We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Air New Zealand to fly direct to Vietnam
Air New Zealand will begin operating non-stop services between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh three times a week from June to October 2016 – with the potential to expand the season in subsequent years.
With a flight time of around 11 hours, the direct service will be operated by the airline’s Boeing 767-300 aircraft and will open up Vietnam to thousands of travellers keen on experiencing the country’s exquisite cuisine and rich cultural heritage.
Air New Zealand’s new service to Vietnam is all part of the airline’s Pacific Rim focus.
2. Topdeck launches its Asia programme
Topdeck is to begin operating tours in Asia in 2016, expanding its global presence to six continents.
Youth travel company Topdeck launched their new Asia brochure last night to an eager crowd of agents, media and other travel industry professionals.
Held at The Island in Sydney Harbour, the launch was MC’d by Australian-Vietnamese comedian Anh Do.
3. Bali flights cancelled – yet again
Bad (or is it good?) news for passengers once again as conditions around Denpasar Airport took a turn for the worse overnight, forcing both Virgin Australia and Jetstar to cancel services between Bali and Australia until further notice.
Mt Rinjani continues to spew out volcanic ash cloud, making fights into the Bali airspace unsafe.
The recent news comes just a day after conditions were deemed okay for flying, and no doubt this decision to cancel flights yet again will frustrate travellers.
4. P&O new cruise deals for Western Australia
To celebrate the arrival of P&O’s latest ship, Pacific Eden, into Freemantle, the cruise company is offering new deals for Western Australian holidaymakers.
Freemantle will be the ship’s first port of call in Australia before heading to Sydney on a 10-night maiden voyage.
Cruisers can take advantage of a number of epic deals, including a three-night Food and Wine cruise sailing from Fremantle from $499 per person, an eight-night Coral Coast Discovery cruise sailing roundtrip from Fremantle to Geraldton, Broome and Exmouth from $849 per person, and a 12-night Indonesia Adventure cruise to Komodo Island, Makassar, Lombok, Probolinggo and Bali from at $1049 per person.
The cruise deals need to be booked by 25 November 2015.
5. Win $10,000 worth of travel with Intrepid
Intrepid Travel have launched the ultimate travel experiment, called the Adventure Collective, which will see eight professional travellers on a nine-day Intrepid journey through Mexico and Guatemala.
Travel agents, by voting for their favourite pics and adventurers – which will include famous photographers, YouTube stars, travel bloggers even a nomadic barber, will go into the draw to win USD $10,000 worth of travel.
The competition will close on 27 November 2015 at 23:59 AEDST. Click here to enter.
6. Yukon YouTube commercials to inspire more travel to remote Canada
Tourism Yukon has released a number of short 60-second videos that showcase Yukon’s breathtaking natural scenery. The YouTube clips can be shown to prospective customers to inspire them to travel to this remote part of Canada.
Famous as a prime vantage point in which to view the majestic Aurora borealis, Yukon is equally impressive with its incredible national parks, rivers, and wildlife, iconic driving routes and its Klondike Gold Rush heritage.
A string of winter videos are now available, with summer videos to be released in March 2016.
The creative concepts embodied in the commercials aim to inspire more Aussies to choose Yukon as a travel destination, all year-round.
7. Infinity Holidays launch new Mexico & Caribbean Brochure
Infinity Holidays are excited about the launch of a new Mexico & Caribbean brochure which is available in stores across the country now.
The new brochure is jam-packed with essential travel information, hotel recommendations, and tour options for Aussies planning a trip to this beautiful part of the world.
Mexico remains one of the top travel destinations of recent years, with the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Cancun topping the lists of many travellers’ bucklists.
Infinity Holidays recently took out the ‘Best Wholesaler’ award in both the domestic and international categories at this year’s NTIA awards.
8. Uniworld savings on Europe and Russian cruises
Customers can save up to $2,000 per couple on selected European and Russian cruises departing in 2016 with Uniworld extending its Pay in Full savings campaign until 30 November 2015.
The 10-day Gems of Northern Italy, 15-day Grand France, and 13-day Legendary Rhine and Moselle are just some of the cruises subject to savings.
Uniworld is the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line offering luxury cruises on 22 rivers in 29 countries worldwide.
9. Creative Holidays to offer $100 discount on Hawaiian Airlines packages
Agents who book a Hawaiian Airlines flight with either five nights’ accommodation or a cruise to Hawaii or mainland USA will receive a $100 discount off their bookings. The offer is valid for travel between 12 January – 16 June 2016 and needs to be booked by 30 November 2015.
Hawaiian Airlines fly to Honolulu, the Hawaiian Islands, Los Angeles and Las Vegas with prices starting from just $819 per person ex Australia.
In addition to offering free onboard entertainment, cool amenity kits, Hawaiian inspired meals and drinks, and a free stopover in Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines offers 2 x 32 kilograms of checked luggage per person – perfect for those that love to shop.
10. Scenic takes lucky agents on a Peruvian adventure
Scenic – the luxury travel brand – recently took a group of lucky agents on an epic famil to South America.
Starting in Santiago, Chile, the agents spent the morning exploring the Barrio Lastarria district before enjoying a Chilean-style morning tea and lunch at the Central Market. They then got to experience some of the highlights of Peru, including the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cuzco, and – of course – Machu Picchu.
