Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news to help you be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Low cost carriers unite to form a super alliance
Forget Captain America: Civil War or Batman v Superman, there’s a bigger battle ahead and its between those premium airline alliances and a newly formed budget alliance.
Low cost carriers from around Asia Pacific have decided to team up to better equip themselves in the ongoing competition with premium airlines through their very own Low Coast Carrier alliance called, The Value Alliance.
Did anyone else just picture a group of CEOs lining up in superhero formation?
2. Chris Hemsworth told tourists to come to Australia & they’re listening
Apparently Chris Hemsworth’s deep, hunky voice is enough to spark a fair bit of interest in travel to Australia, according to the country’s tourism leaders.
Figures released at this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) revealed the Marvel actor’s vocal contribution in Tourism Australia’s latest coastal experiences video was viewed by over 2.2 million people – one of the most viewed videos on the bureau’s Youtube channel.
Additionally, his involvement generated more than 2,000 media stories, or in financial terms $55 million in marketing dollars, News.com.au reported.
3. Virgin Australia unveils a schmick new ‘Business’ look
Oh la la. Virgin Australia is bringing the class and smarts to international travel with a completely refurbished Business Class product.
The new suite was unveiled on the first of its refitted Boeing 777-300ER this week, alongside a new Business Class Bar and Lounge PLUS a completely refurbished Premium Cabin.
Currently, only travellers flying across the Pacific will be able to enjoy the schmick new class, which features 37 individual and private suites that convert into the length of a queen sized bed at 80-inches.
4. Cebu Pacific hopes to broaden Australian network
Could Cebu Pacific bring to life Tourism Philippines’ dream of direct Australia to Cebu flights?
It could very well be, with the airline saying its hopes to expand its Australian operations with new aircraft.
In a statement,the carrier said as part of its fleet renewal program it will take delivery of 30 brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft, which feature new engines, wing tip devices and 20 percent fuel savings.
5. Small businesses are bread & butter for Agents: helloworld
Helloworld is seeing huge opportunity in the small business sector and hopes to pounce on it with a range of new initiatives launched at this year’s Helloworld for business Summit in Singapore.
Over the weekend, Head of Associate, Corporate and Affiliate Networks David Padman told the 120 delegates that the after extensive research, the company found the SME sector is ripe for the picking, with small businesses keen on working with Agents who will provide “end to end service, less stress, [and] customer service excellence”.
Describing small businesses as the “bread and butter”, he said the company hopes to help consultants leverage off “this significant SME opportunity” through new tools.
6. INCENTIVE: Receive a $100 gift voucher from Air Canada
Air Canada is celebrating the arrival this week of its new Premium Economy Class cabin on its non-stop Sydney-Vancouver service by giving away $100 gift vouchers with the first 50 Premium Economy bookings made during May 2016.
To receive a $100 shopping voucher, travel agents must book and ticket a Premium Economy seat on Air Canada’s Sydney to Vancouver service between 11 May and 31 May 2016, for travel before 31 May 2016.
To claim the shopping voucher agents simply submit their booking details, including ticket number and itinerary, to SydneyFare.Agent1@aircanada.ca.
Air Canada’s daily B777-200 service from Sydney now offers 24 seats in Premium Economy Class, with passengers enjoying greater legroom and recline, wider seats, intuitive touch personal entertainment screens, premium meals and priority check-in and baggage delivery.
7. Spencer gifts staff with diamonds
WOW! Penny Spencer from Spencer Travel really knows how to say thank you.
She recently gave a long-serving employee a full carat diamond in celebration of the staff member’s ten year anniversary with the company.
WHAT?! Amazing.
8. Take yourself on a famil to Norfolk Island
Travel agents are invited to discover the dining experiences, wellbeing, adventure activities and living history on Norfolk Island in their own time on a short break away alone or with a friend.
Local operators are offering complimentary accommodation and experiences, while Air New Zealand has industry fares from $179 (plus taxes) and $319 (plus taxes) friend fare for flights ex-Sydney from 13 May to 26 August 2016 and ex-Brisbane from 14 May to 23 August.
Airfares are on sale from 16 May to 17 June. Contact Marion Belus at The Unique Tourism Collection on info@uniquetourism.com for an application form requesting participation in the Norfolk Island Self Famil Program.
9. Agents tick Botswana off the bucket list
Agents were snapped on a Bench International safari famil in Botswana, during which they stayed at Ngoma Safari Lodge in the Chobe Forest Reserve before heading to Zimbabwe and staying at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and Elephant’s Eye, Hwange.
The agents enjoyed a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River, sampled a ‘boma dinner’, as well as heading off in search of the Big Five, on daily game drives.
The icing on the cake? Sitting around the fire after dinner at Elephant’s Eye, admiring a herd of elephants drinking from the swimming pool.
