We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel stories you need to know today.
1. See why your clients could be spending more on hotels
Just when you thought you’d finished reading all travel trends for 2015, TripAdvisor released the results of the TripBarometer study that show hotel rates could be on the rise.
Unveiled today, the study found confidence in the hotel industry has climbed so much that hoteliers will be increasing rates.
Three out of four businesses say they’re feeling optimistic about profitability in 2015. This is up from two in three in 2013.
2. Did your favourite tourism operator in Vanuatu win?
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Vanuatu Tourism awards.
Congratulations to the group above for winning at this year’s Westpac Vanuatu Tourism Awards for Excellence 2014 Ceremony and Gala Dinner.
The event was held on Saturday at the Warick Le Lagon Resorts & Spa with some 300 people in attendance.
Australian TV personality, Steve Jacobs hosted the event with Miss Vanuatu, Valerie Martinez.
Winners included Tam Tam Bungalows – Best Island Bungalows; Fatumaru Lodge – Mid-range Accommodation; Moyyan House by the Sea – Boutique Accommodation; Holiday Inn Resort – Hotels and Resorts; and Eratap Beach Resort – Luxury Accommodation.
There was also Eden on the River – Best Culture/Eco Tour; Edge Vanuatu Ltd – Adventure Activity; Vanuatu Helicopters – Scenic Tour; Ocean Walker – Ocean Experience; Johanson Merah, Adventures in Paradise – Front and Back of House; and Warren Gama, Edge Vanuatu Ltd – Tour Guide.
And finally, Millennium Cave Tours won the Judges’ Special Commendation Award, while Helen Calo took the Handicraft Ambassador Award and Jonas Sumu got the Transport Ambassador Award.
3. Expect more Cunard bookings coming your way
It was a historic Royal Rendezvous in Sydney this morning as two Cunard Queens met on the harbour for the first time.
Queen Mary 2 sailed past sister ship Queen Victoria in the early hours of the morning to berth at Circular Quay.
Still the biggest ship to have visited Australia, the 151,400-tonne Queen Mary 2 will spend the day at the Overseas Passenger Terminal while Queen Victoria anchors at Athol Buoy near Taronga Zoo.
4. Branson backs Bali boys
While social media users continue calling for a boycott on Bali, Virgin’s founder has penned an open letter to Indonesia’s president asking leniency for the Bali Nine boys.
The pitch for a ban on travel to Indonesia started last month following the decision to execute two Australian Bali Nine prisoners Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran for charges of drug trafficking.
Since, the Australian government and even Indonesian governors have urged President Joko Widodo to rethink the executions, which could take place this month.
5. A&K’s exclusive new journey
Literary lovers can now follow in the footsteps of famous novelists in India while travelling on an exclusive new journey with Abercrombie & Kent.
Hosted by award-winning author Claire Scobie, the group of 24 guests will meet local writers and see iconic sites from novels while travelling from Delhi to Mumbai.
They’ll also see iconic monuments like the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and Udaipur’s City Palace along the way.
There’s an adventure through Old Delhi on foot, an elephant ride in the Aravalli Hills, a cruise on Lake Pichola and an experience of daily life on Mumbai’s Marine Drive.
From beginning to end, India comes alive through its literature and guests spend two days at the Jaipur Literature Festival joining audiences to be entertained by a galaxy of international and Indian authors.
The tour departs on 10 January next year and is priced from $9.975 per person twin share.
6. Lindblad goes public, plans to expand
Adventure cruise operator, Lindblad Expeditions plans to expand its business after announcing a merger with Capitol Acquisition Corp – a public investment vehicle.
Once the transaction, valued at $439 million, is complete Lindblad will be listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and be renamed Lindblad Expeditions Holdings.
Lindblad’s Business Development Director-Australia, Jeremy Lindblad told KarryOn, the agreement will provide the company with capital to invest in a number of new things.
This could include expanding the lines fleet with new ships – new build or acquired.
“Our goal is to continue to grow and be able to meet the demand we’ve got.”
Jeremy Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions Business Development Director-Australia
According to the Adventure Tourism Market Study, adventure travel grew by 65 percent annually from 2009 to 2012.
7. Hey Brits! Live by Aussie Rules
Tourism Australia has teamed up with STA Travel to tell British youth that they need to ‘Live by Aussie Rules’.
No, they’re not trying to change their way of life, but rather encourage them to work and travel Down Under.
The ‘Live by Aussie Rules’ campaign was launched this week and is accompanied by special offers to entice them to visit.
Also as part of the campaign, STA Travel is encouraging customers to tweet their Aussie experiences using the #STAAussieRules to help them make the most of their time Down Under – there’s a voucher for the best Aussie Rule up for grabs.
According to STA Travel UK Product and Marketing Director, Tim Fryers, Australia is still top of the list for British youth planning a gap year.
In 2014 more than 36,000 first time visas were granted, making the UK the number one market for those travelling on a Working Holiday Visa.
8. New Celebration packages
The newly launched Celebration Travel Company has released new products in Hawaii, Fiji, Asia and India for your clients planning a getaway to commemorate a special life event.
Among the new products is an ocean front room at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki featuring bonus inclusions worth up to $1,000.
For clients looking to celebrate their anniversary, there’s the Fiji ‘babymoon’ getaway including five nights in a deluxe beachfront bure at Likuliku Lagoon.
Plus there’s the Eastern & Oriental Express package, which has a second free night in Singapore and a second free night in Bangkok.
Peter Cooney, Managing Director at The Celebration Travel Company, said that the product released this month enhances the range already available within the company’s portfolio at the time of its launch.
“We’ve taken the hard work out of researching and planning holidays for special occasions, so agents can confidently sell our packages knowing their clients will remember their celebration holiday for the rest of their lives.”
Peter Cooney, The Celebration Travel Company Managing Director
9. Scenic brings Peru to Today
This morning Sydney’s booming cruise scene was on display as Lisa Wilkinson and Karl Stefanovic hosted the Today Show live from Queen Victoria.
Next week Peru will be the hot morning topic when Steven Jacobs presents the weather while travelling with Scenic Tours on a Peruvian Highlands itinerary.
Steve will be doing six crosses per morning starting on 16 March and will air from some of Peru’s incredible locations including the historic city of Cuzco; colourful markets; Ollantaytambo fortress; and local schools.
The Today promotion coincides with Scenic’s five free information nation wide information sessions on its South America and luxury Mekong river cruising programs.
Sessions have been organised in partnership with local travel agents and will be held in Melbourne on 24 March; Sydney – 26 March; Brisbane – 31 March; Adelaide – 28 April; and Perth – 30 April.
Scenic Tours sales and product teams will be on hand to answer questions and help guests decide which itinerary is right for them.
Special offers will also be available on the day.
All sessions are free but seats are limited so pre-booking is essential so agents are encouraged to register their clients online and attend with them on the day.
For anyone that is unable to attend, Scenic Tours is also holding two free webinars.
10. Get a Taste of the Celebrity life
If you’re in Sydney tonight through to Sunday head down to Centennial Park to find out what wines bring out the flavour of manchengo cheese or how to serve a Côtes de Provence Rosé with a creamy black truffle risotto during the European Inspired Food & Beverage Matching Masterclass by Celebrity Cruises.
Hosted by Mindy Woods of Channel 10’s MasterChef fame, Celebrity Cruises is offering four exclusive masterclasses, each themed around the European destinations of Spain, France, Italy and Greece.
During each half hour session, participants will be taken on a culinary journey of the region, learning about the cuisine, while tasting samples of food and matching beverages.
Celebrity’s Sean Treacy said the cruise line is perfect for those who have an appreciation for modern luxuries especially an exquisite meal.
Classes cost $5 per person to attend and bookings are encouraged.
Connect with Celebrity Cruises at Taste of Sydney using the hashtag #TasteofCelebrityCruises
Need to Know Extra: Where are your customers hiding their money?
Losing your money (or having it stolen) while on holidays can be scary, so travellers are forced to come up with new and creative (and smelly) ways of keeping it safe.
And the most popular technique used to stash away cash?
Tucking it into your sock.