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. Bomb blast in NYC a suspected terrorist attack
An explosion literally rocked one of NYC’s most fashionable areas on Saturday night at 8.30pm local time, injuring 29 people and putting the issue of terrorism firmly back on the city’s agenda.
The blast occurred in the Chelsea district – home to one of New York’s biggest gay communities and often crowded on weekends due to its many bars and restaurants – and caused signficant damage, blasting out windows which could be heard from blocks away.
2. Sydney named best cruise destination by Cruise Critic
And the winner is … Sydney – again! As if Sydney didn’t already have enough to brag about, the city has been named the best cruise destination in Australia and New Zealand.
The accolade was given to the Harbour City at the first ever Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards, the world’s leading cruisereview website. And it’s been welcomed with open arms by the community, including the local government.
3. Luxperience kicks off in Sydney
Luxperience 2016 officially kicked off in Sydney this morning with dozens of exhibitors meeting with Agents at the Australian Technology Park exhibition hall.
Hundreds of industry professionals will be treated to fine dining, gorgeous designs and a whole lot of luxury experiential travel information over the next two days.
This year attendees are in for a real treat thanks to exhibitors who have gone all on their booths.
Click here for more pics from inside the hall.
4. L.A. Tourism partners at Luxperience 2016
Speaking of Luxperience, newly inducted Virtuoso luxury member, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism), will be partnering with luxury hoteliers The Line Hotel and Mondrian Los Angeles for the first time at the luxury travel industry event.
Los Angeles is experiencing a surge of hotel development and growth at the moment, with 24 new hotels under construction and another 28 in final planning stages countywide. These 52 hotel projects will deliver more than 9,200 new hotels rooms to the L.A. area in the next few years.
Australia is L.A.’s number two overseas market with 430,000 Australian visiting L.A. in 2015, representing an increase of 7.3 per cent over the past year. It is also L.A.’s number one hotel lodging market.
5. New Caledonia’s clever new video
Ever wondered what a cowboy hat, snorkelling set and bottle of French champagne have in common?
That was the question asked to a group of strangers upon presentation of a suitcase. The challenge was for them to guess, in just 30 secs, where the suitcase was from for a chance to win flights to the destination.
Costa Rica, Morocco, the West Indies and even New Zealand were amongst the possible destinations cited, but of course, the suitcase was from New Caledonia, proving once again that this gem in the South Pacific is still flying under the travel radar.
The new 30-second video was created to support the recent launch of New Caledonia Tourism’s foray into the world of Virtual Reality – a first in the South Pacific. With the new technology, users will be able to transport themselves virtually to the island paradise (and one of Australia’s closest neighbours), where they can experience the unique combination of stunning natural beauty, French charm and indigenous Kanak culture.
6. Magellan wrap up in Auckland to great fanfare
The Magellan Travel Group Members Conference held this year in Auckland has been hailed an overwhelming success by all that attended.
It was around a quarter past eleven on Saturday night that Andrew Jones, Magellan Group Chairman took to the stage to deliver the Groups ultimate formalities of the three-day conference to around 200 frocked up members and suppliers at the Gala Awards Dinner held in the Hilton Ballroom.
7. Sydney Airport welcomes Qatar Airways’ A380
Due to increased passenger demand in Sydney, Qatar Airways has replaced its 358-seat Boeing 777 aircraft with a 517-seat A380 on its daily Doha to Sydney service, adding an extra 116,000 seats to the route per year.
The larger aircraft is expected to boost tourism and trade to Sydney, with the daily service to Doha already generating more than $240 million to the economy per year, and an estimated 3,000 jobs.
“We’re thrilled that Qatar Airways has upgauged to an A380 within six months of the airline’s launch in Sydney, which is testament to their early success and strong loads.”
Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Sydney Airport is a world leading hub for next generation airlines, with six A380 carriers currently flying to the airport.
8. Globus & Avalon Waterways to launch new TVCs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n7VAx6RKSc
Stay glued to your TV screens this weekend guys, as Globus and Avalon Waterways are set to launch their biggest Australian television advertising campaigns EVER.
The timing of the Globus campaign, which will air during October and September on major regional stations nationally, will see its 30-second TVC promote its earlybird specials and exceptional airfares. Avalon Waterways will also push an advertising campaign of its own, fronted by television presenter and Avalon ambassador Deborah Hutton.
Globus family of brands National Marketing Manager, Chris Fundell, said the campaigns would be backed by metropolitan print, online and trade advertising, including a message to ‘see travel agents’.
9. Magellan Award Winners to jet off to Dubai in style
The 2016 Magellan Travel Group Annual Member Awards were held on Friday evening as part of the group’s annual conference at The Hilton in Auckland – And KarryOn was there to join in the celebrations.
This year’s Gala Awards night, sponsored by The Travel Corporation, Qantas, American Airlines and Leading Hotels of the World was Emcee’d by the energy bunny and self proclaimed ‘Mistress of ceremonies’ that is Catriona Rowntree with musical accompaniment from a live jazz band.
10. itravel buddies up with Excite Holidays in Singapore
Nine lucky itravel agents, escorted by Excite Holidays’ Brooke Brindle, recently experienced the highlights of Singapore last week, checking out a range of hotels – including the Mandarin Orchard Hotel and the Raffles Hotel.
When not inspecting hotels, the group of travel agents got to enjoy a buffet dinner and tour of the Night Safari Park, walk through the entertainment area of Clarke Quay Singapore River, and explore the Gardens by the Bay, plus much more.
In addition to Singapore, the agents travelled to the nearby Bintan Island, Indonesia, where they stayed at the gorgeous Banyan Tree Bintan Resort in private ocean view villas, and had a couple of fantastic meals at the Treetops Restaurant overlooking the ocean .
