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. Travel history was made & JetBlue made it happen in Cuba
The last time an American carrier operated a scheduled commercial flight to Cuba, Mister Ed had only just premiered its first season on TV, women were sporting pill box hats and Ray Charles and Elvis Presley had number one hits on the Billboard Chart.
The Internet was a year away from first trials and political tension between the west and the Caribbean nation was at its peak.
The world is practically a different place since 1961 – when the US first imposed an embargo on flights to Cuba – so-much-so that JetBlue was able to make aviation history this week when it had the honour of operating the first commercial flight between the US and Cuba in over half a century.
Read on
2. Azamara prepares for the Journey to Australia
Parts of her have been stripped, redesigned and reimagined and now Azamara Journey is being prepped for her big Australian debut later this year.
The 690-passenger vessel is scheduled to arrive in six months time and will be the second Azamara ship to sail around the country following the line’s maiden visit last wave season with the arrival of Azamara Quest.
Azamara Club Cruises’ President and CEO, Larry Pimentel, said in Sydney earlier this week that “the time is absolutely right to bring” Journey to Australia to tap into demand from the line’s third largest source market.
Read on
3. Frankfurt delays after security breach
Several flights to and from Frankfurt Airport were affected last night when the departures terminal was evacuated in response to what was believed to have been an accidental safety breach.
German authorities cleared Terminal 1 at Europe’s fourth largest airport late in the evening, after discovering a female traveller had entered the departure area without passing through security.
Police pulled the woman aside for questioning, while some 100 flights were cancelled and delayed so that authorities could sweep the terminal for any suspicious items.
Read on
4. 16 injured in “unexpected turbulence”
A United aircraft was forced to divert to Ireland this week when 16 people – 14 passengers and 2 air crew – were injured in “unexpected turbulence”.
The plane was enroute from Houston, US to London when it travelling through the turbulence, which resulted in several injuries before the pilot diverted to Shannon Airport, The Australian reported.
According to a spokesperson, the plane landed safely in Ireland and injured passengers and staff are being treated in University Hospital Limerick.
5. Scenic launches suite of Eclipse mini brochures
Two years ahead of Scenic Eclipse’s maiden voyage from Istanbul to Venice, Scenic has released four of mini brochures to assist Agents in selling the line’s first ocean vessel.
The brochurer cover the four regions of sailing – The Americas, Antarctica, Europe and the Mediterranean as well as Arctic and Norwegian Fjords – and focus on the many destinations the ship will visit as well as highlights on each itinerary.
Preview pricing will be available for the vessel’s launch season until the full brochure release. The suite of Scenic Eclipse mini brochures is out now.
6. Beyond Travel launches dedicated Croatia cruise brochure
Beyond Travel says demand is so strong for cruising in Croatia and the product has evolved so much over the last few years that the company has decided to launch a dedicated 2017 Croatia Cruising brochure consisting of the latest small ships in the region.
Spread across 36 pages, the program features more than a dozen cruises and five new ships for the 2017 season.
Itineraries range in length and fall under four categories – Inclusive, Highlight, Active and Young & Fun.
Click here to check out the brochure.
7. Concierge Travel Group acquires Alquemie
Concierge Travel Group has reached an agreement to acquire the destination marketing company, Alquemie, from its founder and owner Charles Carlow.
The acquisition will take effect from 1 October 2016 and will see the Alquemie business become the fifth brand for Concierge Travel Group alongside Concierge Traveller, Concierge Business Travel, Elegant Resorts & Villas and Freighter Expeditions.
Alquemie founder and MD Charles Carlow will remain an advisor to the business for a period of time following the sale. Carlow said Alquemie is a “natural fit” with Concierge’s business.
8. Travelodge’s refreshing take on Father’s Day
Travelodge Hotels has announced a new take on breakfast in bed designed especially for Dads this Father’s Day – it’s a complimentary Beer-in-Bed delivery service, on offer for one day only at its newly refurbished hotel inside Bankstown Sports Club.
Guests can simply dial ‘9’ from their room at Travelodge Hotel Sydney, Bankstown to have their Dad receive the new Beers-in-Bed service, with a member of staff personally delivering a beer as a gift to Dad’s hotel room.
For entertainment, the can head down to Bankstown Sports Club where there’s 10 restaurants and eight bars, a cinema, Monkey Mania – all under one roof, with convenient parking.
9. European Waterways founder visits Australia
Derek Banks, founder and owner of European Waterways made his first visit to Australia last month.
He used the brief trip to catch up with staff of Barge Vacations (wholly owned by Hawthorn Travel) in Melbourne.
Derek’s remarkable 40 years in barging includes the famous barge charter for the highly successful BBC TV series, Rick Stein’s ‘French Odyssey’, a culinary journey along the Canal du Midi in southern France.
This year European Waterways launched their latest vessel ‘Finesse’, which cruises the canals of Burgundy.
