We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel stories you need to know today.
1. What’s changing at Australian airports?
Air travel to, from and around Australia is rapidly increasing as more travellers add the land Down Under to their bucket list.
According to the latest Tourism Australia statistics, over the last 20 years international aviation capacity to Australia has increased from 7.7 million in 1993 to around 21 million in 2013.
By 2020, the tourism bureau is hoping to increase overnight tourism expenditure in Australia from $69 billion in 2009 to between $115 billion and $140 billion – this will mean even more international and domestic travellers passing through Australian airports.
2. Magellan’s makeover
There’s a new, slicker Magellan Travel Group in town as the group unveils a completely redesigned logo and website.
Unveiled today, the logo uses a simple two-colour system of ‘Blue and ‘Gray’ to promote the group’s new ‘less is more’ concept.
The group’s chief executive Andrew Macfarlane said the entire company is built to offer ‘no fuss’ and streamlined support to its members, which the new logo was created to reflect.
3. Services disrupted as Marcia storms in
Some airlines and airports in Queensland have cancelled services today as category-five Cyclone Marcia arrives at their doorsteps.
Here is what you need to know about disruptions in the state:
Rockhampton airport is closed until later this afternoon. The airport will assess damage and reopen once everything is clear.
Mackay Airport is also closed, while most flights to and from Gladstone and Hervey Bay have been cancelled.
Virgin Australia has terminated services to and from Bundaberg, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Mackay and Rockhampton. Services are expected to restart today.
And Qantas has suspended all flight operations to Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. The airline said it will monitor weather and continue services once the storm has cleared.
4. BONUS Commission with Creative
Image: ong Chamnan/Shutterstock
Earn extra commission when you book Thai Airways through Creative Holidays until the end of the month.
Agents who book the THAI New Year Escape fare by 28 February can enjoy 13 percent commission.
Team the airfare with one of Creative Holidays’ competitive packages to a range of Creative Club properties and earn 13 percent commission on the land arrangements as well as the flights (excluding non-commissionable components).
Packages start from $1,089 per person, twin share for flights and eight nights at the five star JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa.
Book the THAI year round fares to Thailand to earn 18 percent.
5. Flight disruptions in Turkey
The heaviest snow fall Istanbul has seen in over seven years #snow #turkey @ Sultanahmet http://t.co/5UHmqD6To1 pic.twitter.com/hQG9ocNjDF
— Vagrants (@vagrantsotworld) February 19, 2015
Turkish Airlines has cancelled hundreds of domestic and international flights as a major blizzard passes through parts of Turkey.
According to the National General Meteorology Directorate, snowfall in the country was most intense on Wednesday and Thursday.
Today snowfall is expected to once again return, which has resulted in the cancellation of 57 additional flights.
The majority of cancelled services are domestic, however, flights to Singapore, Kuwait, Iran, Beirut and Doha have also been affected.
Click here to see a full list of cancellations.
6. TFE Hotels’ AIME surprise
Attendees at this year’s Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) can not only expect new offerings (click here to read more), but TFE Hotels has announced it will unveil a ‘refreshed’ Events and Benefits (EWB) rewards program.
As opposed to value-add programs, the rejuvenated EWB offering features a range of rewards in accordance with a five-tier program based on the total spend of event organisers who book any TFE Hotel.
Those who book a meeting or event at any TFE Hotel across Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels, or Hotel Kurrajong Canberra will have access to a host of conference and event facilities.
The change is designed to offer flexible, intimate and elaborate conference solutions as well as extensive technology inclusions, surprise food and beverage delights, creative room set-up and streamlined operating procedures, holding an event with TFE Hotels will make delivery and post-event follow-up a breeze.
If you haven’t already signed up for AIME you can do, you can do so by clicking here.
The show runs on 24 – 25 February.
7. Alysandratos family dip into helloworld shares
The Alysandratos family – owners of Consolidated Travel – have taken a big interest in agency group, helloword.
The family’s company, Sintrack has purchased 30.8 million helloworld shares from UBS Australia.
As part of the $12 million purchase, Sintrack acquired seven percent of the company’s shares on issue. This increases the company’s stake in the agency group to 19.3 percent.
8. Fun travel news Friday
Did you see those images of North Korean’s dictator Kim Jong-Un living it up in his luxurious private jet?
Check them out plus find out why flight attendants don’t want passengers using their phones and more in today’s Fun Travel News Friday.
9. A ‘Luna’ AGM for Skål Sydney North
L-R: Max Player Q Station; John Spencer, incoming President, North Sydney Harbourview Hotel; James Granter Luna Park; Mike Pym Two Hats Travel; Robyn Willis Inglis Learn for Change; Peter Middleton Co Co; Scott Thomson Budget.
Skål Sydney North Club’s members celebrated the end of their AGM meeting this week with a lunch at ‘Deck Restaurant’ at Luna Park on Sydney Harbour.
Attending the meeting this year was international colleague Jim Kelly, a fellow Skalleague who was visiting from New York.
During the annual meeting, outgoing President Karan Singh reviewed a successful past year for the Club and highlighted the group’s wealth of events including the 21st Anniversary lunch attended by 90 guests and ongoing support for “Sala Bai” the hotel school in Cambodia which gives orphans a career and a future.
Members thanked Karan and elected new President, John Spencer (seen with the new Committee in the picture above).
The next Skål Sydney North event is St. Patrick’s Day Lunch at the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel on Wednesday 18 March! How very Irish!
10. Why working in travel makes you hot!
Hey singletons, did you know that listing travel on your dating profile makes you WAY more attractive than those that haven’t?
If the study conducted by online dating site RSVP is right (you’ll see why I said IF the study is right in the next sentence), then travel agents and people in the travel industry would be considered WAY hotter than those in any other industry.
Because let’s face it, travelling is what we do.
