Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news to help you be your best today and tomorrow.
1. This is why more Qantas flights are running on time
Big data and experimentation have made Qantas a little less tardy, according to a new discussion paper released by Amadeus.
Using Qantas as a case study, the technology company highlighted how the carrier’s utilisation of Amadeus Travel Intelligence’s Schedule Recovery has helped the Flying Kangaroo reduce the number of flights that would have been reported as late by up to 60 percent.
Developed in partnership with Qantas, Scheduled Recovery is designed to improve operational efficiencies when dealing with disruptions.
2. Norwegian Cruise Line isn’t just basing a ship out of Australasia, it’s staying here YEAR-ROUND
First local office, first local boss, first local itineraries and now a first locally-based cruise ship.
New kid on the block, Norwegian Cruise Line, gave Aussie cruisers another reason to pull out their laptops and start planning a holiday this morning, when it revealed it is giving us our own Norwegian ship. Well, kind of.
Norwegian Jewel will join the Asia Pacific fleet from October 2017 to cruise around the region year-round.
3. Joe Karbo takes over the Wendy Wu Tours Group
Former Excite Holidays General Manager, Joe Karbo, is taking over Wendy Wu Tours as the new Group Chief Executive.
His appointment comes a little over a week after industry veteran Andrew Mulholland was appointed Managing Director of the tour company’s Australia and New Zealand operations.
In the newly created role, Karbo will operate out of London where he’ll be responsible for leading the global operations and offices in London, Sydney, New York, Shanghai and Auckland. He’ll report to the operator’s Board of Directors.
4. The facetime Melbourne video is here
Want to know what goes down at a KarryOn facetime event?
Get a taste of the event in our highlights video from last month’s Melbourne party held at the Emerald Peacock.
As well as receiving some pretty incredible prizes, free food and drinks, attendees were able to make new connections, take a few snaps in the APT-themed photo booth AND experience river cruising in India through G Adventures’ virtual reality goggles.
Check out the highlights video above OR click here to view photo album one; photo album two; photo album three; and photo album four.
5. Air New Zealand arrives in Vietnam
The Kiwi carrier has official spread its wings into a new part of Asia, with its first ever flight to Vietnam touching down over the weekend.
Flight NZ269 arrived into Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport from Auckland at 8.00pm, marking the start of the airline’s direct service to the Southeast Asian country.
In Air New Zealand-style, a traditional kapa haka was performed on touchdown before the carrier’s Chief Sales and Commercial Officer, Cam Wallace, recognised Southeast Asia as a strategic focus for the airline.
The Auckland-Ho Chi Minh City service operates on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturday on the Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
6. Tahiti turns on the charm for agents
Tahiti Tourisme turned on Polynesia’s famous charm to welcome agents from its Australian Tiare program to holiday hot spots throughout the island nation last month.
As well as visiting Bora Bora, agents who joined the May famil ventured off the beaten track, spending time in Huahine in the Society Islands and Rangiroa in the Tuamotus.
Luxury indulgence was high on the agenda, with participants treated to overnight stays in some of the destination’s top hotels, as well as gourmet meals, alongside site inspections.
7. Bride wins $1,000 from TTC
A Travel Agent’s wedding day was made even more special last month when she received a $1,000 cheque from The Travel Corporation (TTC).
Pip Turner from Experience Travel Toowoomba QLD, was one of the final ‘$1m Great Cash Giveaway‘ winners, and was lucky enough to receive her unexpected wedding gift from TTC in her mailbox on the day of her wedding.
Of course, she took to social media to share the news and TTC were kind enough to forward it on to us.
Congratulations Turner!
8. Check out Etihad’s epic incentive
Incentives are a great way to entice Travel Agents to sell a product, but here’s one incentive that will not only encourage consultants but their clients too.
Etihad is giving agents and their customers the chance to win back the cost of their flights. Over a four week period, Etihad will be refunding up to $250,000 in airfares!
This will definitely make selling fares to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas A LOT easier.
