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. Barriers agents face when converting travellers into cruisers
It’s one of the fastest growing industries in Australia and around the world, but there are still clients out there that are hesitant to take that step onto a ship and call themselves a cruiser.
A new study in the UK has compiled a list of challenges travel agents and cruise lines face to convince non-cruisers that the industry is for them.
According to the survey of people that have never been on a cruise 36 percent said they were ‘strongly’ or ‘possibly’ considering a cruise.
2. Real-time tracking coming to aircraft
The aviation industry is hoping to set up minute-by-minute aircraft tracking system to prevent a repeat of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Aviation leaders at an international summit in Montreal this week backed plans for the device that would monitor aircraft in real time.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has been tasked with putting together a proposal, which will be revealed in November this year.
As part of the proposal, airlines will be obligated to start using minute-by-minute tracking from 2016.
3. INCENTIVE: Four Contiki trips up for grabs
Agents have the chance to win one of four trips as part of Contiki’s new top selling incentive.
The agent who sells the most in each of the tour operator’s categories – High Energy, Easy Pace, In-depth Explorer or Discover Plus – will be offered a $2,500 adventure of their own.
High Energy trips will have your clients exploring by day and living it up by night, Easy Pace itineraries take their time with minimum two nights in each destinations and late starts, In-Depth explorer offers up the chance to delve in a little deeper and live like the locals and Discovery Plus makes sure that you see and do it all.
Along with the four travel styles that agents can win Contiki offers adventures to suit every client’s needs with eight ways to travel around the world including Sailing & Cruise, Festivals & Short Stays, Winter & Ski and the original Freestyle Camping.
The incentive is valid on new bookings made between 28 January and 31 March 2015 on itineraries of seven days or more and deposited within competition dates.
Later this month, the youth travel operator will bring a taste of Tokyo’s outrageous Robot Restaurant to Sydney to promote its first itinerary in the country. Read on
Contiki’s first 13-day ‘Japan Unrivalled‘ tour departs on 14 March. Starting in Tokyo guests travel to Hakone, Takayama, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Wakayama and Osaka.
4. Daddo picks up the mic for Travellers Choice
Andrew ‘I’m a celebrity’ Daddo will one again pick up the mic and MC at this year’s Travellers Choice annual shareholder conference in November this year.
The television presenter and star of ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ hosted the meeting last year and was praised by the agency’s chief executive for his ‘wonderful ability to entertain and bond with audiences’.
“He is a valued member of the Travellers Choice family and we all look forward to hearing his tales of reality television torture.”
Christian Hunter, Travellers Choice chief executive
This year’s ASC takes place from 20-22 November at the five-star Pullman Melbourne Albert Park.
5. Virtuoso moves to Australia
Image: haveseen/Shutterstock
The world’s leading luxury travel network, Virtuoso is making Australia its regional headquarters in a move that will spearhead expansion into the Asia Pacific region this year.
The company’s Asia Pacific managing director Michael Londregan said the move will secure growth into Asia and strengthen ties with new partnerships in Hong Kong and Singapore.
“Australia and New Zealand’s travel agency elite have been Virtuoso members for the past 10 years and this strong foundation in the luxury market continues to drive growth for our brand and allows Virtuoso Australia to be perfectly placed to support our Asia expansion.”
Michael Londregan, Virtuoso Asia Pacific managing director
In line with the move to Australia, Virtuoso’s global chief executive and chair, Matthew D Upchurch will arrive in February to present the latest data on international luxury and travel trends.
He said the nature of luxury travel has changed in recent years, moving away from the idea of opulent ‘5-star’ treatment, towards experiential travel that has a truth of connection and helps people in the race to “collect life experiences”.
The definition of luxury travel is no longer just staying in a nice hotel, it’s also about new destinations, exploration and investment in qualify of life, he explained.
With more than 9,000 travel advisors around the globe, Virtuoso has a turnover of more than USD $14 billion in annual travel sales and has announced the Australian move as part of a global expansion which included United Kingdom and Europe in 2014.
6. Japan’s futuristic, robot hotel
Fears of robots replacing human services are becoming a reality, as Japan plans to open its first hotel entirely staffed by androids.
The two-story hotel named ‘Henn na’ (Japanese for strange hotel) is scheduled to open on 17 July at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo, Japan.
Owners say the property will entirely be managed and operated by technology created by Japan’s favourite cartoon character, Hello Kitty.
So how does it work?
It all starts in reception where robots will check guests in and deliver luggage to the rooms. Instead of keys or keycards, face recognition technology will be used to open the door to rooms.
7. Viking trials first ocean ship
Viking is almost ready to launch into the ocean sector after successfully completing sea trials on its first mass market vessel.
The cruise line released footage of Viking Star undergoing trials in the Aegean Sea before she officially sets sail in the open water from April this year.
During nearly a week of intense diagnostics, maritime experts executed more than 80 different tests designed to evaluate everything from Viking Star’s engine and propulsion performance to her navigation systems and cabin acoustics.
8. Fun travel news Friday
Did you see what Ryanair’s airport team drew into the safe? You have to check out the airline’s response.
This week three French tourists were deported from Cambodia. Find out why.
There’s also that lady that has sparked debate amongst the industry after she draped her underwear over a chair so they could dry at an airport (bra and undies people!)
And so much more. Be sure to read on.
9. Bringing a touch of MSC to Caribbean sea weddings
Your clients looking to get hitched at sea can now legally say ‘I Do’ on MSC’s MSC Divina in the Caribbean.
The cruise line is offering couples the option of getting married shipboard or shoreside in several Caribbean destinations, including: Bridgetown, Barbados; Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Falmouth, Jamaica; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
Couples can also get married on embarkation day in Miami.
As part of ‘The Wedding Experience’, couples are partnered with MSC event planners who handle the details of the wedding or vow renewal.
Ceremonies and receptions are customisable, so guests have choices on everything from photography and videography packages, music, fresh flowers and beverage packages.
As an extra benefit, couples booking groups of at least 13 staterooms will receive a complimentary balcony stateroom. Those booking larger groups will receive a complimentary suite (30+ rooms in group) or Yacht Club (50+ rooms in group) stateroom.
Couples that do get hitched on MSC ships can rest assured that the cruise line has everything they could possibly need to ensure they don’t get ‘knocked up’.
A study last month found MSC is the only cruise line to take care of its sexually active guests, offering condoms, pregnancy tests and the morning after pill. Read on
10. Colourful parades to bring in the Chinese NY
Macau this month will be all colours, parades and festive fun as the destination celebrates the arrival of the Year of the Ram (goat).
Chinese New Year celebrations begin on 19 February and will include two vibrant street parades featuring floats from around Asia – on Saturday 21 February and Saturday 28 February. The events will feature the traditional Golden Dragon and Lion Dance Performances.
To top these, a spectacular fireworks display will take place over the city on 21 February, along with 10 days of performances by more than 1000 artists.
Countless local Chinese, Portuguese and Macanese restaurants will be decorated to be a part of the fun filled festivities.
There’ll also be the Golden Dragon Parade on 19 February, which will begin at the iconic Ruins of St Paul’s. While Lion Dance Performance will kick off from Senado Square at 11.00 am on 21 February, and from Tap Seac Square at 4.30pm the following day.
On the15th day of the first moon is the Lanterns Festival, where colourful lanterns are placed around the city. Small balls of glutinous rice are prepared as dessert, symbolising the “ribbon of friendship”, “family reunion” or “good luck” for the Chinese.
Coinciding with the Chinese New Year festivities is a unique Macau Christian religious celebration where an image of Christ carrying the Cross is taken in a solemn procession from St Augustine’s Church to the Cathedral for an overnight vigil.
It is then returned through the city accompanied by a magenta-robed escort, watched by supporters and the curious.
Are you planning anything special for the Chinese New Year?
