Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news to help you be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Tidal waves kill two tourists & damage swim up bars in Bali
Tourists were sipping cocktails one minute and then running for their lives the next when tidal waves and flooding hit South Bali.
Dangerous water conditions hit popular tourist beachfront bars this week, and reportedly killed two tourists who were pulled out to sea at Padang Galak Beach in Sanur.
The two travellers are believed to have been from Hong Kong and Singapore.
2. Aussie Travel Agent helps christen APT’s new river ship
Bicton Travel’s Carole Smethurst can officially say she’s done something no other Aussie Travel Agent (that we know of) has done – christened a European river cruise ship.
The owner of the Perth-based business became the first Aussie Agent godmother this week, when she carried out her godmother duties in Vilshofen, Germany.
She broke a bottle of champagne against the hull of her ‘godship’, APT’s newest European vessel, AmaStella.
3. Countdown to Ovation
That will be what Sydneysiders see in less than six months time, when Royal Caribbean’s new Ovation of the Seas finally arrives in her new home for her maiden Australian season.
Sailing in on 15 December, the ship will deliver a range of firsts to Australian cruisers including the iFly skydiving experience. She also has rock climb and surfing on the FlowRider surf machine, plus the best views at sea from the North Star glass viewing pod, 90 metres above the ocean.
4. Fiji Airways launches a new direct flight
Aussies looking for a quick South Pacific break before heading off to the US can now utilise Fiji Airways‘ new direct flights to San Francisco.
Operating twice a week (Thursdays and Sundays) on the carrier’s flagship A330 aircraft, the Aussies can use the service to stay in Nadi for a couple of days either post or pre their US trip.
As well as experiencing the famous friendly Fijian hospitality on-board the A330, passengers have the benefit of an all-inclusive service including check-in luggage allowance, in-flight entertainment, and an array of food and drink options onboard. Extra legroom seats and pre-paid excess baggage are also available for purchase.
5. NZ’s biggest business events showcase kicks off in Auckland
Conventions and Incentives New Zealand’s (CINZ) showcase, MEETINGS 2016 celebrated its 20th year with a welcome event for 650 people at The Langham Auckland this week.
CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan says the event is New Zealand’s leading platform for connecting influential domestic, Australian and international buyers with key regions, meeting facilities, accommodation, off-site venues and activities.
The two-day industry show brings experiences from 19 regions of New Zealand and more than 190 exhibitors under one roof at ASB Showgrounds.
6. Harmony’s lions gets the jump on MTA’s Tracey Flower
It’s not every day you get jumped by a lion and certainly not on board a cruise ship, but that’s exactly what happened to MTA – Mobile Travel Agents’ Member and current Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) ‘Consultant of the Year’ Tracey Flower during a recent exclusive pre-inaugural cruise.
Sailing from Barcelona, Tracey met Alex the Lion from ‘Madagascar’ as part of Harmony of the Seas’ featured DreamWorks experience which enables younger passengers to meet with many of their movie heroes including Princess Fiona and Shrek, Po from ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and several other popular cartoon characters.
Additional highlights of her cruise experience included the opportunity to sample a host of the vessel’s huge array of features ranging from ice skating, visiting ‘Central Park’ in the middle of the ship featuring real trees and plants, a 10-storey slide, two flow riders and Jamie Oliver’s on board Italian restaurant.
7. These G-uys are heading to Toronto
We’d be grinning from ear-to-ear too if we’d just found out we were heading to Toronto later this year for the annual G Stock 22.
Around 24 members from G Adventures’ Australia and New Zealand team received the good news in the form of a ‘Golden Ticket’ last week.
The group will represent the Australia and New Zealand ‘outpost’ at the company’s conference, which focuses on connecting colleagues from around the world and giving them a look at what’s ahead.
This year will also be new Managing Director Adrian Piotto’s first G Stock and he said he is excited to spend some time getting to know the wider G team.
8. WIN back the cost of a flight
Etihad is giving agents and their customers the chance to win back the cost of their flights.
The incentive was launched last week in celebration of the carrier’s new A380 operations from Melbourne and 787 services to Perth.
Over the next few weeks, any Travel Agents who book their clients an Etihad flight will have the chance to win the cost of the flights back for both themselves and their customer.
