations and sessions from company staff and management, including those from both the Australian support team and UK head office.
These sessions will cover areas including upcoming marketing activity, business development and a focus on margin.
6. United CEO steps down
United Airlines has announced the immediate departure of President and CEO, Jeff Smisek.
Joining the boss on the way out today are Executive Vice President of Communications & Government Affairs, Nene Foxhall, as well as Senior Vice President of Corporate & Government Affair, Mark Anderson.
The trios exit is tied to an internal probe of alleged ties with former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman David Samson.
In the meantime, United has appointed Oscar Munoz to lead the company as interim CEO.
7. INCENTIVE: Earn $200 extra
Coral Expeditions is enticing travel agents to sell itineraries from its first Tasmanian season by offering an additional $200 cash incentive per client booked on 2015/16 departures.
The seven-night expedition round-trip from Hobart showcases the natural and culinary wonders of Australia’s island state and includes hikes on the South Coast Track at Cockle Bay and an early morning walk at Wineglass Bay.
Passengers will enjoy two days exploring the unspoilt world heritage wilderness area of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour and taste local specialties such as freshly shucked Bruny Island oysters and cheese straight from Grandvewe Cheeses.
8. Minor takes the AVANI brand to Dubai
Minor Hotel Group has entered a new partnership with Nakheel to co-invest and develop a 500-key AVANI hotel in Dubai.
Expected to open 2018, the AVANI Deira Dubai Hotel will be located in Deira Islands, a unique waterfront entertainment, tourist and residential destination being developed in alignment with Dubai Vision 2020.
Around the new-build property will be residential communities, a shopping mall, a waterfront night market and an impressive amphitheatre able to accommodate up to 30,000 people. It will also be close to Dubai International Airport, with views of the Dubai skyline and across the Arabian Gulf.
The new-build hotel is the first of MHG’s vibrant AVANI brand to be announced in the UAE and will be designed to attract all-types of travellers from leisure time to productive business, family friendly attractions and romantic gestures.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotel Group, said the company was excited to launch the AVANI brand in the UAE.
9. The Langham Sydney’s GM has reason to smile
Ms. Sonia Lefevre was named the prestigious title of 2015 Australian General Manager Of The Year at Friday night’s Sydney Town Hall Award Ceremony for The Annual HM Awards.
2015 General Manager Of The Year comes after a string of successes only months after doors opening last December.
This includes prestigious US Robb Report’s Top 100 Hotels In The World List which saw The Langham, Sydney as the only property featured for Australia and New Zealand. There was also a trifecta win at The 2015 Gourmet Traveller Awards earlier this year that included 2015 Hotel Of The Year and NSW Deluxe Hotel Of The Year awarded at last month’s TAA Awards.
10. AIDE returns to Sydney
Diving tour operators will return to Sydney once again for this year’s Australian International Dive Expo.
Running from 12-13 September 2015 in Moore Park’s Royal Hall of Industries, the second installment of the Expo promises to be bigger and better this year with more than 30 exhibitors showcasing and sharing their passion for the sport with the growing Australian dive community.
Australian tour providers interested in including more dive packages in their portfolio of products are invited to a dedicated B2B evening to meet and network with various suppliers on Friday 11 September 2015 from 5.00pm – 7.00pm.
Tourism boards, dive resorts and dive operators participating this year include: Aqua Marine Diving; Christmas Island Tourism Association; Tourism Authority of Thailand; Ena Diver Sanur; PT Indonesia Liveaboard; Thalassa 5* Padi Dive Resort; 7Seas Dive Gili; B&J Diving Centre; Wakatobi Dive Resort; Papua New Guinea; Papua Explorers; Atmosphere Resorts & Spa; Salaya Beach Houses; Bali Q Dive; Philippines Department of Tourism; Rainforest Scuba; St George Underwater; and Exmouth Diving Centre.
Highlights at the Expo include dive try-outs and rebreather training at the pool on location; a live demonstration on free diving, a stunning photographic and video presentation of the marine world, where the photos will be on sale; a line up of speakers and talents from the diving space; and a children’s corner with various games and activities. There will also be a series of prizes valued at more than $10,000 including dive holidays, dive equipment and subscriptions to be won over the weekend.
P.S: The largest New Zealand famil begins
Some 400 Australian travel agents arrived in Aotearoa this week for the largest-every trade famil of New Zealand.
Organised by Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia, the famil took agents from around Australia across the ditch for the five-day exclusive journey.
The experience began with an Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia alliance training session, which updated consultants on the pair’s joint services.
