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. Aussies hop across the Tasman for Easter
Aussies are ditching their family and friends over the holiday period to hop across the Tasman for a quick Easter getaway.
The trend was confirmed by two different sources – Topdeck AND Skyscanner.
According to Topdeck research, bookings to New Zealand are up by 39 percent compared to the same period last year.
2. Flight Centre’s Joe McCormack fills a new role at Helloworld
Changes continue to be made to Helloworld’s management team, with the latest being the appointment of a former Flight Centre Travel Group employee to a newly created role.
Joe McCormack was revealed as the new General Manager Land Purchase for the wholesale and inbound divisions.
Commencing on 26 April 2016, he will head up the Helloworld and AOT Group Contracting teams.
3. AirAsia X’s Gold Coast-Auckland flights take off
AirAsia X commenced its daily flight service between the Gold Coast and Auckland this week with the arrival of flight D7206 from Kuala Lumpur into Gold Coast Airport, which then departed for Auckland.
The new services launched just in time for the Easter peak period, giving travellers access to extra seats between the three destinations.
AirAsia X’s daily flights between Gold Coast and Auckland depart Gold Coast at 9.05am each day, arriving in Auckland at 3.30pm local time.
An Airbus A330-300 aircraft operates the route with a seating capacity of 377. The configuration will be AirAsia X’s standard configuration of 365 economy seats and 12 Premium flatbed seats.
Onboard there’s feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen.
4. John Weeks steps down from TTC
Non-Executive Chairman of The Travel Corporation Pty Ltd., John Weeks, has announced his resignation from the leading global travel group.
Weeks said the decision was made so that he could focus on other opportunities.
Weeks was formerly the CEO of TTC Australia, but stepped down after a 16-year tenure. He was succeeded by John Veitch, who joined the company last August after more than a decade with Flight Centre.
“Having worked closely with John Veitch on his transition to CEO, this is an opportune time to step away, given he is now firmly at the helm and driving continued successful growth for TTC Australia.”
John Weeks
Weeks’ departure is effective 30 April 2016.
Chief Executive of TTC, Brett Tollman said the company was sorry to see Weeks leave after “an extended period of successful service”.
“All of us at TTC thank John for his strong leadership, outstanding achievements and the legacy which he leaves with us,” he said.
“He will always be fondly remembered and appreciated for his 16+ years with TTC.”
5. KarryOn is hopping away for Easter
The KarryOn team is closing the office over the Easter long weekend to enjoy those chocolate goodies on the road.
The office will be shut on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
But don’t fret, The Weekender will be delivered straight to your inbox on Saturday morning as per usual and we’ll be back on Tuesday morning with more travel news.
From the entire team have a happy and safe Easter! xoxo
6. Get your facetime RSVPs in today
Want to have as much fun as this gorgeous Arabian Prince and these three Queens?
There’s still time to get in on the free drinks, free food, prizes and wild entertainment by securing your place at one of the industry most requested events, FaceTime.
The first event of the year will be held at the Bristol Arms Hotel in Sydney on 7 April from 6.00pm.
Click here for more information or click here to RSVP now.
7. Get the Las Vegas virtual experience
Take a sunset helicopter tour over the city, drive through the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area or experience a magic gondola ride without leaving Australia.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has launched a Virtual Reality Companion app that helps transport trade show delegates and would-be visitors alike to popular attractions in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
The LVCVA showcased virtual reality through Oculus Rift, a technology company that builds and distributes virtual reality head-mounted display units that allow users to have an immersive 3D experience, during the ITB travel trade show in Berlin, Germany earlier this month.
This technology connects the consumer more directly with the Las Vegas experience by placing them inside the destination to participate first-hand. The LVCVA launched a series of 360 degree videos last year as part of the brand’s online GeoVegas experience; the addition of the head-mounted display units makes the experience even more immersive.
The Virtual Reality Companion app allows consumers to download the Vegas VR experience onto their Apple or Android Smartphone. The app, includes 12 immersive Las Vegas virtual reality experiences that can be viewed directly on a smartphone, or used with a VR Viewer such as a Google Cardboard or Oculus. The LVCVA will continue to add to the library of immersive experiences in the coming weeks and months.
8. Uniworld launches PressReader on European fleet
Beginning this month, Uniworld will be the first river cruise line to offer complimentary access to PressReader for all guests on-board their company-owned ships in Europe.
As part of their ongoing focus on providing an incredibly personalised experience, Uniworld will now give their guests a choice of premium newspapers and magazines from all over the world.
Passengers can use PressReader to download full versions of their favourite titles onto their own laptops, tablets and smartphones. Available Australian titles include Australian Traveller, Vogue, GQ, News Local regional newspapers, Delicious and many more titles from Australia and beyond.
Uniworld travellers simply need to download the PressReader app on their iOS, Android or Windows smartphone or tablet before departing. They’ll then have complimentary access to PressReader content once on-board and throughout the duration of their cruise.
9. Golf Days delivers rewards for a PTM
TravelManagers’ personal travel manager Annalize Troost, representative for West Pennant Hills and CLIA Cruise Master recently combined her love of golf and travel, by sponsoring a hole at the 2016 GoldKey Financial ALPG Pennant Hills PRO-AM.
The PRO-AM is a very prestigious event that attracts over 300 local and international professional players as well as amateur golfers and caddies together with a couple of hundred spectators.
Having joined TravelManagers in October 2015, it was Troost’s desire to promote awareness that she is now a personal travel manager that inspired her decision to undertake a golf day sponsorship.
Troost enlisted the support of Royal Caribbean International who co-promoted a stand with TravelManagers on the fourth hole. Royal Caribbean International ‘s Nicole Stojic, Inside Sales Coordinator and Key Account Manager Mark Rheinbay were at the two-day golf event.
“I offered a variety of worldwide special travel promotions and Royal Caribbean handed out product brochures.”
Annalize Troost, Personal Travel Manager
“Nicole and Mark were extremely supportive of my sponsorship initiative and golfers were extremely interested to learn more about cruising. I certainly valued their commitment and wouldn’t have attempted this event without them.”
Troost also received on the ground support from her state based business partnership manager Julie Anderson and TravelManagers national partnership manager Suzanne Laister.
Part of the sponsorship agreement allowed for four teams to enter into the PRO-AM tournament. Three teams each consisted of three of Troost’s clients and an accompanying golf pro with the fourth team comprised of TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager Michael Gazal, President of the Pennant Hills Golf Club Alan Watson, Ron Hutt, another of Troost’s clients and the golf pro Mirim Nagl from Germany.
10. itravel holds Awards Lunch
The itravel team have invited their Top Three achievers and their most improved Mobile Agents to a celebratory lunch at Nick’s Seafood Restaurant in Darling Harbour.
The lunch, which celebrated the achievements for 2015 included Directors Steve Labroski and Louie Apostolovski, Business Operations Manager Annalee Ilievski and Head of Strategic Partnerships Kim Wudko as well as two of the Top Three grossing Mobile Agents, Lyndall Collins and Stacey Arthur and Most Improved Mobile Agent, Geoff Currie. Unfortunately, number two in the Top Three, Nicole Beasley, was unable to make the lunch, but was celebrated highly.
All award winners received trophies for their excellence and sat down with the Head Office team for a three course lunch at Nick’s Seafood Restaurant to celebrate a fantastic 2015 and toast to a bigger 2016.
The itravel agent awards are a way to show recognition to our top selling agents and those who are making significant improvements.
Click here for more pictures.
