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. Flight cancellations were up in the air in 2015
Australian airlines may have been more punctual last year but they weren’t operating as many scheduled services compared to 2014.
Figures released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) found around 1.6 percent of all scheduled flights to or from Australia were cancelled last year.
The cancellation rate was 0.1 percent more than the prior year and 0.2 percent higher than the long term average.
2. Webjet’s 21st month of record-setting TTV
Travel agents may not like the way Webjet is attracting new business but the company’s new financial figures suggest the technique is working.
For the six months ending December 2015, the travel group made $796 million in total transaction value (TTV), up 28 percent on the $620 million earned during the corresponding period the prior year.
It was not only a record half-year, but December 2015 was also the 21st consecutive month for record-setting TTV.
3. Xiamen Airlines flies to Melbourne non-stop
Our visitor economy is a key to jobs and growth, and international airlines are our allies in the sky.XiamenAir's…
Posted by John Eren MP on Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Less than three months after launching its first flights in Australia, Xiamen Airlines is expanding its local network with a second city – Melbourne.
Commencing mid-2016, the direct service will operate twice weekly between Melbourne and Xiamen, adding to its current Fuzhou-Sydney and Xiamen-Sydney routes.
Victoria‘s Minister for Tourism and Events, John Eren shared his excitement on Facebook, saying flights will contribute to the local economy and create Victorian jobs.
“Our Chinese visitors will visit regional attractions such as Sovereign Hill and the Phillip Island Penguins, and keep our bars and hotels full and our small businesses busy.”
John Eren, Victoria Minister for Tourism and Events
4. Qantas holds the world’s first tech talk in the sky
The Flying Kangaroo hosted the world’s first tech talk in the sky (and possibly the most tech friendly flight in the world) featuring live-streaming, Fitbits, discussions and more.
Qantas’ flight 73 from Sydney to San Francisco yesterday was dubbed the ‘Ideas that Travel’ service and was organised in partnership with TEDxSydney.
Four of Australia’s technology and science innovators shared their vision for the future of technology and design in a series of talks held in the nose of Qantas’ B747.
5. Congratulations cowboy! You’re going to the USA
Yeehaw!
Congratulations to Tarrant Gibson from Flight Centre Eastwood aka the major prize winner at Visit USA Expo in Sydney.
Gibson took home two Air New Zealand tickets to the USA along with accommodation at the Handlery Union Square hotel, ipod shuffle from Sonoma County Tourism, a week’s RV rental from Cruise America, accommodation in Dallas hotel and two Dallas city passes courtesy of Dallas Tourism (photo with Chris Fenton – BDM Air New Zealand).
The Visit USA Expo held in Sydney last night welcomed record breaking numbers, with over 250 travel agents in attendance and 55 USA-based tourist offices and suppliers.
A few tourist bureaus and operators told KarryOn that the tough dollar hasn’t reduced Aussie numbers to the US, but changed their reasons for travelling.
Click back onto KarryOn next week for more information.
6. APT Group’s two new Myanmar ships are REALLY glamorous
If that image above isn’t enough to convince you, click here to check out just how glamorous these two new ships really are.
This week, both APT and Travelmarvel launched two new ships in Myanmar – RV Samatha and RV Princess Panhwar.
While they’re both sailing under different lines, they’re both equally as luxurious with modern aesthetics, earthy tonnes and extra space.
RV Samatha (named to reflect the Buddhist practice of calming the mind) has 30 suites, ranging from 27 sqm to 48.7 sqm. All suites have been specifically positioned on the outside of the ship to ensure all guests enjoy either a panoramic or twin balcony.
Onboard, gourmet meals are served with complimentary drinks while guests enjoy the sundeck with swimming pool; day spa; an air conditioned main lounge and bar; observation deck and two restaurants – a main restaurant and a private fine dining restaurant.
For Travelmarvel, the new RV Princess Panhwar (named after the famous queen of Vishnu) offers an exceptional standard of premium river cruising.
She is a custom built vessel with 36 staterooms and suites ranging in size from 26 sqm to 42.5 sqm and either a French or an outside balcony.
Public areas include an air-conditioned lounge area on the sun deck, a main restaurant, and a spa and massage facility.
7. Another agency joins the Virtuoso network
Virtuoso continues to grow across Asia Pacific, with a new agency member – Queensland-based Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel.
Managing Director, Michael Londregan, described the agency as a ‘highly respected brand’ with the kind of credentials Virtuoso looks for in an agency.
“Gregor & Lewis is a great business with a dynamic team and it is a wonderful addition to the network.”
Michael Londregan, Virtuoso Managing Director
“Understanding the unique needs and delivering a VIP experience for their clients is something Gregor & Lewis prides itself on and represents the kind of service Virtuoso agents are delivering for luxury travel clients across the Asia Pacific.”
Melinda Gregor, Managing Director of Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel said her agency was excited by the opportunities ahead.
8. Industry rates in Thailand
The Ocean Resort Group is offering a range of discounts to travel agents on its Thai mid-sized beach resorts.
Among them is the two Sunwing resorts, Sunwing Resort Kamala Beach and Sunwing Resort & Spa Bangtao. Industry rates start from AU$85 (NZ$90) per night.
Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort and Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa are available from AU$38 (NZ$42) per night; and Kamala Beach Resort (a Sunprime Resort) Phuket and Sensimar Khao Lak Beachfront Resort can be booked from AU$59 (NZ$62) per night at Sensimar Khao Lak Beachfront Resort.
9. Le Boat diversifies in 2016
In a bid to diversify its product in 2016, Le Boat is introducing a sleek new cruiser and expanding its popular boating flotilla cruises in Italy.
The Horizon has a modern design and is exclusive to Le Boat. It is available in 11 regions throughout Germany, Italy, Holland, England and France. It has a spacious interior with panoramic windows that’s perfect for a couple or small family.
It includes a second smaller cabin that is suitable for young children, a bathroom with a separate stall shower and comfortable spaces for dining and other activities. The new cruiser also has a rear cockpit and roomy sundeck, complete with furniture, sink and barbeque.
Also new for 2016 is Le Boat’s boating flotilla option in Italy, which is available for a total of five dates in 2016. As part of the itinerary, week-long boating groups will travel together throughout Venice.
A guide will help plan the itinerary, organise optional group activities and provide assistance to new boaters, if needed. The guide will also be on hand to suggest places to see and visit en route as a group or independently.
10. Welcome to the ‘Blue Zone’
Infinity Holidays is definitely standing out of the crowd in this cool new ‘zone’.
Welcome to ‘the blue zone’, a place where staff greet interested parties under a straw roof and discuss everything Infinity.
The ‘blue zone’ represents all of the company’s titles being located in the same central area i.e. Infinity Holidays International, Infinity Australia & New Zealand, Infinity Cruise & Infinity Rail.
Infinity Holidays expects this new configuration along with an increase in support staff to have improved the customer experience considerably and has led to record success at the Jan/Feb16 Travel Expos.
Click here for more pics from the ‘blue zone’
P.S. Sydney turns red, white & blue for VisitBritain
The North and South West regions of Britain came together at Lion Gate Lodge in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden last night to celebrate the start of the British season with VisitBritain.
Representatives from the United Kingdom as well as the British Deputy High Commissioner, Nick McInnes and British Consul General, Mr Tony Brennan joined a range of Sydney media in toasting all things GREAT about Britain.
Guests were treated to a selection of British inspired food by chef Nelly Robinson of nel. restaurant including Lancashire hotpot, Cornish pasty, tandoori cobia curry and traditional fish and chips with deserts of Manchester tarts and Britain’s famous Eccles Cakes while sipping glasses of traditional British drinks including Pimm’s, Plymouth Gin and St Austell Indian Pale Ale.
MC Maeve O’Meara welcomed guests to the event in truth North and South West form before handing over to Patricia Yates, VisitBritain Strategy and Communications Director, who discussed the regions in detail before inviting guests to hop in a life size British black cab photo booth for some memorable photos and play a few rounds of quoits on the lawn.
Click here for more pics.