We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel industry news stories of the day we think you need to know.
1. ACCOR hits the 600 mark in the Asia Pacific
Accor, the leading international hotel operator in Asia Pacific, has announced its milestone 600th hotel in the region with the signing of The Park Lane Hong Kong to its upscale Pullman brand.
The announcement comes as The Park Lane celebrates it 40th anniversary and signifies a new era for the hotel.
“The addition of The Park Lane Hong Kong to the Pullman brand is a huge milestone for Accor because it brings us a strategic hotel in the centre of one of the world’s most important business and tourism hubs at a time when Pullman is really affirming itself as one of the most exciting hotel brands in the region,” Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO of Accor Asia Pacific said.
“The fact that it becomes our 600th hotel in the region is further cause for celebration because it is testament to Accor’s strong growth in the region and our investment in Pullman as a brand of the future.”
The Park Lane’s relaunch on 1 January 2015 will signify a very strong year for the Pullman brand, with more than 40 more Pullman hotels in the pipeline across the region for the new few years.
2. Princess Cruises teams with Discovery to provide smashing entertainment
Princess Cruises, one of the world’s best-known names in cruising, and Discovery Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Discovery Communications the world’s premier pay-TV programmer, has announced their collaboration to create Discovery At Sea, a program of interactive onboard activities and shore excursions to entertain and delight families aboard Princess ships.
The new Discovery At Sea cruise vacations will feature themed tours, science activities, hands-on programs and games based on Discovery’s breadth of brands and programming.
Debuting on Princess Cruises’ ships in early 2015, the interactive experiences are designed to bring to life the nature, wildlife and history of the regions guests are sailing.
Discovery At Sea content will be based on top-rated Discovery network properties from Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Science Channel. Some of the integrations guests will experience are based on Shark Week, Mythbusters and Deadliest Catch.
3. FTC offering great fares on fabulous French affairs
French Travel Connection (FTC) is offering savings of up to $795 AUD per cabin and up to $3,800 AUD per charter on a range of crewed canal barge cruises departing in March and April 2015.
Discounts are available on bookings and deposits made before April 2015 for L’Impressionniste, l’Art de Vivre, Anjodi, Enchanté, Clair de Lune and Rosa canal barges. Travellers also receive a free signed copy of French Odyssey cookbook by award-winning chef, Rick Stein.
FTC is also offering up to 12 per cent discounts on self-drive canal boats bookings received by 30 November 2014 for travel in 2015.
Self-drive boating allows travellers to stop whenever and almost wherever they want and discover a chosen region from a different angle. Itineraries are available in a variety or French regions such as the Canal du Midi, Burgundy or Aquitaine with weekly rental prices starting from $1,335 AUD for a 2-cabin vessel.
4. Top wine list offerings announced in NSW
New South Wales’ restaurants that have excelled in the provision of wine service and list development have been recognised, as part of the New South Wales Wine List Awards.
For the first time Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) has partnered with the NSW Wine Industry Association to deliver the New South Wales Wine List Awards, which were created in 1996.
The winning restaurateurs, which were announced in Sydney, include:
- Best METROPOLITAN Wine List Featuring NSW Wines – Wine Odyssey Australia, The Rocks
- Best REGIONAL Wine List Featuring NSW Wines – Reserve Wine Bar, Newcastle
- Fine Dining Restaurant Wine List – Comprehensive – Eschalot, Berrima
- Informal Dining Restaurant Wine List – Comprehensive – Wine Odyssey Australia, The Rocks
- Informal Dining Restaurant Wine List – Limited –Cammeray Craft, Cammeray
- Restaurant in a Hotel / Motel / Resort Wine List – Glass Brasserie (Hilton Sydney), Sydney
- Restaurant in a Pub / Club / Tavern Wine List – Imperial Hotel, Paddington
5. New study reveals Australia’s sugar daddy capitals
Edelsten may have a little competition, according to new research. Image Source: Getty.
The thought of an exceptionally younger woman dating a substantially older gentleman with fat pockets and a generous nature could be your dream come true or your worst nightmare.
However, the pretty-young-girl-rich-bloke, tandem is as old as Babylon, or loin clothes.
And it’s a trend that doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
According to SeekingArrangement.com, the number of registered sugar daddies on their site has nearly tripled in 2014.
This surge of desperately-seeking-Susans inspired a study that aimed to identify the key demographics of the Australian sugar daddy.
It also revealed the top five Australian cities to find a sugar daddy, or a successful man who is willing to provide a certain lifestyle for a young, attractive person in return for friendship or companionship.
Read on for more.
6. UNWTO Report acknowledges burgeoning adventure tourism sector
The UNWTO Global Report on Adventure Tourism, published jointly with the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), is a first approach by UNWTO on the topic of adventure tourism.
The report provides insight into the close relation between adventure tourism and responsible tourism.
ATTA, a UNWTO Affiliate Member, has provided key input in this report to help increase awareness among the global tourism sector on the core values of responsible tourism. The report allows all tourism stakeholders to work from a common base of understanding in one of the most progressive forms of tourism, which both organisations believe will develop into the industry standard.
“This report provides critical insight into one of the most dynamic segments driving tourism´s growth,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
“Furthermore, with careful and responsible management, adventure tourism offers effective development opportunities to countries looking for new and sustainable sources of growth.”
The report, an eight chapter overview of the current adventure tourism industry, provides a history of adventure tourism as well as a discussion of current trends and timely issues.
7. Michael Clarke joins team Qantas as brand ambassador
Australian cricket captain, Michael Clarke has teamed up with Qantas Airways to help inspire a new generation of Australian cricketers, as well as encourage indigenous children to get more involved in Australia’s “national sport”.
In his new role as an official Qantas Ambassador, Michael Clarke will lead a series of cricket training programs supported by Cricket Australia and Clontarf Foundation, aimed at introducing more young Australian’s to the game.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said he is pleased to welcome Michael Clarke to the Qantas ambassador team.
“We’re very proud to have one of Australia’s top sporting heroes join our ambassador program and we are even more excited about his vision to use this role as a means to promote cricket across the country.”
Michael said he was looking forward to making a positive impact in his new role as a Qantas Ambassador.
“Travel plays a big role in my life so it’s great to be officially part of the Qantas team. I’m really looking forward to sharing my love of the game with budding cricketers nationwide through this partnership.”
Michael Clarke joins other current Qantas Ambassadors John Travolta, Miranda Kerr, Greg Norman, Adam Goodes and Daniel Ricciardo.
8. Air Canada tackles the Parramatta Eels
New Parramatta Eels signing Beau Champion with Air Canada FIT Groups Coordinator Fei Revel.
Air Canada took on some tough customers this week when 25 members of the Parramatta Eels National Rugby League Club boarded its B777-300 in Sydney to begin an eight-day training trip of North America.
The blue-and-gold clad squad – which included new star recruit Anthony Watmough – flew to Vancouver, from where they travelled south to spend to time training at the facilities of US football champions, the Seattle Seahawks.
During the tour the team is also visiting a number of other US sports giants, including the Washington Huskies basketball outfit, the Seattle Mariners baseball side and the Seattle Sounders soccer club.
The trip, at a cost of $250 000, has been said to be a means to assist the Eels brand build and improve their communication with their fan base.
Read on for more.
9. UK researchers developing plane to defend against cyber-hijacking
With suspicion culminating the Malaysia Airlines MH370 fell victim to the world’s first cyber-hijack, an unofficial hypothesis, UK scientists have taken to developing a plane that is impenetrable to the cyber-hijack.
According to the Guardian, researchers at Cranfield University are developing a network architecture that would prevent such attacks.
The system, according to the article, would “recognise dangerous malware as soon as it made its way onto the aircraft, as its attempts to access and tamper with flight control software should be recognisable.”
While the researchers have stipulated that the systems on the MH370 were set up so that a cyber-hijack would be near impossible, the potential for such a threat to manifest is very real and one worth defending travellers against.
10. Open up for keyless access at Starwood
http://youtu.be/D6yb2TprJkc
Finally, it is time to say good bye to that awkward moment you fumble back to your hotel room and dissever you have misplaced your swipe key and/or have deactivated it by holding it too close to your pocket electronics.
Under the slogan “open up your eyes, open up your memories” Starwood have created an app which will “open up your hotel door” for their preferred guests without the endless fumbling for the keys.
The app, SPG Keyless Mobile Check-in, is available on Apple iTunes is available for select W Hotels, Aloft Hotels, and Element Hotels.