We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. It’s official. Qatar Airways is flying to Sydney
Flights to the Gulf could be getting a little cheaper as Qatar Airways introduces new competition between Australia and the Middle East.
Currently, UAE-based carriers, Emirates and Etihad dominate flights between the two regions, leaving little wiggle room in terms of fares.
However, today Qatar confirmed rumours that it would expand its presence in Australia with daily flights from Doha to Sydney.
2. Prepare for your future clients today: Amadeus
It’s a bit of a tongue twister, but preparing for your future clients today will help agents stay ahead of developing trends and sell more trips in the coming decades.
Speaking to KarryOn at an Amadeus function in Sydney last week, Managing Director of the Pacific, Tony Carter, said it may feel funny talking about future travellers but knowing what to expect is key to remaining relevant down the track.
That’s why Amadeus recently completed a white paper on the ‘future tribes‘ aka travellers in 2030 who are ‘very different’ from today’s holidaymakers.’
3. Norwegian Cruise Line arrives in Australia
[L-R]: Nicole Costantin, Lisa Pile, Harry Sommer, Steve Odell, Ben Angell and Liz Krstevski
Meet your Norwegian Cruise Line Australian office – they’re here to help you get to know the company’s brands, various cruise offerings and drive more sales in the local market.
The office, currently made up of five members, officially opened this week, just as the wave season kicked off.
Headed by industry veteran and former Silversea Cruises Asia Pacific President, Steve Odell, the office has been tasked with promoting Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ three brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – to the Pacific region, including Australian and New Zealand travellers.
4. Is the Sunshine Coast the ‘best in the world’?
They may not have travelled ‘around the world in five days‘ like their Channel 7 counterparts, but the crew from the ‘Today Show’ say they’ve experienced the very best in the Sunshine Coast.
Karl, Lisa, Richard along with their full production crew flew up to Queensland this morning for a live broadcast from the destination.
During the episode Karl Stefanvoic and Richard Wilkins declared that the Sunshine Coast, particularly the Sunshine Coast Airport gave them the best welcome they’d ‘ever had anywhere in the world’.
5. Virgin America lets you ‘Netflix & chill’
Well, not exactly. Virgin America WILL let its passengers ‘Netflix and chill’ if they’re actually wanting to watch Netflix and relax while travelling between destinations… not the other meaning.
Virgin America this week revealed it had signed a deal with the streaming website to give subscribers access to its services while travelling at 32,000 feet.
The announcement comes only months after the airline upgraded its inflight Wi-Fi system so it would be so fast travellers ‘could stream Netflix’.
6. New name, new logo for this hotel brand
Best Western is getting a complete makeover, with the company announcing a new family of logos and a new company name that better reflects its variety of accommodation offerings.
The news was released this week by Best Western International’s leadership team in front of hotel members in Hawaii at the company’s annual convention.
As part of changes, the company will be known as Best Western Hotels & Resorts, which President and CEO, David Kong, says embraces the companies future and broadens its appeal.
7. Earn 15 percent commission with Venture
For the month of October 2015, Venture Holidays is offering 15 percent commission for its Africa and Europe product range to coincide with the release of the new Africa brochure and the Europe early birds.
This incentive offer is open to all travel agents within Australia selling land only products from Venture Holidays’ Africa and Madagascar, and Europe, Britain, Turkey and Morocco programmes.
It is only valid for FIT bookings only. Groups are excluded from this offer. Valid for Venture Holidays branded product only – excludes Acacia Africa and Fez Travel. Bookings must be deposited by 6 November 2015 to be eligible.
For further enquiries, contact Venture Holidays on ease call 1300 303 343, email mail@ventureholidays.com.au or via Calypsonet.
8. Brand USA chooses an incentive winner
Karen Coggan from Helloworld Kenmore has been announced as the lucky winner of a GoPro HERO3+ Silver Edition Camera, thanks to Brand USA’S Discovery Program Knowledge Forum.
The training tool enables agents to take interactive quizzes and learn about the diverse destinations and experiences available in the USA. The program currently has over 2,300 active users.
To qualify to enter the drawing to win, agents were required to complete the new Utah Specialist Badge, as well as complete the Regional Expert Badge. The Utah Specialist Badge is the fifteenth badge to be launched and educates agents on The Mighty 5 National Parks – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion, and to learn about accommodations, food and drink options, as well as nightlife and an array of must see and do experiences in Utah.
Click here to find out more.
9. Travellers Choice agents celebrate ninety on Norfolk
Norfolk Select’s David Bantoft recently celebrated his 90th visit to Norfolk Island by taking nine Travellers Choice members on an exclusive tour featuring some of the island’s top restaurant and wineries.
Highlights of the tour included dining at Norfolk Blue and Dino’s, a murder mystery themed eventing, and a visit to the boutique Two Chimneys Winery, which the group reached at the end of an entertaining car rally.
Bantoft, who founded Norfolk Select in 2000 with his wife Kylie, also took the agents on a breakfast bush walk, a Pinetree Tours ‘Progressive Dinner’ of Norfolk Island homes, and a tour of the new Discovery Centre in Norfolk Island’s Botanical Gardens.
Norfolk Select is Travellers Choice’s preferred supplier for Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, The exclusive tour was supported by Air New Zealand and Norfolk Island Tourism, with the group staying at the newly refurbished Castaway, Norfolk Island and The South Pacific Resort Hotel, Norfolk Island.
Click here for more Travellers Choice news.
10. British Airways lands on Google Street View
You can experience a Royal Caribbean ship before boarding, so why not experience an aircraft before flying?
Google Street View is letting internet users get a taste of what it’s like flying in one of British Airways’ Business Class only jets without leaving their homes.
The first airport airside tour was created at London City Airport and gives flyers a look at BA’s 32-seater business jets, which would usually cost around $5,824 to fly return.
During the 360-degree tour viewers will spot the aircraft’s in-flight menu, fine wines, snacks and comfort as well as its little comfort-creating touches such as clothes hangers for suit jackets, blankets and pillows.
Click here to view it.
