Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news to help you be your best today and tomorrow.
1. DFAT confirms one Aussie was travelling on the missing EgyptAir aircraft
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has confirmed that one Australian was among the 66 people on board EgyptAir’s A320, which disappeared en route from Paris to Cairo.
In a statement, she explained that an unnamed dual Australian-UK national was aboard Flight MS804 when it disappeared off the radar.
No further information was made available, however, Bishop said she was working closely with UK authorities to provide consular assistance to the man’s family.
2. Hosting ATE injects HOW MUCH into the Gold Coast economy?
Events are a money maker for destinations, that’s no secret, but we never expected to learn just how much a destination can make from hosting the annual Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE).
Tourism leaders from the Gold Coast revealed that hosting the annual travel event this week injected some $10 million into the economy.
That’s particularly impressive because it only represents the financial benefit during the event.
3. DFAT urges Aussies to be cautious in Ecuador
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) continues to advice Aussies to exercise caution in Ecuador as the country continues to experience aftershocks from last month’s 7.8 magnitude quake.
Earlier this week, two strong aftershocks were felt in the country, leaving at least one person dead.
DFAT is urging Australians to following the instruction of local authorities and to continue monitoring media for any updates.
4. Travel Counsellors plans to go from ‘good to great’
Hundreds of home-based agents are on the path to discovering the secret to going from ‘good to great’ at Travel Counsellors Australia’s annual conference.
Kicking off today and running until 22 May, the conference program includes an inspiring mix of influential guest speakers and presenters and will be attended by Travel Counsellors agents from all over Australia.
Special guests from the Travel Counsellors management team located in both Australia and the United Kingdom will make an appearance as well as head office staff and trusted suppliers, sponsors and partners, including headline sponsor Travelport.
5. TravelCube expands airport lounge collection
TravelCube has added new facilities in Australia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Taiwan to its airport lounge collection, giving agents the chance to secure passes to more than 75 lounges in 65 cities around the world.
All lounges are operated by independent companies, including Servisair and Premier Plaza Lounges, which now boasts an extensive network at airports across Asia, Canada and Australia.
Passes – which can provide lounge access for anything from two hours to an unlimited time – range in price from $17 at the T.E.I Airport Lounge in Tokyo’s Narita Airport to $113 at the Al Maha Transit Airport Lounge in Doha. In most cases passes cover all inclusions, such as food, alcoholic beverages, shower facilities, Wi-Fi and local telephone calls.
6. P&O causes MAY-hem in NSW & QLD
P&O Cruises has been causing MAY-hem this month with a series of roadshows in New South Wales and Queensland.
According to the cruise line, the happy hour events were the perfect way to introduce agents to the cruise line’s latest cruise offerings, including a new voyage to Dark Mofo in Hobart, and to share details of Pacific Explorer.
The four events attracted more than 280 agents, with one lucky agent at each event winning a P&O Sea Break cruise for two.
7. Agents really get to know Latin America
Latin American operators and airlines treated Aussie agents to the full South American experience, mere days after showcasing the goods to consumers.
The first-ever Latin America Travel Agent Workshop was held in Sydney on Wednesday night and Melbourne on Thursday night, giving hundreds of consultants the chance to join Latin dancers, taste some Latin flavous and chat to operators, airlines and bureaus from 20 South and Central American countries.
Valma Herb from MTA Travel won a $12,000 luxury holiday for two to Chile including flights from LATAM Airlines and accommodation, while a lucky agent from Victoria won a holiday for two to Peru also including flights with LATAM plus accommodation and a Delfin Amazon cruise.
Click here for more images.
8. Kokoda display shares PNG/Australia history
Papua New Guinean Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture the Hon Tobias Kulang, Minister for the Environment and Conservation the Hon John Pundari and Mr Tim Bryson, Counsellor Australian High Commission, together with members of the local community, recently unveiled a new interpretive display at Owers’ Corner at the southern trailhead of the Kokoda Track.
The display recognises Australia’s shared history with Papua New Guinea and is the first of several planned for the Kokoda Track Region.
The Australian Government Department of the Environment has been working closely with representatives of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority to develop the display, which will provide visitors with an understanding of the significance of the Kokoda Track to both Papua New Guinea and Australia, as well as an overview the Region’s natural, cultural and military history.
