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 & the Sunrise crew arrive in London
Sunrise’s trip around the world continues & Flight Centre’s Social Media Specialist, Millie Yervantian is right alongside them. Here’s her day two blog from London.
We set off to London at 9.00am and arrived to an absolutely hustling and bustling Heathrow Airport at 2.00pm.
There was a surprise waiting at the airport for Kochie. Georgie his daughter had only just moved to London and was there to greet him and the crew at the airport. We later found out that this was because Kochie was in fact carrying a whole suitcase full of Georgie’s clothes from Australia.
2. Malindo Air is coming to Aus
While Malaysia Airlines reworks its Australian operations, another Malaysian carrier is seeing opportunity in the local market and plans on tapping into it with new direct flights.
Commencing in 11 November this year, Malaysia’s first hybrid airline – Malindo Air – will fly from its hub in Kuala Lumpur to Perth.
The airline’s Chief Executive, Chandran Rama Muthy, said the new service is pending approval and is expecting to get the go-ahead by early October. In the meantime, GDS systems are slowly listing Malindo Air’s new route.
3. Qantas changes seat selection fee
Qantas will remove its $25 charge for Seat Selection for International Economy Saver and Flex fares, making overseas trips a little cheaper on select routes.
Commencing 23 September, Qantas said the changes will result in better value for Bronze and non-Qantas Frequent Flyer members who purchase an International Economy Saver or Flex fare, in addition to existing benefits such as earning more Qantas Points and Status Credits, the ability to request a Classic Upgrade reward for Qantas Frequent Flyers and a lower change fee than applicable to sale fares.
Changes will also apply to the fee for Seat Selection for International Economy Sale fares on trans-Tasman routes which will drop from $25 to $15 and other international flights will increase from $25 to $30.
4. It’s off: Helloworld calls off AOT talks
Helloworld says it will not be purchasing the AOT Group, despite confirming it was in talks to acquire the company earlier this month.
In a statement, the agency group said it has terminated potential acquisition discussions due to an inability to reach an agreement with AOT shareholders.
According to helloworld, AOT vendors were asking to become ‘significant minority shareholders’ in the Helloworld Group.
5. WOW Owen Wilson is P&O’s new ‘cruiseling’
WOW! New ships, new dining experiences, new activities and now Owen Wilson as the company’s celebrity ambassador.
The Australian cruise line has teamed up with the Wilson brother to help promote its two newest ships – Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden – in the local market.
The comedic actor famed for his roles in Meet the Parents, Wedding Crashers and more, filmed three short films for the cruise line as part of a series called ‘The Conspicuous Awakening of Owen Wilson’.
6. One ‘undercover’ reason you’ll want to go Goulburn
Art, a brewery, small-town hospitality – there’s an endless list of reasons to visit NSW’s up and coming regional city of Goulburn, but none more powerful than Bond, James Bond.
The man of mystery himself is hopping on a plane and heading to the city to be part of the inaugural SPYfest – a celebration of all things espionage – taking place on 25 and 26 September.
The city-wide festival will feature spy and crime movies, books, music, cars and several special guests including 007.
7. Register to ‘stay relevant’ with ATAS
AFTA’s Joanne Tralaggan will host a special webinar for agents to discover how ATAS stacks up in the market and examine the success of the accreditation scheme through qualitative research.
Starting at 11.00am on 23 September, agents will also learn how to leverage ATAS accreditation and remain competitive in today’s market place.
Joanna will also discuss today’s Australian traveller as well as accreditation and the consumer.
8. A pink & yellow rebrand for TAT
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has unveiled a new pink and yellow logo that also incorporates something Thais are world famous for – a smile.
Ornate details of the traditional Thai Kanok pattern have been adjusted to create the ‘Smile’ symbol, which signifies the world-renowned smiles of Thai people It also represents friendship, enjoyment and happiness. The Smile symbol is regarded as a hospitable welcome to people all over the world.
The letter ‘A’ in the word ‘Thailand’ is created to resemble smiling eyes, which, when accompanied with the ‘Smile’ symbol, together perfectly form a person’s smiling face.
Colours of the logo include pink (from lotus and silk), which refers to friendship, fun and vibrancy. The yellow colour for smiling eyes conveys excitement and happiness, as well as gloriousness and prosperity.
9. Virgin Atlantic refreshes the Revivals Lounge
Upper Class and Flying Gold Club passengers travelling from New Zealand to London Heathrow, can benefit from additional services and greater value at Virgin Atlantic’s Revivals Lounge.
Open from 5.00am to 1.30pm, seven days a week, the Revivals Lounge encompasses a full range of business facilities including, hot power showers, clothes pressing and mending services, a delicious cooked breakfast menu, WiFi and mobile phone chargers. A dedicated concierge team are also on hand to assist with travel reservations and printing.
Gia Acitelli, Regional General Manager South East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand at Virgin Atlantic Airways, said the lounge is ‘well-suited’ to New Zealand passengers arriving in London.
“These facilities enable passengers to step off the aircraft, have a hot shower and breakfast, before heading into London.”
Gia Acitelli, Virgin Atlantic Regional General Manager South East Asia
The Revival Lounge can be found above Terminal 3, just a five-minute walk from arrivals, past customs and baggage claim.
10. roomsXML awards wins with Magellan
Congratulations to roomsXML.com for taking out the silver award at this year’s 2015 Magellan Awards.
The award recognises innovations in Online Travel Services in the category of Travel Agent Only Website (Silver winner).
From design to marketing to services, the annual awards honors the best in travel and salutes the outstanding travel professionals behind it all.
roomsXML’s category was ‘Online Travel Services – Overall – Travel Agent Only Website’ with the successful award application of ’11 Innovations of roomsXML’ with roomsXML’s innovations in the room type clarification a major focus.
Anuj Bang, who lead roomsXML’s effort on clarifying room types, said it’s great to receive recognition for such a ‘large and challenging investment’.
roomsXML Asia Pacific’s Mark Luckey concurred, saying room types are a challenge for the industry and agents have recognised the innovation and value the company provides.
P.S. Emirates early birds
The airline has launched its Early Bird airfares for 2016 with fars to Europe starting from $1,469.
Economy early bird fares to Emirates’ newest European destination of Bologna in Italy starts from $1,469 in Economy and $6,979 in Business Class.
Economy Class Early Bird airfares start from $1,576 to Amsterdam, $1,576 to Copenhagen, $1,718 to London, $1,576 to Madrid, $1,712 to Manchester, $1,619 to Paris, $1,593 to Rome and $1,586 to Zurich.
Early Bird Business Class airfares begin from $6,986 to Amsterdam, $6,981 to Copenhagen, $7,293 to London, $6,986 to Madrid, $7,295 to Manchester, $7,095 to Paris, $7,003 to Rome and $6,996 to Zurich.
Flying onboard one of the world’s most advanced fleet of aircraft, all Emirates passengers enjoy an award winning inflight entertainment system with more than 2,000 channels to choose from, and service from an international crew, including gourmet food and wine and a generous luggage allowance.
Bookings are available for a limited time only and must be complete by 11 of November 2015. Early Bird fares are available for travel between 1 – 22 March and 4 – 24 May 2016 and fare levels vary during this period.
P.P.S. The Bachelor star flies with Virgin Australia
A former The Bachelor contestant has ditched the cameras and microphone for an aircraft and loud speaker as a new Virgin Australia air hostess.
Sandra Rato, the 28-year-old extrovert that was dubbed as the wild-one in the series, was spotted walking through Sydney Airport this week sporting Virgin’s red and purple uniform.
The former school teacher was hired by the airline a few months earlier.
P.P.P.S. Adventure World takes agents to South America
This group of lucky agents got to salsa, explore the Amazon and take jeep rides from Brazil to Chile as part of the Adventure World’s 2015 famil.
The group were treated by Adventure World to an in-depth look at the major cities in Brazil including Rio de Janeiro, Manaus and Salvador do Bahia, followed by a brief stopover including a visit to a winery and the coastal city of Valparaiso in Chile.
Experiences included open jeep rides to a local favela and a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of a Carnivale school in Rio, an eco-jungle lodge in the Amazon and a day sailing down to the Meeting of the Waters in Manaus, as well as a deep and extensive immersion into customs, culture, cuisine, music and history of Salvador.
Back Row [L-R]: Greg Adventure World, Rosemary Capital Travel, Candice Cruiseabout, Roberta Blumar, Matt -We Know Travel.
Front Row [L-R]: Silvia Adventure World, Tarryn Jones & Turner Travel Associates, Zoe Spectacular World Travel, Peter Clayfield Travel Professionals, Nick LATAM, Shaan Flight Centre.
P.P.P.P.S: Parkes all shook up for Elvis festival
Central NSW is set to rock for the return of the Parkes Elvis Festival, with the NSW Government kicking off its blue suede shoes by committing funding for the event for the next three years.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres announced the funding today at the 2016 Parkes Elvis Festival Program launch at Hotel Gracelands in Parkes.
The NSW Government has committed funding to the Parkes Elvis Festival for three years from 2016-2018. It attracted some 11,000 overnight visitors who contributed over $8.6 million to the local visitor economy this year.
Member for Orange Andrew Gee said the Parkes Elvis Festival is an event that people can’t help falling in love with.
“The music, costumes and entertainment combined with country hospitality ensures this is one of the most fun events you’ll ever go to.”
Andrew Gee, Member for Orange
“This festival is a testament to the community spirit of Parkes and I invite everyone to visit in January and join in the celebrations.”
The Parkes Elvis Festival will be held from Wednesday, 6 January to Sunday, 10 January 2016.
