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. Travel industry unites to ask R U OK?
What do travel companies like Virgin Australia, Accor and Metro have in common today? Aside from being part of the best industry, they’re also heavily involved in ‘RUOK?’ Day.
Did you know that in the time it took you to read that opening sentence at least one person attempted to commit suicide somewhere around the world?
Did you know that more than 2,500 Australians die from suicide every year – that’s seven people a day. A further 65,000 attempt suicide each year in Australia and it’s the biggest killer of Australians under 44 years.
2. Contiki travels to 4 new Legend-ary countries
Youth tour operator, Contiki’s 2016 European itineraries officially went on sale last night with eight new itineraries on offer and four new countries for your clients to visit.
Revealed last night in front of 300 Legend-ary agents, Contiki said for the first time ever next year, travellers will be able to board the iconic Contiki coach to Bosnia, Montenegro, Romania and Iceland.
While destinations like Romania and Montenegro may seem a little out-of-the-box to some, Contiki’s Global CEO, Casper Urhammer, told KarryOn the destinations were added based on request from past guests.
3. Virgin raises the bar with new terminal
Sir Richard Branson says Virgin Australia continues to raise the benchmark for travellers with its recently upgraded Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal.
Unveiled this week, the new terminal has received a number of enhancements including new facilities for Business Class guests, an expanded domestic lounge as well as a new Espresso and Wine bar.
Business travellers will enjoy the airline’s new ‘Premium Entry’ experience, which enables kerbside direct entry into the lounge as well as the enhanced valet service which also has direct access to the lounge allowing seamless transition from car to terminal.
4. Who are the industry’s best for luxury travel?
It was all glamour and fine dining last night as the industry celebrated the best products and operators in the global luxury travel sector at the inaugural Luxperience Gala Dinner and Awards Evening.
Some 500 luminaries attended the glittering event, which also marked the culmination of Sydney’s leading luxury and experiential travel trade exhibition, Luxperience.
Presided over the event was the Master of Ceremonies Tom Williams, a media personality and travel enthusiast.
5. Creative’s double digit growth
Creative Holidays has reported triple digit growth in the months following the launch of its enhanced agent booking engine.
Launched in March of this year, the enhanced agent booking engine, which provides agents with a simple way to create seamless itineraries for their clients, was followed up with the release of new versions and further enhancements.
James Gaskell, Managing Director, Creative Holidays said while agents were open to the initial launch, the company has seen momentum growth as updates were introduced.
For example, the latest 2.1 version released in June experienced a 110 percent increase in total transaction value (TTV) booked online. This was topped again in July when 2.2 was released with another 48 percent growth.
Agents can login at creativeholidays.com/agents using the username they received via email or create a new agency account.
6. INCENTIVE: Win a spot on the Park City Ski famil
Skimax Holidays and Delta Air Lines have teamed up to host a Ski Famil to Park City, Utah departing in March 2016 for eight lucky agents.
To be in the running the win agents need to make a Delta Air Lines and Park City booking for the 2015/16 season with Skimax for a minimum of seven nights and they will receive an entry into the draw.
The promotion is open to all licensed travel agents and each booking made between 1 September and 30 November will receive an entry in the draw. Agents who ticket through Skimax or self ticket need to email self ticketed PNR information to agents@skimax.com.au.
Winners will be announced on 2 December 2015.
Any enquiries can be made by emailing agents@skimax.com.au or phoning 1300 136 997.
7. Le Boat expands its Horizon
Le Boat is expanding its fleet in 2016 with a new craft designed for couples and small families.
Named the Horizon, the new vessel will feature a spacious master cabin and a second smaller cabin that is perfect for young children, a bathroom with a separate stall shower, and comfortable spaces for dining and other activities.
It also has a rear cockpit and roomy sundeck that comes complete with furniture, sink, and barbeque. As with all Le Boat rentals, no boating experience or license is required.
Horizon will be available in all of LeBoat’s key cruising areas, which include the Canal du Midi and Burgundy in France, The River Thames in England, and other popular waterways in Italy, Holland, and Germany.
Shannan Brennan, Le Boat’s head of Distribution and Marketing, U.S., Canada and Latin America, said boating vacations continue to grow in popularity among families and small groups and a new vessel would offer more choice for the ever-broadening market.
8. A special guest stops by the Princess office
It was all aboard in Princess Cruises’ Sydney office last week when Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz paid a visit from the US.
Ms Swartz’ Sydney call came in the lead up to Princess’ biggest ever summer season Down Under, with two Grand Class ships – Diamond Princess and Golden Princess – set to join Princess’ three local ships in Australian waters.
During her briefing to the Princess’ team, Ms Swartz congratulated staff for their work in building the cruise line’s presence in Australia, and also outlined Princess’ activity for its 2017 winter program which will see the first ever roundtrip cruise from Australia to the Arctic Circle.
9. iTravel agents get the Royal experience
[L-R]: Sue Milosova, Linda Hogan, Tim Rosso, Lyndall Collins, Annalee Ilievski, Steve Labroski (itravel MD) and Joanne Agius.
iTravel agents enjoyed the ‘Big’ life with industry friends and Royal Caribbean earlier this week.
The evening of Entertainment, Music, Food, and Cocktails celebrated Royal Caribbean’s amazing year in the Australian Cruise Industry and toast all of the amazing ships coming our way in 2015 and 2016.
Agents even had the chance to snap a fun picture with the evening’s MC, Tim Rosso.
10. Passengers & crew safe after plane catches fire
Fire on #BritishAirways in #lasvegas pic.twitter.com/cH85TMUYjx
— Paul Berberian (@pberberian) September 8, 2015
Social media is abuzz with travellers sharing images of a British Airways Boeing 777-200 which caught fire before taking off in Las Vegas this week.
Flight 2276 was preparing to take off from Sin City’s McCarran International Airport when passengers noticed smoke coming up through the windows.
Media is reporting that the London-bound aircraft started shooting flames from the side of the jet while black and orange flames engulfed the aircraft.
