We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Who do you go to for travel advice?
Twenty five- to- 34-year olds are the best travel critics, according to a new study which found they’re the most sought-after ‘travel advisers’.
Roy Morgan Research’s latest findings revealed when it comes to planning a holiday, people prefer to ask their family and friends for their personal travel tips.
But 44 percent of respondents said they preferred to ask friends within the 25-34-age bracket.
2. helloworld presence amongst Aussies rising as profits dip
Australians are becoming more familiar with helloworld, according to the group’s head, as investment in marketing activity increases the agency’s presence around the country.
Speaking at the annual general meeting this week, Elizabeth Gaines said during the last financial year the company focused on transforming its brand from Jetset Travel to helloworld and solidifying its foundation for the future through promotion.
The company didn’t reveal the cost of marketing investment, however, ads campaigns were created for TV, newspaper, billboards, digital, search engines and social media.
3. Costa Rica merges airport exit tax into airfare
Image: Pincasso/Shutterstock
Expect a slight fare increase in flights to Costa Rica next month, when the country’s airport exit fee is rolled into the price of air tickets.
The $29 airport exit tax was introduced in 2003 and is currently paid at a specific counter at the country’s airports or at travel agencies.
According to Costa Rica’s vice president Ana Helena Chacon, the move comes after recent cooperation between airlines, banks and officials.
The change kicks on from 3 December. Revenue made from the tax is used to fund expansion of the country’s airports.
4. Another airline introduces baggage fees
Image: Sergey Nivens/Shutterstock
JetBlue is not only the latest airline to add a fee for checked luggage, but it will also reduce the size of its seats to cram more passengers into larger planes.
Commencing early next year, the airline will roll-out three fare choices – the cheap ticket, which will not include free baggage; and two premium choice, which will likely have ‘extras’ such as free checked luggage.
The airline hasn’t detailed how much passengers can expect to pay for luggage.
However, the carrier did reveal that along with new fees, passengers can also expect to sit a little closer together from mid-2016, as it adds another 15 seats to its Airbus A320 aircraft.
Despite additional seating, JetBlue’s seat width remains the most spacious at 34.7 inches wide. This is considerably larger than lines like Virgin, which is at 32.6 or American Airlines at 31.8.
5. CroisiEurope’s new paddlewheeler on the Elbe
The river cruise company has revealed plans to build a new 80-passenger paddlewheeler designed to sail on Europe’s Elbe River from 2016.
Named Elbe Princesse, the vessel will have a shallow draft that will enable it to sail in the river’s lower waters year-round.
The vessel will have 40 staterooms with a view. Onboard there will also be wifi, a lounge bar, panoramic restaurant and a sun deck.
Itineraries will start in Prague, stopping at Germany’s Potsdam, Wittenberg, Meissen and Dresden as well as Czech Republic’s Litomerice before ending in Prague.
This will be the line’s second newbuild in the coming years, with 96-passenger Loire Princesse commencing five- to- seven-day cruises on the Loire River in April.
6. Agents delve into Peru and Pisco
Agents drank Pisco with wholesales and PromPeru representatives while partaking in new games formatted to engage and educate participants.
New to the roadshow this year was the ‘Peru Passport’, which gave attendees access to key members of the industry during networking sessions throughout the evening.
And of course, it isn’t a travel agent without a prize, but this time around agents had to take part in a number of interactive quiz rounds to win one of many prizes.
7. A Tassie tale for Infinity agents
Infinity Holiday flew six Adelaide Flight Centre consultants down to Tasmania last month for a five-day itinerary packed with Tasmanina Devils, whiskey and wine.
The itinerary started in Launceston where the drinking… I mean touring began at the Chromy Winery.
From the winery the group headed to the historical Quality Colonial Hotel’s Three Steps restaurant for a feast before calling it a night at the Hotel Charles.
The rest of the trip included an excursion to Cataract Gorge for views from a chairlift, a stop at the Anverse Chocolate Factory and a visit to the Highfield House for a tour of the ‘haunted’ property.
8. Windstar sails year-round from Tahiti
The boutique yacht line has announced it will sail year-round in the South Pacific, with continuous voyages aboard Wind Spirit from 26 March 2015.
The 148-passenger sailing yacht will conduct a range of seven- to- 11-day itineraries, including the ‘Dreams of Tahiti’ voyage, which begins in Papeete and calls at Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, and Huahine.
There’s also a new 11-day cruise with stops in Tuamotu Islands, which are known as a diver’s paradise.
9. New harbour offers safe connection on the Margaret River
A new $36.4 million Augusta Boat Harbour will open this weekend, to offer safe water transport between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste along the Margaret River region.
Construction of the world-class harbour took three years to complete, and according to Augusta Margaret River Tourism chief executive Pip Close is a much-needed facility to boost tourism to the area.
“The new harbour will undoubtedly further improve accessibility and increase destination awareness of Augusta and the Margaret River Region, and we are delighted to celebrate its successful completion.”
10. Uber drivers banned from US airport
Expensive fares, passengers not paying and bad service – Uber has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons and the latest – they’ve been banned from an American airport.
According to News 2, the taxi service that doesn’t consider itself a taxi service (personality disorder?) can drop passengers off at the airport, but the drivers have been barred from picking any up.
If they do, they receive a warning for the first time and can be fined up to US$400 if they are caught doing it a second time.
The company and its drivers are now waiting for the state to decide if the ban will stick.
