We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. Where are Australian travellers heading in 2015?
Agents who haven’t already may want to start researching Southeast Asian getaway, Myanmar, because according to new research it’s the top destination for Australian travellers in 2015.
The exotic destination is one of Asia’s fastest growing tourism spots, and last year saw its tourist arrivals double from one million in 2012 to two million.
Last year, Australians were the country’s top visitors from Oceania, with over 24,718 arrivals – a 275 percent increase on the prior year.
2. Jetstar is now selling cruises
Jetstar and Cruise Guru have launched a new partnership, which will allow customers to book Jetstar flights with their cruise holidays on the airline’s website.
The partnership follows a similar agreement between Cruise Guru and Qantas, which launched earlier this year.
Announced today aboard P&O’s Pacific Jewel, Cruise Guru joint managing director Justin Montgomery said the deal is a game changer for Australian familiar and travellers.
3. This week’s brochures: Fez Travel, Scenic Tours, Peregrine Adventures
New tours, new destinations and early bird savings.
The internet may have changed the way travellers do their research, but brochures are still one of the best and popular ways to obtain travel information. But the frequency in which brochures are released can often make it difficult for agents and travellers to keep track of what’s new in the market.
KarryOn is hoping to alleviate some of the effort, with our weekly section covering the latest brochure releases.
Be sure to check Need To Know every Monday to find out what’s new in the brochure world.
4. Etihad increases stake in Virgin Australia
Etihad Airways owns a little more of Virgin Australia, after increasing its stake in the carrier from 21.24 percent to 22.9 percent.
The purchase, made late last week, also saw Etihad chief executive, James Hogan appointed to non-executive director to the Virgin Australia board.
The UAE carrier is one of three major airline investors in Virgin Australia. Others include Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand. All three airlines control around 70 percent of the Australian carrier.
Last week, Virgin Australia also received approval to purchase the remaining 40 percent of shares in Tiger Airways from Tiger Airways Holdings Limited.
The transaction is however still subject to conditions. Virgin expects it will be complete by end of 2014.
5. Her Majesty gets the Royal Caribbean flick
In comes Quantum, out goes Majesty.
Less than a week after officially welcoming Quantum of the Seas into the Royal Caribbean fleet, the cruise line announced it will transfer 2,350-passenger Majesty of the Seas to sister-brand Pullmantur.
The ship will depart the fleet on 29 April 2016 to enter drydock for a makeover before entering the new fleet.
Pullmantur is Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Spanish brand, currently sailing with a fleet to five ships and carrying a daily capacity of 11,000 passengers.
The cruise line’s chief execurive Jorge Vilches expects Majesty to play a role in Pullmantur’s Latin American growth and establish Pullmantur as a widely recognised brand in the region.
In the meantime, the ship will continue operating year-round three- and- four-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas.
6. Book a hotel through… Amazon.com
Books, DVDs and now hotel rooms – travel agents have a new competitor entering the market and it’s digital giant, Amazon.com.
The online site is said to be working on a new travel website that will specialise in selling accommodation.
According to online publication, Skift, the service is scheduled to go live from 1 January 2015 and will start by selling properties a few hours outside of New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Hotel owners wanting to use the site will upload their room availabilities, photos, information and prices. Amazon will then notify the hotels of any new bookings via email.
The online company is also reportedly keeping around 15 percent of revenue from any bookings.
7. SOLD! Starwood Hotels sells Sheraton on the Park to Chinese company
Starwood Hotels & Resorts says it will continue to operate Sydney’s Sheraton on the Park, despite selling the property to China-based company, Sunshine Insurance Group Corporation.
The iconic property was sold late last week for $463 million, as part of Starwood’s new asset-light strategy. The group also recently sold The St.Regis Rome, the Sheraton Ambassador Monterrey and The St. Regis Bal Harbour.
“The terms of this sale underscores the strength of the Sheraton brand and the success of this hotel, as well as the tremendous value of this property in a high barrier to entry market.”
Starwood president Simon Turner
8. Emirates extends golf partnership
Emirates has announced it will sponsor the DP World Championship for an addition ten tournaments.
The airline completed its duties as the ‘Official Airlines of the European Tour’, during the current season last week.
The golfing event brings together golf’s top players like Rory Mcilroy and Henrik Stenson.
As part of the sponsorship, Emirates transported over 4,300 golf clubs, distributed 8,000 pieces of branded merchandise to golf fans and served nearly 14,000 meals to European Tour players.
9. Kim Kardashian dines at UAE hotel’s Chinese restaurant
At the risk of breaking KarryOn’s website, we thought we’d share these images of Kim Kardashian dining at UAE hotel Atlantis, The Palm’s Chinese restaurant, YUAN.
The star was wearing a sleek black dress with nude sandals as she dined with friend, Carla Dibello.
Kim is in Dubai for the launch of her new Fleur Fatale fragrance.
10. In coming! Naked man falls through airport ceiling
WHAT THE?
A Boston man was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly ran through a US airport naked before assaulting an 84-year-old man.
The 26-year-old man is said to have taken off his clothes in a women’s restroom at Logan International Airport before climbing into the drop ceiling.
He fell through the fragile roof, falling back into the ladies toilets and suffering cuts to his head and body on the way down. He then ran out of the restroom and allegedly assaulted an 84-year-old man, The Guardian reported.
A Massachusetts police offer told media an officer also received injuries while apprehending the Boston resident.
Police said the man now faces charges for attempted murder, mayhem, assault and battery on a person over 60 and assault and battery on a police officer.