Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Princess Cruises mourns the loss of Emerald Princess crew member
Princess Cruises is sending its thoughts and prayers to the family of one of its crew members who was killed while technical work was being carried out on Emerald Princess.
The 3,000-passenger ship was alongside Port Chalmers in Dunedin, New Zealand on the eighth day of a 12-night round trip from Sydney when the fatal incident occurred.
In an official statement, a Princess Cruises spokesperson confirmed the employee’s death, saying it happened during “technical work on the hydraulic launching system on a tender vessel”.
2. Wow. You won’t miss Air Canada’s planes with this classy new livery
You’re sure to spot that Air Canada plane touching down and wheeling towards the airport hangar now that the entire fleet is receiving a bold, sleek and classy makeover.
The airline unveiled a variety of changes to its inflight experience this week, including new livery which will see large portions of its aircraft painted black including the tail, turbine engines and the belly.
Even the ‘Air Canada’ logo is converting from red to black.
3. Looking for ‘real’ American experiences? This city says it has them
What is a ‘real’ American experience? The answer differs depending which of the many cities you visit, but if you ask the leaders of Memphis, it’s exploring the country’s cultural, musical and natural history.
Describing it as a “one-of-a-kind vacation destination”, Memphis tourism leaders say the city meets that international desire to visit ‘real’ America, a desire that they say is growing among Australian travellers.
That’s why Memphis Convention & Visitor Bureau has announced it is opening a local office, which will be headed by former Tourism Australia employee, Chris Ingram.
4. WATCH: Woman dives off Royal Caribbean ship
Your jaw will actually drop when you watch this incredible footage of a woman jumping off a 17-metre high platform on the world’s biggest cruise ship.
Cesilie Carlton was sailing onboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas when the leap of faith was taken and published to Instagram.
Although the ship was moving at the time of the dive, it actually wasn’t as dangerous as it sounds because Carlton is a Red Bull Cliff Diver, making her a professional when it comes to jumping from great heights. That also explains why she was completely confident prior to the dive and able to do a somersault on the way into the pool below.
5. Dubai secures its spot as the fourth most visited city
Being home to the world’s busiest international airport is boosting Dubai’s visitor figures, with new figures revealing the city hosted 14.9 million overnight visitors in 2016, a five percent increase over the prior year.
The figure puts Dubai on track to obtain its 2020 goal of 20 million visitors, which was laid out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, described 2016 as “another milestone marker” for Dubai’s tourism sector as latest figures cemented Dubai as the fourth most visited city in the world.
6. More choices than ever before in Antarctica with Chimu Adventures
Chimu Adventures’ new dedicated Antarctica brochure for 2017/18 is here and it features the largest Antarctica collection in the market, covering the widest range of itineraries, vessels and activities available to the Australian traveller.
New for the next year is the 18-day ‘Shackleton’s Antarctica’ itinerary following Sir Ernest Shackleton’s explorations. There’s also the 11-day ‘Frozen Frontier’ trip allowing travellers to depart on the trip of their lifetime alongside one of Australia’s favourite personalities, Peter FitzSimons, former Wallaby and best-selling non-fiction author of ‘Mawson and the Ice Men of the Heroic Age: Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen.’
Also new is the ‘In the Wake of Mawson’ 26-day expedition and the ‘Interior Antarctic Experience’ as well as a 12.5-hour sightseeing flight called ‘Antarctica in day’ that allow travellers to depart Sydney, Melbourne or Perth and explore Antarctica on a limited time and budget.
7. Sleep in style & save in Port Vila
Sunset Bungalows Resort is offering travellers a three-night stay and save 25 percent or stay sevent nights and save 30 percent.
Plus the offer comes with a romantic two-course dinner for two on the in-room veranda with a choice of meal from the a la carte menu.
Holidaymakers can enjoy the Fire Dance Show at Port Vila’s Beach Bar and will receive return transfers and a cocktail on arrival. These bonuses are valued at $150 per stay. The offer is valid for all bookings made by 31 March 2017, and travel to 30 June 2017 (blackout 14-20 April).
8. Peru’s new campaign chases healthy travellers
Peru is tapping into the growing trend of ‘clean eating’ and ‘super foods’ with a new campaign enticing travellers to try the destination’s mix of nutritious ingredients.
The new campaign ‘Superfoods Peru’ was launched this week and will see the country’s tourism leaders advertise Peru’s nutrient-rich food offerings – such as quinoa, kiwicha, carob tree, camu camu berries, lucuma, purple corn and sacha inchi – in Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Germany-based soccer player, Claudio Pizarro, has signed up to be the brand ambassador of the campaign, although so far his face is only expected to appear in German promotions.
9. British Airways celebrates summer with British Garden Party
British Airways invited industry friends to enjoy a traditional British summer garden party in Sydney.
Held at the Lion Gate Lodge at the Royal Botanic Gardens yesterday evening, the event was organised to give thanks to key travel partners, suppliers and Agents as well as enjoy canapes created by British chef, Nelly Robinson.
Nicole Backo, British Airways’ Regional General Manager, South West Pacific, said: “A garden party is the perfect opportunity for us to give back to our partners as we look forward to a successful year ahead in 2017.”
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