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. IN MEMORIAM: Mike Ness, former TTC CEO
The Travel Corporation has advised that its former CEO, Mike Ness, has passed away.
Mike Ness held several executive roles within TTC, including MD Trafalgar and CEO TTC, a position from which he retired in late 2010. Mike Ness remained a Director of TTC until he passed away.
TTC Chairman and Founder, Stanley Tollman, described Ness as a “wonderful friend and a revered business associate”.
“I am extremely saddened to advise of the passing of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Mike Ness, who was a mainstay of the travel industry.”
Stanley Tollman, TTC Chairman and Founder
“His drive, tenacity and vision for the company throughout our five decades of working together were a vital component in creating the success that TTC is today.
“Mike was a wonderful friend and a revered business associate, whom we will all deeply miss. Our heartfelt thoughts are with Mike’s family at this incredibly difficult time.”
2. 260 dead & 40 hotels collapsed in Ecuador quake
Pray for Ecuador. The earthquake yesterday has deviated the country with over 200 confirmed dead ??? pic.twitter.com/0hQX89sgxd
— People (@PeopIe) April 18, 2016
More than 262 people have been killed and 2,500 others injured in a 7.8-magnitude earthquake which struck the coast of Ecuador over the weekend.
According to reports, the strong quake has reduced several buildings to rubble, including around 40 hotels, and toppled power lines. Six severely hit provinces have declared a state of emergency.
Ecuador’s President, Rafael Correa, has urged the nation’s 16 million to remain calm while rescue teams work tirelessly to find and dig out trapped people.
3. Flights to Newcastle Airport resume after roof collapses
Flights to and from Newcastle Airport are back up and running this morning after a temporary suspension in services due to storm damage over the weekend.
The gateway’s Facebook followers were notified on Sunday that all flights to and from the gateway were cancelled when the roof partially collapsed in the check-in hall.
According to the post, the damage was caused by a storm, which left “a deluge of rain water” on the roof.
4. This is how women are saving more money on travel than men
In the battle of the sexes men may (allegedly) be stronger than women (in some cases), but when it comes to travelling, women are financially smarter.
According to a new analysis by Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT), women tend to book their flights earlier than men and in turn are saving a fair bit of cash.
The study found females are booking roughly 1.9 days earlier than their male counterparts. This couple of days difference proves timing really is everything, because their early attitude is saving them some two percent on air tickets.
5. Countdown begins to the helloworld for business Summit
There’s now less than a month until helloworld for business members gather in Singapore for the annual helloworld for business Summit 2016.
Commencing 13 May, the theme for this year’s two-day event is “Evolution to Revolution” and the focus is on strengthening helloworld for business Members’ skills and ability to thrive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Members attending the event will hear from a lineup of keynote speakers including CEO of Qantas International and Freight Gareth Evans; Google Head of Industry Travel – Australia and New Zealand Dougal McKenzie; and renowned financial journalist Ross Greenwood.
6. PwC chooses QBT
QBT has today announced that they have been appointed as the exclusive travel management services provider to PwC.
Group General Manager, Russell Carstensen, said that this appointment further demonstrated QBT’s capabilities in providing travel services to large, complex businesses.
“This shows just how far QBT has come over the past five years and I could not be more proud of the whole team.”
Russell Carstensen, QBT Group General Manager
“This is also an important development for QBT as it proves not only that we have successfully reached a business-as-usual position with the Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) contract since that massive integration completed in July 2015, it also demonstrates our ability to service large, blue ribbon corporate businesses.”
7. Best Western brand grows in NSW
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has added two properties to its NSW portfolio in Quirindi and Dubbo.
Officially opened 30 March, 2016, Best Western Quirindi RSL Motel is a newly-built property located within the Quirindi RSL grounds. The motel is a welcome addition to the small town’s room stock, providing 20 new 4-star king suites that offer a high standard of comfort with free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms, 50″ smart televisions, air-conditioning and picturesque mountain views.
Further west in Dubbo, Best Western Bluegum Motel, centrally located on Cobra Street, also joined the global chain this month. The newly renovated rooms now feature high-end finishes with stone bench tops, walk-in frameless showers, custom cabinetry and furnishings and top of the line Samsung 50” smart televisions. Some of the many upgrades across all 24 rooms include whisper-quiet split-system air-conditioning, pillow-top beds with custom bedding, block-out drapes, new glass font mini-bar fridges, complimentary Wi-Fi and 12 premium Foxtel channels.
8. Avalon Passion sets sail
Avalon Waterways has christened its newest Suite Ship, Avalon Passion, one week after launching Avalon Imagery II on the Rhine.
The 83-cabin Avalon Passion was launched by godmother Jill Ellis, head coach of the championship US Women’s National Soccer Team, during a ceremony in the Austrian city of Linz.
The two newly built ships are the latest examples of Avalon Waterways’ successful Suite Ship concept, which offers two entire decks of all-suite accommodation and 30 per cent more cabin space than the industry average.
9. Kenya makes history in Singapore
Kenya, ranked eighth in the world, shocked defending champion and Series leader Fiji 30-7 to win the 2016 HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens.
The Kenyans raced to a 20-0 lead at half-time before Fiji’s Jerry Tu scored a converted try to bring the score to 7-20. However tries from substitute Nelson Oyoo and Frank Wanyama ensured Kenya their first ever World Rugby Series Cup victory. Kenya’s record-chasing star, Collins Injera, scored two tries in the final to close in on Argentina’s Santiago Gomez Cora (230 tries) at the top of the all-time try scoring chart.
Earlier, South Africa beat Argentina 28-0 to win the third place play-off and move to second in the Series standings, just eight points Fiji. Samoa took the Plate final by coming from behind 14-21 to beat New Zealand 26-21 for the first time in 13 attempts, a run dating back to 2012. Scotland took the Bowl with 14- 10 victory over USA, while Russia picks up three valuable series points after a 24-7 win over Wales in the Shield.
10. British Airways plane struck by falling drone
Watch out for the falling drone!
Looks like pilots may have another thing to look out for when flying after a British Airways plane was struck by a drone during a recent landing.
According to police, the plane was coming in to landing at Heathrow Airport when it came in contact with the object.
Although the plane landed safely with no injured on board, the carrier had the A320 examined by engineers for any potential damage.
“Safety and security are always our first priority and we will give the police every assistance with their investigation.”
British Airways spokesperson
A police investigation is currently underway.
