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. The 10 most luxurious hotels in Australia are…
The public has had its say and boy do they have high standards when it comes to luxury properties around our country.
TripAdvisor has completed its annual hotel awards, seeking out the best of the best worldwide and in Australia.
Globally, India was found to have the top hotel, with the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, which has been described as “fit for a king”.
2. When luxury river cruising meets a touring specialist
As cruising continues its global domination (*plays dramatic music*), land tour operators are increasingly turning to cruise lines to add more at-sea options to their itineraries and brochures.
The cross-over between land and sea is nothing new, with lines like Celebrity Cruises, Hurtigruten and Holland America appearing regularly in various land programs.
But now, Insight Vacations and Uniworld, are taking that relationship one step further by launching their first joint brochure.
3. Scoot & Virgin Australia connect Tassie to Singapore
Canberra isn’t the only destination getting new connections to Asia, Tasmania is also set to receive more connectivity to the region thanks to a new interline agreement.
Sorry guys, it isn’t a direct service, but the agreement will see Scoot connect its Singapore-Melbourne service to Virgin Australia’s Melbourne, Hobart and Launceston flights, giving travellers from Tasmania an easier connection through to the City of Lions.
It will allow guests to book flights from Singapore through to Tasmania via Melbourne on a single ticket. The single ticket is also available in reverse for Tasmanians departing Hobart or Launceston to Singapore via Melbourne on a single ticket.
4. World Journeys approaches one year in Aus
Can you believe it is already approaching one year since the tailor-made, escorted journeys company arrived in Australia?
World Journeys Director, Chris Lyons, said the last 12 months have proved to be a “successful beginning” to the company’s business in the country, with a very warm welcoming from the industry.
“We’ve been truly humbled by how wonderful the response has been from the Aussie travel trade and are really grateful for those agents that have welcomed us, taken the time to understand our value proposition and work with us.”
Chris Lyons, World Journeys Director
“We’ve had multiple bookings come in for all of our regions with FIT for both Japan and Canada being very strong. We already have many loyal clients.”
5. Mahalo agents, enjoy one night in Hawaii from US$69
Exclusive accommodation discounts, massive touring savings and even cheap airfares – Hawaii Tourism Oceania sure knows how to show gratitude to travel agents around Australia.
The tourist bureau’s annual Mahalo Month program is back again this year, giving Australian travel professionals access to a wide range of discounts to the island nation.
As a ‘mahalo’ or ‘thank you’ to consultants, the special month of savings is a sign of gratitude for promoting and selling the Hawaiians Islands over the last year and maintaining Australia’s title as one of the destination’s most important international markets.
6. Travel agents, this is your chance to see the Cook Islands
Calling all travel agents around Australia! Yes, all consultants sitting behind their desks right now clicking through their favourite online publication :). Did you know that could be you in that picture above?
That’s right it could be you laying under the sun by a secluded beach and all you need to do is be included in the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s inaugural mega famil incentive.
Some 40 Australian travel agents will be flown via Air New Zealand from Sydney to Rarotonga for the week-long program.
7. P&O’s new ships get a LEGO® makeover
If you haven’t had a chance to get out and see P&O Cruises’ new ship, Pacific Aria, on the sea, then maybe you can stop by the Museum of Sydney and check out the LEGO® version.
P&O Cruises will be celebrating Australia Day at sea and on land next week, with the cruise line berthing a record four ships in Sydney Harbour – and giving Sydneysiders the chance to build a giant LEGO® ship in the city.
The cruise line has joined forces with the Museum of Sydney to invite LEGO fans to help LEGO certified professional Ryan McNaught as he builds a model of P&O’s Pacific Eden in the forecourt of the museum between 9.00am and 3.00pm on 26 January.
8. Infinity’s NZ self-drive is headed your way
Infinity Holidays is almost ready to start sending out its New Zealand self-drive brochure featuring new layouts, extended tours and more.
Arriving in stores next month, the brochure offers clients a selection of new itineraries, including two from TopDeck. They include a ski package as well as a 17-day Grand Kiwi experience.
There’s a new layout for the THL motorhome page and added Kiwi Holidays Park and select a B&B passes.
There are six pages of fresh new self-drive itineraries, packed with amazing activities and adventures that clients can do by car or motorhome.
The brochure will be available online and in agencies.
9. Agents rates in Greece
Beyond Travel is offering agents and their companions the chance to cruise around the Greek Islands for half price.
The company has agents rates from $1,950 per person (plus taxes of $580) on a selection of Greek Island cruise itineraries.
Tours include a seven-night ROH cruise accommodation in a sea-view cabin, half-board, complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water daily and use of fishing and snorkelling equipment.
There’s also the eight-day ‘Colours Of The Aegean’ cruise aboard the MY Variety Voyager, covers all the main hotspots such as Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Ios as well as a day on Bodrum, Turkey.
There is also an added agent bonus of 20 percent discount on a range of on board services such as port excursions, bar tab and spa services.
Offer is valid on bookings made until the end of February. For more information contact: sales@beyondtravel.com.au
10. P&O’s four-ship parade for Australia Day
Image: James Morgan
Sydneysiders who missed P&O Cruises‘ five-ship display in the Harbour last year have a second chance to catch a ‘spectacular’ cruising event when the cruise line sends four ships to Sydney on Australia Day.
Pacific Pearl, Pacific Eden, Pacific Aria and Pacific Jewel will sail into the city at 6.00am on 26 January and stay there for around two hours.
They’ll then more to their docking positions to let passengers off before sailing out after the huge fireworks display at 9.30pm.
P.S. Virgin helps Singapore Airlines fly from Canberra
Singapore Airlines is getting a little help on its new Canberra flights, with Virgin Australia codesharing on the new direct services from Australia’s Capital City and Singapore and onwards to Wellington.
The new services, which strengthen Virgin Australia’s wide-ranging partnership with Singapore Airlines, will be operated by a 266-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft fitted with 38 Business Class seats and 228 Economy seats.
These services will make it easier for Virgin Australia’s corporate and government customers in the Canberra region to travel to Asia and Europe.
Virgin Australia codeshares on all existing Singapore Airlines flights to and from Australia, including from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney into Singapore, together with its subsidiary SilkAir’s flights from Cairns and Darwin into Singapore.
