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. helloworld’s top stores are…
Around 40+ helloworld retail teams and managers are flying home (and high) today after bagging a string of awards at the 2016 Owner Managers Summit (OMS) in Wellington over the weekend.
Invigorated and inspired after the two-day conference, which focused on leadership and culminated with a gala awards dinner to recognise high achieving individuals and stores, over 600 helloworld members, suppliers and sponsors will now be returning home, ready to take their travel business to the next level.
The summit was the first to be presided over by new helloworld CEO designate Andrew Burnes.
2. Fares to the USA have never looked so good
Qantas returns to San Francisco, American Airlines flies from Sydney to Los Angeles, United takes off to NZ and Air New Zealand heads south to Houston.
There’s so much competition on the trans-Pacific route right now, it’s no wonder return fares are selling for as low as $699.
Well, that specific fare is available for students headed to San Francisco, for us older folk United Airlines has roundtrips from LA to Sydney selling from $979, while Qantas is teasing us with flights to San Francisco from $1,100.
3. Burnes begins new helloworld chapter
Formally opening the helloworld Owner Managers Summit 2015 in Wellington, CEO designate Andrew Burnes highlighted the value and strength of the network to a packed house.
They say a week is a long time in politics. These days the same maxim could also apply to the Travel Industry given it was only a week ago that AOT and helloworld announced their historic merger spearheaded by Burnes, with the finalisation of the merger likely to take place in January.
And so it was that Burnes stepped up to the lectern on a wind blown Saturday morning in Wellington, just eight days later to deliver his keenly anticipated address to an audience of 600 helloworld branded, independent and associate members and suppliers from Australia and New Zealand.
4. Giant beauties meet on Sydney’s Harbour
Over 10,000 people onboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas witnessed history on Saturday evening as the twin cruise ships met for the first time.
KarryOn, along with other media and industry representatives, watched the momentous events unfold onboard MV Olympic Storm on an evening cocktail cruise on Sydney Harbour.
To put the scale of the event into perspective, Royal Caribbean’s Commercial Director, Adam Armstrong, said having the two ships in the same location was like having the entire population of Byron Bay on the harbour at one time.
5. Two Aussies missing in Mexico
Two men from Western Australia who were on a surfing holiday in Mexico have been reported missing.
Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman were last seen getting off a ferry at Topolobampo, on the Gulf of California on 20 November and haven’t been seen or heard from since.
Lucas’ girlfriend, Josie Cox said the pair had ‘solid plans’ to be at Guadalajara by 21 November, but didn’t arrive, The Australian reported.
A van resembling the automobile the pair were travelling in was found by authorities over the weekend. They say the blue and white campervan was burnt – no further information on the state of the vehicle is available.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it is providing assistance to the families who are travelling to Mexico this week.
“The families hold deep fears for the safety of their sons, but stress that they are still waiting for details to be confirmed.”
DFAT
A social media campaign has launched to try and locate the pair – #FindDeanandAdam
6. Bali conditions are ‘favourable’ again
The Bali ash cloud saga continues this morning with flying conditions deemed safe for flying, with Virgin Australia deciding to resume flights between Australia and the island paradise.
It’s been a frustrating three weeks for Aussie travellers with the recent volcanic eruption on Lombok causing havoc in the skies around Bali, resulting in cancelled and delayed services on flights between Australia and Indonesia.
Perhaps a blessing in disguise for some (Bali isn’t the worse place in the world to be stuck), the cancellation of flights has disrupted the holiday plans of thousands. Travel agents across the country have been busy since trying to make the best of the situation and help their clients either get home or make alternative travel arrangements.
7. Amadeus enters the ‘Next’ level
Travel tech company, Amadeus, has announced the launch of a new startup initiative to help new communities establish themselves in the Asia Pacific region.
Amadeus Next uses existing technology to research and fund new and original ideas that will shape the future of travel.
So far, six travel startups are on board including Klook, Orahi and Triposo and TopDocs, a platform for medical tourists to book a seamless medical travel experience.
Amadeus Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development, Simon Akeroyd, described Amadeus Next as a ‘long-term partnership’ to create a collaborative travel tech startup community in APAC.
“To truly shape the future of travel, we need to work together, across the industry, and with travel players big and small, to create a collaborative ecosystem with the traveller at the centre.”
Simon Akeroyd, Amadeus Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development
8. New reasons for AAT Kings to celebrate
AAT Kings added a fifth reason to celebrate last week following a successful night at the NSW Tourism Awards where it picked up the prestigious award for Major Tour and Transport Operator.
The award came at the end of a bumper week for AAT Kings having scooped three awards at the Brolga Awards on Saturday and was named Corporate Partner of the Year at the Steve Irwin Gala in Brisbane.
Anthony Hayes, Managing Director for AAT Kings, said it was an exciting week for the tour operator.
“It is great to be recognised in a broad range of categories from partnerships to transport and catering and we are delighted to add these to our string of awards and accolades.”
Anthony Hayes, AAT Kings MD
“We strive to provide our guests with the best experiences throughout Australia and New Zealand and it is great to have these efforts commended this week with these five amazing wins.”
Click here to check out more images.
9. Giving ‘thanks’ & donations
Visit USA hosted a special Thanksgiving breakfast last week where attendees could give thanks and donate money to a local charity.
Over 60 guests raised $500 through raffle ticket sales for the Starlight Children’s Foundation
The event was sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines, Morris Media Network and Brand USA.
Click here for more images.
10. airberlin gets into the ho ho ho holiday spirit
airberlin guests will be given a cheery ‘hello’ over the holidays as the airline welcomes its fifth Christmas-inspired aircraft.
The special feature of this year’s design for the Airbus A320 aircraft is a very large ‘HELLO Santa’ painted on both sides of the aircraft alongside the slogan ‘Flying home for Christmas’.
Onboard, guests will also receive chocolate hearts as part of the airline’s collaboration with Swiss chocolatier, Lindt.
