Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Turkey’s New Year’s Eve tragedy
Image: @berlinflaneur/Twitter
A night of celebration and new beginnings turned to one of tragedy in Istanbul, Turkey on New Year’s Eve when a gunman shot his way into a packed nightclub, killing at least 39 people.
Some 500-600 people were in Reina nightclub, ringing in the New Year at around 1.15am (local time) when the attack occurred.
According to sources, the assailant gunned down a police officer and a civilian before making his way into the venue. He then opened fire at random, killing at least 39 people, including up to 16 foreigners, and injuring around 70 others.
2. Every time you board a plane, you’re probably flying with one these…
There are a couple of pilots, crew members, trays upon trays of food, a selection of beverages, a fair few fellow travellers AND probably an animal or two.
It seems as though every time travellers board a plan they’re actually flying with at least one furry friend.
According to Qantas, Aussies love their pets so much that they’re unwilling to leave them at home over the holidays, and are more than ever before, opting to take them on short and long breaks.
3. Brisbane is one step closer to its world-class integrated resort
Destination Brisbane Consortium has taken possession of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and plans to transform the site into a vibrant tourism and entertainment destination.
The $3 billion, multi-year makeover will commence in the coming months and turn the historic location into a world-class integrated resort.
Features of the resort development include world-class gaming facilities, 1,000 new premium hotel rooms, 50 bars and restaurants, the equivalent of 12 football fields of public space, a new pedestrian bridge to South Bank and more.
4. Botanica’s information seminars for garden-minded travellers
Travel Agents with clients who are curious about botanically-themed cruising and touring are invited to invite them to Botanica World Discoveries information seminars.
Sessions will include details about new destinations and itineraries for 2018 as well as touring options for 2017.
The seminars will also mark the launch of Botanica founder Judy Vanrenen’s new book, Along the Garden Path, which tells the story of the people, places, gardens and plants that made Botanica.
Dates are: 3 February, Botanica head office in Melbourne; 7 February, Hilton Hotel in Sydney; 8 February, Crowne Plaza in Canberra; 21 February, Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre in Melbourne; 22 February, Marriott Hotel in Brisbane; 20 March, Heronswood Garden in Mornington Peninsula; and 22 March, The Playford Hotel in Adelaide.
Click here for more information.
5. P&O shows off a new look for Pacific Explorer
When P&O’s newest addition joins the fleet later this year, she’ll surely stand out from the other ships with a Southern Cross painted across the bow.
The national symbol in both Australia and New Zealand was selected by the cruise line because it’s seen as an “ageless pointer to contemporary cruising” and will help launch a “new era of local cruising”, P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said.
The new livery is a contemporary interpretation of the classic Southern Cross symbol and will see the five stars decorate the bow of Pacific Explorer with a sweeping flourish.
6. NOTICE: Attraction maintenance closures at Universal Studios Japan
Travel Agents with clients heading to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka should be aware of temporary attraction closures over the coming months.
Select attractions will closed while undergoing maintenance, these include Space Fantasy – The Ride (4 January – 25 June 2017); Animation Celebration® (1 March – 31 March 2018); Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic (5-25 June 2017); Shrek’s 4-D Adventure (5-25 June 2017); Hollywood Dream The Ride (13-24 February 2017); Jurassic Park The Ride® (16-27 January 2017); and WaterWorld (30 January – 3 February 2017).
Additionally, Elomo’s Go-Go Skateboard will be closed (5-24 February 2017) along with Hollywood Dream The Ride (7-10 February 2017); The Flying Snoopy (27 February – 3 March 2017) and Jaws® (1-10 March 2017).
7. Star Cruises homeports in the Philippines
A New Year calls for some cruise industry firsts and Star Cruises is leading the way with its first-ever homeport deployment of SuperStar Virgo to Manila.
The vessel will operate cruises from the Philippines for two months from 19 March to 28 May 2017.
Itineraries will include the five-night cruise calling at Laoag, Kaohsiung and Hong Kong.
8. SeaLink South Australia caters to Chinese travellers
SeaLink South Australia has launched a new Chinese website to further tap into the growing market.
The website features information on accommodation, day and overnight tours in Adelaide or Kangaroo Island, as well as packages for three, four or seven-night Murray River cruises onboard PS Murray Princess.
Additionally, website visitors can use the direct booking link to secure their holiday on the official SeaLink booking website.
Click here to check out the new site.