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. Would you fly in pilot-less planes?
No pilot, no problem. Pilot-less planes are reportedly closer than you think, but do we have enough faith in technology to safely get us from one side of the planet to the other?
Talks of completely automatic aircraft comes after Germanwings flight 4U9525 was reportedly deliberately flown into the French Alps by the plane’s co-pilot.
All 150 passengers were killed on impact, including the Captain, who can be heard on the recovered Black Box trying to break into the bridge after his colleague locked him out by deploying a five-minute override.
2. Thailand tourism survives Koh Samui car bomb
Australian travellers in or heading to Thailand have been advised to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ after a car bomb went off in front of a mall on resort island Koh Samui.
Seven people were injured in the explosion, which came a day after a fire broke out on a Thailand ferry carrying 117 travellers.
The bomb was packed inside a Mazda pick-up truck with false place numbers and parked in front of the Central Festival mall, which was busy with late-night shoppers inside.
3. Flight Centre’s HK promo kicks off
Hong Kong is on the map for Flight Centre agents as the group teams up with tourism leaders to sell trips to the destination.
Running throughout April and May, the campaign will entice Aussie travellers to book special Hong Kong packages that tie in with local summer events such as the Dragon Boat Carnival running from 3-5 July.
A key element of the Summer Fun campaign is the #MyHiddenHK consumer competition offering two Hong Kong holidays, including flights and accommodation.
4. Hola Aussies! Check out Princess’ new South America sailing
Ever wondered how to tick off pretty much off all of South America without hopping from plane to plane? Princess Cruises has the answer!
The cruise line’s first circumnavigation of South America from Australia itinerary is the highlight from Princess Cruises’ new 2016/17 program, which was unveiled at a media function in Sydney last week.
Vice President Australia and New Zealand, Stuart Allison said it was the first itinerary of its kind from Australia and had taken the better part of five years to develop.
5. TTF welcomes online multiple-entry visas for Chinese tourists
The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has welcomed the Australian government’s decision to extend the multiple-entry online visa trial for Chinese visitors.
According to TTF Chief Executive, Margy Osmond, the three-year, multiple-entry online visa system makes it easier, faster and more affordable for Chinese holidaymakers to visit Australia.
Describing it as a “real game-changer’, she said it will help Australia compete with destinations like the US, which offer 10-year multiple entry visas.
She said it also has the potential to drive economic growth and increase local jobs.
“Combined with the previously-announced move to a permanent online application system for Chinese visitors by the end of 2015, this will help to drive repeat visitation from what are now the highest-spending category of visitors coming to Australia.”
Margy Osmond, TTF Chief Executive
Ms Osmond said currently Australian visas are not only more difficult to obtain than other destinations, but also pricier, sitting at $130 – seven times more expensive than visas for visitors from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and the US.
However, eligible visitors applying electronically will only have to pay $20 and receive an immediate response.
“Australia must continue to eliminate barriers to visitation from our key markets so we can capture the enormous growth potential of the visitor economy.”
Margy Osmond, TTF Chief Executive
6. Security beefed up at Hobart Airport
Hobart International Airport’s website has been taken down after it was hacked and defaced by techies claiming to support radical religious group, ISIS.
According to authorities, a message was placed on the site containing a statement, which was supportive of the group.
Airport management disabled the site and advised customers to visit airline websites for flight information.
“We’re sorry, the Hobart Airport website is not currently operating. We are working to get it back up and running as soon as possible.”
A message on the site
Police said no threats were made, however, they are monitoring airport activity and are prepared to ‘provide an appropriate response’.
7. TV celebrity promotes Port Stephens
Port Stephens cruise tour operators, Imagine Cruises and Lets Go Adventures, recently hosted a TV crew fronted by musician, actor and television presenter, David Reyne, to present a new nature-based TV program on the Nine Network.
The show, which is scheduled to air in May, shows the former ‘Getaway’ TV host diving with 40 grey nurse sharks off a small rocky island 18 kilometres north of the port’s entrance and then spent time on two of the islands off the coast of Port Stephens – Broughton Island.
He will also be seen camping and taking a tour with Imagine Cruises’ nature guide, Jeannie Lawson, who explains the history, fauna and flora of the islands.
Imagine Cruises has recently launched new cruise tours to both national park-protected islands. The TV crew also joined Dolphin Swim Australia for a unique dolphin swim experience aboard the Imagine catamaran.
The segments will air as part of a new 10 x 30 min ‘Australian Geographic Adventures’ TV series to air on the Nine Network in May in conjunction with Australian Geographic magazine.
8. KLM logs into Whatsapp
Airline’s biggest social media pioneer, KLM, is turning to messaging platform ‘Whatsapp’ to up its communication game with customers.
The airline, already connected on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte (Russia) and WeChat (China), said it is testing the new system with 100 members of its Flying Blue frequent-flyer program.
According to spokesperson, Joost Ruempol, it will be used to mimic traditional test messages and allow users to ask KLM questions directly via the app.
The spokesperson said the company is aiming to trial it for three months before making it available to more flyers.
However, it’s unlikely the app will be available to all guests seeing as the airline receives over 60,000 questions through traditional and current social media channels.
“Opening up WhatsApp for everybody might be a big decision, as we are only starting to find out what volumes to expect on [it] via this pilot.”
KLM spokesperson
9. Cook Islands takes over Flight Centre expo
[L-R]: Akshay Singh, Pacific Resorts, Donna Tuara, CIT Australia, Carlene Mapu, CIT Rarotonga; back – Louis Enoka, Club Raro, Cedric Te-Taura dancer, Claude Person, Rarotonga Beach Bungalows, Te Maeva Mackenzie, Air Raro and in the middle Carole Thorburn, Edgewater Resort and Kerryn Cook, CIT Australia.
Facebook, funky glasses and the island spirit saw the Cook Islands take the award for the ‘Best Booth’ at this year’s Flight Centre Travel Expos.
Kerryn Cook, General Manager Australia said the shows were an ‘amazing success’ and the destination booked more than they ever had at a Flight Centre expo.
“This is a huge accolade for us as we do not have the fancy booths of some bigger destinations, but we won for our energy, our enthusiasm and passion, warm smiles and the icing on the cake… sales coordinator Donna Tuara’s dancing skills!“
Kerryn Cook, Cook Islands Tourism General Manager Australia
10. 87-year-old acts up on Air Canada flight
A pensioner is said to have caused disturbance on a recent Air Canada flight and forced the airline to divert the plane.
The 87-year-old was flying in First Class from Germany to Toronto, when she was allegedly restrained by cabin crew until the plane made an unplanned landing in Ireland, The Daily Mail reported.
According to the website, flight crew alerted pilot to the situation, who requested the landing to the Irish Aviation Authority.
The plane then landed at Shannon where she was taken into custody.
Details of her actions onboard have yet to be revealed, but according to the news site she was released without charge.
