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. Travellers left WHAT behind at Sydney Airport?
We may not be forgetful in everyday life, but the moment we hit the road it’s expected for us travellers to lose a thing or two on the road.
According to Australia’s biggest gateway, Sydney, this year some 5,000 items were left behind by travelling in 2015 alone – and they were just the unclaimed items.
Each item was sold as part of the airport’s annual Lost Property Auction for charity, raising some $234,000. The money will be distributed to the Steve Waugh Foundation, Dymocks Children’s Charities, Stewart House and St Vincent de Paul Society.
2. Air Canada does Brisbane daily
Air Canada is really doubling up its presence in Australia with double the baggage, almost double the commission, and now double the number of flights from Queensland.
Commencing 17 June next year, the carrier will operate non-stop Vancouver-Brisbane flights daily, up from three times weekly.
The service will be operated by the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring 20 Business Class lie-flat seat suites, 21 Premium Economy and 210 Economy Class seats featuring upgraded inflight entertainment.
3. itravel celebrates a major milestone
It’s a double celebration for itravel this week as the group celebrates its big 2-0 anniversary just before Christmas.
One hundred of the agency’s consultants, industry partners and closest friends turned up to a major birthday bash last week.
A bar tab ensured everyone in attendance had an amazing time, while balloons and Facebook cardboard cutouts captured the party.
4. Tourists dead in Thai bus crash
At least 10 people killed after a bus carrying 25 passengers overturned in Chiang Mai, Thailand, local media said. pic.twitter.com/zQIMDGF61u
— CCTVNEWS (@cctvnews) December 20, 2015
Twelve people, including a few tourists, were killed over the weekend when a bus ran off the road in Thailand.
The incident occurred in the Doi Saket district – around 30 kilometres from the northern city of Chiang Mai..
Local police said initial reports show around 14 people were injured and another 12 died. Among the deceased were Chinese tourists and a few Thai locals.
5. American Airlines touches down in Sydney
Australians can officially experience American Airlines’ inflight entertainment and service with the carrier’s first direct Los Angeles-Sydney service arriving over the weekend.
The carrier’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft touched down early Saturday, bringing with it some 310 passengers.
According to Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan, the decision to add Australia to its international network is “great news” for the tourism industry.
“American Airlines obviously has a huge footprint within the United States and also significant marketing resources which, when combined together, will significantly improve access and awareness of Australia amongst many millions of American holidaymakers and business travellers.”
John O’Sullivan, Tourism Australia MD
Click here for more images of AA’s arrival.
6. Travelport enhances Smartpoint
Travelport has updated its travel agency point-of-sale solution, Travelport Smartpoint, with improved usability and new functionality to improve the selling experience for agents.
To increase the opportunities to sell hotel rooms and derive incremental revenue, agents can now search for hotels by vicinity using a full or partial address. This is something that can’t be achieved by travel agents working with traditional, ‘cryptic’ point-of-sale products, unless they leave their system to search elsewhere for key information.
A hotel billback solution has been integrated into Travelport Smartpoint – it increases security and saves agents time by automating the manual reconciliation process, utilising Virtual Account Numbers, or ‘VANs’ as provided by eNett International.
As well as improvements to the hotel booking process, Travelport has also integrated SeatGuru so consultants can quickly and easily access seat reviews, without having to leave their booking flow, providing further opportunities for upselling and improved customer service.
7. Be part of the TIME program
Interested in being trained by one of the industry’s best?
Now is your chance, because the Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) is calling for applications from interested industry professionals who wish to take advantage of a scholarship contribution to the cost of the Program.
The recipient of the scholarship will be part of Program 22 which commences 27 April 2016.
This scholarship was established by the (former) Travel Industry Careers Association (TICA.) Their rationale being to leave an industry legacy that continues their organisational goal which was to foster and retain the valuable staff in travel and tourism today.
This Scholarship contributes $1,000 towards the cost of the Program and will facilitate a mentoring experience for those individuals seeking to advance their employment prospects and increase their networks in travel and tourism.
The TIME Program costs $1,900 (Plus GST) for six months dedicated mentoring.
Click here to access the scholarship form.
8. THIS is going to be EPIC!
Thrill-seekers get excited! Royal Caribbean has released first images of The Ultimate Abyss – the tallest slide coming to the seas.
Towering more than 45 metres above sea level, the slide will be available for guests to ride down from May next year when the largest ship in the world, Harmony of the Seas, launches.
Adrenalin-seeking travellers will twist and turn down 10 decks at a speed to 14 kilometers an hour from the Pool and Sports Zone on Deck 16 to the Boardwalk on Deck 6 below.
When she launches, Harmony of the Seas will span over 16 guest decks, encompass 227,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,497 guests at double occupancy.
9. Agents rave about Intrepid’s Sailing Adventures
Intrepid’s Sailing Adventures are proving to be a hit with travellers and agents, with 99 percent of feedback received from the new season being a perfect five out of five score.
The feedback covers sailing trips in Thailand, Burma, Cuba and the British Virgin Islandsand covers everything from the itineraries, activities, skippers and onboard food.
Among those submitted positive feedback was a group of agents from Flight Centre who recently returned from a famil of Intrepid’s Phuket Sailing Adventure.
Launching from Phuket, the group sailed around the region and experienced the beautiful turquoise waters, sandy beaches and limestone peaks of Thailand, visiting islands like Ko Phi Phi and Railay.
Jayde Chambers commented that the trip was “the best week of my life, hands down”. Helen Galloway loved the chef on board and thought it was “the best food I have ever eaten on a famil!”
10. Fake bomb discovered on Air France plane
An Air France Boeing 777 flying to Paris from Mauritius was forced to make an emergency landing after a fake bomb was discovered in the lavatory.
The object was made out of cardboard, paper and a household timer and according to the carrier’s CEO, Frederic Gagey, ‘did not contain explosives’.
The aircraft landed in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa yesterday where experts carried out a safety check.
Gagey, denied any failure in flight security, saying the bathroom was checked several times before takeoff.