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. Indonesian plane believed to have crashed
Rescue teams resumed their efforts this morning in the search for an Indonesian airliner, which is believed to have crashed with 54 people on board.
The Trigana Air Service plane went missing yesterday while transporting 44 adults, five children and five crew members from Sentani Airport in Jayapura to Oksibil.
According to Transportation Ministry Spokesperson, J.A. Barata, the plane lost contact with ground control around 2.55pm Sunday.
2. Relief for Aussie airport duty-free shoppers
Here’s a little relief for Aussie travellers, next time you’re purchasing a duty-free item at any Australian airport you can say ‘no’ when asked to present your boarding pass.
For years we’ve been travelling and buying under the assumption that in order to complete a duty-free transaction we were legally required to present our travel documentation to the teller.
So, feeling legally obliged, we’ve rummaged through our carry-on, pulled out our travel wallet, filtered through the paperwork just to present that single boarding pass.
3. Partnership has its profits for Etihad
[L-R]: Cramer Ball, Jet Airways CEO; Naresh Goyal, Jet Airways’ Chairman; James Hogan, Etihad Airways CEO.
Etihad’s strategic investment in Jet Airways is shaping up to be more lucrative than expected, according to senior executives from the two carriers.
Speaking at a media conference in Mumbai, CEOs from both airlines revealed that since Etihad’s 24 percent investment in Jet Airways, the airlines have grown to offer more flights to and from India than any other airline.
Now, both airlines own a 21 percent share of the country’s booming international air travel market – up from the two percent managed by Etihad prior to the equity deal.
4. roomsXML nominated for World Travel Awards
roomsXML has been nominated for the prestigious ‘World Travel Awards’ under the section of ‘Asia’s Leading Hotel Bookings Solutions Provider’.
roomsXML’s Mark Luckey attributed the nomination to the support of global agents.
“I think our agent centric approach, where we are purely a wholesaler, is gaining more traction as something of importance for agents.”
Mark Luckey, roomsXML Managing Director
“There’s so many companies now muddying their message by being wholesale and retail; agents appreciate our dedicated approach.”
World Travel Awards celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade with a television audience of 300 million spread across 200 countries.
Click here to vote for roomsXML.
5. Scenic Diamond sets sail in Bordeaux
Scenic’s inaugural Bordeaux river cruising season commenced earlier this month with Scenic Diamond relocating from the Rhine, Main, Danube to begin sailing Bordeaux’s three waterways.
Scenic Diamond is operating the 11 Day Beautiful Bordeaux river cruise – a new itinerary for 2015. With no overnight sailing, the leisurely 10 night cruise docks in Cadillac, Libourne, Blaye, Pauillac and Bordeaux where guests have plenty of time to soak up the charm of these riverside hamlets.
Highlights of this cruise include the famous wineries, stunning Gothic architecture and breathtaking landscapes.
Scenic has tripled its capacity in France this year and now offers three itineraries showcasing the Seine, the south of France and Bordeaux.
Scenic Space-Ships are the only rivers cruisers in France with full size private outdoor balcony suites.
6. New Africa small-group safaris
APT’s guests can enjoy two new adventures in Africa as part of the company’s new Africa Small Group Safari’s 2016/17 brochure.
Inside, the brochure features tours through South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Botswana, Rwanda and Namibia.
New to the program is the nine-day Kenyan Discovery tour, which takes guests to the Samburu Game Reserve and Masai Mara where they can visit a local village and learn more about customs, culture and daily life.
Also new is the 12-day East Africa, which journeys to Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, Ngorogo Crater and the Serengeti National Park before crossing to Kenya to visit the Masai Mara and Nairobi.
Travel agents can also offer clients exclusive access to APT’s new three night river cruises on the Chobe River, which feature on ten of the itineraries in APT’s Africa portfolio.
7. Etihad takes pilots to the sky
Etihad Airways is offering pilots seconded from partner airlines the opportunity to transfer to permanent contracts, flying the carrier’s most advanced Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The pilot secondment program, a part of Etihad Airways strategy for international expansion, is further evidence that the synergies delivered through the airline’s equity and non-equity partnerships also benefit the professional career paths of the partners’ highly trained pilots.
The program began in April 2013 when the first batch of seven airberlin Boeing 737-rated First Officers arrived in Abu Dhabi to start type conversion training on the Boeing 777 at Etihad Airways’ state-of-the-art Flight Training Centre.
8. An Epic snow pass
Vail Resorts has unveiled a new season pass for Australian skiers and riders looking to access the best of the USA and Australia.
The Epic Australia Pass replaces Perisher’s Freedom Pass with a new look and unmatched benefits, and now includes access to nine world-class resorts in the United States, in addition to unlimited access to Perisher, in New South Wales.
The Epic Australia Pass is on sale now for only AU$749 for adults, AU$429 for students and AU$499 for seniors. Valid from June 2016 through June 2017, the Epic Australia Pass allows for year-round skiing and snowboarding at a value unmatched in the industry.
In addition to unlimited, unrestricted access at Perisher for the 2016 season, Epic Australia Passholders will also receive access at the best resorts in the U.S: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe region of California and Nevada. All USA resort access will be subject to traditional holiday restrictions.
9. Qatar brings the Business to Bicton’s cruise expo
Award-winning travel agency, Bicton Travel held its annual Cruise Expo this weekend featuring dozens of cruise products and a sneak peek of what it’s like to fly in Qatar’s Business Class.
Held in the historic B-Shed, Victoria Quay, Fremantle, the event saw a record number of cruise lines in attendance – more than 40 – who assisted the public in finding the right cruise for their next holiday.
West Australians from far and wide braved the poor weather, with record crowds queuing prior to the 10.00am opening.
10. The Force is coming to Disney
It’ll be the happiest place in the galaxy for Star Wars fans once Disney completes the construction of two Star Wars-themed lands in Anaheim and Orlando.
The parks will each cover 14 acres and be built to replicate various experiences from the hit sci-fi franchise.
Visitors will be able to walk through fully realised Star Wars worlds and interact with characters. They’ll also be able to fly the Millennium Falcon and have a drink at the cantina while experiencing a major battle.
