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 how Korea plans to attract more Aussies
It has connections to Hollywood, a unique pop scene, some mouth-drooling dishes AND it’s linked to our local celebrities – Korea has a fair bit to offer Aussie travellers but it’s this one feature that’s being utilised to sell the destination.
Simply, Korea is a great stopover destination for Australians heading to Europe.
That was the message last night at the Visit Korea Roadshow in Sydney, where operators promoted Korea’s convenient location and short break itineraries.
2. Expedia’s new Sydney headquarters will give you major office envy
Themed meeting rooms, SEVERAL breakout areas, an enviably large kitchen, a gaming room AND a cafe – we checked out Expedia’s new Sydney HQ and walked away with a major case of the green monster.
Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE our Surry Hills space (basket hoops on doors, LOTS of sunlight and a generous bookshelf stacked with all the best travel books), BUT we’re feeling a little deprived after checking out Expedia’s new digs yesterday.
The company and its hundreds of Sydney-based staff moved into the new Martin Place office five days ago, finally uniting the business from three different stations into one HUGE office.
3. Solomon Airlines suspends all flights
Solomon Airlines’ bosses are hopeful the carrier will be up in the air again sooner rather than later after suspending all its services early Tuesday.
The carrier’s CEO, Captain Sumsum, said all flights were grounded yesterday for an indefinite period over a dispute with the Solomon Islands’ Government.
The decision comes less than a day after the airline announced to its Facebook followers that it was returning to Malaita with three weekly services from Honiara.
4. Doors open to Sydney Airport’s new hotel
Pullman Sydney Airport is officially open, giving holidaymakers access to 229 new rooms by the international gateway.
Spanning 12 floors and located on O’Riordan Street, Mascot, the hotel is expected to be popular with international and domestic business and leisure travellers, due to its exclusive 5-star offering and prime location just 600m from Sydney’s domestic airport terminal and 3km from the International Airport.
The hotel features a state-of-the art 24-hour gym, flooded with natural light overlooking a kitchen garden.
5. Scenic launches 2017 Canada, Alaska & USA program
Scenic has launched its 2017 Canada, Alaska & USA program which includes the launch of seven new itineraries and one new extension.
Guests can now explore more of Canada’s West Coast with four new itineraries including: 13 Day Canadian Castles & Alaskan Cruise from Calgary to Vancouver which has been designed for guests with limited time to explore Canada; 19 Day Canada’s Wildlife & Wilderness for wildlife enthusiasts which includes stays at a number of lodges including Knight Inlet Lodge which will open the season exclusively for Scenic guests; and 17 Day Winter Wonders – operating in the height of winter this tour allows guests to enjoy a number of winter activities including dogsledding and snowshoeing plus a trip of a lifetime to the Yukon to witness the spectacular Aurora Borealis.
Two new itineraries showcase Alaska both offering small ship cruising with luxury cruise partner Seabourn on board the intimate 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn. The 24 Day Breathtaking Alaska & Canadian Rockies includes an 11 night cruise, and the 20 Day Hidden Gems of Alaska features a slower pace 14 night cruise.
Also new for 2017, the 5 Day Hawaiian Interlude – a Wondrous Experience allowing guests to extend their stay in North America and enjoy some rest and relaxation over four nights in Honolulu at Westin’s Moana Surfrider.
Click here to check out the brochure.
6. Cool new contemporary resort opens in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach has officially opened the doors to its newest property, the oceanfront resort, The Pasea Hotel & Spa.
The contemporary resort has around 250 ocean-view rooms, a cool rooftop bar serving crafted cocktails AND a Balinese-inspired spa.
Adopting the Californian spirit of health and rejuvenation, the property hosts yoga and meditation sessions on the spacious Ocean Lawn and has a pet-friendly attitude.
Click here to check out more pics of the property.
7. PTMs experience the best of Fiji
Four Queensland-based personal travel managers were invited to experience the very best of Fiji during a recent mega famil hosted by Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways.
Participants on the mega-famil were split into four, each enjoying a multi-itinerary famil experience of the Mamanuca Islands, Yasawa Islands, Coral Coast and Fiji’s North.
The eight-day famil itineraries were designed to ensure all participants, no matter where in Fiji they visited received a great insight into the amazing depth of product and diversity that Fiji represents.
Click here for more images.
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.
