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. Sophisticated travellers get the new Scenic tour
You’ve seen the name change and the new logo, but now it’s time to get to know the evolving Scenic brand aka the global luxury lifestyle brand.
On 15 April, the 29-year-old tour operator announced it was dropping the ‘Tours’ in its title to officially become Scenic.
With the new name came a redesigned logo, brochures and website.
2. Is this a good excuse to raise airline plastic fees?
Qantas has defended its low-cost carrier’s decision to charge a fee of up to $8.50 for using a credit card to book flights, saying it’s not a ‘credit-card surcharge’ but a ‘comfort cost’.
Comparing it to the comfort of ‘paying extra to sit in the exit row’, the airline claims its budget off-shoot, Jetstar, isn’t making money off plastic fees.
3. New Malaysia Airlines CEO talks job cuts
Malaysia Airlines Systems’ new Chief Executive, Christopher Mueller says the airline will need to come to terms with spending cuts and potential job losses in order to remain competitive.
At a meeting with employees this week, the boss said the airline is currently spending 20 percent more than its competitors.
He said turning around that spend could help the company remain strong as the ringgit weakens.
The announcement comes a month after Malaysia Airlines owner Khazanah Nasional Bhd revealed the company needs to trim as much as 6,000 jobs to reach a sustainable employee number of 14,000.
4. ReadyRooms launches travel lay-by
ReadyRooms for Agents has adjusted its product to give consultants more flexibility for their clients, with a new ‘book now and pay later’ option.
The move comes less than two weeks after the Qantas Holidays owned booking platform introduced the ‘Name Your Own Price‘ functionality.
Now agents using the website not only have access to adjustable product prices, but the option to offer clients a seven-day book and pay window.
5. Rome services gradually resume
Flights from Rome’s Fiumicino airport will slowly get back on track later today after a fire damaged the main terminal, forcing the gateway to close for 12 hours yesterday.
The fire, which has been described by authorities as ‘very violent’, started just after midnight in Terminal 3 – the main terminal used for international services.
Three people suffered from smoke inhalation before the fire was put out.
Police are looking into the incident, but say there’s no immediate indication it was a result of arson.
In the meantime, the airport is closed to all departures until 2.00pm today.
It is however, opened for the arrival of intercontinental flights.
Alitalia has advised that it has cancelled all flights scheduled to depart from Rome before 2.00pm and all flights expected to arrive at Fiumicino, with the exception of intercontinental flights.
“Delays and cancellations on the entire Alitalia’s network are expected for all day long.”
Alitalia statement
Passengers effected by flight cancellations can be rebooked on new Alitalia flights by changing their flight reservation by Sunday 10 May, or they can ask for refund only if their flight has been cancelled.
6. It’s all about the Luxperience at Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia will show off its experiential travel appeal to hundreds of travel agents at this year’s Luxperience.
The airline has signed on to be a Platinum Partner for the annual event, taking place 6-9 September in Sydney.
Virgin will showcase its network and premium products and services by hosting VIP buyers travelling from North America, New Zealand and across Australia to the 2015 business exchange, to experience the best of Australasia’s unique luxury and experiential travel product.
Luxperience is the only travel trade forum of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere based in the Australasia and Pacific region that connects the world’s most exclusive travel providers dealing in luxury and experiential travel.
7. Say ‘Hello Summer’ in NYC
Get ready for some summer holiday bookings to NYC, as the city’s official marketing organisation launches ‘Hello Summer’.
The new initiative encourages travellers to take advantage of affordable activities and enjoy restaurant and theater savings during the quieter season.
Highlighting not only outdoor and free activities, the campaign also showcases new and only-in-NYC attractions that make the city a must-visit destination.
NYC & Company predicts the city will welcome an estimated 15 million visitors this summer during the months of June, July and August.
8. Port Douglas resort gets $40 million facelift
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort is getting a floor-to-ceiling $40 million makeover.
Work on the 294-guest hotel commenced this month and is slated for completion in early 2016.
The project includes full guestroom refurbishment with the creation of spectacular suites and “swim out” rooms where guests can directly access the lagoon pools from their private balconies.
There will also be changes to the Mirage Country Golf Club and the resort’s main buildings, surrounding pools and landscaping.
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort General Manager Steve Molnar said the refurbishment will take the guest experience ‘a notch higher’.
The Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas first opened its doors in 1987 as the most sought after five-star resort in Australia and it has since continued to attract the who’s who of celebrities and dignitaries from around the globe.
9. Enjoying a pint in Ireland with Qantas Holidays
Nannette (second from the right) enjoys a pint with the gals.
Two Personal Travel Managers were invited to experience the best of Ireland as participants in Qantas Holidays’ ‘Race Around the UK and Ireland’ mega-famil.
They were amongst the 60 other Australian travel agents invited to go on the annual getaway.
TravelManagers’ Nannette Gledhill, representative for Port Douglas in Queensland, was one of the agents who qualified for the Ireland famil.
Kerrin Poupos set adrift in Bristol.
Her team competed against the three other teams (England, Scotland and Wales), on itineraries that were designed to showcase the history, culture and cuisine of each destination.
TravelManagers’ Kerrin Poupos, representative for Warragul, Victoria, competed against Gledhill, joining Team England on an itinerary that included a Premier League football game, a walking tour of Birmingham’s famous canals and a visit to the ancient Roman spa town of Bath.
10. Hotel opens ‘crying rooms’ for women
A Japanese hotel has unveiled a special ‘crying room’, which is specifically aimed at… you guessed it, women.
The Mitsui Garden Yotsuya hotel – located in the heart of Tokyo – said it wants to provide a room that allows females to ‘de-stress’ and overcome emotional problems by crying ‘heartily’ in private.
It doesn’t stop there.
For those who are feeling down but can’t seem to kick start the waterworks, the room provides a selection of tear-jerking aides such as the movie Forest Gump and sad manga comics.
Of course, there’s also warm sheets to lay on, tissues to wipe the tears with (and blow the nose), eye masks and makeup remover – how considerate.
Don’t pinch yourself, this is actually out there.
