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 just checked-in a jet engine
Excess baggage has always been a bone of contention for passengers. So what happens when your baggage includes a jet engine? And where do you put it anyway?
Simple. Just strap it to the wing of the plane.
Which is exactly what QF63 from Sydney to Johannesburg did today, taking off with an extra passenger on board – a six tonne Rolls Royce engine.
2. Expedia goes ‘touring’ with Booking Boss
Travel agents using Expedia will have an easier time securing tours and activities for their clients thanks to the travel company’s new arrangement with Booking Boss.
Announced today, Expedia will implement Booking Boss’ technology into its system to give consultants access to the tech start-up’s real-time inventory and availability.
For agents, this means the opportunity to scrap those vouchers in exchange for instant confirmation. It also means clients won’t need to wait a attraction gates to exchange their voucher for a valid ticket.
3. Qantas’ new loyalty scheme is VERY rewarding
Qantas just gave its Frequent Flyer members a good reason to stay loyal – by massively lowering the number of points they need to earn free flights.
Regular flyers need to rack up 120,000 points in order to travel from Sydney to London for free.
That’s a huge 8,000 drop from the previous 128,000 points required last year.
4. A new brand to ‘Love’ the Cook Islands
Cook Islands is set on taking its tourists arrivals to new levels this year, with the launch of a new destination brand highlighting its paradise-like experiences and adventures.
The new brand was launched this month to coincide with Air New Zealand’s $200 return flights offer (running from 8-26 January) and pushes the tagline ‘Love a little paradise’.
According to Cook Islands Tourism, the strategy seeks to differentiate the idyllic South Pacific nation from its key competitors and raise awareness for the visitor segment identified as Soft Explorers.
5. Former Virgin manager joins Insight Vacations
After nearly a decade of working for airlines, Alex O’Connor has decided to take her management skills over to The Travel Corporation (TTC) as the new MD of Insight Vacations Australia.
O’Connor will step into the role on 8 February this year, to replace outgoing Managing Director, Joost Timmer who announced his resignation in December last year.
She joins the team with over 15 years travel industry experience, including six years with Air New Zealand where she held several titles such as Online Performance Manager, Corporate Sales Manager and National Distribution Manager. She also spent a year with Virgin Australia as Head of Industry Sales.
6. Chimu Adventures breaks ice in Antarctica
A group of Chimu Adventures’ guests travellers will sail to where no other guest has sailed in five years.
Two massive icebergs blocking historic Mawson’s Huts in remote Commonwealth Bay in Antarctica shifted, enabling the operator’s first commercial expedition to sail through to the historic site.
It will be the first time in half a decade the company will be able to send its passengers to the site.
The 26-day journey aboard Akademik Shokalskiy, carrying 54 passengers, will also raised money for Mawson’s Huts Foundation, which has been maintaining the basic timber structures since 1997 at a total cost of more than $8 million.
The Akademik Shokalskiy leaves Constitution Dock Hobart at 4pm this Saturday.
7. Join the Solomon webinar
You’re invited to learn all about the Solomon Islands during a series of 20 minute Solomon Islands Update Webinar.
Taking place on 19 January 2016 from 8.30am (EAST), the webinars will provide information with changes in the island nation such as new hotels or flights.
Listeners will be able to ask questions towards the end of the webinar.
Spaces are limited, click here to register. Those who register will go in the running to win a AU$50 iTunes voucher.
8. Signature Savings for cruisers
Seabourn is offering Australian cruisers special savings, complimentary upgrades, shipboard credit and reduced deposits as part of its annual Signature Savings Event.
The offer is available from now until 29 February 2016 on new 2016 and 2017 bookings.
Among the itineraries on which clients can receive a complimentary Veranda Suite upgrade is the seven-day Mediterranean cruise on Seabourn Odyssey between Istanbul and Athens. The cruise departs on 22 October 2016 and is priced from $3,999 per person double occupancy.
For more information contact Seabourn.
9. Emirates served HOW MANY meals in 2015?
My, my it was a big year for Emirates, with ticking off a number of milestone, carrying more passengers and feeding more hungry bellies than ever before.
According to the airline’s latest figures, the airline carried an incredible 51.3 million passengers – nine percent more than the previous year.
Around 3,600 flights were operated by the Dubai-based airline PER WEEK, or a total of 186,000 flights over the 12 months.
10. Aussie pets are jet setters
Australian pet owners just can’t seem to be able to leave their pets at home, despite new tech that allows them to monitor and even Skype their furry friends from the road.
A new Pet Parent Survey released by PETstock’s found Australian pet parents are heavily influenced by their dogs and cats and will alter plans for a more animal-friendly destination.
Around 75 percent of dog owners will choose a travel destination based on whether their dog can join them andaround 16 percent refuse to travel unless they can take their dog along.
P.S: Noosa agent wins Audi1 from Allianz
Allianz Global Assistance has announced Barbara Sheriff from Noosa Travel as the lucky winner of an Audi A1, valued at $33,000, following its national travel agent incentive competition.
The incentive campaign ran from 20 July 2015 until 31 October 2015 giving selected travel agents the opportunity to win by selling Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance products.
The incentive also rewarded Catherine Paterson from Noosaville with a $5,000 Noosa Travel voucher for purchasing the winning policy.
“As a global provider of travel insurance we recognise all of the hard work done by travel agents and the support they provide as advocates of the travel insurance industry.”
Brad Smith, Allianz Global Assistance Chief Sales Officer
