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. Virgin Australia changes fares, gives travellers 9 options
Choosing a fair was once as simple as deciding between Economy and First Class. You either had enough money to fly in style, or you didn’t.
But then budget carriers came onto the scene to completely shake up the way airlines sold their tickets by focusing less on which area of the plane you booked and more on the amenities you can get for you dollars.
Suddenly there was a fare for just the passenger and their carry-on, another fare for a seat plus check-in luggage and then fares that included the seat, check-in and a meal.
2. Disruptions continue as Delta cancels 300 more flights
Delta Air Lines’ Chief Executive, Ed Bastian has come out and personally apologised to thousands of customers whose travel plans were disrupted by a global power outage this week.
On Monday, the airline was forced to cancel around 800 flights on its global network when its system shut down. Everything from check-in, website, flight boards to apps were affected by the failure.
According to Bastian, the airline is yet to determine the cause of the outage but said the company is now back online and attempting to recover its operations.
3. Kevin Bowler bids farewell to Tourism New Zealand
It’s almost the end of an era over at Tourism New Zealand as Chief Executive of seven years, Kevin Bowler, announces his departure.
The tourism bureau’s Chair, Kerry Prendergast, confirmed this week that Bowler has submitted his resignation so that he can cross over to the beverage industry as the new New Zealand CEO of Frucor Beverages Limited.
His last day with Tourism New Zealand will be 28 October 2016.
4. “Aussie accents are everywhere in Hawaii”
Leaving ‘Straya’ for the land of Aloha aka Hawaii doesn’t mean you can escape those ‘G’days’ with old ‘mates’ and a few ‘randos’.
According to Kerri Anderson, Country Manager, Australia for Hawai’i Tourism Oceania, there’s more and more Aussie accents being heard across the five islands as Australians continue to travel to Hawaii in record numbers.
But don’t be ‘devo’, it’s ‘defo’ a good thing because it means Aussies can feel more at home across the Pacific.
5. Bench drops the International for just Africa
A new name, new look and a new brochure! Bench International has undergone a complete rebrand to become Bench Africa.
If you were Australia’s first Africa specialist and know the continent best, then why not promote that?
That was pretty much the drive behind Bench International’s decision to ditch the ‘International’ in its name and replace it with ‘Africa’.
6. The key speakers at the TravelManagers Conference will be…
There’s now seven days to go until hundreds of TravelManagers fly into Bangkok for the group’s annual national conference, which this year revolves around the theme of ‘Adding Value’.
Commencing on 19 August, the theme aims to encourage members to see themselves as not just a business but people with experiences and knowledge that can be shared with clients by giving them first hand travel ideas and suggestions.
Additionally, the three-day conference will see attendees walk away with new skills, insights and ideas to add value to their clients’ holiday experiences.
To help instill Agents with the skills they need, TravelManagers has secured a caliber of keynote speakers with incredible insight to pass on.
They include futurist and online marketing specialist, Gihan Perera, who is back by popular demand after speaking at the group’s conference in 2014.
There’s also Tran Trong Kien, a self-made entrepreneur who will impart his views on the importance of strategic partnerships; as well as Peter Baines OAM, the owner of a successful consulting business, building engagement through corporate social responsibility.
The TravelManagers 2016 national conference will be held 19-21 August 2014 at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel in Bangkok.
KarryOn will be in attendance so be sure to check our website for live updates.
7. Sydney gets more access to Norfolk Island
Image: NorfolkIsland,com.au
Air New Zealand is giving Sydneysiders more access to Norfolk Island through a limited time additional Sunday service.
Meeting demand during the peak period, flights will operate on 8 and 15 January as well as between 26 February to 30 April 2017.
The additional Sunday flight will operate at the same time as the current Monday and Friday services. They are now available for booking in the GDS.
8. Here’s a good incentive to take a survey
Do you think surveys are a drag? Do you need a really good reason to take one? How’s about winning a flight?
Cathay Pacific is calling all Australian trade to take part in a nationwide survey and go in the running to win two return Economy Class tickets to Hong Kong.
The survey is open from now until 23 August 2o16 and is designed to give trade the chance to offer feedback on how the airline can continue to build its service and continue to work at ease with the industry.
Click here to take part.
9. WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi famil’
If $999 flights to Abu Dhabi weren’t enough to encourage you to sell Etihad Airways to your clients, then how about a trip to Abu Dhabi?
Etihad Airways along with Virgin Australia and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has just launched an Agent incentive, giving consultants the chance to WIN a spot on the ‘Ultimate Abu Dhabi’ famil running this October.
To be one of 50 on the captivating, cultural and adventurous trip, Agents simply need to book Etihad Airways or Virgin Australia to Abu Dhabi or as a stopover to Europe.
