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. Dalton departs helloworld’s Qantas Holidays/Viva! Holidays
Helloworld is on the hunt for Fiona Dalton’s replacement after confirming the Qantas Holidays/Viva! Holidays General Manager of Sales’ departure.
Dalton departs the company after five years of service.
According to Qantas Holidays/Viva! Holidays Managing Director, Peter Egglestone, Dalton was offered a “significant opportunity to advance her career”, which she has accepted.
2. A major change is coming to LAN Airlines
It only took around three years after officially merging, but LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines are ready to make their merger official in the public eye.
Rolling out from April this year, the two airline brands will adopt their joint holding company’s name – LATAM – and use it across all marketing and aircraft.
The consolidated carrier’s Group Senior Marketing Analyst, Asia Pacific, Liliana Torres, told KarryOn that the name LATAM will replace LAN and TAM on the logo. In addition to representing their individual airline names, LATAM is an abbreviation of Latin America.
3. Wendy Wu ‘Tours’ two new destinations
Asia specialist, Wendy Wu Tours, is taking its touring services to other parts of the globe, with the addition of South Africa and South America.
The tour operator will launch in the two destinations on a 17 and an 18-day fully escorted group itinerary departing in 2016 and 2017.
According to Managing Director, Alan Alcock, the tours were created due to demand from regular past customers who expressed interest in exploring beyond Asia with the operator.
4. SAA tweaks domestic departures
South African Airways has increased the flight closing times on flights from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban and East London by 10 minutes.
The carrier said the change was made to in response to increased passenger traffic between these cities and will provide extra time to ensure all passenger baggage is checked in and loaded.
Boarding times have not changed.
“We would urge travel agents who have made domestic bookings for Australian passengers that they communicate the changed flight closure times with their customers.”
Tim Clyde-Smith, South African Airways Country Manager for Australasia
5. New Metro property opens in Perth
Metro opened the doors to a $14 million renovated property in Perth last week, featuring new design rooms, new functions rooms and a new Red Bill restaurant.
According to the hotel group’s Managing Director, Peter Frawley, guests are already enjoying the new quality of tourism product.
The new Aspire Wing rooms feature a range of amenities, including pod coffee machines, complimentary unlimited high speed internet and unlimited NetFlix, and some rooms have uninterrupted views over the Swan River to the CBD.
The new wing at the hotel was built by Coopers & Oxley with CDI responsible for the restaurant and lobby area.
Over 61,000 man hours were used over the duration of the project with 1800 tonnes of concrete and 97,000 bricks and blocks. The majority of the material used is from Western Australia, with nearly 100 locally based contractors involved in the build.
Metro Hotel Perth is located just 7 kilometres from the Perth CBD and now includes 147 hotel rooms. The new Aspire Wing, Red Bill Restaurant and functions rooms are now open.
6. INCENTIVE: WIN a US$50 e-gift voucher
Aqua Expeditions is enticing agents to sell more of its products by offering a US$50 e-gift certificate for every online transaction made through the cruise line’s new agent booking system.
Launched last week, the new booking portal gives agents who request access to use the new system one password and one username per agent. They are able to use the details to check into real-time cabin availability and make real-time bookings at their convenience around the clock.
Click here to request an Agent Booking Account.
7. You’re invited to help raise funds for Fiji
Fiji Airways, Tourism Fiji, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts are collaborating with the Fiji Tourism Action Group (TAG) to host a special travel industry charity breakfast in Sydney to help raise funds for the Fijian Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.
Taking place at Sheraton on the Park, the Cyclone Winston Charity Breakfast provides the local travel industry the chance to lend their support to the much loved idyllic island destination, as it gets back to ‘Bula as Usual’.
Similar events are being held in Auckland, NZ and the region hopes to collectively donate AUD$100,000.
The ticketed event will be held on Friday 11 March from 7.30am until 9.30am at Sheraton on the Park, Sydney.
Tickets are limited and RSVPs need to be emailed to Lesieli.fatai@fijiairways.com by 8 March.
8. Singapore Airlines’ A350 touches down in Singapore
Delivery of the First Singapore Airlines A350Watch the delivery of the first #SingaporeAirA350 from Toulouse to Singapore.
Posted by Singapore Airlines on Saturday, March 5, 2016
Singapore Airlines is on its way to meeting its growth and fleet renewal plans, with the arrival of its first A350 last week.
The Airbus was welcomed into Singapore with a water cannon salute and a ceremony graced by Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, as well as distinguished guests who had the opportunity to tour the new aircraft.
According to Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, the new aircraft is part of the carrier’s overall growth and fleet renewal strategies designed to “improve operating efficiency offers”.
The plane is one of 67 on order for Singapore airlines and will be deployed on long-haul services to Amsterdam from May.
9. A day at the races with italktravel
italktravel Glen Waverley, which specialises in Racing Tours, co-hosted a selection of other lucky italktravel owners in the Committee room at Caulfield Racecourse last Saturday for the running of its own race.
The Group 1 ‘italktravel Futurity Stakes’ was won by Stallion ‘Turn Me Loose” adding its name to the winners list alongside Phar Lap winning the 118 year old race back in 1931.
All enjoyed a glass of bubbles with the victorious horse’s connections after the race in the exclusive Winners Circle Bar. Needless to say all were a little’ merrier’ with slightly lighter pockets after the experience.
10. MTA’ers showcase the Power of Community
Around 40 travel agents are pictured above getting ready for an early morning community run along the Gold Coast’s idyllic Main Beach.
The run was part of Mobile Travel Agents Members taking part in what has become a regular fixture at an MTA event – an early morning run.
Not a bad effort considering most were seen busy ‘communicating’ deep into the wee hours following a poolside BBQ attended by some 380 MTA Members and suppliers at the Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa, the venue for the 2016 MTA – Power of Community’ National Conference over the weekend.