We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Ebola outbreak shakes up travel industry
With cases of Ebola detected in areas other than West Africa, airlines and travel companies are feeling the pinch with millions being wiped off of their market value. Certain airlines companies have experienced a five to seven per cent drop on their market value. The cruise industry has also experienced major declines, averaging around six per cent.
The falls, according to experts, were likely to have been prompted by fears that the disease’s spread could cause major travel disruption. However, travel to Africa is suffering at a staggering rate. Deaths from the disease and persistent media coverage has delivered a financial blow to the tourism industry.
Read on for more.
2. Tech giants making billions and changing travel habits
The US Apple and Google brands, which have become household names around the globe, are worth more than (US) $100 billion each, and top a ranking of the world’s biggest brands, consultancy Interbrand said.
In first place, computer brand Apple has risen 21 per cent in value this year to worth an estimated (US) $118.9 billion. In second place, the brand value of internet search engine Google has increased by 15 per cent to (US) $107.43 billion. While this is astonishing news for the two tech giants, their presence on the travel landscape has increased exceedingly over the past few years.
Apple has not only produced products that have changed the way people around the world communicate, obtain information or entertain themselves but have shaped the way we consider travelling to remote destinations.
Read on for more.
3. Sunshine Coast coaxing tourists to migrate north
Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (SCDL) and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) worked in partnership to produce the innovative marketing campaign, filmed using state-of-the-art drones.
With a ‘migrating birds’ inspired theme, the creators of the campaign describe the rationale as; “Animals have a brilliant way of refreshing themselves: it’s called migration. Birds including The Wandering Tattler fly somewhere warm, relaxing and full of good food and shelter. This is exactly the same reason why Australians travel to the Sunshine Coast. It’s a place to unwind, relax, enjoy the sunshine, produce and experience natural attractions.”
Read on for more.
4. Carnival Australia aims to go green
Australia’s leading cruise operator, Carnival Australia has announced a five year pathway for the introduction of new air quality technology for its local fleet of cruise ships.
In addition to meeting or exceeding existing environmental standards, the company, which carried nearly 600,000 Australians on cruise holidays last year, has committed to achieving low sulphur fuel emissions by 2020.
“Our five year pathway to reduced fuel emissions puts Australia in the win-win position of benefiting from the economic surge of cruise industry growth while adding to environmental sustainability,” said Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia.
“We have already introduced exhaust gas cleaning technology in the Australian market with the recent arrival of our ship Carnival Legend, which is fitted with the technology.”
5. RAC Travel Carousel dazzles with APT diamond status
Pictured from Left to Right is: Emma Britton, Dani Park-Yeoman and Suni Ahuja from RAC Travel Carousel in Cannington, WA.
RAC Travel Carousel has become the first RAC retail store in Western Australia to attain Diamond status as part of APT’s VIP agent reward and recognition program. As well as achieving the highest level of sales across APT, Travelmarvel and Botanica’s product portfolio, the team has also earned its status through working in partnership with APT’s business development team to market each brand to clients.
“We are delighted to welcome RAC Travel Carousel as one of our highest performing agents,” APT’s Commercial Manager, Susan Haberle said.
“They operate as a true partner and understand our products and their matching client base intuitively. We are excited about working with the team to continue to strengthen our valuable partnership, both through assisting with product education, client information and marketing support, and in driving forward sales.”
Pictured from Left to Right is: Emma Britton, Dani Park-Yeoman and Suni Ahuja from RAC Travel Carousel in Cannington, WA.
6. Best Western gets the crown
Best Western International has once again been crowned as Asia’s best midscale hotel brand, for a staggering eighth year in a row. At the 25th Annual TTG Travel Awards, which took place in Bangkok on 3 October , Best Western International once again took the title of ‘Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand’, as voted for by the readers of TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTGmice, TTG-BTmice China, TTGassociations and TTG Asia Luxury magazines.
Best Western International also won the ‘Best Trade Supporter’ award, as selected by the TTG editorial team. This special honour falls under the ‘Outstanding Achievement Awards’ category and is dedicated to the company demonstrating the highest level of support for the travel trade.
Glenn de Souza, Best Western International’s Vice President of International Operations for Asia & Middle East, picked up the two awards on behalf of his company.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been named Asia’s ‘Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand’ once again,” said Mr. de Souza.
7. Sustainable tourism to gain platform at G20
On the eve of this year’s G20 Summit in Brisbane, a group of global tourism leaders will meet to discuss the strategic role that sustainability will play in managing the future development and operation of the world’s tourism industry. The G20 Sustainable Leaders Forum, to be held on November 13, will be chaired by EC3 Global, a Brisbane-based organisation whose sustainability programmes are now used in 70 countries around the world.
During the forum, EC3 will moderate a panel discussion with representatives from world-leading companies and destinations to share thoughts on how the industry can manage the double-edged sword that comes with being one of the fastest growth sectors in the world.
The tourism industry currently delivers five percent of the world’s GDP, eight percent of the world’s jobs and brings much-needed foreign exchange to developing countries.
8. easyJet set to break records
easyJet has today has announced its peak summer schedule for 2015 by placing a record number of flights on sale. Over 79,000 flights are set to take place to and from the UK between 1 June and 6 September next year providing 13 million seats, in what is set to be the most ever for easyJet for the time of year. Over 22.5 million seats are being launched today across the entire easyJet network during the period. Throughout the whole of next summer over 45 million passengers are expected to fly.
“We’re pleased to be putting our peak summer period on sale for our passengers today, allowing them to take advantage of our lowest fares to the sun, cities and beaches across Europe,” Sophie Dekkers, easyJet’s UK director, said.
9. Silky Bedi joins Tourism Portfolio in new Sales Coordinator role
Bedi has more than 10 years’ experience in the travel industry, having worked with some of Australia’s leading wholesale companies, including Adventure World, Creative Holidays and Qantas Holidays, along with Trafalgar Tours in the United Kingdom.
Most recently she worked as Contract Manager for Rising Stars Travel, a specialist in sport travel management.
In her new role, Bedi is responsible for supporting Tourism Portfolio’s business development activities and assisting in the promotion of the Sydney-based company’s evolving suite of products.
These include international DMCs, luxury properties and high-end meeting venues across Australia, and bespoke tours across South East Asia, the Middle East and North America.
“Silky brings to the team a sound understanding of the travel industry, along with proven customer service skills and a passion for building strong relationships,” says Kessler.
“As Sales Coordinator she will play a pivotal role in supporting Tourism Portfolio’s ongoing expansion.”
10. Cebu air launches seat sale
The largest airline in the Philippines, Cebu Pacific Air is launching an exciting seat sale from October 9 – 13, 2014 (or while seats last), ideal for Australian travellers looking for an affordable and relaxing beach getaway.
CEB is enabling more Aussies to have fun in the Philippines with this hot offer: AU$199 seats are available on flights from Sydney to Manila. Quoted fares are inclusive of fees and fuel surcharges, but are exclusive of travel products such as meals or baggage allowance.
This special seat sale is available on non-stop flights from Sydney to Manila, with a travel period from November 1, 2014 to March 15, 2015. Guests can also book domestic flights to Palawan and Boracay, which are on sale for the same period, and take advantage of easy same-terminal connections via Manila Airport’s spacious Terminal 3.