We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Germanwings crash prompts air safety changes
Image: Tyler Olson/Shutterstock
This week’s Germanwings crash into the French Alps has prompted airlines to change their safety policies to ensure there’s always a second crew member in the cockpit.
On Wednesday, an A320 carrying 150 passengers fell from the sky while travelling from Barcelona to Dusseldorf.
Although original reports suggested the aircraft may have been at fault, officials are now claiming the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz intentionally destroyed the plane.
2. New Zealand, a domestic holiday for Aussies
Image: Victor Maschek/Shutterstock
Australians no longer consider crossing ditch to New Zealand as taking an international holiday, according to new figures.
A report released by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) found the median stay for Aussies has fallen over the last decade from 11 to nine days.
TIA Chief Executive, Chris Roberts said the decline supports the hypothesis that Aussies now consider New Zealand as a domestic destination.
3. Marshall cruises from sea to hotels
She’s headed up some of the industry’s biggest land and cruise operators, but now Tammy Marshall is moving into hospitality as the first Chief Operating Officer to TFE Hotels.
Announced by CEO Rachel Argaman this week, Marshall will step into the newly created role in May where she will oversee hotel operations, team performance and business improvement across the organisation and brands.
“I have worked closely with Tammy in the past and admire her as a passionate leader and change agent. We’re privileged to have Tammy join our business in this critical period as TFE Hotels continues to transform and grow.”
Rachel Argaman, TFE CEO
Marshall steps into the role after spending the last three years with Carnival Australia and Senior Vice President for P&O Cruises’ regional office.
During that period, she led the P&O Cruises brand and was responsible for commercial operations across Carnival Australia, at a time when Australia overtook the US to become the world’s leading cruise market in terms of growth and market penetration.
Marshall said she truly believes an organisation’s growth is achieved through people, culture, vision and focus as well as creating customer value.
“Having hung my captain’s hat on the peg and shaken my sea-legs, I could not be more excited to be joining TFE Hotels, one of the leading hospitality operators, with such a diverse range of brands and audiences.”
Tammy Marshall, TFE Hotels Chief Operating Officer
In addition to her time at Carnival Australia, Marshall has also held key positions at Inspiring Journeys, AAT Kings and Contiki.
4. Air NZ’s cricket flights
Image: ICC Cricket World Cup.
Air New Zealand has announced it will operate a special charter service between Auckland and Melbourne this weekend for the cricket fans heading to the city for the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday.
The Boeing 777-200 will offer more than 300 additional seats in each direction.
The first chartered service will depart Auckland on Sunday at 8.30am, arriving in Melbourne at 10.30am.
It then returns on Monday, departing Melbourne at 2.00am, arriving back in Auckland at 7.30am.
The decision for a chartered service comes after adding services from Auckland to Melbourne this Saturday and from Melbourne to Auckland on 30 March. These additional flights proved hugely popular, selling out in only an hour.
Return fares on the charter service start from $991 including taxes for a seat fare.
Qantas has also published four additional return services between Auckland and Australia for the cricket game. Read on
5. INCENTIVE: Win a North America adventure
Scenic Tours is offering travel agents the opportunity to win a 5-star luxury all-inclusive experience to Canada and Alaska.
The prize will go the agent who books the most 2016 Canada, Alaska & USA bookings by 30 November 2015.
Prize includes return flight to Canada, two days on board the Rocky Mountaineer, accommodation at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, seven-night luxury Alaskan cruise with Holland America Line, Brewsters day tour to Lake Louise and more.
2016 itineraries can be viewed in the pre-release Canada, Alaska and USA program.
Clients that book now will have access to 2016 North America itineraries at 2015 prices.
6. Travelport hits 100 milestone
Travelport this week reached a milestone, when it signed its 100th airline to its Travelport Rich Content and Branding merchandise solution.
Launched earlier this year, the merchandising technology is integrated into the company’s Travel Commerce Platforms to enable airlines to retail their products to global travel trade.
Among the newest airlines to sign up include TAP Air Portugal, LATAM and China Eastern.
They join the existing list of ‘live’ airline, which is currently make up of Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, easyJet and Ryanair.
Travelport’s MD of Air Commerce said the vision for the solution is to redefine travel commerce and provide improve air merchandising capabilities.
“As a result of our heightened focus in this area, we have been able to transform the traditional air distribution model to offer a suite of unique merchandising solutions, including Rich Content and Branding, which significantly benefit our airline customers as well as our travel agency and TMC partners.”
Derek Sharp, Travelport Managing Director, Air Commerce
7. AIME’s delegate count rises
Trixie from Crowne Plaza Manila shared a picture with her new giant friend.
Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) welcomed five percent more business in 2015, as 4,776 attendees joined the annual MICE exhibition.
According to new audit figures, 2,574 international and domestic trade visitors participated in the event along with 488 hosted buyers.
Of the hosted buyers, 40 percent were new to AIME this year
Exhibitors from 37 countries were showcased across the newly designed show floor, five percent of which were first time participants including Hoyts Corporate Solutions, Entegy, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and Samoa Tourism Authority.
Feedback from the 2014 show suggested AIME attendees wanted further support across education, networking and business development.
In response, AIME implemented initiatives including a new floor plan, a revitalised social networking program and refreshed Hosted Buyer and Knowledge programs.
Specifically on the show floor, the Community Hub brought the new direction to life providing all attendees with activities to support both professional and personal development.
The AIME team is currently in the process of collating its annual post show survey results and reviewing industry feedback, which together will garner how the changes to the traditional show format were received to support the evolution and growth of the AIME community year-round and 2016 show.
8. Alitalia’s first intercontinental flights
(L-R): Ariodante Valeri, Chief Commercial Officer of Alitalia, and Jim Mueller, Senior Vice President Global Sales of Etihad.
Etihad’s Italian airline project is starting to gain traction as Alitalia starts promoting its first intercontinental flights.
The UAE-based carrier last year spent around $2.4 billion purchasing a 49 percent stake in the Italian airline.
At the time, Alitalia’s finances were suffering.
Since, Etihad has set into motion a revival plan, to bring the airline back to profitability.
Among the changes includes new branding, improvements to guest services, new aircraft and a network overhaul. Read on
The first of the major changes to the network is the introduction of intercontinental flights to Abu Dhabi.
The daily connection was revealed in Venice this week and will commence on 29 March 2015.
From Venice’s Marco Polo airport, the first Alitalia flight for Abu Dhabi will take off this Sunday at 9.55 pm, landing in Abu Dhabi at 5.55 am (local time) on the following day.
Flights from Abu Dhabi to Venice will depart at 9.05am (local time) to arrive at the Marco Polo Airport at 1.35pm.
The service will be operated using a 250-seat Airbus A330 aircraft, arranged in three service classes: Magnifica (business class), Classica Plus (premium economy) and Classica (economy).
9. Aussies & Kiwis – the world’s most active travellers
Aussies and Kiwis don’t like to keep still while on holidays, according to a new study, which shows they’re among the world’s most active adventurers.
The study compiled by G Adventures found people from Australia and New Zealand are after hands-on adventure, booking trips that involve hiking, cycling, kayaking, surfing and snorkeling.
They also make up 25 percent of bookings for the company’s global ‘Active’ style tours.
“We’ve noticed Aussies and Kiwis are more likely than travellers of other countries to book an active adventure. It’s not surprising really, given our love for the outdoors and sport in general.”
Belinda Ward, G Adventures Australia and New Zealand Duchess of Delegation
G Adventures, this week released its new Active style brochure featuring a mix of different activities such as camping to provide a real insight into the natural landscapes that travellers from this region often seek out in an overseas trip.
Cycling tours around Asia are very popular, according to the tour operator, due to its proximity to the region.
However, tours in the Himalayas are the most popular amongst adventurers from Australia and New Zealand, with travellers from this region accounting for over 30 percent of bookings worldwide.
As a result the company has added more adventures in the Himalayas specifically catering to Aussies and Kiwis.
10. Mourners travel to Melbourne
We farewell 2 great leaders over next 3 days – Malcolm Fraser & Lee Kuan Yew. Photo: #CHOGM Melbourne 1981 pic.twitter.com/V08BqmHbNp
— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) March 26, 2015
Cricket isn’t the only reason people headed Melbourne today, as a number of politicians and mourners flew to the city for the state funeral of former prime minister Malcolm Fraser.
Held at 11.30 this morning at Scots’ Church, over 700 people including family, friends and dignitaries are believed to have been in attendance.
Seating for up to 1,000 members of the public was also set up across the street at St Michael’s Uniting Church where the service was televised.
Among the politicians believed to have been in attendance were former prime ministers Julia Gillard, John Howard and Paul Keating.
Former leaders Kevin Rudd and Bob Hawke said they missed the service due to overseas commitments.
Mr Rudd is believed to have sent his youngest son, Marcus, in his place.
Malcolm Fraser died on 20 March after suffered a brief illness.
Further details of the 84-year-old’s passing remain undisclosed.
Mr Fraser served as Australian prime minister from November 1875 to March 1983.
He was Australia’s 22nd leader.