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. ‘High possibility’ debris belongs to MH370
Australian investigators will examine a piece of debris found off Mozambique for a connection to the missing flight MH370.
The discovery was made less than a week before the two-year anniversary of the day the plane disappeared off Malaysia Airlines’ radars with 239 people onboard.
An American tourist who was blogging about the missing Boeing 777-200LR was credited for the find near the town of Vilankulo in Inhambane province between Mozambique and Madagascar. This is within the same corner of the southern Indian Ocean where the confirmed wing flaperon was found in July last year.
2. World’s longest flight touches down
Emirates has officially sealed itself as the airline with the world’s longest commercial flight after travelling 14,000km from Dubai to touch down in Auckland.
The new non-stop service is operated using the Boeing 777-200LR with around 266 passengers onboard.
Emirates President of Group Services, Gary Chapman, said launching the new service signified the carrier’s commitment to New Zealand.
“The non-stop cements the commitment and the importance of New Zealand to us as an airline and of New Zealand as part of our global network.”
Gary Chapman, Emirates President of Group Services
3. MasterCard and AccorHotels partner for exclusive privileges.
MasterCard and AccorHotels have announced a new partnership deal which will offer MasterCard cardholders exclusive privileges when they stay at selected AccorHotels properties in Asia Pacific – more than 550 AccorHotels properties in the region.
As part of the three-year partnership, AccorHotels and MasterCard have introduced three programs to make cardholders’ holidays a little more special.
Cardholders looking for a much needed escape can book a three-day, two night stay at any of AccorHotels’ participating resorts and enjoy a complimentary night with AccorHotels’ Dream Getaway program from now till 31 March 2016.
MasterCard guests can also look forward to an array of services with breakfast included for up to two people each day as well as personalised bespoke amenities such as butler and nanny services.
“We are very excited to partner with MasterCard to offer their cardholders special privileges and offers when they stay with AccorHotels and hope that this partnership will encourage their members to explore more of our hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific.”
Michael Parsons, Vice President Marketing & Strategic Relationships Asia Pacific, AccorHotels
Those longing for some fun in the sun can enter AccorHotels’ My Resort Moment competition – by snapping and sharing a special moment at an AccorHotels hotel or resort on Instagram. One lucky cardholder stands to win one of four luxury resort stays worth up to USD $1000 each month from now till 31 March 2016.
4. ALERT: Royal Caribbean Facebook scam
Royal Caribbean has warned Facebook users of a false social media profile ‘Royal Caribbean Australia’, which is scamming followers with a fake competition.
The cruise line said the Facebook page is a scam and is urging people to avoid clicking the competition link.
A spokesperson said the page has no connection with Royal Caribbean and the prizes do not exist.
The cruise line is currently working to have the page removed.
5. Agents are invited to get to know Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines is rebuilding its presence in Australia by embarking on a series of roadshows and webinars designed to provide product updates for travel agents.
Commencing 8 March 2016, the airline will host 15 sessions across Melbourne, rural Victoria and Tasmania.
To complement the roadshow, three webinars will take place to allow more people than ever to access key insights.
Bennet Stephens, Malaysia Airlines Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand said the events are a great opportunity for travel agents to learn more about Malaysia Airlines.
Click here to sign up.
6. 60 agents selected to ‘Race Around’ Cali with Qantas Holidays
Qantas Holidays has selected 60 of Australia’s top travel consultants to take part in the 2016 Race Around Northern California famil, departing on 15 March 2016.
Qantas Holidays’ annual Race Around incentive awards consultants with the highest points accrued during 1 September 2015 –15 December 2015 from selling Qantas Holidays packages and Qantas Airways international tickets.
In celebration of Qantas recently recommencing daily flights from Sydney to San Francisco, Qantas Holidays will be taking the top consultants to Northern California.
Qantas Holidays has secured the support of the key tourism bodies from the region to pull off the Northern Californian famil extravaganza that will visit the beautiful locations of Napa Valley, Sonoma Tahoe South, North Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Sacramento & San Francisco itself.
The list of 60 agents is quite extensive, but winners came from groups such as helloworld, MTA Travel, Global Travel & Cruise, Elite Travel, Complete Travel Solutions, Travel & Cruise Professionals and more.
7. INDUSTRY RATES in Croatia
Croatian specialist, Beyond Travel, has extended its booking period for a range of value offers on small ship sailings around the Dalmatia Islands of Croatia on selected departure dates from May until August this year.
The eight-day, roundtrip ‘Adriatic Classic’ cruise from Dubrovnik is available for agents at $750 plus $140 taxes, normally priced up to $2,890 per person. Plus, bring a companion along for only $895 plus taxes. The offer is valid for 14 May, 18 June, 23, 30 July and 20, 27 August departures.
Rates are also applicable on the eight-day ‘Dalmatian Odyssey’ roundtrip from Split on 7 May, 4 June, 16 July, 23, 30 and 13 August.
These cruises visit the most popular Dalmatian Islands including Mljet, Pucisca, Omis, Brac, Hvar, Korcula.
The offer is avilable until 31 March. To take advantage of the rates, email sales@beyondtravel.com.au.
8. Karbo heads up INNSTANT in Australia
Global online travel wholesaler Innstant Travel, has announced the appointment of Joe Karbo as its General Manager of Australia.
The former GM of Excite Holidays who recently returned from an expansion role in Europe, will now lead Innstant’s local operations in Australia.
As part of the role, Karbo will work with local agents to build momentum for the company in Australia.
The company’s CEO, Darryl Ismail, said Joe brings “a wealth of local knowledge and experience” to the role.
“I’m extremely happy to join the Innstant Group and look forward to adding value by working closely with existing team members and the local travel industry again.”
Joe Karbo, Innstant Travel General Manager Australia
“The company is truly a global business, which owns its technology and currently supports agents in highly competitive markets such as UK, USA, Brazil, China, Mid-East & Australia which is very impressive.”
9. A month of Arts in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s flourishing arts scene comes to fruition each March with an inspirational spectrum of events.
From opera to ballet, from art installations to seminars, there’s something to suit all tastes.
Among the events is the 44th Hong Kong Arts Festival from 19 February to 20 March 2016 as well as the Art Basel from 24 to 26 March.
English-language tours of the SoHo Gallery Walk will operate every Saturday morning at 11.00am during the month, while resident artists will display their works at the MTR Central Station.
10. Half a dozen Vikings launch on the rivers
Viking River Cruises has added half of a dozen new Longships to its fleet this week with a joint official naming ceremony held in Amsterdam earlier this week.
Six travel agents performed their godmother duties on the six vessels before they set sail.
Of the new Longships, four will be deployed on Viking’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers; the remaining two will sail the Seine River on Viking’s Paris and the Heart of Normandy itinerary.
Later this month, Viking will also debut a seventh new river ship for 2016, Viking Osfrid, which is inspired by the Longships design and specifically built for the Douro River, bringing the company’s total number of ships in Portugal to three.
