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. New threads plus extra services for Virgin
Virgin Australia has made two minor tweaks to its local operations this month – increased services on a growing route and new threads for its senior employees.
Commencing 21 February, the airline will add two new weekly return services on Brisbane-Newcastle flights.
Utilising the Embraer 190 aircraft with both business and economy services, the new flights will operate on Monday and Saturday, departing Newcastle at 7.00 am to arrive in Brisbane around 7.15 am.
2. No damage or injuries in Vanuatu
Cyclone Ula may have passed by Vanuatu’s southern islands last night, but it appears to have left little to no damage, according to the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO).
The tourist bureau confirmed this morning that reports from the island nation are ‘largely positive’ with no indication of damage or injuries.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) hasn’t changed its advice to the destination, and continues to urge Aussies to ‘exercise normal safety precautions’.
All international flights to Vanuatu are continuing as normal. Flights to the island of Tanna experienced some disruptions however flights have now resumed.
Latest reports indicate Cyclone Ula is moving away from Vanuatu and resorts are operating as normal.
3. Over $40,000 in prizes for agents to WIN
Travel agents can get their hands on $40,000 worth of prizes over the next two months as part of G Adventures’ annual UMI (or Über Massive Incentive).
Now in its fifth year, the incentive rewards consultants for securing new bookings with the tour operator from 28 December 2015 up until 31 March 2016.
In the past, UMI winners across Australia and New Zealand have been lucky enough to win trips to destinations such as Africa, Burma and The Galapagos.
4. Excite expands into Singapore
It’s good news from our online travel wholesalers, with both roomsXML and Excite Holidays expanding into Asia.
Last week, roomsXML unveiled a Chinese version of its website and today Excite Holidays set up operation in Singapore.
The move comes after strong interest from Singaporean travel agents following a presentation given by Excite Holidays’ managing director and co-founder Nic Stavropoulos and CTO Damian Sutton in conjunction with the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS).
5. Egypt promises greater security following attack
Egypt’s Tourism Minister, Hisham Zaazou, says the country will take further precautions to ensure the safety of its tourists after a recent attack at a Red Sea resort.
Three international tourists – two Austrians and one Swede – were left injured late last week when two men carrying knives and pellet guns entered the restaurant at the seaside four-star Bella Vista Hotel.
Police were quick on the scene, taking down one of the attackers while wounding and arresting the other.
6. Australia’s brand new hotel is complete
Brisbane’s accommodation sector is set to grow with the first-ever brand new ibis Styles hotel in Australia scheduled to open in the city by the end of March this year.
The ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street officially completed the building phase this week and is on track for its Q1 opening.
Located at 40 Elizabeth Street, the hotel will be the largest ibis hotel in Australasia with 368 rooms. It’s also one of the most centrally positioned properties in the city, sitting close to Brisbane Casino and adjoined to the Myer Center and Queen Street Mall.
7. Tourism Portfolio reps Arabian Explorers
Tourism Portfolio has become the exclusive Australasian sales and marketing reps for destination management company, Arabian Explorers.
Announced this morning, Tourism Portfolio will be responsible for evolving Arabian Explorers’ brand in the market using local expertise and knowledge.
Donna Kessler, Maanging Director at Tourism Portfolio, said the company excels at “crafting personalised experiences that embody the authentic character of” the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.
“That makes the company ideally suited to meet the needs of Australasia’s highly-competitive MICE sector.”
Donna Kessler, Tourism Portfolio MD
“At the same time Arabian Explorers state-of-the-art technology solutions make it an attractive partner for leisure travel specialists, who can easily access real-time inventory for hotels, tours and transfers, then make and amend customised bookings directly within the company’s system.”
8. G brings the Adventures on land & sea
Agencies will soon start receiving G Adventures two new brochures – G Marine and G Earth.
The first [on the left] brochure highlights the tour company’s ocean and river itineraries from exploring the poles, wondering the Galapagos or cruising around the Greek Islands.
The brochure features all new adventures on Marine trips aboard small ships, exclusive yachts, and catamarans as well as new river cruises, which open up the interior of some of the world’s greatest places via inventive itineraries down fabled waterways like the Amazon, the Ganges, the Mekong and the canals that feed France’s wine country.
On the other side [the right], there’s the new Earth brochure, outlining the company’s land-based experiences.
These classic trips deliver a balance of must-see highlights, cultural exchange, insider access, unbeatable value, and the kind of spontaneous, you-really-had-to-be-there moments that make a trip memorable.
With diverse transport, character-rich accommodation, regional cuisine and groups from all around the globe, G Adventures’ Earth brochure trips include rail adventures across India’s sprawling rail system, treks through Nepal and Tibet, active trips through New Zealand’s South and North islands and safaris in Africa, among many more.
Click here to view the new brochures.
9. Alaska Airlines leads in North America
Alaska Airlines has been named the Airline Market Leader for North America by the Air Transport World (ATW).
The award was based on Alaska Airline’s outstanding financial performance and customer service in the highly competitive North American market.
ATW’s Editor in Chief, Karen Walker said the airline stands apart as an independent carrier with a loyal customer base.
10. Tempo Holidays 2 for 1 sale
Your clients can get a 2 for 1 Indian Sojourn experience with Tempo Holidays as part of the company’s latest sale.
The Indian Sojourn is an eight-day train journey on one of India’s iconic trains, the Deccan Odyssey, as it travels from Mumbai to Delhi.
Prices for the trip start at AU$3,223 per person for departure on 30 January 2016. Click here for more information.
Last year, Tempo Holidays announced its return to a highly popular travel destination, Iran.
P.S. MTA goes hard at an inspection
MTA agent, Belinda Manning [pictured], took her recent hotel inspection duties to the never level with a hard hat.
Manning donned the protective gear as part of ‘behind the scenes’ inspection of the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris, which is in the last stages of a four-year renovation.
The MTA consultant received a sneak peek of the property’s new suites, restaurant and spa ahead of the March reopening.
Manning was in France as part of a Leading Hotels of the World ‘Paris & French Riviera’ study tour which also encompassed Nice, Cannes and Provence.
P.P.S. Swedish airport finds ‘suspicious powder’
NEWS Stockholm Skavsta airport evacuated after bomb scare https://t.co/qe2Gb7ABgg pic.twitter.com/JzQcGR9GHs
— AirLive.net (@airlivenet) January 10, 2016
A Swedish airport was forced to evacuate its patrons and delay all services for several hours yesterday when suspicious powder was found on a bag.
The bag, which is believed to have belonged to an elderly lady, was checked in by the owner when authorities made the discovery.
According to an airport spokesperson, the check-in area and baggage hall at Skavsta Airport’s departure terminal was evacuated and flights were delayed for up to three hours.
Police and a bomb squad were called in to investigate the powder and found no explosive traces.
The airport was reopened later in the day.