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. Aus’ biggest airports slammed for bad service
Australia’s biggest airports may be making more money than ever before, but they aren’t doing it by being friendly to travellers, according to a new report.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission annual Airport Monitoring Report released this week revealed Australian gateways are generating substantial revenue and profitable increases, but their level of service quality has dived.
Both Perth and Melbourne airports received the equal lowest quality of service rating of the airports during the year, while Brisbane Airport was the only monitored airport to achieve a rating of ‘good’.
2. South Africa’s new kids rule + bid for SAA upgrades
South Africa is giving families more times to prepare for a new legislation, which will require all children travelling to the destination to have proper documentation.
PLUS! South African Airways has added a new product giving customers the chance to upgrade their seat from economy to business class through a bidding system.
3. Do women have what it takes to Do Kokoda?
Leave behind technology & everyday luxuries to trek up seemingly never-ending hills for days – the Kokoda Track is physically & emotionally draining but women are more than capable of doing it.
That’s the message Australian models Laura and Erin are sharing with Aussies as the Kokoda ambassadors for 2015.
At the launch of their campaign in Sydney last night, PNG Australian spokesperson Georgia Gregerson said Laura Dundovic, former winner of Miss Universe Australia and Erin Holland, past winner of Miss World Australia, were selected to share the Kokoda message to a broader audience, particularly women.
4. Why Avalon isn’t onboard with all-inclusive
River cruising – it’s a hyper competitive market, where cruise lines are stepping up their ‘exclusive’ game in a bid to win over passengers.
According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s latest figures, in Australia, six percent of our cruisers are booking river trips.
As Asian rivers slowly build traction amongst Aussies – attracting 4,511 in 2013 –European rivers are proving to be the clear favourite, attracting 41,800 Australians in 2013 – up 24.4 percent on the prior year.
5. GoT dragon breathes fire over Sydney
A Game of Thrones dragon has landed on the Sydney Opera House just in time for the season premier on Monday evening (13th April).
The countdown for season five of Game of Thrones is in full swing with Foxtel installing a large dragon on Sydney Opera House, which was revealed this morning at 8.30am in preparation for the season premier of the popular HBO drama.
One of the central characters Daenerys Targaryan’s dragon was installed by Foxtel on the steps of Sydney Opera House ahead of the large premier party hosted by the Cable TV provider which will take place at the venue only hours after the first episode has been aired in the USA.
6. Eiffel Tower shuts down
French airports weren’t the only ones in chaos yesterday, as nationwide strikes shut down schools, business and even the Eiffel Tower.
Hundreds of flight in and out of French airports were affected over the last two days as air traffic controlled workers walked off the job to protest working conditions and the push back in retiring age.
But, they weren’t the only ones skipping work.
Hundreds of protestors took to the streets to air their grievances against state funding cuts, the same increased retirement age and other business reforms.
In that mix of protestors was a number of Eiffel Tower employees, according to the attraction’s spokesperson.
The spokesperson said the decision was made to close the great tower, which would have affected the average 25,000 people visiting the site every day.
According to the Daily Mail, the closure will cost the city around AU$534,131 in entry fees, gifts and food and drink sales.
7. You’re invited!
There’s still time to RSVP to Australia’s Nature Coast expos, which will ravel down the East Coast of Aus next week.
A joint venture between Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd and Fraser Coast Opportunities, the expos will kick off in Melbourne on 13 April followed by Sydney on 15 April and Brisbane on 16 April.
Over 30 delegates will present product covering the two destinations, including the launch of the Great Beach Drive, 200km scenic touring route passes two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, marine parks, sand islands and other natural landscapes.
New accommodation, attractions and touring options will be unveiled at the expos.
To attend the events email: jan.foletta@scdl.com.au
8. TTNQ maps out beauty on Instagram
Tropical North Queensland is going after social media users, with the launch of an Instamap revealing the region’s most “Instagrammable” locations.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Alex de Waal said the Instamap would encourage visitors to share their photos using the hashtag #exploreTNQ.
According to Mr de Waal, Instagram is proving a popular way of promoting the region with almost 40,000 followers of the @tropicalnorthqueensland Instagram account.
Currently, on the Instamap there are 24 shots of scenery from reef, rainforest, outback, beach, rural and city collected from a competition TTNQ recently ran asking Instagrammers to share their photos.
“A picture truly is worth a thousand words and our new Instamap will inspire visitors to TNQ to get out and explore some of the most scenic locations in the region.”
Alex de Waal, TTNQ Chief Executive Officer
The Instamap is available online at http://bit.do/InstamapBooklet and will be included in Passport to Tropical North Queensland, a new visitor magazine of 200,000 copies published by The Cairns Post to be distributed to visitors arriving in the region through Cairns Airport, from 15 April.
9. Agents whisked away to Tahiti
On the transfer from Moorea to Tahiti – [L-R]: Jane Fowler, Travel Managers; Dana Brown, Flight Centre Bondi Junction; Verity Jones, Flight Centre Newtown; Helen George, The Honeymoon Boutique; Ally Kilpin, MTA; Gloria Gammo, Smart Flyer and Marieke van de Peiterman, Flight Centre Flinders Lane Melbourne.
A lucky group of travel agents signed up to Tahiti Tourisme’s Tiare Tahiti Program were taken on a five-day getaway to Tahiti.
Hosted by Tahiti Tourisme’s Nicci Foulsham, the group of eight explored the best of the Society Islands, starting in Taha four a tour of a pearl farm.
There was also some shark and ray swimming and a motu picnic before transferring to Bora bora where they spent two luxurious days touring the island’s high-end properties.
Magic Mountain in Moorea – [L-R]: Jane Fowler, Travel Managers; Nicci Foulsham, Tahiti Tourisme; Verity Jones, Flight Centre, Newtown; Helen George, The Honeymoon Boutique; Gloria Gammo, Smart Flyer; Marieke van de Peiterman, Flight Centre Flinders Lane Melbourne; Dana Brown, Flight Centre Bondi Junction and Ally Kilpin, MTA.
The group then hopped over to Moorea, where there was a visit to Magic Mountain and the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort for some champagne and canapes.
A final night in Papeete and dinner at the Pink Coconut capped off the trip.
10. Alyssa Milano slams Heathrow for confiscating baby milk
Proud #nursing mama @Alyssa_Milano had her #breastmilk confiscated. #breastfeeding – http://t.co/YOGZdO8Zyj pic.twitter.com/8aKdW79DEF
— Celebrity Baby Scoop (@celeb_babyscoop) April 9, 2015
You can pass airport security with the right sized perfume, shampoo, an iPad and even musical instruments, but if you’re thinking of passing with bottled breast milk, think again.
Actress and mother-of-two, Alyssa Milano took to Twitter overnight to blast Heathrow Airport after her bottled breast milk was confiscated at airport security.
The ‘Charmed’ sister tweeted out her dismay to some 2.81 million followers after she claims the bottle was taken ‘with no discussion’.
(1 of 2) @HeathrowAirport just took my pumped breast milk away. 10 ounces. Gone. Not okay. — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
According to Milano, the airport told her that the breast milk would have been allowed passed security if the baby had been with her.
To that she rightfully said:
“Why would I need to pump if I had the baby with me????”
Alyssa Milano
She then went on to question how security can test her toiletries for safety, but not her breast milk.
.@HeathrowAirport I was told I would be fine if the baby was with me. Plus, it was less than 5 ounces per container. Why is my shampoo okay?
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
While Milano may have lost her breast milk, she did walk away a winner, because she needed to pump again on the other side of security and a bottle of breast milk travelled with her from London.
PS. Another reason it makes no sense – when I got past security it was time to pump again so… I did carry on 5 ounces of breast milk.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 9, 2015
Heathrow replied to the star by tweeting, “Hi Alyssa. Unfortunately, without a baby present, the government requires all liquids in carry-ons to follow the 100ml rule.”
Do you think women should be allowed to pass security with bottled breast milk?
