We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Conference success for helloworld Frontliners
The helloworld Frontliners Conference 2014 has wrapped up in Adelaide with a glittering Awards ceremony and a Christmas-themed Gala Dinner.
The message of the two-day conference to consultants was a consistent one: helloworld is changing the face of travel in Australia.
Attending the conference myself, I found the general mood to be one of positivity towards what the brand has achieved to date in its short life span of just 40 weeks.
2. Hotel brands invest in Aus accommodation
Growing tourism numbers to Australia has spurred hotel companies to invest in the local accommodation sector through property upgrades and new management signings.
This week, the Langham Sydney will reopen its doors following a $30 million makeover.
The property was shut in July this year, to receive new harbour view rooms and public spaces; a new day spa; five new event spaces; and six ornate designed fireplaces.
3. Jordan Spieth takes out Emirates’ Aus Open
Spectators at The Australian Golf Club witnessed Jordan Spieth take out the competition to win this year’s Emirates Australian Open.
Spectators were captivated during the four round, which saw Jordan Spieth finish in the lead with a score of 63. A memorable performance was also seen from Rod Pampling and Brett Rumford who placed second and third in the tournament.
“This year’s Emirates Australian Open once again saw golf’s strongest and greatest players go head to head. I would like to warmly congratulate Jordan on his tremendous win.
Barry Brown, Emirates divisional senior vice president commercial operations east.
4. KarryOn’s new EDM travels with you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuOSLw6gEuM
If you clicked through to today’s ‘Need to Know’ via our daily newsletter, you may have noticed something slightly different.
Today, KarryOn relaunched a new mobile newsletter, which was designed using innovative technology that allows subscribers to open the email distribution on any device.
Whether you’re catching up on travel news on the train, in the office or on the iPad before a presentation, the new EDM renders to fit all devices.
Our new EDM literally travels with you.
Check out the video above to see where you can KarryOn reading travel news.
5. Which US airports frustrate you?
Vancouver International was named least frustrating airport thanks to its clean facilities, friendly service and on-time departures.
And the most frustrating US airport is… New York, LaGuardia.
Bloomberg Businessweek has released its annual ‘Airport Frustration Index’ ranking the most and least annoying airports in North America.
Gateways are ranked based on a variety of factors including commute to the airport; overall pleasantness of security, staff, restrooms and shopping; plus flight departures.
This year, Vancouver International was named the least frustrating with a score of 17.6 percent. Portland Oregon followed as second best and Austin-Bergstrom as third best.
Two other Canadian airports made the top ten least frustrating airport list, with Calgary International Airport in at fourth and Ottawa International Airport landing the eighth spot.
The most frustrating North American airports were New York’s LaGuardia, achieving a score of 91 percent, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport and John F Kennedy.
Agree with the list? Let us know which North American airports frustrate you the most and tell us why below.
6. KarryOn deals of the week
Fly to India with Cathay Pacific from $694 per person or save on your summer holiday road trip, with up to 40 percent on DriveAway Holidays’ car hire in Australia and New Zealand.
Royal Caribbean is letting your partner cruise locally for half price with the line’s biggest sale ever and for a limited time industry folk receive a 40 percent discount on accommodation at Hong Kong’s five-star Harbour Grand Kowloon.
7. CTM profits tracking above expectations
Corporate Travel Management is expecting to make more money during the 2015 financial year, increasing its guidance from $38-$41 million to over $41 million.
The figure was raised at the group’s annual general meeting (AGM) late last week, where managing director Jamie Pherous said a combination of factors will contribute to the growth, including the integration of its new USA business (recently acquired Avia International Travel in Houston), new clients in Australia and a marginal rise in average ticket prices.
“The combination of all these factors is having a positive effect on our FY15 profit and resulting forecast.”
Jamie Pherous, CTM managing director
At the AGM, the group also revealed it achieved a minimum 41.8 percent growth on FY14 in underlying earnings.
Earlier this year. CTM was named ‘Top Australian Agency’ at the annual Abacus International Conference Awards and ‘Australia’s Best Corporate Travel Agency’ at the AFTA Awards.
8. Honolulu Airport goes green
Image: Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock
Honolulu International Airport will undergo a $150 million energy savings upgrade aimed at reducing energy use by up to 50 percent.
Changes are in addition to a planned structural upgrade at the airport and could see the gateway save up to $518 million in energy costs over 20 years, according to Pacific Business News.
The upgrade will consist of consolidating the rental car facility, a new maintenance and cargo hangar plus improvements to airport restrooms.
There will also be a new mauka concourse. It will be a 250,000-square-foot terminal capable of serving six wide-body planes or 11 narrow-body planes.
9. Regional Qld agents treated like royalty
Fourteen travel agents from regional Queensland spent a day exploring Princess Cruises Sea Princess, as part of a Princess, Virgin Australia and Greyhound Coaches famil.
The agents were transferred from Central and North Queensland to Brisbane where they boarded the 1,950-passenger vessel.
As part of the famil they experienced Virgin’s onboard service on flights from Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg. They also had a chance to travel the road via one of Greyhound’s new coaches before having lunch and seeing the many activities and features aboard Princess’ ship.
Sea Princess is sailing out of Brisbane and Sydney during the 2014/15 season on a series of local, New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries.
10. What a pooper!
Image: US Airlines passenger Rob Phelps
A woman and her emotional support pig have made headlines after she was asked to disembark a US Airlines flight because the pig was squealing loudly and defecating in the aisle.
For anyone who isn’t in the know – some airlines allow holidaymakers to fly with emotional support animals – animals that are classified as medical equipment because they are trained to assist their owners in overcoming struggles or particularly disabilities.
According to Rob Phelps – a passenger onboard the flight from Washington to Connecticut – the trained pig was quite large, reaching its owner’s waist, loud and smelly.
He said it was screaming ‘three times louder than a child’ and was being scolded by its emotionally dependent owner, The Daily Mail reported.
Other passengers on the flight said they didn’t realise it was a pig until it started squealing.
Making headline around in and outside the US, the travelling duo have received mixed responses from travellers, with some saying it isn’t fair to bring a pig on a flight and others sympathising with her emotional situation.
If your emotional support pig gets you booted from a plane because of disruptive behavior, I’m not so sure it’s providing good service.
— Melika NoKaOi (@MelikaNoKaOi) November 30, 2014
