We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories you need to know today.
1. helloworld chases online shoppers
Less than a week after advising of more changes up ahead, helloworld has unveiled new plans to give clients access to special in-store deals from the comfort of their own home.
The latest initiative will see the agency group add a new section to its website, which provides online information on exclusive in-store deals. Consumers can then head to their nearest store to book the deals.
All part of an initiative to drive up agents’ share of helloworld’s e-commerce business.
With Australians spending some $16.4 billion on online retail last year (NAB Data), helloworld’s boss, Elizabeth Gaines sees the new ‘In-store Tab’ as a strategic milestone.
2. Sad face – MSC forced to cancel Cairns
It was a disappointing morning for cruise fans in Cairns when MSC was forced to cancel its inaugural visit due to Cyclone Nathan.
MSC Orchestra was scheduled to arrive at Cairns at the break of dawn for her first ever port of call in Australia.
Instead, the 2,500-passenger ship will continue to cruise at sea and make her first Aussie stop at Brisbane on Sunday.
The ship is currently on a 33-night Grand Voyage from Dubai to Australia, and will also stop at Sydney on 17 March; Melbourne – 20 March; and Adelaide – 22 March before ending in Fremantle on 26 March.
In Western Australia, she will pick up cruisers for her 36-night ANZAC Centenary itinerary that takes guests to Gallipoli via Sri Lanka and Egypt.
After the 100th commemoration, Orchestra will sail to Greece and Italy where the cruise will end in Rome.
3. More flights to the USA for your clients
Always a seat in the sky to the City of Angels.
United Airlines has ramped up its services between Melbourne and Los Angeles to meet customer demand for more flights to the USA.
The announcement comes less than six months after the airline launched its inaugural flight to the Australian city.
Effective immediately, United will increase services from six times weekly to daily by adding a flight on Thursday from Melbourne and Tuesday from Los Angeles.
4. Practise your hula! The Creative Hawaii program is here
The relationship between Creative Holidays and KarryOn’s parent company, Leedham Creative continues as the two teamed up to produce the new 2015/16 Hawaii brochure.
Creative and Leedham have worked together over the last year for the design of the tour operator’s new brochures, including the 63-page Fiji & South Pacific program; and the Vietnam & Cambodia brochure.
In Hawaii, Creative is giving your clients more choice with new hotels, road trips, recommendations and itineraries.
Hotels added to the portfolio include the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Andaz Maui at Wailea in Maui and The Fairmont Orchid on Hawaii (the Big Island).
New itineraries include the ‘Family Fun’ tour, which sees guests spend three nights in Aulani – a Disney Resort and Spa – while also experiencing a Jurassic Waterfall Adventure and a day with the dolphins in Sea Life Park Hawaii.
There’s also the Hawaii Highlights on the Big Island that takes guests on a full day Grand Circle Island and Volcano Tour, while spending the nights at the Royal Kona Resort.
And for the couples there’s three nights at the Grand Hyattt Kauai Resort & Spa on the Kauai Romance itinerary. The package also includes a Waimea Canyon and Wailu River Tour.
5. Virgin named best online in Aus
Virgin Australia is flying higher than any other Australian airline when it comes to online tech, after being named the best for online flight and travel bookings.
The 2014/15 Travel Website Consumer Recommendation and Loyalty Study conducted by Engaged Marketing, asked 2,000 Aussies to nominate an airline that leads in value, ease of navigation and customer service support.
Virgin received the most votes, knocking out Qantas, Flight Centre, Webjet. AirAsia and Jetstar.
But Engaged Marketing Managing Director Christopher Roberts said three other brands, Qantas, Flight Centre and AirAsia, were not too far behind Virgin Australia, with each scoring the same net promoter score of above 10 percent.
He said this not only demonstrated the highly competitive nature of online flight and travel, but also that no brand has yet to establish a unique point of difference enabling it to dominate the category.
6. Gate 7 wins PromPeru in Aus
Promperu, Peru’s national tourist office, has appointed destination representation agency Gate 7 to lead its marketing program in Australia.
Gate 7 took over marketing and PR for the tourist bureau at the start of the month.
It is the first south American destination for Gate 7, which currently has a strong portfolio of American destinations.
According to PromPeru, Australia is currently the second largest source market of tourists to Peru from Asia and Oceania.
The destination has seen steady growth from the market since 2009. Between January to October last year there was a 14 percent increase on the previous year.
7. FAMIL opportunity
The Conference Shop has launched its first program of famils, inviting planners for conferences and meetings to experience regional NSW.
The company will run seven famils in NSW and the ACT this year, including a two-day visit to Wollongong on 23 to 24 April.
Other famils range from one- to- two-days and will take event organisers to Penrith and Hawkesbury in May; the Southern Highlands in June; Hunter Valley in July; Canberra in August and Macarthur and Sydney Olympic Park in September.
The Conference Shop’s Director Carla Offord said each famil will focus on the ‘uniqueness’ of a particular region within three hours of Sydney.
Anyone interested in registering for a famil can do so by emailing enquiry@theconferenceshop.com.au
8. Sydney Airport’s new hotel
Sydney Airport has received the go-ahead to start building a new 4-5 star hotel in the Terminal 2/3 precinct.
The Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss approved the project, which will be the first property in the domestic area.
Spanning 11-stories, the hotel will have some 430 rooms and conference facilities.
“(The hotel) will further enhance our position as Australia’s gateway airport, providing tourism benefits, and improve choice and convenience for passengers.”
Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport Managing Director
9. Seller registrations open for SPTE
Seller registrations for the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) have opened.
The event running on 19 and 20 June at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is expected to receive over 80 tourism buyers and sellers – 30 more than last year.
This year, seller registrations are open until 26 March, with fees of $2,000 per delegate.
Fees include two morning teas, two lunches and one afternoon tea during appointment sessions; final night cocktail canapes; 39 pre-scheduled appointments per delegate over two days; and a delegate registration pack.
Sellers must be made up of tourism operators in the South Pacific that will sell their products and services at the two-day event.
South Pacific Tourism Organisation’s (SPTO) Chief Executive Officer Ilisoni Vuidreketi said the interest shown by the regions private sector is very positive and SPTE is gearing up to be another successful event.
During the third quarter of 2014, 160,048 Australian tourists visited the region. Fiji received nearly 63 percent and Vanuatu 12 percent of the market share.
10. Famil goes crazy on social
Social media was on fire as 17 prominent bloggers from nine Asia Pacific countries participated in an #escapers15 travel challenge.
Travelling from Singapore to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Australia, the 17 writers were told to share pics of their experiences on their social media pages.
IT’S A BIRD. IT’S A PLANE. IT’S SUPER… alright. It’s just us with capes. :)) #Escapers15 #DreamWorldAus pic.twitter.com/KvzLAnh9ZB
— Alexander Thian (@aMrazing) March 4, 2015
Over the five days, the famil’s hashtag – #escapers15 – on Twitter reached 57 million impressions to over 1.5 million accounts. On Instagram pics peaked at 29 million impressions and on Facebook the hashtag received 107,000 likes, with a reach of nearly 500,000 and 38,000 page engagements.
So which countries had the most reach?
China was triumphant in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia; while Aussies bloggers won the second leg in Indonesia.
The famil was organised by Accor, Scoot and Tourism Events Queensland as a means of promoting Asia Pacific through social media.
Need to Know Extra: Agents get the Grammy experience
(L-R): Goriza Zinzopoulos, Pinpoint Travel Group; Eliana Martinez, United; Rachel Pettett,MTA Travel; Grace Fiasili, NZ Holidays; Stephanie Engel, BCD Travel; Dilupa Dias, JC Travel; Michelle Menasa, World Challenge and Beth Shepherd, Goldman Travel
The winners of the United, Helloworld and Air Tickets October incentive were the most excited guests at the recent 57th Grammy Awards, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
United and helloworld rewarded deserving, top achieving travel agents with three days of VIP treatment, including fine rooftop dining at Perch and Flower & Faith and pampering at their own private beauty suite – complete with champagne, their very own very own stylists to the stars (William Squire) and Hollywood A-list hair and makeup professionals.
helloworld winners enjoyed a once in a lifetime concert, delivered by the best of the best in the industry.
The star-studded show included performances from Madonna, Paul McCartney, Rihanna, Kate Parry, Beyoncé, Ed Sheridan, Gary Clark, Steve Wonder, Kanye West , Sam Smith, Iggy Azalea, Sia, John Legend, Beck, Mary J Blige, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Annie Lennox, Pharrel Williams, Hozier, West, Miranda Lambert, Imagine Dragons, Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani.
“One word can describe our trip-Spoilt. From the champagne at the airport bar in Sydney to the beautiful dinners in LA, we were spoilt.”
Beth Shepherd, Goldman Travel
Need to Know Extra: Flight attendant gets funky for pax
Why did it have to end?
A flight attendant on a WestJet aircraft kept passengers entertained during the boarding process by showing off her awesome dance skills.
Breaking it down to Bruno Mars’ hit, ‘Uptown Funk’, she showed off her incredible ‘pop n’ lock’ skills.
Thankfully, one passenger recorded her funky dance for all of us to enjoy.
Did you love her moves as much as we did?