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 ‘rushing’ out of Tunisia
Travellers are reportedly rushing to make their way out of Tunisia after a gunman opened fire at a beach resort, killing at least 38 people.
On Friday, 24-year-old university graduate Seifeddine Rezgui used an Kalashnikov assault rifle in Sousse, a resort city that is popular amongst tourists, particularly British travellers.
At least 38 people are believed to have been killed during the shooting and another 39 wounded.
2. Fresh warnings for tourists as Greek banks close
Australians and tourists around the world are being reminded to stock up on Euros before heading to Greece as banks shut for six days and restrictions are placed on ATM cash withdrawals.
The decision to close banks as well as the stock exchange comes as the government attempts to reach a new debt deal with international creditors.
The Greek government said the bank closure will last until 6 July – the day after a referendum on bailout proposals.
3. How Travel Counsellors keep making money
Travel Counsellors says it is ‘bucking the trend’ of other travel agencies in Australia by welcoming ‘strong sales growth’.
The home-based group said sales between January and June this year in the Australian market were up 14 percent year-on-year.
The announcement follows last week’s downgrade of Flight Centre’s expected earnings for the 2014/15 financial year. Click here for more information
4. Qantas reinstates Perth to Singapore service
Back by popular demand – Qantas has reintroduced the Perth-Singapore route to its network, resuming flights between the two cities last week.
QF71 departed on Friday afternoon from Perth bound for Singapore – the first Qantas aircraft to fly on the route since June last year.
It’s the first of five return service to fly on the route per week on the Boeing 737 aircraft.
5. Extra Air NZ rugby flights touch down
Air New Zealand has added additional services to and from Dunedin for next weekend to meet demand from passengers keen to see the Super Rugby final live.
Extra services are now on sale and include an additional 50-seat return service from Dunedin to Wellington on Saturday and an extra 68-seat return service to get supporters home on Sunday
“It can be tricky to provide extra seat capacity at short notice – especially as the game coincides with the already busy start of the school holidays – but this is such a big occasion for fans we have pulled out all the stops to enable more supporters to be part of the action.”
Mike Tod, Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Customer Officer
6. AccorHotels recruits Louise Daley
Louise Daley has been named Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer AccorHotels Asia Pacific.
Having worked at AccorHotels for 25 years in senior executive roles and as the company’s representative on joint venture businesses, Louise was previously CEO for Accor Plus, the group’s loyalty subscription program in Asia Pacific.
Under Louise’s leadership, Accor Plus grew to 45 sales offices in 11 countries and membership expanded more than 30 percent.
Prior to this, Louise was CFO for Accor in the Pacific, as well as being Director of Accor’s joint ventures Accor Vacation Club, Reef Casino Cairns (a public company), Executive Health Solutions and Accor Advantage Plus. In addition to these roles, she was Chairman of the Accor Corporate Social Responsibility Committee in the Pacific.
Louise now takes on one of the most senior roles within AccorHotels Asia Pacific, working closely with Chairman and CEO, Michael Issenberg and the executive team.
7. MTA introduces new Air Product Manager
MTA – Mobile Travel Agents has appointed Suzana Blazevska to the role of Air Product Manager with immediate effect.
Ms Blazevska joins MTA with more than 20 years industry experience encompassing roles with Travelscene, STA Travel and more recently as National Air & Product Executive for Travel Counsellors.
Announcing the new appointment MTA CEO, Don Beattie said a key component of Ms Blazevska’s role will be to work closely with senior management in handling contractual negotiations and managing relationships with the company’s airline partners.
“Suzana is a great addition to our already recognised leading support team.”
Don Beattie, MTA CEO
8. Earn Qantas points at the movies
Qantas Frequent Flyers can now earn Qantas Points for going to the movies and save up to 40 percent off box office prices.
As part of the airline’s new deal with Hoyts, Events, BBC, Great Union and Village, members will earn two points for every dollar spent on movie vouchers purchased via the Qantas Points website.
According to Qantas Loyalty CEO Lesley Grant, the new benefit was created as a result of direct member feedback.
He said it was one of their top three interests.
9. Sabre wraps up Tech Summits
Sabre has officially wrapped up its series of Tech Summits with the last event held last week.
Some 500 agents across the country attended the Summits, which highlighted and explored the opportunities for agents to better leverage technology.
Visiting Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, it also gave agents the chance to trial the company’s new tech such as Sabre Vero, Ticketing Express and Travel Intelligence.
Sabre says since the Summits started 100 agents have registered to receive Sabre’s new automation tools and 500 agents in Australia have downloaded the RoomDeal app which gives travel agents an expanded view of 350,000 pre-paid boutique and branded hotels while being able to add their own discretionary fee.
One lucky attendee from each Summit also received one Apple Watch as part of the company’s giveaway.
The winners were Liz Christiansen from Harvey World Travel Browns Bay – Auckland; Zlata Savic from Air Travel Services – Sydney; Lynn Liu from Goabout Travel – Melbourne; Stacey Lekias from Director of Northline Travel – Perth; and Denise Truong from Happy Travel Service – Brisbane.
10. Hawaiian Airlines opens new lounge
Once you’ve experienced Hawaiian Airlines’ Plumeria Lounge you can never go back. Travelling through airports will officially be ruined for you. And flying with other airlines, well that just won’t cut it.
Okay, so that’s a little dramatic, but Hawaiian Airlines has definitely turned up the comfort of flying internationally via Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
The airline has opened the doors to its new business class lounge, the ‘Plumeria Lounge’.
Featured image: Image: Darko Vojinovic/Associated Press
