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. Industry fears over New Zealand’s new border tax
Travellers could be required to pay a little extra on their next trip to and from New Zealand, as the Government mulls over a new border clearance levy.
Expected to take effect from 1 January, the tax will be around $16 for arriving passengers and around $6 for departing passengers. Exact figures will be revealed closer to the launch date.
For international travellers, this would mean forking out around $22 on top of the money already spent to travel to and from the country.
2. Aussies set new record in Britain
The history, James Bond association and world-famous attractions aren’t just enticing Aussies to visit Britain, but attracting them in record numbers.
According to the latest International Passenger Survey figures, the Australian market broke two tourism records in the destination last year, making it a valuable source for the region.
Australian visitors spent £1.224 billion (A$2.32bn) in Britain last year, up three percent on 2013 and also landing a new record.
In total, 15 million nights were spent in Britain, a growth of one percent on 2013. This also broke the record for Australian visitor nights.
There were 1.057 million inbound visitors from Australia to Britain, making it the fourth most valuable international source market and fifth valuable for visitor nights.
In the five years since 2009, Australian visits have grown by 15.9 percent, visitor spend has increased by 43 percent while visitor nights have grown by 12.7 percent.
Or find out why Australians are travelling to the destination in record numbers by clicking here.
3. Virgin Australia entices agents with new incentive club
Virgin Australia is building its relationship with travel agents and enticing them to sell more of its air products, with the launch of a new incentive club.
In an email sent out to travel agent partners this week, Virgin Australia announced its new ‘Aviators Club’, which allows agents to earn points on select bookings.
Dubbed as an ‘exclusive online auction rewards experience’, agents earn points by selling and ticketing flights on Virgin Australia (795) ticket stock between 21 May and 8 July 2015.
4. Accor’s loyalty programme gets a rebrand
From here on out Accor’s loyalty programme ‘Accor Advantage Plus’ will be known as ‘Accor Plus’ after undergoing a major rebrand.
It will be the first time the programme gets a makeover since it first hit the market 21 years ago.
In addition to the name change, the hotel group says the rebranded loyalty programme will come with a ‘more generous spirit’ for its 35,000 members.
5. Singapore Airlines brings the Premium to Economy
Singapore Airlines has stepped up its onboard comfort, with redesigned seats and in-flight offerings in its forthcoming Premium Economy Class.
The carrier is giving travellers a sneak peek of what to expect in the new class, which is being rolled out from August this year.
The biggest difference from regular Economy Class will be the Premium Economy seats.
6. Aussies replace dollar bills with Qantas Cash
For Australian travellers, it’s all about taking holidays with as little ‘money, money, money’ in their wallet as possible, according to new Qantas statistics.
The airline says new figures show more travellers are replacing their dollars bills with Qantas Cash.
So far, the carrier’s pre-paid multi-currency payment facility built into its Qantas Frequent Flyer Card has been used in 177 countries across 120 currencies since launching in 2013.
7. Rotorua wins back-to-back TRENZ events
New Zealand’s cultural centre, Rotorua, has been selected to host New Zealand tourism’s biggest annual international business event, TRENZ, in 2016.
The decision was revealed on the final day of TRENZ 2015, which was held in the destination this week.
Returning to Rotorua next year, 10-13 May, will embed and extend the region’s profile with hundreds of international buyers, maximising the local investment in the event, says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) which manages TRENZ.
8. Accor’s touch down footy deal
Accor has renewed its agreement with the National Rugby League (NRL) to be its official hotel partner for another three years.
The move solidifies Accor’s position as the preferred host for elite sporting teams.
Under the agreement, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and NRL executives, as well as all 16 NRL clubs will be accommodated at Accor hotels across Australia and New Zealand.
Additionally, Accor will hold the status of preferred hotel accommodation provider for supporters of the NRL and any other associated events.
“Since Accor signed on as the official hotel partner of the NRL in 2013, the partnership has gone from strength to strength and we are pleased to be extending our association with the NRL for another three years.”
Simon McGrath, Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer
“Our hotels across Australia are committed to assisting teams reach their potential on the field by meeting a high set of in-house hosting standards and it is pleasing to see these efforts acknowledged.
9. Mermaids and pirates commandeer Pacific Jewel
Guests onboard P&O Cruises’ Pacific Jewel over the weekend were joined by some special visitors who were onboard the celebrate the ship’s first crossing of the equator.
King Neptune and his royal entourage of family and helpers joined with a team of sailors who have already crossed the equator (known as shellbacks) to initiate those guests and crew who had never crossed the earth’s midline (known as pollywogs).
Overseen by Captain Hook and his team of pirates, the pollywog initiation rites included pasta tossing and fish kissing, resulting in much hilarity among the hundreds of spectators who lined the top decks – as well as considerable mess.
The crossing of the equator occurred on 16 May during a 14-night cruise from Fremantle to Singapore, where the ship will enter drydock.
It is the first time the ship has crossed the equator since it was officially named Pacific Jewel in 2009.
10. Vivid Sydney – what to expect this year
Tonight is the night Sydney’s popular tourism attractions and most visited spots transform into illuminating and interactive works of art. That’s right, Vivid Sydney is here.
In its fifth year this year, the annual event has transformed from a few light displays in Circular Quay to encompass a number of frequented locations around the city plus new locations such as Chatswood and Central Park.
It’s going to be bigger, better and even brighter than ever before.
