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. Royal Brunei’s first all-female crew flies where women are forbidden to drive
Royal Brunei Airlines is being praised for shining a light on social injustice against women in Saudi Arabia after sending its first all-female flight to the Middle Eastern destination.
Flight BI081 took off on Brunei’s National Day with three women in the cockpit – Captain Sharifah Czarena Surainy, Senior First Officer Dk Nadiah Pg Khashiem and Senior First Officer Sariana Nordin. The three ladies were accompanied by a completely female team of flight attendants as they flew from Brunei to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
The flight comes three years after Captain Sharifah Czarena Surainy became the first female captain of the Southeast Asian carrier.
2. Jetstar reinstates ‘hunger driven’ employee
What’s an aircraft engineer to do when he’s stuck on the tarmac and hunger strikes? Drive the airport tow-tug to the local servo for a quick bite to eat – duh!
That’s exactly what a Jetstar employee did in July last year when felt a little peckish mid-shift.
The low-cost carrier was forced to rehire 60-year-old aircraft maintenance engineer Raghbir Gill this week, eight months after he drove the airport vehicle out of Avalon Airport and to a nearby BP service station, The Herald Sun reported.
3. Sunshine Coast shines with more flights & cheaper fuel
The Sunshine Coast added 53,000 extra domestic visitors last year on the back of increases in airline schedules and substantially lower fuel prices, as well as a major investment in marketing and digital campaigns.
National Visitor Survey figures (NVS) released by Tourism Research Australia (TRA), showed a two percent increase for the region to 2.9 million visitors – an additional 53,000 domestic visitors. Overall visitor nights were up 2 percent to 10.9 million visitor nights (173,000 additional visitor nights) and tourism expenditure was stable at $1.8 billion for the year.
The best performing sector for the region was holiday travel, up nine percent to 1.7 million visitors, and business travel was up four percent to 210,000 visitors. Holiday travellers from within Queensland grew 15 percent, boosted by petrol prices that dipped at times close to $1/litre, some 50 percent cheaper than peak prices in 2014.
Commenting on the National Visitor Survey statistics, Simon Ambrose, CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast, said that the various Sunshine Coast marketing campaigns had proven successful, and visitor numbers had benefited from greater access to the region via road and air.
4. Kenya launches digital campaign in Aus
Australian travellers will be exposed to the natural and cultural sights of Kenya as the destination’s tourism bureau launches its latest ‘Discover Magical Kenya’ campaign in the local market.
Centred around a series of content developed by a team of five Australian digital influencers, the campaign is designed to engage and inspire more visitors to Kenya.
Each influencer received a tailored itinerary that highlighted each theme. They enjoyed a full scope of activities and experiences including spotting the ‘big five’ on safari across Kenya’s magnificent national parks; afternoon tea with the resident giraffes of Giraffe Manor; and breathtaking sunrise atop Mount Kenya.
Click here to check out all the captivating imagery, blog posts and video content gathered for the dedicated campaign microsite, which also offers Aussies the chance to enter a competition to win a Kenyan adventure.
The lucky winner will score the ultimate seven night safari for two valued at over AU$18,500, to discover Kenya’s wildlife, adventure, luxury, culture and conservation offerings, all in one incredible itinerary provided by The Africa Safari Co, Qatar Airways and Canon.
Participants can enter up to five times throughout the six week campaign, ending 18 April 2016. KTB will also be supporting the promotion through digital advertising during the campaign period.
5. Travelmarvel launches Canada & Alaska 2017 pre-release brochure
To help travel agents secure early bookings on one of its most popular touring programs, Travelmarvel has launched a new Canada and Alaska 2017 Pre-Release brochure.
The premium travel operator is offering all 2017 departures across the four featured itineraries at 2016 prices to provide further incentives for travellers to book early.
The itineraries available in the digital brochure include the 21-Day Reflections of the Rockies and Alaska Cruise. Trip highlights include a journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer; an indigenous-inspired dinner at the Lil’wat Squamish Cultural Centre; a river safari to Grizzly Bear Valley, keeping an eye out for bears, eagles and moose; and the chance to stay at Blue River’s Mike Wiegele Heli Village and at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
The fourteen night land journey is followed by a seven-night Holland America Line Alaskan cruise staying in a guaranteed Ocean View Stateroom.
Also on offer is the 19-day Passage Through the Rockies & Alaska Cruise; the 24-day Canadian & Alaskan Adventure which includes the Denali National Park; and for those clients who want to see and experience it all, the 28-day Highlights of Eastern & Western Canada with Alaska Cruise.
6. Millions invested into Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary
Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary, Broome has unveiled its multi-million dollar makeover, just in time for the peak tourist season.
Costing around $2.5 million, the transformation spanned six months and focused on the resort’s self-contained accommodation, with all studios, one and two bedroom apartments and three bedroom villas receiving significant upgrades to their interiors.
The refurbishment saw each guest room fitted out with plush king size beds to replace the existing queen beds, and the addition of contemporary kitchen splash backs, new linen, blinds and curtains, fresh paintwork, soft furnishings and subtle in-room luxuries. Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary now also offers twin share accommodation options, well suited to Broome’s burgeoning tour group business.
All guest rooms now exude a modern, relaxed atmosphere that harmonise with the resort’s tropical surrounds and feature spacious kitchens with high-quality appliances, laundry facilities, expansive living and dining areas and private balconies and courtyards that overlook or spill out onto the lush resort gardens, providing guests with an even more superior level of comfort, convenience and style.
The accommodation makeover joins the already enhanced resort exterior and reception, which were completed over a year ago and feature timber accents and striking exposed beam ceilings, and is complemented by the resort’s lush, tropical-inspired gardens, sparkling lagoon and infinity pools, barbeque deck and onsite dining experience Cables Restaurant & Bar.
7. United makes history
United Airlines made history this week when it became the first US airline to start flying with commercial-scale volumes of sustainable aviation biofuel for regularly scheduled flights.
United has agreed to purchase up to 15 million gallons of sustainable biofuel from AltAir Paramount over a three-year period. The airline has begun using the biofuel in its daily operations at LAX, storing and delivering it in the same way as traditional fuel.
To highlight this achievement, United will operate flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco with the dedicated use of AltAir Paramount renewable fuel for two weeks, while also integrating this fuel into its regular operations at the airport.
“United is a leader in the advancement of alternative fuels, and, along with our partners at AltAir Paramount, we are taking action every day to minimise our impact on the environment and explore new ways to improve efficiency.”
Angela Foster-Rice, United Managing Director of Environmental Affairs & Sustainability
8. Scenic explores Southeast Asia with Getaway
Tune in to Getaway on Saturday for the next four weeks to enjoy a recap of the sights David Reyne and the Getaway team experienced last year as they travelled with Scenic through South East Asia’s Cambodia and Vietnam.
Watch David as he discovers magnificent Angkor Wat and visits the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh before heading to Vietnam to explore the famous Cu Chi tunnels, the charming city of Hanoi and a cruise in the spectacular Halong Bay.
Scenic is also running a viewer promotion over the four weeks Getaway is airing to entice travellers to book the eight-day 2017 Vietnam and Cambodia and receive one free night at the Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap, with breakfast included.
Getaway: 19, 26 March and 2, 9 April on Channel 9 from 5.30pm (AEST).
9. TravelManagers get an ‘active’ session on Radiance of the Seas
To celebrate Royal Caribbean’s newly renovated Radiance of the Seas, TravelManagers’ personal travel managers were recently invited to experience a day aboard the ship, as it docked at Circular Quay International terminal.
The 40 Sydney based personal travel managers and four national partnership representatives were able to appreciate the extensive upgrades first hand. The additions include a 220 square foot outdoor poolside movie screen, a baby and toddler nursery, seven new food and drink experiences and VIP guest lounges.
Agents said they were impressed by the new look Radiance of the Seas.
While onboard, consultants indulged in a three-course lunch before partaking in an exclusive Master class training session.
Hosted by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line representatives Mark Rheinbay, Key Account Manager and Amy Ryan, District Sales Manager New South Wales, described the event as an interactive training session.
10. Deals, deals & deals at the itravel expo
Clients had plenty of cruise options and deals last week at the annual itravel Cruise & Tour Expo held at Mounties Club in Mount Pritchard.
A range of suppliers were in attendance, allowing attendees to learn about various products and book their dream holiday with itravel agents.
Clients were also put in the draw to win some super itravel merchandise upon entry with a few lucky entrants scoring bags, diaries and other fun items.
The itravel Cruise & Tour Expo aims to make contact with suppliers and travel professionals more accessible, while also providing great deals to members of the club.