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. ‘Do not bring the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on board… at all’
Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Tigerair Australia and Air New Zealand have completely banned the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from all flights due to potential safety risks.
The total ban came into effect across all five airlines last night after a joint directive from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).
While previously, carriers were advising guests to avoid switching the device on during flights, they’re now telling them they can not bring the Galaxy Note 7 on board, at all.
2. Australia is home to the best premium lounge in Australasia
If you’ve been fortunate enough to try out Etihad’s Premium Lounge at Melbourne Airport recently, then you’ve had the fortune of spending some time in Australasia’s Leading Airport Lounge.
The carrier’s Premium space was named ‘Australasia’s Leading Airport Lounge for 2016’ during the weekend’s 23rd Annual World Travel Awards Asia and Australasia Ceremony in Danang, Vietnam.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner, expressed delight at the win, the airline’s first ever at an Asia and Australasia World Travel Awards ceremony.
3. Thailand update: what’s closed & what’s still open during royal mourning period
Several events have been cancelled and postponed in Thailand over the next month as the country mourns the recent passing of its longest reigning monarch.
Last week, King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away at the age of 88 after suffering from various ailments.
The news devastated locals who learned of his death via a breaking news update on local television.
4. This is how Flight Centre is convincing Aussies to travel to Europe over Christmas
Flight Centre is getting into the festive spirit, by offering free cancellation cover and a full refund on all Europe bookings made in November for travel next year.
The special arrangement is part of the agency group’s limited time $149 ‘Captains Platinum’ package.
According to the group, the package aims to offer holiday security to those who may be a little concerned about taking the plunge and securing the bast fare to the continent.
5. Bestjet & AFTA resolve legal dispute
Australian online travel agency Bestjet Travel Pty Ltd trading as Bestjet.com (Bestjet) and The Australian Federation of Travel Agents Ltd (AFTA) have settled a court case initiated by Bestjet earlier this year.
In a joint statement, the pair said they have negotiated a resolution to their mutual satisfaction, with terms of the settlement to remain confidential.
6. Prime Minister opens ‘The Turnbull Suite’
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull helped open the Turnbull Suite at Hotel Kurrajong Canberra, named after him in honour of his most recent election win during the hotel’s 90th birthday year.
Guests of the suite will have the opportunity to live just as the Prime Minister would during their stay. Decked out with a few of his noted favourite things, patrons can either play Monopoly, drink a glass of 2000 Canberra Federation Red Magnum Wine, listen to Roxanne by The Police or read Breakfast With Beaverbrook by by Ann Moyal in the newly named suite.
“It was an honour to have our Prime Minister officially open the Turnbull Suite today,” said TFE Hotels CEO Rachel Argaman. “As it was the home to Prime Minister Ben Chifley for 11 years, Hotel Kurrajong has long held a place at the heart of Australian politians.”
The hotel has 147 rooms with 26 in the heritage wing and four executive suites, four balcony rooms and eight terrace rooms.
7. Cebu Pacific launches campaign to drive tourism among Aussie youth
Cebu Pacific has announced a new campaign targeting Australia’s youth traveller market with the Beach Bums Academy.
The Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific, is featuring the Philippines’ best islands through their latest campaign to engage and encourage Aussie students to have their next uni-break in the Philippines.
The campaign is part of an ongoing commitment for Cebu Pacific to reach young Australians and grow tourism to the Philippines; it is primarily being promoted through the Cebu Pacific social media channels and content partnerships with some of Australia’s leading online influencers. It also features a competition giving away includes three days at the Cebu island “campus” and three days at the Siargao island “campus,” where winners will learn the key skills needed to be awarded their degrees in beach bumming: surfing, exploring, socialising and of course relaxing.
8. Travellers take off on Hawaiian Airlines’ Moana planes
Over the weekend Hawaiian Airlines in collaboration with The Walt Disney Studios unveiled the first of three custom Airbus A330 aircraft being adorned with imagery from the highly anticipated animation.
The inaugural decal design features four characters from the movie on Hawaiian’s fuselage as they take off on a wayfinding journey, including the demigod Maui, the adventurous teenager Moana, and her two friends: Heihei the rooster and Pua the pig. Next month, Hawaiian will reveal two additional livery designs featuring custom-made decals that show the characters interacting with the aircraft in dynamic and engaging ways.
Dwayne Johnson, the voice of demigod Maui, and Auli’i Cravalho, the voice of ‘Moana’, were among the first to see the inspiring design when the plane at the airline’s home base at Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
9. Los Angeles 3.0: These new hotels will suit every kind of traveller
Nothing ever stays the same in the City of Angels, and the USA’s second largest city is currently in the midst of a hotel revolution, with scores of new hotels – over 30! – opening in LA in the next few years.
Los Angeles has something for everyone – you just need to know where to go! From Hollywood, to Downtown, to the beach neighbourhood of Venice Beach, you certainly won’t be running out of hotel options anytime soon…
Here’s a guide on where your clients should stay in LA depending on what they’re interested in.
10. WIN a Sony Action Cam from Avalon
Avalon Waterways invites travellers to experience the views they deserve when sailing Europe’s rivers and they are now giving you the chance to WIN a Sony Action Cam.
Arrive in a new port each day, Avalon gives you the freedom to cruise your way and unlike other cruise ships, Avalon Waterways has designed its staterooms so beds face the window and the incredible sights river cruising is famous for.
What’s new for 2017?
11. WIN 3x Cheese Hampers or 20x double passes to Heidi
The world famous and all-time favourite children’s story, Heidi, is coming back to the big screens and Switzerland Tourism is giving you a chance to WIN a double pass!
A film by Alain Gsponer based on the novels written by Swiss author, Johanna Spyri, Heidi is about an orphaned girl who spends her happiest childhood days with her eccentric grandfather Alpöhi in a remote alpine cabin in the mountains of Graubünden in eastern part of Switzerland.
Along with her goat-herder friend, they look after her grandfather’s goats and enjoy the freedom in the mountains.
12. 5 reasons discerning travellers choose Barge Travel Connection
Step onboard a luxury barge and cruise past quaint medieval villages and scenic vistas along some of Europe’s most spectacular canals, having an experience you’ll never forget!
There’s your stock-standard river cruising, and then there’s luxury barge cruising – a unique way of sailing through the heart of Europe on charming barges that are small enough to accommodate between just four and 24 passengers.
Barge Travel Connection, the newest brand from travel wholesaler Entire Travel Connection, specialise in crewed canal cruises in Europe, partnering with hand-picked local suppliers to take guests on an intimate journey through France and the rest of the European continent as they sip on exquisite wine, feast on high-end cuisine, and explore Europe’s cultural landscape – it’s a floating paradise par excellence!
13. Uniworld’s regal journey along the dazzling Danube
Follow in the royal footsteps of the archduchess Maria Theresa in the heart of Europe in 2017, and celebrate the Austrian princess’ 300th birthday in true class and style along the Danube.
A floating princess’ castle, an exclusive ‘Morning with the Masters’ at Vienna’s Kunthistoriches Museum, and, of course, Uniworld’s reputation for being all-inclusive – if these reasons aren’t enough to convince you to set sail with the leaders in luxury Europe river cruising in 2017, then we don’t know what will!
Oh, wait, here’s one more reason: you’ll get return Economy airfares from just $899 and from $4,299 in Business class on cruises of 7-12 days. This deal is valid on Uniworld’s exciting 8-day ‘Enchanting Danube‘ itinerary from Budapest to Passau, until 31 October 2016.
14. Selling Asia has never been so easy with #TheNewWu
Exotic and alluring, excellent value-for-money, friendly people, and the food – my god the food! Asia offers just about as many travel experiences as there are scooters on the streets of Ho Chi Minh.
But there’s no reason why selling Asia should be as complex as trying to cross the street in a busy Vietnamese city.
Nuh-uh-uh!