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. helloworld and AOT merge into a single travel company
Andrew Burnes, CEO, AOT
In a move that’s set to create one of the biggest travel companies in Australia, helloworld and AOT announced a merger today, with the transaction to be completed in January 2016.
The new merger, which was expected from talks earlier this month, will create a travel company that’s more competitive.
“The merger of Helloworld and AOT Group Limited will create a single travel company that is larger, stronger and more competitive.”
Jenny Macdonald, Acting Chief Executive, helloworld
AOT is a leading, privately owned, travel services provider with operations in Australia and globally, operating in the inbound, government and wholesale sectors of the travel industry.
2. ITG Business Forum to be held in San Fran in 2016
Next year’s Independent Travel Group (ITG) Business Forum will be held in San Fransisco, between 10 and 13 November 2016.
The announcement, which was made by Express Travel Group today, follows a hugely successful Business Forum in Singapore over the weekend. Two possible destinations for the event were hinted at during an awards dinner on Saturday night, with Ho Chi Minh joining San Fransisco as possible candidates.
However, San Francisco came out on top.
3. Air New Zealand’s new major milestone
New Zealand’s national airline, Air New Zealand, has reason to celebrate this week after welcoming its two millionth member into its customer loyalty programme, Airpoints.
The Airpoints programme, which was launched in 1989 and now has members in some 160 countries across the globe, has grown significantly over the past three years, with the airline focussed on ways to better reward their travellers. So far, passengers have paid for more than 750,000 flights with their reward points.
Air New Zealand’s Airpoints programme is unique in that members earn dollars that are easy to understand and simple to use, compared to every other major global airline’s points based currency.
4. Ethiopian Airlines made history yesterday
An Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa to Bangkok took off yesterday on 19 November on what was the first ever all-women operated flight in history.
The historic flight was operated by an all-female crew, including female flight attendents and senior female executives onboard.
According to Ethiopian Airlines, who are one of the fastest growing and on-time airlines in the world, the historic flight was aimed at crystalizing Ethiopian corporate conviction of “Women Empowerment for a Sustainable Growth.” It was the first of its kind in Ethiopian’s 70 years of service.
5. Sheraton on the Park’s Christmas offers
One of Sydney’s iconic hotels, the Sheraton on the Park, is celbrating Christmas early this year with a host of new Christmas-themed packages and special offers for guests over the festive season.
With a Christmas accommodation package, festive spa experience, enticing seasonal food and drink options and a mini Christmas market selling tasty Christmas treats, the hotel is embracing the festive fever with the smell of gingerbread in the air.
Sheraton on the Park is a luxurious five star hotel in Sydney and overlooks Hyde Park.
6. Mudgee Region Tourism an awards finalist
Mudgee Region Tourism has been named as a finalist in the NSW Tourism Awards for its Reset your senses in Mudgee Region campaign. The NSW Tourism Awards, now in its 26th year, aims to recognise excellence and outstanding achivement in the tourism industry.
Competing alongside other finalists in the Destination Marketing Category, such as Broken Hill, South Coast, NSW State Forests and NSW Coastline, Mudgee Region Tourism’s innovative campaign took a fresh and invitational approach to drumming up interest in this beauiful part of Australia. Mudgee Region Tourism employed their campaign through social media, TV, print and digital.
The Mudgee Region offers country charm in a sophisticated setting, and is home to over 40 wineries, a boutique brewery and a distillery, as well as an assortment of great dining options.
7. Air NZ celebrates 75 years with exhibition
Air New Zealand’s 75th anniversary exhibition, Air New Zealand 75 Years: Our Nation. The World. Connected opens today at Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The exhibition, originally created in partnership with and shown at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa has been extended in partnership with Auckland War Memorial Museum with the addition of a DC-8 cabin and the inclusion of the flying boat pier at Mechanics Bay, alongside exhibition favourites such as the virtual reality inflight experience.
8. AccorHotels’ new 5-star development
A new 5-star Pullman hotel will be built as part of a $388 million integrated resort development at Trinity Point, Lake Macquarie. AccorHotels, one of Australia’s leading hotel groups, was appointed to operate the new resort by Johnson Property Group. The Pullman brand is expected to significantly boost tourism in NSW.
The new Pullman Trinity Point Resort in Lake Macquarie will be the first new built 5-star resort in the area for nearly 10 years, and will adjoin an apartment complex with a combination of 250 hotel rooms, short stay serviced apartments, and private residential apartments.
The Resort will feature a business centre, 300 person conference/wedding facilities, a swimming pool, day spa, gymnasium, restaurant and bar, executive lounge, tourist information office and ground level retail outlets. Some of the hotel rooms will feature premium views overlooking Lake Macquarie and a proposed 188-berth marina.
9. Adventure World has a new Head of Sales down under
Bringing a wealth of experience in wholesale travel (over 10 years) to the role, Matt Endycott will become Adventure World’s new Head of Sales for its Australian operations. Endycott comes from the Commercial Team at Virgin Australia, where he was managing strategic partnerships with major wholesale, retail and consolidators nationally.
As well as formulating and delivering strategic frameworks for his new boss – Adventure World, Endycott will work in partnership with key stakeholders across core destinations to help grow Adventure World and take it to the next level.
Adventure World also welcomes back industry veteran Travis Graham as Industry Account Manager for Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Travis has been in the travel industry for 17 years.
10. Natalie James wins G Adventures competition
The first winner of G Adventures’ ‘Make Your Next Step Count’ competition was announced this week, with lucky traveller Natalie James jetting off on an all-expenses paid adventure at the end of the week.
Natalie, an Environmental Project Officer originally from Auckland, lives in Melbourne and entered the competition to ‘make her next step count’ the day after her 27th birthday, after realising she wasn’t doing enough of what she loved – travel.
Natalie was presented with three mystery envelopes containing different adventures around the world shortly after finding out she won while at a business meeting with a colleague. She will spend ten days exploring Haiti’s waterfalls, secret caves and mountains and taking in the nation’s colourful art and music scenes.
