We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Nepal earthquake update: Australian dead, more missing
Image: Associated Press
At least one Australian traveller is among the thousands that lost of their lives on the weekend after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal.
The violent quake struck between Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu and Pokhara on Saturday.
It sent avalanches down Mount Everest and was felt in surrounding countries India and Pakistan where several people have also been reported as dead.
2. Sun shines again on Vanuatu tourism
Image: Humans of Vanuatu/Facebook
The sun is shining down again on Vanuatu, as tourism to the destination slowly recovers after last month’s category five cyclone.
Over the weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) eased its advice to the popular South Pacific destination from ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ to ‘exercise normal safety precautions’.
This comes after weeks of local and international aid in restoring Vanuatu’s homes, buildings, resorts, communication and water supplies.
3. Chilean volcano causes minor flight disruptions
The Chilean volcano that laid dormant for over five decades is now causing minor flight disruptions in South America as ash spreads to Argentina and Brazil.
Calbuco volcano has erupted twice since last week, sending up a cloud of smoke and ash nearly 17 kilometres into the air.
Around 6,500 people have been evacuated from the Los Lagos region and south of the capital of Santiago.
Yesterday airlines cancelled flights to capitals of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
Among them was Qantas, Air Canada, American Airlines, Air France and Delta who said flights were suspended as a precautionary measure.
LAN and Aerolineas Argentinas continue to operate flights as per usual.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) continues to advise travellers to ‘exercise normal safety percautions’ for both Chile and Argentina,
The government agency warned that some internal flights may be cancelled and urged Australians to follow instructions from local authorities.
4. WIN your dream holiday
We’ve all planned the perfect holiday itinerary, but now there’s finally a chance to take it without spending a dollar.
Creative Holidays is celebrating the launch of its new website, by giving travel agents the chance to plan and win a $15,000 holiday.
Using content found inside Creative Holiday’s extensive list of brochures, agents build their dream holiday at creativeholidays.com/agents before telling the company in 25 words of less what their favourite feature is on the new website and why?
Entries are coming in quick so be sure to get yours in by 29 May 2015 to be in the running.
Click here for more information.
5. Holiday Inn Express for Adelaide
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and international investment company Pro Invest Group have signed a franchise agreement for a 245-room Holiday Inn Express hotel in Adelaide’s Central Business District (CBD).
The hotel is the third to be signed under the master development agreement between IHG and Pro Invest, which will see the investment company develop 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia by 2025.
The first two hotels will open in Sydney’s Macquarie Park, North Ryde in the first quarter of 2016, and Brisbane’s Spring Hill in the third quarter of 2016.
The new build hotel will be situated on the city’s thriving Hindley Street, in close proximity to North Terrace, the Adelaide Convention Centre and the upcoming Royal Adelaide Hospital. Leisure travellers can enjoy a short walk to the Adelaide Casino and local sporting hub Adelaide Oval, whilst the accessibility to major corporate offices within the CBD from the hotel will be a draw for business travellers.
Inside, the property will have free and fast Wi-Fi; Free Express Start Breakfast or a Grab & Go option; high quality bedding and choice of firm or soft pillows; self service business centre and laundry room; and a fitness centre.
6. National Geographic Orion to Europe
Image: Ken Duncan
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced that it is sending National Geographic Orion to Europe next year as part of her inaugural European program.
Giving Australians a chance to rediscover Europe aboard the much-loved vessel, the program will feature 11 one-week itineraries and 22 sailings.
Her maiden voyages in Europe will include visits to Portugal, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, the Baltic Republics and Scandinavia.
7. Bali Nine executions near
Ban #Bali #boycottbali How dare they go an #Murder reformed prisoners??? #boycottbali #StopTheBullies #StopTheBullyingCountries
— William Edwards (@BonezOz) April 26, 2015
Social media users are back on the ‘ban on Bali’ protest as Indonesia sets a date for the execution of Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
The Bali Nine ringleaders along with eight others accused of drug smuggling are expected to be given a 72 hours notice of their death as soon as tomorrow, News.com.au reported.
The news is devastating to the two men and their families, who were hoping to be granted another legal challenge.
For more on this, visit KarryOn tomorrow.
8. Costa ships sail closer to Aus
They may not be homeporting at our shores yet, but they’re getting closer, as Costa grows its fleet in neighbouring Asia.
Last week saw the cruise line send Costa Serena to Shanghai where she will homeport at the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal alongside Costa Atlantic and Costa Victoria.
At the ceremony, the cruise line also revealed plans to send Costa Fortuna to China from 2016.
These new additions increase Costa’s presence right above Australia to over four.
According to Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Crociere, new ships reinforce Costa’s position in the ‘fast-growing cruise market’.
“After nine years of successful operations and explicit support and encouragement from the Chinese government, Costa Cruises will continue to expand its offerings and satisfy the demands of the China market. ”
Michael Thamm, Crociere CEO
9. Congratulating two new Africa experts
Chris Le Roux, Bench International Sales Representative (NSW) presents We Know Travel’s Clive Sisley and Susanna Dowling-Fernau with their Safari School certificates.
Clive Sisley and Susanna Downling-Fernau from We Know Travel have became Australia’s two newest Africa experts after completing Bench International’s free educational course.
Bench’s Safari School has so far received over 600 enrollments, and according to the company that figure is growing every day.
During the course, agents have access to new information on growing African destinations and how to sell them to clients.
To access the Safari School visit the Agents Portal on Bench International’s website.
10. Sorry little boy, but that toy has got to go
Parents of a four-year-old boy have labelled airport security as ‘ludicrous’ after their son was frisked because of a toy gun.
James Hayward was travelling through East Midlands Airport with his parents, Phil and Hazel when security spotted the brightly coloured, sponge dart firing toy in his luggage.
They asked that he hand over the toy before performing a thorough pat down, the Daily Mail reported.
Phil said while he understands being cautious, taking the son’s toy away after it was cleared was just ‘ludicrous’.
“We were so late by this point I didn’t have time to stop and argue with them so we just had to leave it because we didn’t want to miss our flight.”
Phil Hayward
The father then had to explain to the little boy why he had to hand over his favourite toy and promised to get him another one after the holiday.
