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. Queenstown Airport is “fully operational” after bomb scare
Services to and from Queenstown Airport are operating as normal today after a security threat forced officials to evacuate the gateway on Sunday.
Passengers waited in freezing temperatures late yesterday while officials investigated the content on a threatening note discovered by a cleaner on a Qantas plane after it had landed in the South Island.
The handwritten message is believed to have indicated that a bomb was on the aircraft, Stuff.co.nz reported.
2. The best hotels in NSW for this year are…
NSW’s top hotels were honoured for their professional service, quality designs and unique offerings at the 2016 Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) Awards for Excellence.
Some 600 industry professionals gathered at the Four Points by Sheraton Sydney’s Grand Ballroom to see which of the 71 nominees would walk away with a ‘gong’ in the 34 categories.
According to TTA Chair, Peter Tudehope, the quality of the venues across Sydney and NSW were on display during the evening and award winners represented “the huge investment, hard work, dedication and drive of our industry”.
3. 9 things people had to say about Air NZ’s latest safety video
There should be no doubt by now that Air New Zealand is an international leader when it comes to creating entertaining yet effective safety videos.
A quick look over the collection on Youtube and you can see the airline has perfected the formula to not only engage travellers with their inflight safety clips, but also promote the various destinations in its network.
The catalogue includes that epic ‘Men in Black’ video, which received an incredible three million views in the first 24 hours and promoted the airline’s new US services; there was the Hobbit videos featured actors from the movie – these let everyone know Air New Zealand is the link to Middle-earth; plus there’s been a Betty White clip, Richard Simmons madness and more.
4. Contiki spice up Splendour in the Grass Bollywood-style
Celebrating its new trips to India, Contiki added some major spice and colour to this year’s Splendour In The Grass in Byron Bay with an Indian inspired extravaganza.
In an incredibly colourful Indian themed area compete with DJ, stage, bar and Marigolds a plenty, festival goers were treated to a spectacular array of India-themed workshops and activities throughout the entire weekend, kicking off with the iconic festival’s first ever colour party on Friday afternoon.
5. SilverNeedle enters Melbourne with Sage Hotel Ringwood
SilverNeedle Hospitality is expanding its way into Melbourne with the announcement of the 120-room Sage Hotel Ringwood, Melbourne.
Coming in 2018, the property will bring SilverNeedle Hospitality’s portfolio in Australia up to seven with properties operating in Perth, Adelaide and Wollongong plus one coming to Brisbane during the first quarter of 2017.
The $36 million hotel will span six levels and feature 7,000sqm of meeting rooms. It will be part of an integrated hotel complex in a mixed-use shopping precinct – so it’ll be close to shopping, dining and entertainment.
6. APT launches new collection of African Small Group Safaris
APT has revealed its latest collection of African safaris for 2017, offering a portfolio of experiences that includes game spotting on the Chobe River, private air journeys, exclusive game lodges and tented camps, and iconic rail travel.
The new Africa Safaris 2017 brochure is available now and features 14 hand crafted journeys. Destinations include South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Rwanda, Zambia and Namibia.
A new addition to the portfolio is the opportunity to stay at the Chobe Water Villas in Botswana, which offers stilted luxury accommodation with views across the river.
For guests who prefer to stay on the river itself, APT continues to offer exclusive access to its two and three night river cruises on the Chobe River aboard the 14-suite Zambezi Queen. This cruise is available on the 15-day African Journey with Zambezi Queen itineraries and features 12 nights on land and two nights on the Chobe River cruise.
Click here to check out the brochure.
7. Pullman Sydney opens Matt Blatt-styled suite
Pullman Sydney Hyde Park has partnered with Matt Blatt to create this funky one-of-a-kind Matt Blatt-themed suite inspired by the hotel’s leafy outlook.
The unique space replaced the Premier Suite on the 20th floor and ofers a quirky unconventional style to transport guests away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD.
In addition to bright walls and furniture, the room has several statement pieces from Matt Blatt’s collection include the Teak Monkeys, Starsky The Hen and Piggy Sue the Piglet, which add a touch of individuality to the suite, whilst other pieces such as the Contour lounge chair, Cowhide rug and Big Apple three seater sofa evoke a sense of relaxation and comfort.
Click here for more pictures.
8. The Top Performing Diamond League Agents are…
World Resorts of Distinction (WRD) has announced its top performing Diamond League Agents for 2015/2016 – an invite-only agent incentive scheme available to Australia and New Zealand’s top Agents.
The mutually beneficial program rewards both consultants and their clients for booking and staying at a property within the WRD portfolio.
Top performing Agents in each market are: Beate Carr, MTA Travel – 1st place Australia; Joanne Harding-Smith, Maverick Travel – 2nd place Australia; Michelle Barker, Jayes Travel – 3rd place Australia; Erin Miller, Flight Centre – 1st place New Zealand; Sam Ulrich, Travel Select – 2nd place New Zealand; and Sarah Weaver, House of Travel – 3rd place New Zealand.
