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. Qantas’ Alan Joyce urges LGBT bosses to come out of the closet
Qantas’ Chief Executive, Alan Joyce, is urging more LGBT business leaders to be open and honest about their sexual orientation in order to encourage tolerance and diversity around world.
Speaking at a conference in Hong Kong, the Flying Kangaroo’s boss said more awareness is needed to build an accepting society whereby lesbian, gay, bisexuals and transgender people can live and work without the feeling of discrimination.
His comments come ahead of this week’s big Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and was made in response to reports of increasing homophobia in East Asia, The Southern China Modern Post reported.
2. P&O bids farewell to the Pacific Pearl
“What do you mean she’s leaving?”, she said dramatically as her tear-stricken face collapsed into her hands. Prepare for the loyal Pearlists’ reactions after discovering their beloved ship is leaving the P&O fleet, forever.
The Australian cruise line revealed this morning that Pacific Pearl will be transferred out of its brand next year upon completing her 294th cruise under the P&O Cruises banner.
That’s right, fans of the vessel will have to get all the Pearl-fixes they can between now and April 2017 before she sails away and out of Australia.
3. Qatar Airways considers another Australian city
Qatar Airways is considering its expansion options in Australia mere hours after launching direct daily services between Sydney and Doha.
Airline CEO, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, revealed to media at a press conference today that he’s looking at flying to another local city – which would be the carrier’s fifth since launching to Australia in 2009.
Currently the Doha-based airline operates to Melbourne, Perth and now Sydney plus there’s existing plans to launch to and from Adelaide in May. This leaves Brisbane and Darwin as potential candidates for the carrier’s fifth route to the mainland.
4. Travelmarvel highlights agents in new TV commercial
Travelmarvel is putting the spotlight on European river cruising AND travel agents in its new advertising campaign launching this weekend.
The 15 second and 30 second commercials not only promotes the various sights and experiences on a Travelmarvel river cruise but also encourages viewers to contact their agent for information and bookings.
The cruise line expects consultants will reap the rewards of the new advertisement, which is designed to help agents secure last minute sales for the 2016 European river cruise season, and also to encourage enquiries for 2017 departures.
5. Singapore Airlines releases first-of-its-kind app for pax
Singapore Airlines is raising the travel experience to a new level with the introduction of a first-of-its-kind mobile application that offers customers greater control over their in-flight entertainment (IFE) experience – even before boarding the aircraft.
The companion app, which was developed for Singapore Airlines by MTT in conjunction with Panasonic Avionics, enables customers to review the IFE video and audio content that will be available on their flight, create pre-selected favourites lists, and control the seat-back IFE system – all using their personal electronic devices.
The app is now available on iOS and Android tablets, with availability on iOS and Android mobile phones in the second quarter of 2016.
To make use of the app, customers can install the SingaporeAir tablet application on their device prior to the aircraft’s departure. Once on board, they can link their device to the IFE system using the aircraft’s in-flight WiFi network. Connecting to KrisWorld, the Airline’s award-winning IFE system, will then allow for movies, TV shows or music to be launched on the seat monitor, directly from their list of favourites or from the entire media list.
Current features of the companion app will initially be available on the Airline’s new fleet of Airbus A350-900s as well as on selected Boeing 777-300ERs, with plans to progressively roll it out to other aircraft in future.
6. You’re invited to the Africa Roadshow
Travel agents have been invited to get to know the big cats, rhinos, elephants and more extraordinary wildlife at this year’s The Africa Safari Co. Africa Roadshow.
Kicking off in Perth on 14 March, the event will travel to six Australian and New Zealand cities, giving attendees the opportunity to receive product and destination updates and network with suppliers from Southern and East Africa.
Among the suppliers attending the event include &Beyond; Africa Reps; African Albida; Personal Africa; Rovos Rail; and more.
There’s also be a range of prizes to won.
Click here to RSVP.
7. Carnival & TravelCube assist in Fiji’s recovery
Both Carnival Australia and TravelCube have joined Fiji Airways as the latest tourism companies to donate and assist in Fiji’s recovery post-Cyclone Winston.
TravelCube will give $20 of every Fiji booking made from now until 31 March to Oxfam’s Fiji Recovery Campaign.
For the past week, TravelCube has been contacting their Fijian hotel partners to show their support and to formulate a plan that will help increase much needed room nights. This has resulted in some fantastic deals for the consumer. This coupled with initiatives from Fiji Tourism and Fiji Airways; there’s never been a cheaper time to travel to this popular leisure destination.
TravelCube kicks off the programme with hotel reductions of up to 50 percent off their regular contracted rates.
Meanwhile, Carnival Australia has contributed $125,000 to Save the Children Australia’s Fiji relief efforts.
The $125,000 being contributed to Save the Children Australia’s disaster relief in Fiji is comprised of $50,000 from the Carnival Foundation, $50,000 from the P&O Pacific Partnership’s passenger contributions and $25,000 from Princess Cruises.
Additionally, the cruise organisation’s brands have resumed services to the destination to help restore local business operations and provide income from cruise tourism.
8. TravelManagers host inaugural Travel Expo
Entrepreneurial spirit brings success for Melbourne based personal travel managers Mark Elevato, representative for Werribee and Amy Ferguson, representative for Tarneit who held their inaugural Wyndham Travel Expo at the Werribee Italian Sports & Social Club.
With no local expo to cater for their local community, Elevato and Ferguson both relatively new to the TravelManagers family, took the proactive opportunity to hold an expo with the view to connect with their community and grow their databases.
The pair opted for a smaller scale event that was more personal and intimate, which they said “is reflective of the TravelManagers way”.
“The expo also allowed us to explain the benefits and expertise we can provide clients as personal travel managers,” Elevato said.
Sixteen partner suppliers ranging from airlines, coach companies, cruise operators and land suppliers participated in the travel expo that was attended by 160 people, a mix of both new and existing clients.
Seven partner suppliers were invited to provide a 20-minute client presentation.
According to Elevato and Ferguson, the event ended as a success with new clients and a significant number of bookings received subsequent to the expo.
9. Island of Tahiti arrives in Sydney
The Islands of Tahiti were on display in Sydney with members of the travel industry gathering at the Park Hyatt for a special Tahitian showcase.
The Friday afternoon featured French Polynesian-inspired fine dining and Tahitian dancing as well as updates on the destination, the airline and SPM’s collection of Polynesian hotels.
Lunch was hosted by Tahiti Tourisme Director Robert Thompson, South Pacific Management (SPM) Business Development Manager Alain Campignon and SPM Director of Sales and Marketing Sophie Bessou, Air Tahiti Nui Regional Manager Alan Roman and Atout France Director Patrick Benhamou.
All guests received a piece of Tahiti to take away with them – a black pearl and a bottle of Monoi – while Flight Centre Head of Marketing Jason Wolff won a seven-night trip to SPM’s resort.
10. The Princess of Pop joins Qatar Airways’ ‘Celebration’
Kylie Minogue was joined by a lineup of VIP guests and celebrities at the Dockside Pavilion in Darling Harbour last night to celebrate the launch of Qatar Airways’ services to Sydney.
The award-winning airline gave guests a taste of the five-star service and hospitality that they can expect every time they travel on board one of its modern aircraft anywhere in the world.
Special guests at the gala event included actor Richard Roxburgh and his wife Silvia Colloca; Olympic swimming champion, Ian Thorpe; host of Australia’s Next Top Model, Jennifer Hawkins; Celebrity Chef, George Calombaris; and British Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh. Other VIPs included The Hon. Stuart Ayres, NSW State Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events; Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase; Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer; and His Excellency Mr. Arthur Spyrou, Australian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Click here for more pictures.