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. Thank you for your support
The team at KarryOn would like to thank all of our readers for your messages of support and patience while we worked to bring our publication back online.
We thank you for all the kind emails and phone calls.
We’re happy to be back with all the latest travel news. Enjoy 🙂
2. Shanghai looks to extend Aussies visas
Shanghai’s tourism leaders are hoping to extend the current visa-free policy so that Aussies can stay in the city for up to six days without purchasing a permit.
In early talks with the government, Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration’s Vice Chairman told KarryOn she’s eager to see the visa-free hours doubled from 72 to 144.
This would give travellers, particularly those visiting for business, more time to experience ‘The City of Tomorrow’ without applying and paying for an extended stay.
3. Intrepid redefines the luxury tour
Day tours may need to be short and they may need to be relatively simple, but that doesn’t mean they need to be unimaginative or unadventurous.
On the contrary says the Intrepid Group’s Managing Director James Thornton, who believes people are seeking creative, new options for stopovers and brief city visits.
Speaking to KarryOn earlier this month, Thornton explained that this is evident to the Group by the ongoing success of its very own short tour brand, Urban Adventures.
4. Nepal urges govts to lift travel warnings
Nepal’s government is urging international governments to lift or lower their travel advisories, which may be discouraging travellers from visiting the tourist destination.
Countries like Australia placed a ‘reconsider your need to travel’ advice on the Himalayan nation after it was hit by a 6.7 magnitude quake in April that killed over 6,000 people.
While the Nepalese government recognised an initial need to introduce travel warnings, it now says most parts of the country are safe and ready for tourism, The Australian reported.
5. Australia to the world: ‘our country is waiting for you’
Tourism Australia is hoping to shake off stereotypes places on Australia’s indigenous travel, with a new video showcasing largely unknown indigenous offerings.
The three minutes and 20 seconds video was published to Tourism Australia’s Youtube account this week.
According to the bureau, the film aims to ‘increase awareness, interest and participation in Aboriginal tourism’.
It also hopes to dispel misconceptions that it’s only made up of hot, dry and remote experiences.
Check it out above and let us know what you think in the comments section.
6. Travel Counsellors placed amongst top companies
Travel Counsellors has ranked amongst the top mid-market private companies in Britain, placed 174th in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200.
This is the third time the company has received this accolade after appearing on the list in 2011 and 2012.
Managing Director Steve Byrne said the company is ‘thrilled’ to have been recognised again and says it reflects ‘successful growth internationally’.
“We believe and have proved that there is a need for sincere and trusted advisers that place customer care at the centre of their businesses, which is why our model has really been embraced by the international markets we have expanded into.”
Steve Byrne, Travel Counsellors Managing Director
7. An Excite-ing chance to win a trip to Nevada
Excite Holidays and Nevada Tourism are giving travel agents the chance to win a place on an exclusive famil to the Silver State.
The agent who books the highest number of room nights in Nevada through Excite Holidays (including at least one night outside of Las Vegas) between 15 July and 14 August 2015 will join their Excite Holidays’ BDM and other winners from around the globe on the exclusive famil.
The lucky winner will be flown to Nevada for a five-day adventure which will take in Reno, Virginia City, Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, Lamoille Canyon, the Great Basin National Park and the mesmerising Valley of Fire State park.
8. Big prize for top Tourism Industry Award winner
Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) has announced the winner of The Supreme Award in this year’s New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards will receive a prize valued at up to $10,000.
Sponsored by Air New Zealand this year, the prize includes international air travel to any Air New Zealand destination in North America, South America or Asia valued at up to $10,000 to help them grow their tourism business.
Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of TIA says the reinvigorated awards programme recognises those individuals, businesses and organisations that are helping reach the Tourism 2025 goal of almost doubling annual tourism industry revenue to $41 billion by 2025.
Entry registration for this year’s new and expanded awards programme closes on 17 July.
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on 2 October. Tickets for the dinner will be on sale shortly.
Visit the Awards website for more information.
9. A Leading tour of Italy for MTA
Mobile Travel Agents’ Amanda Erwin recently visited Southern Italy as part of a Leading Hotels of the World study tour of the region.
The Leading Hotels of the World program included time in Rome and also on the Costiera Amalfitana where her program featured sightseeing and hotel inspections in Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and the Island of Capri.
10. Planes could takeoff over your home soon
A Swedish designer has unveiled a new airport design, which would see planes takeoff on runways raised above urban streets and waterways.
Unveiled this week, Alex Sutton’s concept takes the airport from the outskirts of a city and right into the heart, The Daily Mail reported.
While planes takeoff above busy streets and homes, Sutton says terminals and baggage portals could fit in and around city offices and buildings.
According to Sutton, having the airport right in the centre of a city would not only make it easier for holidaymakers to travel to and from the gateway, but it would also meet demand for more air travel in the future.
While his concept may sound very futuristic, Sutton says Stockholm is being used as a testing ground, with plans to develop an airport as part of a new city district.
