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. Magellan frocks up for their Gala Dinner and Annual awards
The Magellan Group closed their conference on Friday night with a Black tie masquerade theme for their Gala Dinner and Annual Awards at the Sofitel in Melbourne.
Nearly 300 members and Suppliers were present at the event sponsored by Qantas Airways and The Travel Corporation with Awards presented to top sellers of the Groups’ major tour and wholesale partners.
Magellan Rookie of the Year Brooke Crees of Champagne Travel WA with Beanca & Ian from Garuda, Brooke & Andrew Macfarlane.
The evening culminated with Magellan’s Achievement and Recognition Awards with Brooke Crees of Champagne Travel in WA being named Rookie of the Year, Diane Rawlings of where2travel in VIC being named Leisure Travel Consultant of the Year and Belinda Ward of Spencer Travel Group in NSW being named Corporate Travel Consultant of the Year.
Brooke, Diane and Belinda will enjoy a luxury 6 star long weekend getaway in Bali hosted by Magellan CEO, Andrew Macfarlane, Garuda Indonesia and Garuda Orient Holidays.
2. Industry welcomes new Minister for Tourism
The appointment of a dedicated Minister for Tourism was welcomed by the TAA, which says its a positive step towards recognising the importance of the industry.
The new Malcolm Turnbull-led Federal Government recently appointed Senator Richard Colbeck to represent the sector in parliament.
Tourism Accommodation Australia’s Chair and the last dedicated Federal Tourism Minister, Martin Ferguson, said the assignment of a Tourism Minister is an encouraging sign that tourism is being valued by new leadership.
3. The helloworldRELAY travels around Aus
Travel group, helloworld, has revealed its innovative social media marketing campaign will travel around Australia with all seven states and territories involved in this week’s RELAY.
Kicking off on Sunday (World Tourism Day), the campaign will see over 60 countries and 80 destinations around the world showcase inspiring Instagram images.
With Instagram as a primary channel, the #helloworldRELAY provides each state with a platform to showcase the unique attractions and diversity of their region.
4. Virgin Australia flight attendants have a reason to smile
Next time you see your Virgin Australia flight attendant grinning from ear-to-ear know that it’s not just because she/he loves their job.
It’s because she or he is among the union members set to receive a pay rise of four to 10 percent over a four-year period.
The announcement comes after crew voted in favour of an enterprise agreement designed by the Transport Workers’ Union to improve the airline and make it more sustainable in the long haul.
5. ‘Chile tourism returns to normal’
Most of Chile’s tourism operations have resumed to normality after the country was hit by an 8.3 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami.
Specialist travel company, Boutique South America’s Katherine Garces said on-the-ground suppliers have reported stability in the country and assured ‘people travelling in the coming days will be able to travel safely throughout Chile’.
“The touristic zones of the country, usually visited by foreigners are all unscathed and without any problem of operations.”
Boutique South America
“Airlines were gently delayed but everything is back in order.”
The only region that remains under supervision is the village of Illapel which is close to where the earthquake was recorded, located some 284 kilometres from the country’s capital, Santiago.
Meanwhile the final death toll for the sixth most powerful earthquake in recorded history reached 10.
6. SeaLink’s big buy
The SeaLink Travel Group invested some $125 million in expanding its business with the acquisition of Transit Systems Marine.
The purchase of the passenger ferry service company last week will be ‘transformational’ for the company, according to MD Jeff Ellison.
“It also reinforces our position as the leading provider of marine ferry services in Australia.”
Jeff Ellison, SeaLink MD
As part of the purchase, SeaLink acquired the company’s 33 vessels that sail out of Gladstone, Moreton Bay and Stradbroke Island.
7. Ninjago heads to Malaysia
The kids will be keen to visit Malaysia after the country’s LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort officially debut the live action Ninjago show – LEGO® Ninjago™ and the Realm of Shadows.
The 20-minute show uses a mix of light mapping and special effects alongside the 1.2metre tall puppets, which are controlled by two puppeteers using the traditional Bunraku-style of performance to bring the show to life.
Inspired by the hit TV series based on the extremely popular ‘Ninjago – Masters of Spinjitzu’, the show brings to life puppetry, video mapping, illusion, stage effects, all the characters, and music.
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort General Manager, Mark Germyn, said the resort world is excited to bring something of ‘this scale’ to the destination.
“The integration of technology with traditional Bunraku style puppetry is incredibly innovative, and children will also love the storyline.”
Mark Germyn, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort General Manager
8. AAT Kings’ Kids for Kids Day
AAT Kings brought out the jumping castles, cuddle creates, face painting and sausage sizzle to raise money for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
The inaugural Kids for Kids Day was held at the Featherdale Wildlife Park to celebrate all things kids while bringing families together and promoting the importance of child safety.
All $5,800 in proceeds made on the day were donated to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, which promotes the education of children and their personal safety as well as assisting young victims of crime through financial support.
AAT Kings’ MD, Anthony Hayes, said the company was thrilled by the turnout and the opportunity to deliver memorable experiences to people.
“It was great to be able to do so for the day with our partners at Featherdale, for a cause that is close to all of our hearts at the end of Child Protection Week.”
Anthony Hayes, AAT Kings MD
9. Agents get to know Switzerland
Ten lucky agents were flown to the other side of the globe to experience some of the highlights Switzerland has on offer.
Organised by Switzerland Tourism, Holidays on Local and Singapore Airlines, the eight-day trip took consultants to the trendy Zurich West district, Basel’s artistic centre and Lucerne’s historical town.
They also took part in wine tasting and cliff walks while taking in jaw-dropping scenery during their daily train rides between destinations.
Famil attendees included Birgit Weingartner (Switzerland Tourism); Katherine Butler (Rheom Travel); Bronwyn Best (Epping Travel); Maree McClelland (Wings Away Travel/Cruiseland); Jessica Gordon (Peninsula Travel); Deborah Latham (Holidays on Location); Carly Cunningham (Lifestyle Travel); Sean Keiran (Travel Specialists Mosman); Hannah Omodei (City Beach); Sarah Pogson (Figtree Travel); and Anne McMahon (Ciao Travel).
10. Virgin’s close contact
A Virgin Atlantic flight struck a blast fence in NYC as it was being pushed back from the gate http://t.co/jw03iRfhVV pic.twitter.com/18CFBbOyhX
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 19, 2015
A Virgin Atlantic aircraft travelled so close to the fence in New York that it actually clipped it while pulling out of the gate.
None of the 276 passengers onboard the London bound plane were injured, however, they did complain of long waits while the airline organised a new flight out of John F Kennedy Airport.
According to Virgin, the tug ‘made the wrong move’ resulting in it scraping against the fence.
