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. 62 confirmed dead in a FlyDubai plane crash
Image: The Indian Express/Twitter
A FlyDubai Boeing 737 “broke into pieces” when it crash landed in Russia over the weekend, killing all 62 passengers and crew onboard.
A statement from the budget airline’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, confirmed that Flight FZ981 was flying into Rostov-on-Don from Dubai on Saturday with 55 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred. Around 44 passengers were Russian, eight Ukrainian, two Indian and one from Uzbekistan.
The plane is believed to have gone down close to the airport’s city, falling 3,000-feet in just 15 seconds.
2. Chocolate, family & airport strikes for Easter
Travellers have been warned to prepare for delays this Easter long weekend, as custom workers at local international airports walk off the job for 24-hours.
Immigration, Border Protection and Agricultural workers will stop work at international airport for 24 hours on 24 March – the day before Good Friday. This follows today’s one-day strike by staff at Medicare, Centrelink, the Tax Office, Defence, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Bureau of Statistics.
Strikes will continue over the Easter holidays, with airport stoppages rolling out over the next few weeks, The Canberra Times reported.
3. Virgin borrows $425 million from investors
Virgin Australia says it has secured a 12-month $425 million loan from its four major shareholders to commence a capital structure review and increase its profits.
The money will be borrowed from Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and the Virgin Group.
Chairman, Elizabeth Bryan, the funding will ensure the Virgin Australia Group has the best “capital structure in place to achieve its strategic goals and generate long-term growth and value for shareholders”.
The review will include the assessment of the appropriate mix of debt and equity capital and operational initiatives to enhance cash flow and profitability.
4. The way Aussies apply for passports could change
Australians have been using their local post office to apply and renew their passport for so long, it’s almost a local tradition.
But that could be changing, if the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) decide not to renew its contract with Australian Post.
According to News.com.au, the existing agreement is set to expire at the end of June 2017 and the Federal Government is believed to be looking at alternatives.
The news source reports that enhanced online services could be used as an alternative.
5. An easy way for agents to book USA sports tickets
There’s a new way for Asia Pacific travel agents to secure their clients decent seats at major US sporting events without scouring through various websites.
Introducing USSportstickets.com, a system that has been described as simple and straight forward when booking sporting events.
USSportstickets.com is part of the Keith Prowse Group and was introduced to provide travel professionals with an added value service for their clients.
6. Wendy Wu Tours introduces solo traveller tours
Wendy Wu Tours has introduced a selection of departure dates on their most popular tours for solo travellers wanting to travel without the additional cost of a single supplement.
The operator’s ground-breaking decision follows a long history of requests from retailers with large numbers of clients seeking a change to current practice.
Managing Director Alan Alcock said that the new dedicated departure dates had been designed for customers wanting to save money and enjoy companionship with like-minded travellers while travelling through Asia.
He said that the special departures were the response to a notable increase in requests from solo travellers looking for a tour with the quality of service and product Wendy Wu Tours group tours are renowned for but wanted the comfort of a single room for their holiday without the extra costs associated with single travellers.
There are now three itineraries for solo travellers to choose from, each perfect for first time visitors to China, Vietnam and India. An example is the nine-day Vietnam Impressions tour which travels to Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Saigon.
7. Scenic launches its 2017 South America program
Scenic has launched its South America program for 2017 which features three new tours, new Enrich experiences, Freechoice activities and dining, plus a new hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Guests can now discover even more of South America with three new tours. The 19 Day Peru Discovery is a round trip from Lima which as well as taking in the Peruvian highlights of Sacred Valley and Cuzco also visits the emerging destinations of the country’s cultural capital Trujillo and the World Heritage-listed Chan Chan ruins; the colonial city of Arequipa; and the incredible Colca Canyon – home to the rare Andean condor. The 16 Day Peru Adventure & Galapagos Cruise showcases the very best of Peru and Ecuador from the extraordinary wildlife to the ancient treasures.
The 25 Day South American Adventure with Rio Carnival, travels from Lima to Rio de Janeiro taking in the world famous Carnival. This is the first time Scenic is offering guests the chance to attend the Champions Parade in the purpose built parade ground, the Sambadrome. Over 25 days guests enjoy the highlights of the Amazon and Peru plus vibrant Buenos Aires, the spectacular Iguazú Falls, and Rio de Janeiro.
The 2017 program sees the launch of a new Enrich experience in Cuba – a visit to a family run paladar restaurant to enjoy local Cuban specialities. Plus new Freechoice activities in Cuzco, including a Chinchero village tour, and a cooking class; and Bariloche where guests can choose from zip-lining, a cable car ride to the top of Cerro Campanario or a cruise across Nahuel Huapi Lake.
Also new for 2017 are two new Scenic Special Stay hotels – the explora Valle Sagrado in the Sacred Valley, located in one of the region’s most remote ancient corn plantations, and Luciano K, a small boutique hotel in Santiago.
8. Travel Counsellor shaves for charity
Runaway Bay Travel Counsellor Kerrie Croft helped raise awareness and funds for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
Gold Coast’s Runaway Bay Shopping Centre was the location for the public event where a local councillor acted as MC and a local hairdressing salon provided hair shaving and colouring services to all participants. Kerrie was the first to get up on stage and many shoppers were interested to see her long and curly locks get shaved off for a great cause. For a little fun, Kerrie also had her head coloured bright blue, which happened to match the outfit she was wearing to a wedding an hour later.
Kerrie also took the time to share her personal cancer story with the audience. Undergoing chemotherapy to treat bouts of breast cancer she fought both thirteen and three years ago, Kerrie is no stranger to losing her hair. Despite having shaved her head in the past, this was the first time Kerrie asked friends and clients to sponsor her. Kerrie is delighted to have raised more than $1200 for charity.
9. Aussie agents discover Japan with Starwood
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, along with partners Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), recently hosted seven Australian travel consultants on an exciting famil to Rusutsu and Kiroro in Japan.
The group of lucky agents stayed at two of Starwood’s premium resorts in Japan, including The Westin Rusutsu Resort, Rusutsu and Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort, Kiroro, as well as dropping in at The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Hokkaido to see the property which falls under Starwood’s newest brand umbrella.
As well as enjoying some well-earned rest and relaxation at the luxury Starwood properties, the famil participants experienced a range of winter activities including skiing, tubing, snowmobiling and snow-shoeing, gaining a firsthand insight into Japan’s diverse ski and winter sport offerings.
The group flew over to Japan on board ANA, which launched its Sydney to Tokyo route in December 2015, and offers connections to over 40 destinations across Japan.
10. Aussies are cool with robots
Australian travellers are divided on how much a robot could add to the holiday experience, according to a global study by travel deals company Travelzoo.
The study reveals that two thirds of Australians are open to the idea of a robot working in roles such as a receptionist in a hotel, however almost half admitted they find robots quite frightening.
According to the The Travelzoo Future of Travel, the total spend on robots will exceed US$40 billion by 2020, with Asian countries Japan, South Korea and China leading the market in both spend and development.
As a global average the Travelzoo research reveals nearly 80 percent of consumers expect robots to play a big part in their lives before 2020, with three quarters believing they will make their lives significantly better. Almost two thirds are comfortable with robots being used in the travel industry.
In Australia opinions were mixed. Notably 93 percent of respondents have concerns that robots could be weak in softer skills such as showing emotions and the same number are worried about robots taking away jobs from humans. Australians are also concerned that robots will be unable to understand informal language such as slang, irony and the Australian sense of humour.
Those in the Australian pro-robot camp highlight the unlimited energy levels of robots and eight in ten respondents believe robots can handle data faster than their human counterparts. The majority of perceived benefits are around data handling, memory and skills like communicating multiple languages.
Australians also prefer their robots to look like machines rather than humans, however their voice should sound human rather than robotic. Chinese respondents by contrast prefer their robots to look human – with 76 percent saying they prefer this.
