We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Rogue agents exposed on ‘A Current Affair’ last night
Travel’s ‘apparent lack of accreditation’ has been a hot industry debate over the last few years, but now the controversial conversation has reached consumers.
Travel agents and the industry’s accreditation made national TV last night, during a special segment on ‘A Current Affair’.
The segment, which aired to millions of Channel Nine viewers, comes weeks after the collapse of several agencies in Melbourne, Queensland and Rockhampton.
2. QBT & Amadeus partnership goes to the next level
Six months on since QBT famously won the biggest corporate travel contract ever in Australia, I caught up with Russell Carstensen (QBT) and Tony Carter (Amadeus) to get the scoop on how they pulled it off.
It’d be fair to say that when news of the helloworld owned business QBT (Qantas Business Travel) Federal Government travel win broke in December 2014, the travel industry at large was taken aback at how a relative underdog at the time could have pulled off such a coup.
Worth a record AUD$66m over four years the massive win sent shockwaves through the industry with many leading figures voicing their emotions. And not all of them positive.
3. Creative brings book & hold airfares online
Creative Holidays has rolled out new features on its recently launched travel agent website, to give more flexibility when booking online.
Dubbed ‘Version 2.1’, the website officially launched last month after months of transitioning the old site.
Since, Creative says it has listened to feedback provided by agents and looked and information provided by insights and analytics to roll out new updates that make booking online simpler.
4. Starwood to debut in Adelaide
Starwood Hotels and Resort has announced it is moving into South Australia, with its first hotel in Adelaide.
In addition to being the group’s first property in South Australia, it will be Starwood’s third Aloft branded hotel in Australia – following the recent announcement of Aloft Sydney Pitt Street, which is slated to open next year; and Aloft Perth Rivervale opening in 2017.
Signed with local developer, Sturt Land Pty Ltd, Aloft Adelaide is expected to open early 2018 to add around 200 extra beds in the city.
5. Hobart Airport receives $100 million makeover
Plans have been unveiled to give Hobart Airport a $100 million upgrade, which will include an extended runway and more terminal facilities.
Details of the makeover were revealed this week and will see the gateway receive a new arrivals hall and dining area, scheduled to be complete by mid-2016.
This will be followed by an extended departure lounge and improved car park facilities and access roads.
According to The Australian, the airport upgrade will not include an aerobridge linking plane terminals, meaning travellers will still have to walk the tarmac.
6. Oman Air teams up with Garuda
Oman Air and Garuda Indonesia have entered a new codeshare agreement to offer more choice and convenience for customers of both airlines.
The agreement will enable Oman Air’s customers to book flights, operated by Garuda Indonesia, between Jakarta and Bali, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
In turn, Garuda Indonesia’s customers will be able to book flights, operated by Oman Air, between Muscat and Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta or Salalah.
7. Gordon Ramsay gets cookin’ in Dubai
Celebrity Chef, Gordon Ramsay is taking his knives, plates and recipes to Dubai, with plans to open a new restaurant in Atlantis, The Palm.
Set to open later this year, Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen will join the 23 diverse selection of restaurants and bars already open at the property.
Atlantis’ Bread Street Kitchen will follow in the steps of its highly successful London counterpart, to offer restaurant and bar space while serving up a high quality dining experience.
8. helloworld logo treks the outback for charity
helloworld has taken its branded vehicle to the outback, to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
The helloworld sponsored vehicle, driven by business Member and Director of the JourneyMasters, Digby Warren.
Warren joined a number of other vehicles in the annual ‘Outback Car Trek’.
9. TRS represents Seabreeze Resort, Samoa in Aus
Jumping on growing demand amongst Australians to visit Samoa, Seabreeze Resort Samoa has appointed Australia and New Zealand representatives to promote the property.
The resort officially joined Sydney and Brisbane based Travel Representation Services’ (TRS) portfolio earlier this month.
As part of the agreement TRS will promote the properties many features and build up bookings amongst Australian and New Zealand travellers.
Seabreeze Resort is a multi-award winning property having won the title of Samoa’s Leading Resort at the World Travel Awards in 2013 and 2014 and has been recognised with achievement awards in many consecutive years by Trip Advisor.
Currently, the property is a nominee in the 2015 World Travel Awards as “Australasia’s most Romantic Resort 2015” and “Samoa’s Leading Resort 2015”.
10. Can toilets get any smaller on planes? Apparently so
We didn’t think it was possible, but apparently it is. Smaller toilets on planes could be coming to the skies soon.
Boeing has reportedly come up with a new way to squeeze more passengers into the Boeing 777-300ER.
And the solution is… make the lavatories smaller (I’m not the only one that thinks they’re small enough already right?).
