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. Elizabeth Gaines to depart helloworld
Helloworld Limited today announced that the Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines, has provided notice of her intention to leave HLO.
Ms Gaines will continue in her role as Chief Executive Officer during the term of her six-month notice period, until such time as the Board has appointed a successor and there has been a smooth and orderly transition of responsibilities.
HLO Chairman, Brett Johnson, commented that “while we are disappointed, my Board colleagues and I respect Elizabeth’s decision to depart after more than seven years of dedicated service and would like to thank Elizabeth for her significant contribution to the Helloworld Group during that time”.
2. What planes could look like by 2030
My oh my what a difference 15 years can make to the aviation industry and the way we fly.
A Spanish industrial and graphic designer has looked at the industry’s past, present and potential future to create ‘Progress Eagle’ – an aircraft travellers could be flying on by the end of the next decade.
Unveiling the concept this week, the four-cabin, triple-decker aircraft would be capable of carrying 800 passengers – around 50 passengers less than an A380.
3. Qantas brings dreams to life
You could say Qantas makes dreams come true on a daily basis, flying people straight to their ideal getaways and then bringing them home to their loved ones.
But the airline took generosity to the next level this month, by giving a baggage handler his dream trip on an A380 aircraft.
Ian Goldswain also known as ‘Ginger’ is part of a UK documentary series called ‘Britain’s Busiest Airport’.
4. HAL prepares Noordam for first Aussie cruises
The 2015/16 wave season in Australia keeps getting bigger as Holland America joins Royal Caribbean, Princess and P&O in sending new ships to the country.
HAL’s ms Noordam is one of seven new cruise ships to call Australia home this coming summer period. Others include Legend of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Golden Princess, Pacific Eden, Pacific Aria and Superstar Virgo.
Arriving in the Harbour City on 25 October, Noordam’s six-month stay will add some 1,916 beds to our local fleet.
5. TTS utilises Travelport’s ‘Rich Content and Branding’
Travelport’s ‘Rich Content and Branding’ content is now available through Travel Technology and Solutions’ (TTS) corporate booking solution, TTS Corporate.
It’s the first corporate booking product to include Travelport’s technology.
According to TTS, it will provide users with the ability to access the full offering of over 100 participating airlines, via graphically rich images and descriptions.
This means that TTS Corporate users and travellers can now easily check the benefits and restrictions of each fare, access additional airline content and the ancillaries available for each flight.
“Where previously only an airline fare and class of service was displayed, now a traveler using the TTS Corporate booking tool can get an overview of which services are included in the fare and gain a better understanding of how they can enhance their travel experience, making quicker and more informed travel choices.”
JP Ephithite, TravelportSenior Product Manager for Open Platform
As part of the update, users will also have access to visual baggage information, Air New Zealand domestic fares, improved hotel experience, store hotel membership cards, travel agency terms and conditions, as well as new language availability.
6. Solomon Islands get serious about tourism
It’s one of the South Pacific’s less explored destinations but the Solomon Islands’ government has a big plan to turn that around and drive more visitors to the island nation.
Solomon’s Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, unveiled the five-year National Tourism Development Strategy (SINTDS) this week. It focuses on developing the nation into a unique tourist destination to increase tourism sector development and entice international visitors.
It comes only a few weeks after the destination’s national airline, Solomon Airlines introduced a second direct service between Australia.
7. Santiago Adventures undergoes ‘Upscape’ rebrand
South America-based Santiago Adventures has undergone a complete rebrand, changing its logo, website, and corporate name to ‘Upscape’.
The new Upscape brand reflects the company’s continued commitment to offering the widest range of bespoke tours in the southern cone region, including Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Upscape also announced a new office location, and new tours that include ‘Ski In/Wine Out,’ and private multi-sport journeys that explore remote regions of northern Patagonia.
“By rebranding our company as Upscape, we are better able to convey the breadth of our southern cone journeys and our passion for providing soulful, authentic travel experiences that a traveler is unlikely to stumble upon on their own.”
Brian Pearson, Upscape Founder and Owners
8. New tours at Tucan
Tucan Travel has added 14 new group tours to their range of Adventure Tours in South America.
Starting in Quito and finishing in Buenos Aires 48 days later, these group tours, or sections of them, cover all of the main highlights the regions have to offer with flights between many destinations speeding up the travel times and allowing travellers to make the most of each day of their tour.
Two of the new Adventure Tours now allow you to travel from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro or in the opposite direction in just nine days. The group tour flies from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls after a day trip into Uraguay and flies again from Iguazu Falls to Paraty where there is time for two nights in the colonial town before arriving in Rio de Janeiro.
There’s also the nine-day Buenos Aires to Rio Flyer itinerary. Guests enjoy a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay where they have time to explore the picturesque town before flying to Igauzu Falls.
9. Weekend Today escapes with Scenic
‘Weekend Today’ presenter David Whitehill will showcase the best of the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia as part of a five-week Scenic promotion.
Join David as he discovers the Temples of Angkor Wat; visits Siem Reap’s markets and fascinating land mind museum; enjoys a cyclo tour of Cambodia’s capital city Phnom Penh home to the horrific Killing Fields, and Royal Palace; before heading to Ho Chi Min City in Vietnam for a Vespa tour of the busy capital.
David will also cruise the Mekong to explore the floating villages that call the river home.
Launching in January 2016, Scenic Spirit is Scenic’s first luxury river cruise ship in South East Asia which will travel over eight days between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap.
Tune into Weekend Today on Channel 9 at 9.50am AEST over the next five weeks to explore the mighty Mekong with Scenic and David Whitehill.
10. More ‘Hold My Fare’ time with Emirates
Emirates is giving travellers more time to finalise their travel plans with the introduction of ‘Hold My Fare’.
‘Hold My Fare’ is a new feature on emirates.com that offers customers the opportunity to hold their reservations and lock in competitive Emirates fares for up to 48 hours for a nominal fee, which is calculated based on the booked route or destination and applies to every passenger except infants.
To lock in the best fare and preferred flight, customers are asked to authorize the reservation, which will then be held on their credit card. The fee is released back to customer’s credit card if tickets are paid for within 48 hours.
Customers can choose the ‘Hold My Fare’ option on the payment page of emirates.com.
Customers also receive a booking confirmation email after they have used ‘Hold My Fare’, with information on when the booking will be held until, as well as instructions and links to the ‘Manage a booking’ page on emirates.com when they decide to pay for their flights.
Once they choose ‘Pay Now’, more services like travel insurance, hotel stays and car rentals can be added to their journey.
